Christmas is coming and that means it's time to choose ones of these vegan advent calendars for 2022! From vegan beauty calendars to chocolate calendars, there's a vegan advent calendar that will tick all your boxes.
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Once again, we’re spoilt for choice with a wide range of festive vegan advent calendars on offer for both adults and children.
Whether you’re a beauty fan wanting new cruelty-free cosmetics to try over the holidays or you’re looking for your daily dose of sugary goodness, there’s a vegan advent calendar that will tick all your boxes.
To help you find the perfect vegan calendar to enjoy in the run-up to the big day, we put them to the test to find the best vegan advent calendars for 2022.
How we tested
There’s nothing worse than spending money on a calendar to find yourself disappointed with the contents. But with so many vegan advent calendars now available, it can be hard to know which ones to choose.
Over the past 7 years, I have tried over 50 different calendars on my quest to find the best vegan advent calendar.
So, to find out which vegan advent calendars are worth the money, first I tested the contents to see whether they were delicious.
With the dairy-free chocolate calendars, I wanted to see whether the chocolates have a rich chocolate flavour and a melt-in-the-mouth texture. After all, no one likes waxy calendar chocolates!
Sustainable calendar packaging has been increasingly common over the years with consumers looking for ways to cut their plastic waste. So the eco-credentials of their packaging have been considered to help you make an informed choice this Christmas.
Finally, no one should have to miss out at Christmas. So I’ve always given extra points to calendars that accommodate dietary allergies.
1. Best for flavour: H!P 2022 Oat Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
When it comes to making great vegan chocolate, H!P certainly know a thing or two about that! After all, their founder is none other than the grandson of Mr Cadbury himself. So that means you won’t find a hint of waxy chocolates here, no sir!
If you ever find yourself getting a little bored of eating the same chocolate every day for a month then this is the calendar for you. Inside you’ll find not one, not two but four different flavours of vegan oat-milk chocolate to try. And boy, do they deliver on the flavour front!
There’s the original for the classic chocolate fans, salted caramel for those who can’t get enough of the sweet and savoury combination and even vegan white chocolate for those with a sweet tooth.
However, my personal favourite has got to be the fabulously festive gingerbread flavour that has such a warm and nostalgic flavour.
I’m also a huge fan of the colourful packaging too which adds a lovely pop of colour to my kitchen when the weather is grey and dull outside.
If you need any more convincing that this is the calendar for you then the chocolate not only contains 30% less sugar than dairy brands, but H!P’s carbon footprint is over 50% lower than chocolate made with cow’s milk.
Price: £10
Packaging: Plastic-free
Gluten-free: Yes but the chocolate is made on equipment which processes milk, soy, gluten, peanuts and other nuts.
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2. Best for food allergies: NOMO Premium Caramel Advent Calendar
NOMO’s premium advent calendar is actually the vegan advent calendar I choose for myself last Christmas, so I am delighted to see it return for 2022.
Having chocolate drops generously filled with silky caramel feels like a real treat to open each morning and they’re just that little bit more special than plain chocolates.
To get you in a merry mood this Christmas, the dairy-free advent calendar even comes with a full-sized caramel bar for a Christmas day surprise. I don’t know about you but I am always a big fan of calendars that reward you right up until the big day!
I also love how inclusive NOMO’s products are because they’re made in a dedicated free-from facility and so you can rest assured that they’re free from gluten, dairy and nuts. Not that you’d know it because the chocolate tastes every bit as delectable!
The NOMO advent calendar really is the ultimate indulgence as the countdown to Christmas begins and is a firm favourite of mine.
Price: £10
Packaging: The calendar has a plastic tray so is not plastic-free
Gluten-free: NOMO’s chocolates are all free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts and are made in a dedicated free-from facility.
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3. Best for kids: PLAYin CHOC ’24 Sleeps To Go’
I used to love chocolates that came with toys as a kid, but the thought of all that plastic waste makes me cringe now. Thankfully, conscious kids can still have the joy of assembling a toy to play with after they’ve enjoyed their chocolate treat withPLAYin CHOC ’24 Sleeps To Go’ calendar.
