A gift a day for that special someone
This year, more than ever, we’re really in need of something cheering to look forward to. The advent calendar, once a humble novelty gift to get children excited about Christmas, are just as fun for the adults. From grooming treats to old and rare whisky, here’s our pick of the six best calendars out there to get you into the holiday spirit.
Jo Malone’s London Advent Calendar
How much: $690
Jo Malone’s annual advent calendars are always a hit. This year, it invites you to explore the alluring world of scents with surprises in every one of the 24 boxes of signature scents, travel-sized bath and body treats and miniature candles, which might include its very popular Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne. Housed in its classic townhouse design box, it’s sure to be a wonderful addition under the Christmas tree.
Master of Malt’s Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar
How much: S$1,486.33
UK-based Drinks By The Dram launched in 2010, offering whisky connoisseurs the opportunity to sample thousands of spirits without committing to a full bottle. The company’s said to be the creators of the original drink calendar, which debuted to great acclaim in 2012. It has delivered again with this elegant gold and black box of 24 extraordinary whiskies in wax-sealed drams. Without giving too much away, the exciting lineup counts the award-winning Yamazaki 18 and the rare unicorn of Fettercairn 40 Year Old, of which only 818 bottles were produced. With notes of rich nutmeg spice, orange oil, and bitter dark chocolate, it sounds like the perfect tipple for a spirited Christmas.
Mr Porter’s 12 Days of Grooming Advent Calendar
How much: £99.68 (S$178.60)
This Christmas, Mr Porter, one of the world’s leading luxury menswear online retailers, has launched its third advent calendar. The abbreviated 12-day advent calendar comes with a total of 12 products (nine of which are full-sized) for the skin, body, hair and face from some of the best grooming brands on its site, with an estimated combined value of £447 (S$800). The beauty of a grooming advent calendar is you can sample different products in one easy and charmingly designed package. Highlights include Dr Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum, which deeply moisturises the skin, and Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks from 111Skin.
Temple Cellars’ IPA Canvent Calendar
How much: S$249
Local bottle shop Temple Cellars is known for its wide range of craft beers, and this year, for the first time, it has launched its own limited-edition craft beer-themed advent calendars, or if I may dub it, “advent canlendars“. The IPA version holds 24 different cans of Double IPAs, New England IPAs, West Coast IPAs, all sourced from a wide range of craft breweries around the world, with a total value of over S$280. Have yourself a hoppy little Christmas.
Thirsty Beer Shop’s Not An Advent Calendar
How much: Starting from S$159
If variety matters, tap this. Thirsty Beer Shop’s bestselling Not An Advent Calendar is back with 24 swelter-breaking beers to get anyone through the heat of the holidays. Featuring new brews from America, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, expect 14 different styles in total, such as your pilsner, creamy stout and bitter IPA. In the spirit of Christmas, the beers will come gifted in a bright blue and red box, each hidden behind a door of fun fact or silly joke. Order by the box or more; three goes for S$465 while five goes for S$765. Delivery is complimentary.
Zotter’s Hand-Scooped Chocolate Advent Calendar
How much: S$97
For the chocolate lover with a social conscience, Zotter is an Austrian organic and Fairtrade-certified brand founded in 1999 by Josef Zotter. Its hand-scooped chocolate bars, a Zotter innovation, are laboriously constructed in layers by hand. Depending on the recipe, this process will be repeated several times. The more traditional 24-chocolate gift contains some of their finest creations including the Marc de Champagne, a chocolate ganache infused with the finest Champagne distillate created by Fleury, the first Champagne producer in the world awarded a Demeter certification. There’s also a very festive Sweet Christmas bar, filled with spicy gingerbread in a cream of dark chocolate, marzipan, coconut and rum.
