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the most wonderful time of the year

We just LOVE Christmas here at Carousel (did you know we even have our own sister site JUST for advent calendars? We love them that much!). As each festive season draws to a close, we await with bated breath all the exciting designs we’ll see in the next one.

Well, that time of year has come once again, and in our excitement, we’ve gathered our best picks for 2023 that we’d love to share with you. Read on to see what jingled our bells and got us all in that festive spirit!

top five traditional advent calendars

Invoke the spirit of yesteryear by returning to traditional paper calendars!

heart of the forest traditional christmas advent calendar

A captivating moonlit scene adorns this traditional advent calendar, with wonderfully illustrated woodland creatures.

WINTER COTTAGE IN THE WOODS traditional picture ADVENT CALENDAR

A cosy, glittery village cottage picture advent calendar that evokes a sense of country living and the tranquillity that comes with it!

CHRISTMAS BY THE WATERSIDE TRADITIONAL ADVENT CALENDAR

Nestled beside a tranquil river, this calendar whisks you away to a night of gentle snowfall, joyously bustling riverside shops, and warm glowing lights.

high christmas pyramid large traditional paper advent calendar

This nostalgic calendar from Richard Sellmer is a reprint of one of their designs from 1955! Ideal for travelling back in time to childhood Christmases.

WINTER WILDLIFE LANTERN CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

A realistic lantern frame gives way to a atmospheric wintry scene of wildlife by peaceful lakeside, in this wonderfully unique design.

top five new for 2023 advent calendars

Brand new and exciting designs on offer for this year!

BIRDS IN WINTER CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR WITH SOUND

Behind each door of this traditional-style German advent calendar is a beautiful illustration of a real bird species - and when you press on the door, it plays that species' song! A unique gift for a bird enthusiast.

ENCHANTED MOONLIT VILLAGE TRADITIONAL ADVENT CALENDAR

Immerse yourself in a moonlit scene straight out of a fairy tale! Complete with charming villagers, cosy houses, quaint shops, and majestic snowy mountains, this advent calendar sparkles with glitter.

3d christmas tree cats large christmas picture advent calendar

Explore what these cheeky kitties are up to all throughout Advent season! This calendar folds out into a free-standing Christmas tree, which makes a wonderful central point for many decorations.

PEPPA PIG CHILDRENS TOY FIGURES christmas ADVENT CALENDAR

For many children, you simply can't go wrong with Peppa! With figurines from the worldwide smash hit cartoon, and a host of festive accessories to discover, there's no end to the stories they can tell in the run-up to Christmas.

pukka 24 bag organic herbal tea christmas advent calendar

This offering from iconic Pukka Tea is simply beautiful! Its gorgeous blue patterned design gives way to an assortment of delicious tea to discover - start each Advent day right with a mouth-watering, warming cup of tea.

TOP FIVE ECO-FRIENDLY advent calendars

Easy on the planet, and on the pursestrings

OAT MILK VEGAN chocolate CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

24 mini bars of oat milk chocolate, in four assorted flavours? Yes please! A perfect Christmas treat for anyone looking for a dairy-free alternative, this calendar offers vegan chocolate with sustainability at its heart.

Magnetic Tin Advent Plaque Sign Countdown Days Til Christmas Perpetual Calendar

MAGNETIC TIN ADVENT PLAQUE SIGN COUNTDOWN DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS

This lovely tin plaque, designed to look like a quirky blackboard, is a perfect no-frills choice to be used year after year! The magnetic counter is attached with a red and white striped cord too, so you don't have to worry about it getting lost.

DELUXE MINI ADVENT CALENDAR CHRISTMAS CARD - BROWN HOUSE

Combine greetings card, advent calendar, and Christmas decoration into one with this intricate house! Once they've received the card, they can use the calendar, and then pop it over an electric tealight for a lovely glowing lantern.

Festive Leaping Reindeer Felt Advent Calendar Christmas Wall Hanging

FESTIVE LEAPING REINDEER wall hanging felt ADVENT CALENDAR

This fabulous wall-hanging felt advent calendar, with its stitched detailing and patchwork style pockets, evokes the warmth of a homemade blanket every day. A great choice for a new family tradition, that cuts down on waste from buying new every year.

WOODLAND CHRISTMAS TREE TRADITIONAL picture ADVENT CALENDAR

Not only is this calendar a beautiful piece of art, it was also created and published under license from the RSPB to help them raise awareness for the vital work they do! The calendar is made from FSC certified paper from responsible sources.

TOP FIVE advent candles

Embrace tradition with these choices from our range of advent candles

LARGE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS PYRAMID ADVENT CANDLE

Designed to be burned over Advent, this gorgeous white pyramid candle features an elegant silver print.

traditional countdown to christmas holly and the ivy pillar candle

Holly, ivy, and cute little robins adorn this traditional advent candle from Alison Gardiner!

traditional countdown to christmas snowman design dinner candle

Alison Gardiner's snowman friends are brought to life in this charming, cartoony Advent candle!