This crafty calendar is not only filled with dairy-free milk chocolates, but each drawer also contains build-your-own 3D puzzle toys for kids to assemble and educational cards so they can learn fun facts about animals.
Keen to ensure that no part of the calendars goes to waste, the calendar’s sleeve even reverses into an illustrated play mat which will offer hours of extra fun as your child plays with each of their new 3D puzzle toys on this festive scene.
With any luck, they’ll be so distracted by the toys that you might get away with eating the chocolates yourself! Amazingly, the chocolates are oil, nut, and gluten-free and are hands down some of the creamiest vegan chocolates on the market. In fact, I think these are actually the most delicious chocolates of any calendar on offer this year.
This calendar is an absolute joy to explore and I love how thoughtful they have been to ensure that the packaging is as much a part of the experience as the chocolates. I’m sure your children will be enjoying the toys long after they’ve scoffed the choccies!
Price: The 24-drawer Advent Calendar is £49.99.
Packaging: Plastic-free with compostable wrap
Gluten-free: Yes. The chocolates are also soy, nut and oil-free so are ideal for children.
Where to buy: PLAYin CHOC’s vegan advent calendars are available to purchase online at playinchoc.com.
4. Best for vegan white chocolate fans: Moo Free White Chocolate Advent Calendar
Looking for something a little sweeter inside your advent calendar this year? Moo Free is here to satisfy your sweet tooth with its vegan white chocolate advent calendar.
With its cute characters and super sweet dairy-free white chocolate pieces, this is a great option for children who find dark chocolate a bit too rich. Plus, it’s a great option for those with food allergies as Moo Free make their products in a dedicated facility that’s free from soya, gluten and dairy so everyone can enjoy them.
The chocolates are quite small in size but because white chocolate is so sweet it’s just the right amount. The chocolate itself is nice and smooth and has a lovely vanilla flavour that lingers delightfully on the palate.
One thing to note is that unfortunately this calendar is not plastic-free as the chocolates sit in a plastic tray (although this is fully recyclable).
Price: Moo Free White Chocolate Advent Calendar is £3.99.
Packaging: Recyclable plastic tray and cardboard
Gluten-free: Moo Free makes its chocolates in a dedicated free-from chocolate production facility making their chocolate free from soya, gluten, and dairy.
5. Best for vegan beauty fans: Holland & Barrett Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar
I am a sucker for a beauty calendar – there’s something so decadent about gifting yourself a new product to try every day for a month! They’re a great way to discover new products and give you a good excuse for a pampering session or two over the festive season.
But beauty calendars have become increasingly pricey in recent years, with some costing as much as £200. I’ve had mixed results with vegan beauty calendars in the past as they often have make-up – something I prefer to choose myself. That means instead of being a treat for myself, I often ended up gifting lots of the products to friends and family.
That won’t be the case this year however because Holland & Barrett’s advent calendar is filled with a carefully-selected range of quality products that you’ll actually use. Sorry friends, you won’t be getting your hands on my calendar goodies this year!
From relaxing bath salts and eco-friendly shampoo bars to luxurious serums and moisturisers, it’s a great way to stock up on everyday essentials at an affordable price (£55) as the contents are valued at £180.
I’ve given you just a taste of the treats inside in the photo above, but I don’t want to completely spoil the surprise as this is one calendar you’ll definitely want to buy.
Price: £55 with a value of £180
Packaging: The calendar itself is plastic-free but some of the products inside are packed in plastic
Gluten-free: Yes
Where to buy: Holland & Barrett’s calendar will launch online and in stores from mid-September. You can order it here.
6. Best for vegan milk chocolate fans: HAPPi Free From Oat M!lk Chocolate Advent Calendar
If you’re HAPPi and you know it clap your hands for this oat milk-based advent calendar! With its cute and colourful packaging and vegan milk chocolate treats, it’s a great option for kids and adults alike.
For me, this is the best vegan advent calendar for those who like to keep it simple. For those of you who are looking for a calendar filled with high-quality creamy milk chocolates that are not too dark and not too sweet, HAPPi’s calendar ticks all the right boxes.
