CHRISTMAS CALENDARS 2020

November 12, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

It may seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas however, here in the United Kingdom we are experiencing ‘Lockdown 2.0’ and it seems everybody has just decided that Christmas starts now! So, I’ve put together a little Guide for those looking for Christmas Calendars this year.

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‘GIVE JOY GIVE KIEHL’S’ / £89

For their iconic Holiday Calendar, Kiehl’s have partnered up with Lyon-based illustrator and graphic designer; Maïtè Franchi. Inspired by Art Deco, she combined geometric shapes with vibrant colours mixed with subtle textures creating that warm, cosy Christmas feel to Kiehl’s!

I absolutely adore this years design because it has a richness and warmth to it and feels more ‘traditional’ than previous years. Within this Advent Calendar you can begin the countdown to the 24th December and each day has been packaged into a little box that contains a little Kiehl’s favourite such as;

Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Creme De Corps
Ultra Facial Cream
Mr Bones (I’m not entirely sure myself what this is as I want to keep the element of surprise too!)
& many more.

Another great fact about this particular Advent Calendar is that the packaging and product cartons are made with 100% recyclable, FSC certified materials using zero plastics ensuring that everything that holds the Kiehl’s products is environmentally friendly.

As always is the case every year, Kiehl’s Limited Edition Holiday Advent Calendar has currently sold out online almost instantly however, once the shops reopen here in the U.K. on 4th December (as this currently stands), be quick to pop to your local Kiehl’s boutique as I’m sure they’ll have some in store! For more details, click here.

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‘A TALE FROM 'L’OCCITANE’ / £53

Countdown the days of Christmas by peeling back the doors with L’Occitane Advent Calendar this Christmas! Behind 24 doors lies many wonderful treats such as;

Cherry Blossom Hand Cream
Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream
Overnight Reset Oil-In-Serum
Light Comforting Cream
& many more.

The design of the Advent Calendar gives me those classic, chic, cosy French vibes and makes me long for the day when I can travel to Paris again!

As with the Kiehl’s Advent Calendar, L’Occitane’s packaging is made up from 100% cardboard alongside the inserts which are all recyclable. Currently online, the ‘A TALE FROM L’OCCITANE’ is sold out however, if you’re a fan of L’Occitane and want to get your hands on something, their ‘Web Exclusive’ is available and all L’Occitane Advent Calendars can be found here!

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‘THE ADVENT CALENDAR - DARK’ / £12.50

Now, as a huge lover of dark chocolate (it’s the best am I right?) I can’t not have an Advent Calendar this year without some chocolate to wake up to!

Hotel Chocolat’s dark chocolate has been made up from a minimum of 70% cocoa for that smooth, silky chocolate taste. As always with Hotel Chocolat, they produce the best tasting chocolatey treats and have a range of Advent Calendars this year such as;

Dark Chocolate
White Chocolate
Caramel Chocolate
100% cocoa, zero-added sugar
The Grand Advent Calendar
The Everything Advent
The Advent Calendar For Two

All of which can be found here!

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Let me know which Christmas Calendar’s you’ll be treating yourselves to this year. Join me as I unbox each day over on my Instagram and Twitter channels from 1st December!

MENS ADVENT CALENDARS 2019

November 28, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

(AD/Gifted)

If perhaps like me you’re very last minute when it comes to Christmas shopping and you’ve forgotten about treating yourself to an Advent Calendar, then fear not! I have put together a ‘last minute’ Advent Calendar Gift Guide for you which range from skincare to body care, ‘a bit of everything’, to downright delicious chocolate.

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KIEHL’S - ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW YORK / £82

Personally, I find the Kiehl’s Advent Calendar the ‘Holy Grail’ out of them all. Jam packed with incredible minis of their staple products such as ‘Midnight Recovery Concentrate’, ‘Ultra Facial Cleanser’, ‘Creme De Corps’ and my favourite ‘Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado’!

