Copyright dailystar
There was a time when advent calendar sophistication was just some chalky chocolates behind perforated cardboard, for the not-so-fortunate it was just a few images leading up to the big reveal. You’ll now struggle to find one with anything so basic behind the doors, we’re in a golden age of grown-up advents. We're talking calendars stuffed with everything from artisanal gin to miniature stationery sets – well, nothing says "I'm a responsible adult" quite like spending some cash on 24 days of tiny surprises. We’ve curated the crème de la crème of advent calendars for the perpetually young at heart, so it is time to don those festive (reindeers doing yoga) socks and pour yourself an appropriate seasonal tipple and start the Christmas countdown like the sophisticated kidults we’ve become. Create your own fully playable marble maze, a little patience is required however as you’ll not get the enjoyment the inventive engineers behind this countdown calendar intended. Individual elements given each day come together to create a mildy addictive game where you balance, with the dual controls, a marble, and guide it through your build. Celebrating thirty years of animated antics next year Pokémon the yellow mischief maker and his troupe have never been so popular. Figures to be unleashed inside include Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle and Teddiursa plus a pile of accessories to re-create scenes on your shelf. Inside are a selection of sockets and a ratchet, spinner and a moulded case to keep them alltogether when the countdown is completed. All the elements are from the Halfords Advanced range, a complete 1/4" socket set by Christmas Eve. All ready for sleigh repairs should Santa need a hand. Offering about four hours of entertainment for puzzle and sci-fi fans there is a riddle each day as you compete in this space race. This Thames and Kosmos calendar has story-driven puzzles and introduces some quirky characters along the way. Complete each door to move onto the next step toward your podium place in this sometimes head-scratching countdown challenge. Yes, it is a tad on the spendy side but on Christmas Eve you’ll be mighty impressed with your completed kit. A detail rich construction that comes together, perhaps painstakingly for some, to sit on its presentation pedestal complete with a Twin Pines Mall sign backdrop. There are food and drink advents aplenty out there but this one, with its six cocktail-inspired flavoured squishy eats, has our vote. Hand-crafted gooey melt-in-the-mouth flavours can be toasted or not, skewers to do so supplied inside. Bonus bits include discounts codes, jokes and Xmas themed facts – Spoiler alert – final treat is a milk chocolate-coated Raspberry & Prosecco Marshmallow Bar. Nom to the nom. Time to “roll out” Robot fans and grab the ultimate bit of Transformers Christmas cheer, this is literally out of this world. Inside are 24 buildable Blokees Defender Transformers model kits, a lenticular poster that shifts with movement incorporated on the box and, hang on, an Xmas day gift too. All we know is it a limited-edition commemorative item created exclusively for this advent calendar. Offering an out of this world self-care experience you’re going on a journey of intergalactic grooming. The essentials inside are empire inspired including bath fizzers, shower gels, soaps, lip balms, shampoo, aftershave balm, muscle soaks, and hand cream and practical grooming tools - comb, folding brush/comb, nail care set, tweezers, nose pore strips, pumice bar, nail brush, travel toothbrush, and grooming scissors. No sub-standard cracker-like kit in here.
