Advent Calendars for Adults: From Festive Beer to a Little Something More Adventurous.
Forget the chocolate-only countdown. Advent calendars for adults are getting a grown-up makeover, with everything from craft beer discoveries to intimate surprises designed to make the run-up to Christmas a little more interesting.
I love the way advent calendars have evolved over the years. What was once largely the preserve of children, eagerly opening a little cardboard door to find a chocolate treat, has become something altogether more varied. These days, there are calendars to suit all sorts of tastes and interests, making them a fun way to count down to Christmas or an alternative gift for someone who deserves a little treat.
For 2026, two very different offerings have caught my attention. Whether your idea of festive indulgence involves discovering a new favourite beer or adding a little extra excitement to your evenings, Lovehoney and Siren Craft Brew have their own take on the adult advent calendar.
Lovehoney: A countdown with a difference
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous this Christmas, Lovehoney has brought back its bestselling Advent Calendars for Adults for 2026, following sell-out demand last year.
There are five calendars to choose from: Couples, Luxury, Enjoy, Indulge and Romance. With options ranging from seven to 24 days, the collection caters for different budgets, interests and levels of experience, whether you’re buying for a partner, exploring together or simply treating yourself.
The Couples Calendar (£149) offers 24 days of toys, games and accessories designed to encourage shared exploration. It includes products such as the Womanizer Liberty 2 and We-Vibe Sync Lite, with the contents valued at £487.75.
For those looking to push the boat out, the Luxury Calendar (£299) is the premium option. With 24 days of surprises and contents valued at £726.74, it brings together products from well-known sexual wellness brands, alongside accessories, games and bondage items.
There are more affordable options, too. The Enjoy Calendar (£99) offers 24 days of discoveries for solo explorers and couples, while the Indulge Calendar (£99) contains 12 toys and accessories with a focus on female pleasure and self-discovery. The Romance Calendar (£99) is designed for couples who prefer a shorter countdown, with seven days of products and experiences intended to encourage connection and intimacy.
Across the range, surprises include app-controlled toys, wands, vibrators, games, sensory products and accessories. Lovehoney says the calendars offer savings of up to 69% compared with buying the contents individually.
Of course, an advent calendar like this is about more than the products themselves. It can also be an invitation to make time for yourself or your partner, have a little fun and perhaps discover something new along the way. And with five different options, there’s room to choose a countdown that feels right for you.
The calendars are available from Lovehoney, with prices starting at £99.
Siren Craft Brew: 24 beers and a festive bonus
For those whose idea of a perfect evening involves settling down with a good beer, the Siren Craft Beer Advent Calendar 2026 offers a rather different sort of countdown.
Craft beer has become a world of its own, with independent breweries experimenting with styles, flavours and ingredients, so a calendar like this is a lovely opportunity to try something you might not ordinarily pick up from the shelf.
Siren’s calendar contains 24 different craft beers in a mix of 440ml and 330ml cans, featuring brewery favourites, exclusive beers and limited-edition festive brews. There are four limited-edition Christmas cans to discover, alongside three seasonal dark beers that should appeal to anyone who enjoys richer flavours, particularly alongside a little chocolate.
The selection is designed to offer variety, making each day’s discovery a little different. Whether you’re already a craft beer enthusiast or enjoy trying something new, it provides a ready-made tasting journey throughout December.
There are a few extra touches, too. A festive tasting glass is included, and the calendar has a bonus 25th door for an additional surprise, a welcome excuse to extend the celebrations beyond Christmas Eve.
It’s the sort of gift that could work particularly well for a beer-loving partner, friend or family member, although there’s nothing to stop you buying one for yourself. After all, discovering a new favourite is part of the fun.
The Siren Craft Beer Advent Calendar 2026 is available from Siren Craft Brew, with free guaranteed delivery by 1 December advertised on the product page. Quantities are limited, so it’s worth ordering early if this one catches your eye.
A little indulgence for December
What I like about these two calendars is how different they are. One offers a daily opportunity to discover new beers and explore the world of independent brewing; the other brings a sense of playfulness and intimacy to the festive countdown.
Neither is your traditional chocolate advent calendar, but that’s precisely the point. Whether you’re shopping for someone who appreciates a carefully chosen craft beer or a couple who would enjoy something a little more adventurous, adult advent calendars offer plenty of scope to find a gift that feels personal.
And if you’re buying for yourself? Well, December is a long month, and a little something to look forward to each day doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me.
Poppy Watt