The countdown is on – and advent calendars are already landing. From grooming and wellness to fitness, chocolate and, yes, even a cheeky tipple, these are the ones we’ll be opening through December – if we can hold out until then, anyway
Let’s face it, December isn’t quite December without anadvent calendar. And while the kids might be perfectly happy with a square of chocolate and your partner with the latest beauty treats, it’s about time the men got in on the action too.
Protein bars? Check. Running kit? Absolutely. Tea, grooming products, supplements and a cheeky rum? You name it, chances are someone has put a selection of them behind a little cardboard door – and we’re here for it.
Because whether you’re trying to keep your protein
Because whether you’re trying to keep your protein intake up through party season, need some extra motivation to get out for those frosty December runs or simply fancy something more exciting than a minuscule chocolate Santa, there’s an advent calendar with your name on it.
So, in the name of very important festive research, we’ve been digging through this year’s launches to find the themed calendars actually worth knowing about.
Here are our favourites for Christmas 2026.
Best for protein lovers: Grenade Advent Calendar
A Protein bar every day in December? Why not – they make a great high-protein snack when on the run. Think Caramel Chaos, Fudged Up, Peanut Nutter and Oreo, alongside the rather festive Dark Chocolate Mint, White Chocolate Cookie and Jaffa Quake.
This handy calendar swaps tiny festive chocolates for 24 full-sized, low-sugar protein bars, making it a particularly good pick for anyone who’s time-poor but still trying to keep their protein intake up – oh, and keep their sweet tooth under control over Christmas too.
£55; Grenade.com
Best for gym-goers: Myprotein Winter Arc Advent Calendar
Best for gym-goers: Myprotein Winter Arc Advent Calendar
Want to stay on track with your fitness goals this December? Myprotein’s Winter Arc Advent Calendar puts a sporty spin on the traditional Christmas countdown, with 24 products and 24 daily fitness challenges hiding behind its doors.
Expect everything from Impact Whey + Collagen and Crispy Squares to seasonal protein treats, hydration essentials and fitness accessories. The added daily challenges will also give you a little extra motivation to keep moving and keep on top of your training right up until the big day.
£79.99; Myprotein
Best for runners: Bimble & Bolt Runners Advent Calendar
Hand-picked by runners, for runners, Bimble & Bolt’s Advent Calendar swaps the usual chocolate countdown for 24 days of kit, fuel and recovery treats to keep you moving through December.
There’s a surprisingly good mix inside, too. Expect hydration from VOOM and Veloforte, energy bars and gels, a resistance band, muscle balm, tired-feet salts, race clips and even a washbag. And because you can’t ever have too many running socks, you’ll also uncover three pairs of Bimble & Bolt’s bestselling Soft Stepper socks along the way.
A genuinely useful countdown for anyone who’d choose a crisp December run over a chocolate coin.
£42; Bimble & Bolt
Best for a festive tipple: Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar
A rum advent calendar? Seriously, what’s not to like? If December evenings call for something a little stronger than a hot chocolate, this 12-day countdown lets you discover a different rum in the run-up to Christmas.
Behind each door you’ll find a miniature bottle to sample, making it a fun way to try a few different rums without committing to the full-sized bottle. Pour one over ice, add your mixer of choice or stock up for entertaining over the Christmas break – it’s your choice.
It might only be 12 days rather than 24, but when there’s rum involved, we think that’s the most sensible option anyway.
£69.90; The Whisky World
Best for brighter smiles: Icy Bear 12-Day Advent
Best for brighter smiles: Icy Bear 12-Day Advent Calendar
When we said there was an advent calendar for everyone, we meant it. Forget chocolate and protein bars; dental care brand Icy Bear is counting down to Christmas with 12 days dedicated entirely to your nashers.
Behind the doors, you’ll find everything from everyday essentials such as toothpaste, mouthwash and a tongue scraper to teeth-whitening strips, a whitening pen and PAP+ whitening powder. There’s even a toothbrush thrown in for good measure.
Granted, a tongue scraper might not deliver quite the same morning excitement as a chocolate Santa, but if whiter teeth and fresher breath are on your Christmas wish list, this could be
one to smile at.
£74.99; Icy Bear
Best for tea lovers: Twinings 24 Days of Festive Warmth Advent Calendar
Need a cup of tea to get the morning started? Tea lovers, rejoice. Twinings’ 24 Days of Festive Warmth Advent Calendar gives you a different brew to discover behind every door, with a curated mix of fruit, green tea, herbal and classic infusions to see you through December. Expect some of the brand’s much-loved Superblends alongside comforting everyday favourites, including Peppermint, Green Matcha, Digest, and Immune Support and an infusion of orange, turmeric and Star Anise flavour too. A good alternative to chocolate – and an excuse to put the kettle on and start each December morning with five minutes of calm.
£13.99; Twinings.co.uk
Best for grooming: Baylis & Harding Men’s 24 Days of Advent
A month of Christmas parties, late nights and one too many trips to the pub can take its toll, so consider this your December grooming kit in a box.
Behind the 24 doors, Baylis & Harding has packed in everything you need for a little head-to-toe maintenance, including shower gels, hair and body washes, face wash, body lotion, aftershave balm, soaps and even a muscle soak – particularly welcome after a tough December workout.
There are three suitably masculine fragrance combinations to work your way through, too: Citrus, Lime & Mint; Black Pepper & Ginseng; and Bergamot, Hemp & Sandalwood.
So, whether you’re heading to the office Christmas party, squeezing in a quick workout or simply attempting to look vaguely presentable by Christmas Day, this should keep your
bathroom cabinet well stocked throughout December.
£46; Baylis & Harding
Best for big kids: LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar
Who decided LEGO Advent calendars were just for kids? Certainly not us. This Marvel calendar packs 24 days with 317 pieces of superhero nostalgia, from Spider-Man on skis and a Doctor Doom helicopter to a Captain America snowman, Helicarrier and X-Jet sleigh. You’ll also get six minifigures, including Iron Man, Captain America and Spider-Man, complete with suitably festive accessories.
Yes, you could buy it for the little ones. Or you could keep it on your own desk and indulge your inner child. We know which option we’d choose.
£29.99; Truetoys
