The UK's Best 7 Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars

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Countdown to a Green Christmas with these Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars

Written by Charlie Gill

As the festive season approaches, it's time to start thinking about ways to celebrate and there’s one item that beats all others for the countdown: The advent calendar. Now there are so many more ways to be eco at Christmas including by opting for an eco-friendly advent calendar.

Eco-friendly advent calendars are perfect for those of us who want to enjoy the Christmas period while also reducing our environmental footprint. In this article we’ll showcase the 7 best eco-friendly advent calendars to make your December that little bit greener. 

What's the Problem with Advent Calendars?

While we all love the tradition of advent calendars, there are some concerns about their environmental impact. Many conventional advent calendars are made with single-use plastic and have excessive packaging, often ending up in landfills. Then there are the ethical concerns about which chocolate is being used and if the chocolates in the advent calendar have come from child labour and unethical working conditions. By choosing an eco-friendly advent calendar alternative, you can help address these issues while still keeping to traditions.

What Do You Fill a Blank Advent Calendar With?

Before we dive into the eco-friendly options, you might be wondering what to fill your blank, reusable, or refillable advent calendar with. The possibilities are endless! Here are some of our favourite ideas:

• Small toys and trinkets
• Handwritten notes or inspirational quotes
• Eco-friendly treats like FairTrade chocolates or organic sweets
• Mini skincare or beauty products
• Craft supplies for DIY holiday decorations
• Sustainable and reusable items like bamboo toothbrushes or reusable shopping bags

Let’s take a closer look at the best UK eco-friendly advent calendar options, perfect for your green Christmas.

1/ Tony’s Chocolonely Advent Calendar

25 windows of different flavours of FairTrade milk, dark, and white chocolate wrapped up in festive colours.

• Price: £15.99

The highlights:

🍫 10 different flavours in total

🤝 Fairtrade, slavery-free, suitable for vegetarians

📏 Large size: measures 3.2 x 32.6 x 52.7cm

BUY IT HERE

2/ Cotton Pockets Reusable Advent Calendar

A large cotton hanging advent calendar with 24 pockets to fill with your own advent treats.

• Price: £19.95

The highlights:

♻️ Can be decorated and repurposed every year

🎄 Supplied with a wooden stick for hanging

⛄ 24 pockets for the run up to Christmas day

BUY IT HERE

3/ Ombar Oatmilk Advent Calendar

A delicious advent alternative for vegan, gluten-free or anyone who likes oatmilk chocolate.

• Price: £14.99

The highlights:

🍫 25 mini bars in a mix of four scrumptious flavours (Smooth, Hazelnut, Fruit & Nut, Salted Caramel Truffle)

🌱 Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Free from gluten and plastic

🇬🇧 Made in the UK, with recyclable packaging

BUY IT HERE

4/ The Real Advent Calendar

A luxury FairTrade chocolate advent calendar that comes with a 24-page Christmas story activity booklet.

• Price: £4.96

The highlights:

🤝 Supports charitable projects

🍫 Made with FairTrade cocoa and sugar, free from palm oil, artificial flavours, and colours

🌱 Suitable for vegetarians

♻️ Comes in a recyclable box and tray

BUY IT HERE

5/ Wooden House Reusable Advent Calendar

Personalised wooden advent house with hollow centres for filling with your own advent treats.

• Price: £39.95

The highlights:

🎄 Reusable year after year

⛄ Perfect for a traditional Nordic Christmas display

🏠 Made from plywood

BUY IT HERE

6/ Coffee Advent Calendar

Coffee advent calendar containing 24 speciality Arabica coffees.

• Price: £44.99

The highlights:

♻️ Fully recyclable packaging and FSC-approved materials

☕ Ethically sourced coffee

⛄ Discover new and exciting coffee varieties throughout December

BUY IT HERE

7/ PLAYin Choc Advent Calendar

A plant-based friendly advent calendar containing 3D puzzle toys from cardboard.

• Price: £49.95

The highlights:

🌱 Plastic-free, organic, vegan, and allergy-free

🧩 Sustainable cardboard surprise 3D puzzle toys in each drawer

♻️ Fully recyclable & made in the UK

BUY IT HERE

These eco-friendly advent calendars offer a sustainable way to countdown to Christmas while supporting ethical and environmentally conscious brands. By choosing reusable and refillable options, you can create a greener, more eco-conscious holiday season that brings joy to both you and the planet.

How Do I Make My Advent Calendar Eco-Friendly?

There are some simple steps you can take to make your countdown to Christmas more eco-friendly. You can start by choosing a reusable advent calendar that you can use year after year, that way you’ll reduce your waste and add a tradition to your celebration. If you prefer to purchase something ready-made, look for advent calendars with ethical and sustainable practices e.g. FairTrade and slavery-free. Finally, choose an advent calendar that has fully recyclable packaging, from the outer box to the individual compartments.

What Can I Put Inside My Refillable Advent Calendar Other Than Chocolate?

When it comes to fillings for your refillable advent calendar, there are so many great options beyond traditional chocolates. Why not try adding festive tea bags, seed packets, handwritten notes, mini books or small toys for kids.

There you have it, our favourite eco-friendly advent calendars, and some top tips for what to fill your reusable calendars with! Following tradition doesn’t have to be unethical and unsustainable. Which eco-friendly advent calendar will you choose?

For more ideas for an environmentally-friendly Christmas, read our ultimate guide to a sustainable Christmas, start your eco Christmas here with us.