20CM PYRAMID COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS ADVENT CANDLE

These candles, that come in either red or cream, feature a luxurious gold print for counting down to Christmas.

traditional countdown to christmas nativity pillar advent candle

Count down to Christmas with this colourful candle, depicting characters and animals alike in this nativity themed design.

top five wooden advent calendars

Some exciting pieces in this classic material, great for lessening plastic consumption

SANTA'S FESTIVE JOURNEY wooden sliding ADVENT CALENDAR

Santa is giving the reindeer the day off in this quirky calendar! Slide Father Christmas in his car along as Christmas draws closer in this wooden reusable Advent calendar - its fun design and lovely colours mean it's sure to be a hit with the whole family, and visitors old and young.

CHILDREN'S WOODEN PETER RABBIT CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR playset

A sweet Advent calendar and playset gift for the little ones, featuring the iconic cast of Peter Rabbit. For something a little longer lasting, but still evoking traditions from years past, these Orange Tree Toy advent calendars will bring a touch of timelessness to your home and your child’s toybox.

24 DAY COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD CALENDAR BLOCK

With a friendly gingerbread man hopping along the decorated block, this Advent calendar can be placed upon a mantle, or a shelf, and be brought out year after year for a really sustainable piece of Christmas décor! Ideal if you’re looking for a touch of tradition with a twist.

Wooden Christmas Advent Calendar Plaque Magnetic House Calendar | 25 Day Countdown To Christmas Calendar Sign | Reusable Xmas Advent Calendars

WOODEN CHRISTMAS MAGNETIC HOUSE ADVENT CALENDAR PLAQUE

This reusable, chalkboard-design Advent calendar is a simple but clever item that will become a firm tradition for your Christmas celebrations. Move the magnetic house along as the days pass, and admire the lovely winter scene of snow-topped houses, trees, and even a mini log store!

Wooden Nativity Christmas Advent Calendar | 24 Day Christmas Calendar Block

WOODEN NATIVITY CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR BLOCK

The beautifully designed wooden landscape silhouette captures the serene Nativity scene, complete with the Star of Bethlehem, the Holy Family, and a delightful array of animals. Beyond its practical purpose, this advent calendar also doubles as a stunning piece of festive décor!

top five diy advent calendars

Our best picks to either build or fill your own!

Fabric Christmas Present Sack Advent Garland Calendar Bunting Decoration 310cm

FABRIC CHRISTMAS PRESENT SACK ADVENT GARLAND CALENDAR BUNTING

25 delightful little Christmas sacks hang from a rather festive red and white cord ribbon, in this fill-your-own Advent calendar. Whether the gifts are tasty, shiny, sparkly, or even sections of a larger whole gift, it's up to you.

3D POP & SLOT THE EPOCH BEFORE CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

Build up this volcanic scene over the course of the season, by searching for and adding the correctly numbered piece each day. A wonderfully unique take for all dino-lovers, because what's better than dinosaurs? Well, festive ones, of course!

WOODEN FATHER CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR WITH DRAWERS

Kids will love this fun Father Christmas advent calendar! It's a fabulous free-standing piece, just waiting to be filled up with all sorts of personal little treats for the lucky recipient. This jolly Santa would be perfect for creating a new celebration tradition.

3D REVOLVING CAROUSEL CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

This fascinating piece lets you build your own 3D revolving carousel for an advent calendar! In rich seasonal reds and greens, with a champagne-gold finish, it's an elegant centrepiece for any table or mantle.

SANTA REUSABLE FELT FABRIC 24 POCKET ADVENT CALENDAR

An endearing design and playful Santa character make this sturdy fabric wall-hanging a wonderful choice for a DIY Advent calendar. 24 pockets, measuring approximately 6.5cm x 7cm, give room for many lovely little surprises and hold a lot of festive cheer.

TOP FIVE RELIGIOUS advent calendars

Ideal picks for those looking to honour the roots of Christmas with a religious Advent calendar

THE SHEPHERD'S WATCH STORY CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

The annunciation of the shepherds gets to shine in this advent calendar, that tells the nativity story in words and pictures; the stunning hues and intricate details of this traditional picture Advent calendar make it a truly mesmerising piece!

3D DIY NATIVITY SCENE CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

Instead of simply opening a door each day, get creative with this hands-on, DIY nativity scene! With 24 easy-to-build models, build up this Nativity throughout the season and enjoy your completed accomplishment on Christmas.

BETHLEHEM VISIT TO THE CRIB TRADITIONAL ADVENT CALENDAR

A charming illustration and Bible verses combine to make this an intricate, joyous way of bringing the spirit of Christmas into your home. The excitement these characters feel on their way to the crib is matched by the excitement of counting down!

THE THREE KINGS CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

Beautiful, colourful patterns adorn this geometric-style illustration of the Three Kings, travelling to present their gifts. The starlit night provides a wonderful backdrop for every day of Advent, with this calendar featuring Bible text.

AT THE CHRISTMAS MANGER 3D TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

This colourful paper Advent calendar shows the first visitors to the manger – shepherds and the three kings bearing gifts for the newborn. With glitter accents, it's a festive decoration, ideal for 24 days of Christmas anticipation.

make every day advent-ful

So there we have it! We hope our selection of varied Advent calendars has inspired you to try something new, create some traditions, or just put you in the mood for a lot of festive fun. Get ready to sleigh every day of Advent in style and bring the joy of Christmas to life!