Plus, so many creative calendars on the market these days at ever-increasing prices, it’s also a great, affordable option for parents who want to treat their kids to a Christmas calendar.
Not to mention it’s eco-friendly to boot because it’s made from oat milk and the packaging is sustainable and recyclable so you can enjoy your treats with a clear conscience. What’s not to like?
Price: £7.50
Packaging: Plastic-free
Gluten-free: Yes
7. Best for dark chocolate fans: Divine Dark 70% Chocolate Advent Calendar
Do you prefer your chocolate to be richly flavoured and deliciously dark? If that’s the case then Divine’s luxurious dark chocolate calendar should be on your wishlist this Christmas.
Behind each door is a decadently dark and sumptuously silky 70% dark chocolate heart that is rich enough to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Plus, it’s a great ethical choice to as Divine’s chocolate is Fairtrade and palm-oil free so it’s kinder to the environment and those who grow it too.
Plus, along with your chocolate treat, each day you’ll uncover an interesting animal fact so you can boast your knowledge to your friends & family around the dinner table this Christmas!
With the price of calendars soaring, Divine’s calendar is a great wallet-friendly option too as it’s just £5.
Price: £5
Packaging: Recyclable plastic tray and cardboard
Gluten-free: Yes however it may contain soya, milk, gluten, nuts, and eggs as it is made in factory that also produces products with these ingredients.
Where to buy: Divine’s dark chocolate advent calendar is available to purchase from divinechocolate.com and at Traidcraft, Waitrose, Divine Online, Ocado, Oxfam and Wholefoods.
8. Best high-street vegan calendar: Hotel Chocolat Unbelievably Vegan Advent Calendar
Do you love Hotel Chocolat’s superbly creamy 45% nutmilk chocolate as much as I do? If so then you’ll be excited to hear that you can enjoy a piece every day in December with their Unbelievably Vegan Advent Calendar!
Each day, you’ll open the doors to discover sweet notes to build your excitement for the big day, as well as tasty chocolates in a range of festive shapes.
There’s no waxy, bland advent calendar chocolate in sight here because they’ve swapped milk for finely milled hazelnuts to make vegan milk chocolate that simply melts in your mouth like no other.
It also gives it a subtle hint of hazelnut flavour that makes the vegan chocolate taste really decadent, a little like a praline.
One gripe would be that the calendar isn’t plastic-free as there is a recyclable plastic tray that holds the chocolates. This is something I hope they consider removing from next year’s calendars so the packaging matches the quality of the chocolates.
Also, for £13 it would be nice if the calendar included a mix of different types of chocolates to add more variety.
Price: £13
Packaging: Recyclable plastic tray and cardboard
Gluten-free: Hotel Chocolat’s vegan calendar may contain other tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soya, gluten, and wheat as it is made in the same factory as its other products.
Where to buy: The Unbelievably Vegan Advent Calendar is available to purchase online and in-store at Hotel Chocolat.
9. Best for a sweet tooth: Candy Kittens 3D Pop-up Christmas Advent Calendar
Fancy a change from your usual chocolate calendar this year? Then Candy Kittens’ calendar is the one for you.
This clever 3D build-your-own advent tree is packed with irresistible treats from the brand, with more sweets than ever before! Each box on the tree contains gummy sweets in a variety of fruity flavours, and because you build it yourself you can mix and match them as you please.
The calendar takes a little time to put together yourself, but pop on your favourite Christmas movie and make a vegan hot chocolate and you’ve got yourself a fun activity for a Sunday afternoon.
I found it simple enough to put together (although the main structure of the tree is a bit wobbly!), but the effort was well worth it because this cute calendar adds to your festive decor with a unique design that stands out from the crowd.
I also love that each box comes with a funny phrase or joke to make you smile while you scoff the yummy Candy Kittens sweets.
Price: £12
Packaging: The sweets are packaged in plastic so the calendar is not plastic-free
Gluten-free: Yes
10. Best for a luxurious treat: MELT Chocolates 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
I am a huge fan of MELT Chocolates and treat myself to one of their spectacular vegan Easter eggs each spring. They are masters of infusing silky smooth chocolates with interesting flavours to take them to the next level.
