Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we’re just about ready to roast chestnuts on an open fire. And what better way to ring in the holidays than with 24 days of gifts? From beauty essentials to decadent chocolates and other vegan treats, we’re rounding up the best vegan advent calendars for a little extra holiday cheer!
Advent calendars: a Christmas tradition
Advent calendars trace back to the 4th century. Latin for “coming,” advent was a period when Christian converts would prepare for baptism. This period of preparation began on the Sunday closest to November 30, a feast day of St. Andrew.
Today, advent is typically associated with advent calendars and counting down the days until Christmas, beginning on December 1. Modern advent calendars are believed to have originated in the early 20th century.
Cottonbro Studio/Pexels
Gerhard Lang is credited with producing the first modern advent calendar complete with little doors hiding surprise treats. Thanks to Lang, advent calendars became a hit in Germany, where he was based. In the US, President Dwight D. Eisenhower is credited with popularizing this holiday tradition after a photo of the president opening an advent calendar with his grandchildren was widely circulated in American publications.
Vegan advent calendars
If one day of gifting isn’t enough and you want to keep the gifts coming all month long, pick up one of these vegan-approved advent calendars.
Vegan sweets and treats
1Purdys Vegan Advent Calendar
Can’t choose between creamy milk chocolate and rich dark chocolate? With Purdys’ vegan advent calendar, you don’t have to pick just one. The brand’s signature “mylk” and dark chocolates fill this luxe calendar designed to resemble a Christmas tree, so it fits right in with your holiday decor.
SHOP NOW
2 Divine Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar
Calling all dark chocolate aficionados! This certified vegan advent calendar by Divine Chocolate is filled to the brim with your favorite dark chocolate, heart-shaped morsels. Enjoy 24 chocolatey treats made with just five ingredients.
SHOP NOW
3Moo Free Original Advent
If chocolate is your sweet of choice, look no further than Moo Free’s Original Advent stocked with 24 velvety, fair-trade bites of chocolate. Whether you enjoy these throughout the month or all at once, wear the “dairy-dodging Christmas choccy chomper” title proudly. If white chocolate is more your style, don’t miss the brand’s White Advent Calendar.
SHOP NOW
4 Play in Choc Advent Calendar
If one daily treat isn’t enough, how about three? With this eco-friendly, 24-day advent calendar, you’ll be greeted with dreamy organic chocolate, a holiday-themed toy, and a fun-fact card in the days leading up to Christmas. Perfect for kids and adults alike, Play in Choc’s festive countdown is taking advent calendars to the next level.
SHOP NOW
5NOMO Vegan Christmas Advent Calendar
Vegans don’t have to miss out on the fun of advent calendars this holiday season. NOMO’s Rainforest Alliance-certified chocolate advent packs 24 sweet morsels in Creamy Choc and Caramel & Sea Salt flavors.
SHOP NOW
6No Whey! Foods Advent Calendar
Treat yourself to 24 creamy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates in fun holiday-themed shapes (we’re looking at you, gingerbread person!). No Whey! Foods’ smooth and silky formula is free of major allergens such as dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame, wheat, gluten, fish, and shellfish. Holiday cheer for all has never been this easy (or tasty!).
SHOP NOW
7Goodio x Ivana Helsinki Advent Calendar
Master chocolatiers at Goodio collaborated with the Finish fashion brand Ivana Helsinki for a sleek, one-of-kind advent calendar. 24 handcrafted vegan chocolates are tucked inside, waiting to be savored. Made in Helsinki, Finland, these chocolatey bites come in six delectable flavors—peppermint crunch, lemon, ginger crystal, orange zest, blueberry, and rose crystal. They are also gluten-free to boot!
SHOP NOW
8Joe & Seph’s Vegan Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar
Filled with mini bags of gourmet, vegan popcorn, Joe & Seph’s 24-day advent calendar adds an extra touch of pop to any holiday season with eight unique flavors. Indulge in Coconut and Cacao, Strawberry Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Salted Maple, Toffee Apple and Cinnamon, Orange Chocolate, and Salted Caramel on your next holiday movie night.
SHOP NOW
Vegan beauty
9e.l.f. Cosmetics Snow One Loves You More
Beauty experts at this vegan, cruelty-free, and budget-friendly cosmetics line are bringing the glam in this 12-day beauty advent calendar. Serve major looks with makeup and skincare essentials in limited-edition holiday shades. Start your routine with e.l.f.’s Luminous Putty Primer for a radiant glow, choose between a face sponge or blending brush to complete your base, and finish off with eyeshadow, brow gel, and lip color.
SHOP NOW
10 LUSH Christmas Buds Advent Calendar
Celebrated for its natural and vegan approach to body care, LUSH’s extravagant 25-day advent calendar is filled to the brim with holiday and year-round bath time must-haves. Magical Santa bath bomb, here we come! Pro-tip: these sell out quickly online, so buy early or call your local LUSH to check for availability.
SHOP NOW
11e.l.f. Cosmetics Shine Bright
In case 12 days of beauty aren’t enough, e.l.f. Cosmetics dropped its 24-day advent calendar for the vegan and cruelty-free beauty aficionado. Prep your skin with two mini skincare items, and take your holiday look to the next level with full-size beauty products including an eyeshadow palette, lip colors, brow essentials, setting spray, and more.
SHOP NOW
Fun for all ages
12Project Genius Brainteaser 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
Strengthen your brain muscles with 12 interlocking metal puzzles and brain teasers to get the mind going. Perfect for friends and family of all ages, these mind-busting games will ensure your brain is in tip-top shape in no time!
SHOP NOW
13Meri Meri Santa’s House Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Ever dream of celebrating the holidays with Santa Claus himself? This advent calendar takes you inside St. Nick’s very own home—and you’re the architect. Set up Santa’s house and fill it to the brim with Christmas decor, elves, reindeers, toys, and gingerbread cookies.
SHOP NOW
14Happy Socks Advent Calendar Socks Gift Set
Get cozy just in time for the holidays with 24 pairs of cute and comfy socks from luxe brand Happy Socks. Your feet will thank you as you slip into these super-soft socks and curl up with a cup of hot cocoa.
SHOP NOW
Imbibing in the Holidays
15 In Good Taste Wine Advent Calendar
24 nights. 24 mini bottles. 24 opportunities to sip and explore your way through premium vegan wines, sourced from regions in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and California. When we pair our tasting adventure with vegan cheeses, even better.
Shop now
For more vegan ways to celebrate the holidays, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.