The countdown to Christmas day is almost as exciting as the main event and, if you're anything like the House & Garden team, you'll be almost giddy by the time December rolls around. Following what has been a whirlwind 2023, we are going full Christmas elf this year, looking to spread joy, send gifts and get into the festive spirit more than ever before. One of the best ways to do this? A luxury advent calendar from one of your favourite retailers. Days of Christmas: Inside your gift box you will receive - 25 gift-wrapped surprises, a grow guide, 10 metres of jute rope and 25 wooden clips to help display your calendar. The chestnuts are roasting, the carol singers and clearing their throats, and you’d be wise to wear a helmet and pads if you so much as step foot inside a department store on a Saturday afternoon. This can all mean only one thing: the Christmas season has arrived, with December just days away.

The production of the calendar is supported by retex, a local intiative to create jobs for mentally ill and disabled people. Featuring 24 mini bottles, ranging from fresh gins to single malt whiskies, this is the perfect countdown for those with an adventurous palette. Each drawer contains an inspirational serving suggestion or new way to sample (one such example is drizzling a dash of gin on a rice pudding). The 25th day holds a larger surprise in the form of a 20cl bottle of Speyside Scotch Whisky. If the plant has survived its germination, it is very convenient to know where it feels most comfortable. Does it like it in the sun? Will it grow in a pot or does it need a lot of soil and a garden? To help get everyone in the mood, we have pulled together a selection of the most beautiful (and indulgent) luxury advent calendars to keep you entertained until Christmas. From jewellery to Lego to beauty there's sure to be something for you but, if none of these are up your street, keep an eye out for our foodie advent calendars (including delicious chocolate advent calendars) and alcohol advent calendars out now. What are the best advent calendars for 2023?You should see at first glance how the seeds from your seed advent calendar are made to germinate. The germination period, location and how much water they can tolerate is important to know. Grow your own Advent Calendar: An alternative to chocolate advent calendars for gardeners, featuring 25 different varieties of vegetables, herbs and salad seeds that can be grown year-round. Perfect grow your own Christmas gifts for women, men and children.

Most crafts are suitable for ages six and up and can be completed with typical household items such as tape, glue and scissors, though we’d suggest this is best suited to eight year olds upwards. It’s worth noting that the element of surprise is limited by the instructions guide which details each day’s crafts. Do ensure that you have basic craft materials to get started, too (eg. glue gun). Some crafts require adult supervision but regardless, this calendar makes a great change from the usual cheap chocolate ones and is sure to keep craft-loving kids busy in the run-up to 25 December. Here at Sun Shopping, we’ve scoured the internet for some sparks of joy, ripping apart the boxes to find out what's going on behind the scenes. In addition to these 24 pre-filled bags, the calendar contains string made of natural hemp fibres and beeswax, 24 wooden clothing pegs and an information booklet with detailed sowing instructions in German and English, each containing helpful advice for successfully sowing your own plants.On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a delicious dram of Scottish whisky. And frankly, we couldn’t ask for anything better. We won’t spoil the surprise for the other 23 drams hidden in this advent calendar, but suffice to say that it conceals a superb selection of Scotch whiskies from a wide range of distilleries. There’s also a handy planting plan; perfect for those starting out, as it's always difficult to work out where to plant everything in your outdoor space.