So I was thrilled to find out that I could indulge myself in the run-up to Christmas with their luxurious vegan chocolate calendar.
I actually gasped when I opened the package because it’s a work of art and the most beautiful calendar I’ve ever seen. Designed to look like a leather-bound book, it’s exquisitely made and feels so whimsical to open – like you’re turning the pages of a new book on Christmas day.
Inside are 12 handmade full-size vegan chocolate bars all wrapped up like presents with stunning festive designs. The chocolates themselves are little bites of heaven with unique flavours such as Red Berry Dark Chocolate and Chilli Chocolate waiting to be devoured.
At £49, this has a higher price point than some calendars but is well worth the investment if you are looking for a Christmas gift for people who are serious about their chocolate.
Price: £49
Packaging: Plastic-free
Gluten-free: No
Where to buy: The MELT Chocolates calendar is available to order online now and will be released mid-November.
11. Best for the health conscious: Myvegan Advent Calendar
Christmas is a time for indulgence, but if you’re looking to get ahead of the game on your New Year’s resolutions then Myvegan’s advent calendar is for you.
Perfect for fitness enthusiasts, the calendar is jam-packed with healthy snacks that are packed with vegan protein so you’re not tempted to overindulge.
From indulgent protein cookies and brownies to vegan chocolate, vitamins and pre-workout supplements, there are 24 treats to help fuel your winter workouts.
There’s even a selection of vegan protein powders so you tell your family exactly where you get your protein from when they question you at the dinner table!
Plus, if you struggle with motivation in the colder months, each day you’ll uncover a daily challenge, wellness tip or nutrition guidance to help keep you active. I loved having a new daily challenge or random act of kindness to complete as it made this calendar feel like much more of an experience to open each day.
Price: £74.99
Packaging: The calendar itself is plastic-free but some of the items inside have plastic packaging.
Gluten-free: No
Where to buy: The MyVegan calendar is available to order online now.
12. Most eco-friendly calendar: Ombar Oat M’lk Vegan Advent Calendar
I have been a huge fan of Ombar’s silky smooth chocolates since I went vegan, so I am thrilled that they’ve launched their first vegan advent calendar for 2022.
The colourful calendar is filled with the most adorably-sized mini chocolates bars with four of Ombar’s most popular flavours like salted caramel, hazelnut and fruit & nut waiting to be uncovered.
There’s even a full sized bar of their superb Salted Caramel Truffle chocolate to devour on Christmas day!
If you’re looking for a eco-friendly calendar then this is it. The chocolates themselves are fair trade, organic and made from British-grown oats, and the calendar is entirely plastic-free and recyclable.
Ombar are even donating 10p from every calendar donated to replanting rainforests in Ecuador so you can enjoy a guilt-free Christmas treat that gives back.
It’s delicious, sustainable and great value for money.
Price: £9.99
Packaging: 100% plastic-free
Gluten-free: No
Where to buy: The Ombar Oat M’lk Advent Calendar is available to order online now.
13. Best for nut-butter fans: Pip & Nut Nut Butter Cup Advent Calendar
Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love peanut butter, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Pip & Nut’s calendar.
This generously-sized vegan calendar is filled with 24 almond and peanut butter cups so you can enjoy a nutty treat every day in the run-up to Christmas. There’s no messing about with mini chocolates here either as Pip & Nut have filled it with full-sized chocolates for an epic festive celebration.
Enrobed in ethically sourced dark chocolate, these palm-oil free peanut butter cups have a delightfully rich flavour and aren’t too sweet which I love.
Plus, not only is this calendar a delicious treat, you can also feel good about your purchase as for every Advent Calendar sold, Pip & Nut will donate three jars of peanut butter to their local Hackney Foodbank.
Price: £20
Packaging: The calendar is made from recyclable card but the nut butter cups are wrapped in plastic.
Gluten-free: Yes
Where to buy: The Pip & Nut calendar is available to purchase online and at Planet Organic.
Getting your menu ready for the big day? Get inspired with our favourite vegan Christmas recipes!
