This year, make your holiday countdown as meaningful as it is magical with our guide to the best eco-friendly advent calendars. From sustainable beauty products to educational surprises and handmade keepsakes, these calendars bring joy to every day of December while being kinder to the planet.
Whether you’re looking to support local businesses, discover unique gifts, or reduce your holiday footprint, these sustainable picks are perfect for celebrating the festive season sustainably.
Lush Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas in true Lush style! Each day treat yourself to a festive gift from bath bombs and lotions to exclusive Christmas favourites and even a scented candle. This year’s calendar includes beloved classics and fresh takes on bestsellers, handpicked to help you wind down for the holidays. The artwork on the reusable box is by Tess Gilmartin, a neurodivergent artist supported by the inclusive Blue Room program. Made from 100 per cent recycled materials and tied with a ribbon made of recycled bottles, this box is designed to last well past the festive season.
Comfort Zone Advent Calendar Kit AED 839
Count down to Christmas in style with Comfort Zone’s Advent Calendar, brought to you by the sustainable beauty brand that combines premium products that care for you as much as the planet. Behind each of the 24 beautifully crafted doors, you’ll find convenient mini formats of their best-sellers, from hydrating treatments to skin saviours, ensuring your skin is glowing for the holiday season. Whether you’re gearing up for festive parties or simply having some well-deserved self-care, this advent calendar makes every day of December a celebration of you. Ideal for those who want to experiment with different routines or love to travel.
Fortnum & Mason’s Musical Advent Calendar £180 (AED 832)
Standing just over 50cm tall, Fortnum’s Piccadilly House Musical Advent Calendar is everything you’d expect from the iconic department store, elegant, festive, and showstopping. Inspired by their iconic Piccadilly façade, this wooden calendar has 24 numbered doors each with plenty of room for small gifts. The best bit? Every time you open a door, it plays a festive tune like Jingle Bells or Silent Night. While it’s certainly an investment, the timeless design and premium quality mean it’s built to last year after year and destined to become a family heirloom.
Avantcha Luxury Tea Advent Calendar, AED 1,500
This advent calendar is perfect for tea lovers. Behind each door, you’ll discover a selection of teas, from loose leaf blends to festive mini tins and even a few rare finds from the Platinum Tea Collection—but we won’t spoil all the surprises. Made by AVANTCHA, a brand that values sustainability from their natural, organic farming techniques to a use of responsible packaging, it’s a thoughtful way to count down to Christmas. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just enjoy a warm cup on a winter’s day, this calendar brings joy to the season, one sustainable sip at a time.
The Body Shop Advent of Wonders Calendar, AED 408
This eco-friendly advent calendar from The Body Shop is a perfect choice for anyone looking to add a touch of eco-luxe to their festive season. Inside, you’ll find 25 surprises, including some full-sized beauty products. We won’t give too much away but perhaps you’ll find a couple of fair trade fruity shower gels, a creamy Body Butter or two, or even a hardworking hand balm. You’ll also get a thoughtful ‘act of kindness’ behind each door to encourage a little extra goodwill throughout December. Once the final door has been opened, you can either recycle the calendar or repurpose the box to store bits and pieces year-round.
L’Occitane’s Reusable Advent Calendar, £170 (AED 780)
If you’re looking for a luxurious yet sustainable gift, L’Occitane’s reusable, eco-friendly advent calendar is a fantastic option. Designed with cotton pockets that can be hung on the wall, it’s filled with some of the brand’s most loved toiletries and cosmetics. L’Occitane is a brand committed to sustainability, working with 130 French farmers and 10,000 pickers to ensure the quality and eco-consciousness of its ingredients. With a goal to safeguard 1,000 plant species by 2025, it’s a festive calendar that’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
For kids
Maisontini’s Christmas in the Desert’ Advent Calendar, AED 200
Celebrate the festive season with a touch of UAE magic with this UAE-Inspired Christmas Advent Calendar! Bringing a touch of Emirati charm this beautifully designed cotton calendar features 24 pockets with illustrations including sand-surfing camels, palm trees, and even an locally-dressed gingerbread man. Each pocket is spacious enough to fit sweet surprises to small gifts making this reusable calendar not just festive but eco-friendly too.
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar, AED 115
Add a touch of discovery to the festive season with the National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar, perfect for young explorers. Behind each of the 24 doors, kids will uncover a dazzling gemstone, creating a unique rock collection as they count down to Christmas. From quartz to amethyst, each day brings a new treasure and a chance to learn more about Earth’s natural wonders. The fun doesn’t stop there though as it also includes a mini gemstone dig kit, allowing kids to channel their inner archaeologist and unearth hidden treasures.
Koala Picks’ limited edition Advent Calendar , AED 250
Countdown to Christmas with Koala Picks’ locally made, limited edition Advent Calendar! Perfect for 2 kids, this calendar supports local businesses while keeping the festive season sustainable. Packed with 25 days of delicious and healthy surprises, it’s the perfect way to bring a little magic to your holiday season. Each day, open a drawer to uncover a tasty Koala Picks snack, from gingerbread cookies to festive crackers, fruit rolls, and more. Available only for a limited time, get yours before they’re gone!
How to Create Your Own DIY Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar
For those who want to truly embrace sustainability and add a personal touch to their holiday countdown, this DIY advent calendar is the perfect project.
Materials
- 24 small paper bags or envelopes (preferably recycled).
- A wooden box, crate, or tray to hold the bags.
- Small wooden tags or ornaments for numbering (you can reuse old decorations or make your own).
- Mini wooden clips or clothes pegs to attach the tags.
- Twigs of greenery like rosemary or pine (cuttings from your herb garden work beautifully).
- Small gifts or treats to fill the bags (ideas include homemade cookies, dried fruit, or eco-friendly trinkets).
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bags: Label each paper bag with a number from 1 to 24. You can attach wooden tags with mini clothespins for a rustic touch.
- Add Greenery: Decorate each bag with a sprig of greenery or a cinnamon stick for a festive and natural look. Use the clothes pegs or twine to secure them.
- Fill the Bags: Choose small, meaningful items to place in each bag.
- Arrange the Bags: Place the decorated bags in a wooden box or tray, arranging them neatly for a beautiful display.
- Reuse and Recycle: After the holidays, reuse the wooden tags and clothes pegs for next year, and compost the bags and greenery.
