{"id":134,"date":"2021-11-12T16:26:18","date_gmt":"2021-11-12T15:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=101645"},"modified":"2021-11-12T16:43:17","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T15:43:17","slug":"best-non-chocolate-advent-calendars-2021","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/best-non-chocolate-advent-calendars-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Best non-chocolate advent calendars 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Tanya Jackson\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 12 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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There was a time, long before the 1980s, when advent calendars comprised detailed such snowy scenes as children throwing snowballs with charming little paper windows that opened to show a picture of a little robin or hibernating hedgehog \u2013 or even one of Santa\u2019s elves.<\/p>\n

Then along came chocolate and changed everything. The whole experience of opening an advent calendar window became less important than the treat behind it. It melded into the overindulgent month-long blur that is Christmas.<\/p>\n

But in the last few years, there\u2019s been a welcome trend away from this. True, you can still begin seasonal overeating via your advent calendar, whether that\u2019s chocolate, gin or pork scratchings \u2013 in the run-up to the 25^{th<\/sup>. But thanks to a national shift towards sustainability, and the lasting trend for home-made gifting and decorations, there are more options now than ever for meaningful, fun and unusual advent calendars in the UK.<\/p>\n}

Perhaps you don\u2019t have a sweet tooth, or are trying to stave it off. Or perhaps you just fancy something different this year. Whatever your reason, here\u2019s our pick of the best non-chocolate advent calendars for 2021.<\/p>\n

Our colleagues over on\u00a0Gathered<\/em>\u00a0have a range of great step-by-step guides for making your own advent calendars, including one involving embroidery<\/a>, and one made from multiple fabrics<\/a>. BBC Science Focus<\/em>\u00a0has\u00a0this excellent guide to 10 cool Advent calendars<\/a>, while BBC Wildlife<\/em> has the low-down on this year\u2019s most gorgeous wildlife-themed advent calendars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best non-chocolate advent calendars 2021<\/h2>\n
White Wooden LED Light Up Christmas Xmas Advent Calendar Scene<\/h3>\n
By Snowtime<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Bring an extra touch of class to your mantelpiece or tabletop this December with this hand-painted set of advent drawers, topped with a wooden cut-out of a festive village scene. The LED lights bring a magical feel to the church and carol singers, while the unimposing little white drawers can be filled with your choice of treat \u2013\u00a0perhaps a wildlife-themed pin, a miniature hand cream, or a cheeky chocolate after all? It\u2019s reusable of course, so you can feel good about refilling it year after year, and surprising the recipients anew.<\/p>\n
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