Advent is a season of preparation, as Christians ready themselves for the birth of Jesus. More recently, however, the countdown to Christmas has also become big business.
In 2013, Liberty London released its first Advent calendar, and it quickly became the best-selling product in the department store’s nearly 150-year history. The 2025 edition will set you back £275 –even more than Fortnum and Mason’s entry into the highly saturated market (£265).
From chocolate and gin to beauty products and gourmet marshmallows, there’s an Advent calendar for almost everyone. But if you’re looking to count down to Christmas Day a little differently this year, we have you covered.
Keep reading to discover five Advent calendars with a difference – ones that focus on helping those in need and celebrating the festive period sustainably.
1. Advent of Change
The 24 days of Advent mean 24 opportunities to donate to charity with the Advent of Change calendar.
As a non-profit organisation, Advent of Change has a mission to make the world fairer and more sustainable. The organisation has so far donated almost £1 million, split between more than 100 charities, and in 2025, you can do your bit too.
The 2025 calendar is available as a plastic-free, fully recyclable physical object, or as a digital-only version.
Each day, open a door to reveal the charity that you’re supporting and to discover how your donation makes a difference. That might be providing food, shelter, and medicine to vulnerable people, or helping to protect our planet.
The price you pay for the calendar determines the size of your donation, from 10p to £10 a day, and every door you open in the run-up to Christmas Day will help to spread some festive cheer and make a difference somewhere in the world.
2. Unicef Paddington Calendar
The UN-based humanitarian aid organisation supports children worldwide, and this year, it has teamed up with Paddington Bear. Two bespoke Paddington Advent calendars offer a daily look at the life-changing gifts for children that your donation makes possible.
Inspirational and informative, every door reveals the incredible work that your donation helps Unicef to accomplish for the children who need help most. You’ll learn something new about the world, spark thought-provoking conversation, and know that you’re making a difference.
On average, 75p of every £1 you donate to Unicef goes directly to helping children, while 24p is spent on raising the next £1. (Just 1p goes on running the charity.)
3. Wooden star reusable Advent calendar
The Goodness Project is an independent and family-owned online platform selling products that promote eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles. That includes vegan, plant-based, natural, and free-from products – and, this Christmas, a sustainable take on the Advent calendar.
This stylish wooden Advent calendar would make a beautiful addition to any festive fireplace.
There are no doors or chocolates – just the beautiful simplicity of a wooden star moving cog-like along the teeth of a wooden bar, marked with the days of Advent.
The perfect accompaniment to the festive season for the sustainably minded, this decorative piece can be used year after year.
4. Roger la Borde treehouse Advent calendar
Treat the family home to some sustainable festive cheer with this treehouse Advent calendar. Another reusable calendar, this one is great for kids.
Day by day, you’ll slot together a festive treehouse scene complete with snow-covered branches and bunting, woodland animals, and a charming snowman.
Made from durable board, this three-dimensional display, designed by artist Jane Ray, will enchant children year after year.
5. Impactful Ninja: The Most Impactful Advent Calendar
Founded 25 years ago, Impactful Ninja attempts to shift the focus away from Christmas consumption to giving. It does this through initiatives that make meaningful change.
Having researched thousands of charities, Impactful Ninja has produced The Most Impactful Advent Calendar, featuring 24 charities that do incredible work around the world.
Most importantly, the charities included have committed to using the money donated to complete tangible good deeds that wouldn’t be possible without your purchase.
By opening your Advent calendar door, you might be planting a tree in a child’s back garden, vaccinating a dog in a rabies hotspot, or collecting and recycling 1kg of dumped plastic waste from our oceans.
For each good deed your money enables, you’ll find a webpage showing the full background to the charity, the work they do, and the deed they complete on your behalf – complete with a video message and a progress update the following year.
75% of all donations go directly to the 24 chosen organisations, helping to fund concrete action that couldn’t happen without you. The print version is US-based, so a digital version might be your best option, which also helps to cut down on transportation costs and waste.
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