With money saving tips on everyone's minds these days, you might be hoping to stick to cheap advent calendars in 2023. But that doesn't mean you can't get an amazing Christmas countdown.
Yes, there are affordable advent calendars – from less than £5 to under £50 – that bring all of the magic of the festive season without breaking the bank, and you can find them at top retailers from Marks & Spencer, H&M and John Lewis to Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason.
"Advent calendars are without a doubt, the best way to get into the Christmas spirit - but depending on their niche, they can be pricey!" says HELLO! Online Senior Lifestyle Editor Katherine Robinson.
"It's worth keeping an eye out for deals, and - especially on Amazon - you can sometimes get previous years' calendars for a fraction of the cost. Christmas is such an expensive time of year anyway, any little saving you can make, however small it may be, definitely helps!"
We've scoured the internet for the best of the budget buys, including affordable beauty advent calendars, wallet-friendly LEGO or Barbie for the kids, and even favourite characters from books and the screen like Harry Potter, Marvel comic heroes, Game of Thrones and Friends.
If you're a fan of snacks, we've included some tasty Christmas countdowns in our edit, from cheese to popcorn and everything in between - we're talking gourmet chocolate, beer, tea and coffee advent calendars, all at a price point that will keep you on budget, no matter what treats are on your wish list.
How we chose the best affordable advent calendars for 2023
The entire HELLO! shopping team has been staying on top of all the new advent calendars for this year, from tea advent calendars to Amazon deals, and with many shoppers adhering to strict budgets this Christmas, we know that affordable calendars are a top priority for some.
So here's what we took into consideration for our budget-friendly advent calendar edit:
- Price: This is the primary consideration - we want to be sure that if you're planning on getting a calendar for yourself or for your entire family or friend group, you'll be able to spend exactly the amount you want to, whether it's a few quid or £50.
- Quality: As tempting as it is to go for extremely cheap advent calendars to save, no one wants to open up a series of disappointing gifts in the run-up to Christmas. That's why on our edit you'll find quality retailers and such trustworthy brands.
- Popularity: As we here at HELLO! go into our fourth advent calendar season, we know what HELLO! shoppers love - so calendars that have been top sellers in the past will likely again be featured.
And, whether 12-day or 24-day advent calendars, all are absolutely packed with goodies you'll love for a fabulously festive December.
1/19
Advent calendars under £35
H&M jewellery advent calendar
There are 24 H&M jewellery gifts to open - earrings, necklaces, and rings.
2/19
Yawn Coffee Advent Calendar
An advent calendar to perk you up! The Yawn coffee countdown contains 24 sachets of freshly-roasted coffee, and you can choose between ground coffee or whole bean.
3/19
Dove Nourishing Secrets Advent Calendar
This useful 12-day gift set is filled with treats from Dove, including four minis, six 'beauty ritual' gifts and two full-size products.
4/19
The Everything Advent Calendar - Hotel Chocolat
You'll find some of Hotel Chocolat's more expensive advent calendars on our list of the best chocolate Christmas countdowns, but for the chocolate lover on a budget, this treat-filled box can't be beat.
5/19
Galaxy Christmas Chocolate Advent Calendar
Filled with Galaxy milk chocolates in festive shapes, with a special chocolate treat on Christmas Eve.
6/19
M&S Beauty advent calendar
The M&S beauty advent calendar sells out every year. And while this year's price hasn't yet been revealed, we can tell you that it's to be released on 26th October and it's valued at a whopping £340 for 2023.
7/19
Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar
If you, or someone you know, loves a (literally) cheesy advent calendar, this is the one to shop! You can also check out our full edit of the best cheese advent calendars of 2023.
8/19
Cadbury 3D Advent Calendar
Standing over 40 cm in height, this advent calendar by Cadbury includes a surprise sticker plus treatsize bars including perennial favourites like Dairy Milk Buttons, Dairy Milk Chunks and Cadbury Fudge.
9/19
Bonne Maman Fruit Jam Advent Calendar
If you're looking for an unusual advent calendar for 2023, sweeten up your Christmas with 23 adorable glass mini jars of jam or spread, plus two surprise gifts!
10/19
Fortnum's Chocolate Truffle Selection Advent Calendar
Yes, we absolutely LOVE the Fortnum & Mason 2023 beauty advent calendar (worth over £1020), but we also can't resist the luxury retailer's tasty treats - and this Fortnum chocolate truffle advent calendar is on our list.
11/19
Harry Potter advent calendar
This official advent calendar for boys and girls is filled with stationery gifts so Harry Potter fans can have the most magical Christmas. There are 24 surprises inside, from key rings to a 'golden snitch' pen.
12/19
Barbie Dreamtopia Advent Calendar
With all things Barbie trending this year – like the Barbie Dreamhouse that looks just like the one in the movie – we have a feeling this Barbie Dreamtopia advent calendar would be a hit with little ones and grown-ups alike.
13/19
Pukka 24-day Tea Advent Calendar
Tea advent calendars are on my list every year and Pukka is one of my favourites. Inside are 48 satchets of organic tea blends, sustainably and ethically sourced from around the world.
14/19
Advent calendars under £50
Premium Pink Gin Advent Calendar
This Barbie pink advent calendar is filled with 12 mini bottles of pink gin, including Liverpool Organic Rose Petal Gin, Whitley Neil Raspberry Gin, Gordon's Pink Gin, Cheeky Gin Passionfruit Gin Liqueur and more.
15/19
SEPHORA COLLECTION The Future is Yours Advent Calendar
Sephora's less expensive in-house advent calendars, featuring the Sephora Collection, are some of the most anticipated, and most affordable, of the year. This year's selection includes the 24-day The Future is Yours advent calendar, worth £75.
You can also shop the beauty retailer's £189 SEPHORA FAVORITES Advent Calendar, featuring brands like Rare Beauty, Elemis, Drunk Elephant and more.
16/19
PLT Beauty advent calendar
PrettyLittleThing’s beauty advent calendar for 2023, worth £198, is selling FAST. The affordable skincare and makeup Christmas countdown includes everything from beauty tools to popular brands like Stila, Pixi, Bondi Sands, Morphe, This Works and Mario Badescu.
17/19
Yankee Candle Advent Book
This 24-day calendar includes festive scented votives and tea light candles with fragrances like Soft Wool & Ember, Silver Sage & Pine or Christmas Cookie, plus a Constellation silver plated glass Tea Light Holder.
18/19
Macmillan 24 Doors of Joy Beauty Advent Calendar
This advent calendar brings joy in more ways than one. Not only do you get 24 days' worth of beauty products from brands like Soap & Glory, No7 and Ted Baker & more, but with every purchase of the advent calendar, £2 will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
19/19
Makeup Revolution 25 Days of Glam Advent Calendar
Tools and on-trend makeup - for your brows, eyes, lips and cheeks - that will keep you looking glam all through the Christmas party season.
