This simple tradition of advent calendars has grown today into a treat-a-day bonanza with modern advent calendars hiding everything from mini bottles of gin to travel-sized beauty minis behind their beautifully decorated doors.
But while there are crops of new designs every year, usually made from paper or cardboard, a wooden calendar offers a certain rustic charm.
Carefully crafted, they’re timeless and destined to become family heirlooms, to be passed down through the generations.
There are hundreds of wooden advent calendar designs that you can fill with your own surprises, handpicked for the lucky recipient.
Particularly helpful for parents who want to ensure their child gets an age-appropriate gift or an educational rather than a sweet treat, they offer value for money in that you need only replace the gifts rather than the advent structure every December.
Of course there are some designs for adults only, allowing grown-ups to enjoy a personal curation of goodies every morning leading up to Christmas.
If you’re looking for a wooden advent calendar to begin your own Christmas traditions, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites below.
Best Wooden Advent Calendars 2019
Clever Creations Shooting Star Snowy Village 24 Day Advent Calendar
We can't imagine there isn't a child (or come to think of it, most adults) who wouldn't be thrilled to receive this calendar at the start of December.
It's utterly beautiful, topped with a classic Christmas village diorama and a giant shooting star crested by none other than Saint Nick himself.
Made from robust, high quality wood and battery operated, this is an heirloom piece that will give you untold years of enjoyment.
Measures 17 x 4 x 17.25 inches.
£50.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Melissa & Doug Advent Calendar
Let kids revel in the joy of Christmas with this cheerful wooden advent from Melissa & Doug. Little ones can countdown to the day by placing 24 magnetic ornaments on the tree, one each day until December 25.
£14.99 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Christmas Truck Wooden Advent Calendar
Add even more fun to the festive season by having your little ones DIY the design of their very own advent calendar.
This wooden truck comes with 12 doors driven by one of Santa's elves - but how it ends up looking is entirely up to you. Stick with Christmassy colours - red, green and gold - or cover in glitter to ensure you shine this Yuletide.
£15 | Hobbycraft | Buy it now
Woodland Christmas Advent Calendar
Painted a robins-chest red, this 24-door wooden calendar is ideal for little ones aged 3 – 6 years old. Behind each door is a little note telling kids how long is left before the big day. The calendar, as much as a festive decoration as a gift, includes cute illustrations of Santa, Rudolph and woodland squirrels playing with a Christmas cracker on the top.
£45 | Great Little Trading Co | Buy it now
Harrods Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
The silhouette may be sleek and modern, but the intricate illustrations on the doors of this Christmas tree-shaped advent calendar are anything but. Each of the 24 drawers have been beautifully illustrated with festive motifs; think holly wreaths, robins and reindeer.
£49 | Harrods | Buy it now
MacKenzie-Childs Snowman Advent Calendar
If you're looking for a piece of statement Christmas decor for your children's bedroom, look no further than this lovely calendar. Featuring Frosty the snowman in the centre, it's framed by 24 cubby holes, all the same size. Simply fill with treats behind each door and wait to surprise the little ones every sunrise until December 25.
£107 | Harrods | Buy it now
Traditional Wooden 2019 Christmas Advent Calendars
Amazon has a huge selection of fun calendars, from 12-day train-shaped calendars to mini gingerbread houses with 24 windows to hide gifts behind. What’s more many have one-day delivery for Prime members, so you can get your calendar and start planning the surprise behind each one sooner.
From £26.95 | Amazon | Buy it now
WeRChristmas Pre-Lit Wooden Village Scene House Advent Calendar Christmas Decoration, 44 cm - White
Stunningly detailed, this wooden advent calendar is crowned with a woodland village scene, complete with snow-covered trees, lampposts and illuminated cottages.
Each drawer features the same dimensions - 3 x 4.5cm - allowing you to stash a variety of small treasures within.
Requires 3 x AA batteries (not included).
£29.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Clever Creations Traditional Wooden Advent Calendar
This battery-operated design will make your child the envy of all their classmates - not solely for the detailed carvings and whimsical village designs, but also for the fact that it lights up, doubling as a festive night light.
Features 12 wooden drawers with handles.
£57.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Refillable Wooden Advent Gin Christmas Tree
If you're tickled by the thought of a gin advent calendar enough to know you want one year after year, invest in this wooden structure shaped like a Christmas tree.
It comes with 24 mini bottles of flavoured or plain gin, but the best thing about it is the tree is wooden so can be stored away until Christmas 2020, when you can countdown to the big day by way of gin all over again. Simply refill the holes with 5cl bottles of your favourite spirit.
£169.95 | Not On The High Street | Buy it now
Refillable Dog Biscuit Advent Calendar
Give man's best friend the best festive treat they could wish for with this wooden advent calendar that holds a dog treat a day until Christmas Day. It comes with a white ceramic keepsake personalised bone decoration that's perfect for hanging on the tree for future Christmases once all the treats have been snaffled. The biscuits are all made with natural ingredients and should be easy to replace to use the calendar again in the years to come.
£24.95 | Not On The High Street | Buy it now
Family 12 Days Of Christmas Advent Calendar
Fun for all ages, this natural pale wood box serves as a family advent calendar with 12 sections inside each holding a treat in a mini drawstring bag. Simply fill each 10-x15 cm sack with a selection of treats of your choosing and repeat every year.
Dimensions: W31.7 x D27.1 x H7.2cm.
£37 | Not On The High Street | Buy it now
Verdict
With it's incredible detailing and festive decorations, the Clever Creations Shooting Star Snowy Village 24 Day Advent Calendar has truly timeless appeal, making it perfect for starting a family tradition.