This Advent Calendar has 24 doors taking you right through to Christmas Eve with a full sized product… I won’t ruin the surprise however! In terms of the box itself, it is incredibly bright, loud, colourful and fun! I love the little pop-up that appears when you open up the Advent Calendar too. Kiehl’s collaborated with Janine Rewell for this years Advent Calendar and you can find this at your local Kiehl’s Boutique Store. (Unfortunately it sold out almost instantly online!)

L’OCCITANE - IN THE LAND OF THE ALMOND TREES / £49

Not only does this Advent Calendar by L’Occitane have many wonderful treats such as their ‘Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream’, ‘Verbena Shower Gel’ and ‘Almond Milk Concentrate’, the illustrations featured across the Advent Calendar tell a story of how the brand have helped to replant 17,000 Almond Trees in Provence! In a world that is growing more conscious of Climate Change, I think L’OCCITANE have hit the nail on the head and presented an important message but in way that isn’t too pushy and overbearing.

This Advent Calendar will see you right through until 24th December and it smells… Divine! To find out more and to make a purchase, head to your local L’OCCITANE boutique or simply click here!

MANKIND - ADVENT CALENDAR 2019 / £150

The absolute show-stopping Advent Calendar from Mankind has products ranging from brands such as Elemis, ARgENTUM, Dr Botanicals and much much more. The ideal gift for yourself as most of the products featured within this Advent Calendar are full-sized and the total contents are worth a whopping £640!

Mankind Advent Calendar for 2019 goes right through until Christmas Day and the packaging itself is slick and stylish! To find out more and purchase, click here.

HOTEL CHOCOLAT - DARK (VEGAN) / £12

Now, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of Chocolate to wake up to every morning right!? Without fail, every year I always treat myself to an Advent Calendar from Hotel Chocolat as I find that they do THE best chocolate!

24 Dark chocolates throughout December presented in a silver, sleek box, these Advent Calendars are also available in other flavours such as milk, white, caramel, free from milk, free from dark, ‘everything’ and ‘up to snow good (children’s)’! To purchase, click here or again, pop to your local Hotel Chocolat Boutique but be quick, they sell out rather quickly!

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I hope you have all enjoyed this Advent Calendar Gift Guide for 2019! I would love to hear from you and know which Advent Calendar you may have or may be looking to treat yourself to! I will also be unboxing each Advent Calendar over on my Instagram Stories so be sure to join in! Now, roll on December 1st…

LUXURY ADVENT CALENDARS FOR 2018

November 21, 2018 by Mr Luke Christian

It seems to have only been the past couple of years where ‘Beauty Advent Calendars’ have really taken off and have now become a firm favourite when it comes to counting down the days until Christmas!

Ranging from high street brands to those that are more luxurious, there really is a calendar out there for everybody and luckily for you, I have 3 to share with you! 2 of these Advent Calendars are Male Grooming and Beauty and my third one (which I couldn’t resist sharing) is a chocolate one as I like to stick to tradition and let’s face it, there’s a unique taste that tastes so much sweeter out of an Advent Calendar as opposed to its original packaging am I right…?

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MANKIND ADVENT CALENDAR

Mankind have released their yearly Advent Calendar and it is an absolute show-stopper! It is humongous and is absolutely incredible which features 25 full sized Male Grooming products such as Elemis, Argentum, Marvis and many more. Mankind have also released their special Christmas Collection Grooming Box which I will have more details on in the next week where you may be able to get your hands on one… Intrigued? Keep checking back for more details soon!

To view Christmas gifts and ideas from Mankind, click here!

L’OCCITANE BEAUTY CALENDAR

The L’Occitane Beauty Advent Calendar contains 24 gorgeous little best-selling gifts from the brand which ranges from their Shower Oils, Hand Creams, mini Fragrance samples as well as Shampoos, Conditioners and Shower Gels! A perfect treat to indulge your loved ones in or indeed a perfect treat for yourself this Christmas!

Worth £85, this Beauty Advent Calendar retails for £49 which is available to purchase here.

HOTEL CHOCOLAT DARK CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDAR

hotel chocolate advent calendar 2018.jpg

One of my favourite Chocolatiers is Hotel Chocolat and having worked with the brand before on creating content, I couldn’t resist treating myself to one of their Advent Calendars this year! I asked my followers which type of flavour I should go for as this year Hotel Chocolat have gone all out with an expansive range such as Milk, Caramel, Dark, White, Supermilk and 100% Dark Chocolate. The overall majority vote went to Dark Chocolate which was just as well as Dark Chocolate is my favourite flavour!

To purchase and to have a look at their full range of Advent Calendars this year, click here.

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Over the course of December I will be revealing what is behind of each door/box over on my Instagram Stories so please join in and countdown with me! To follow me on Instagram and to keep up, click here.

I hope you have enjoyed my selection of Male Grooming/Beauty Advent Calendars this year alongside a traditional Chocolate one!

Are you a fan of Male Grooming/Beauty Advent Calendars? Or do you prefer to stick to the chocolate kind? Will you be treating yourself or a loved one to one of these this year? Have you already got your Advent Calendar? If so, which one have you got? I would love to hear from you so leave me a comment below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

HOTEL CHOCOLAT - EXTRA THICK EGG

March 30, 2018 by Mr Luke Christian

One thing that I always look forward to when it comes to Easter-time, is that it is that time of year where you can stuff your face with as much chocolate as possible! I mean, sometimes this isn't the only time but anyway, enough about that...

For this post, I had been very kindly gifted the Extra-Thick Egg from Hotel Chocolat and as a huge lover of dark chocolate, I received this in the 'Serious Dark Fix' edition!

HOTEL CHOCOLAT - 'SERIOUS DARK FIX' EXTRA-THICK EGG

As you open up the Easter Egg you can expect to find truffles, pralines, caramels that all showcase the cocoa and all of which are 70% dark chocolate. The 10 chocolates contained within the Easter Egg are:

Gin Truffle
Marzipan Selector
Chilli Praline
Simple Dark Truffle
Praline 80%
Chairman's Rum Truffle
Red Wine
Salted Caramel 70%
Dark Dizzy Praline
Gianduja

A sublime Easter treat either for yourself, or a loved one! To purchase this Easter Egg, click here!

Have you shopped with Hotel Chocolat before? What is your favourite chocolate by them? Do you like the sound of this Extra Thick Easter Egg? Have you already purchased an Easter Egg from Hotel Chocolat? Do let me know your thoughts as I would love to hear from you and don't forget to click that 'like' button below!

VALENTINES WITH HOTEL CHOCOLAT

February 08, 2018 by Mr Luke Christian

No Valentine's would be complete without some heavenly chocolates and what better gift than the Hotel Chocolat's 'Valentine Chocolate Box'!?

Filled with 27 delicious bite-sized treats ranging from heart-shaped caramels, fruits, tipples and pralines, these are the goodies inside!

Perfect in Pecan
Rasberry Daiquiri
Champagne
Vanilla
Chilli Caramel
Passion Fruit
Salted Caramel Kiss
Nuts about Raspberry
Salted Espresso

Each chocolate flavour comes 3 times, ideal for sharing with your loved one and that cheeky third one could be an extra treat for yourself, right? I won't say if you don't...

To purchase Hotel Chocolat's incredible Valentine Chocolate Box, click here!

Have you shopped with Hotel Chocolat before? Which is your favourite chocolate? Will you be treating your other half to this Valentine Chocolate Box? Or will you be treating yourself!? Do let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don't forget to click the 'like' button!

COUNTING DOWN 'TIL CHRISTMAS WITH HOTEL CHOCOLAT

December 01, 2017 by Mr Luke Christian

Every year without fail, I had always treated myself to an Advent Calendar from Hotel Chocolat and this Christmas was, of course, going to be no exception, only this time I had been gifted the Advent Calendar by Hotel Chocolat!

I am much more of a 'dark chocolate' person as opposed to 'milk chocolate', so I had been gifted with their Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar! This year there is a much wider selection of Advent Calendars to choose from such as their;

Milk
Chocolate
Caramel
White
For 2
Up to Snow Good
Supermilk
100% Ecuador
The Grand Advent Calendar

As today is the 1st December which officially marks the beginning of Christmas, I cannot wait to open up each door and count down the days until Christmas with each dark chocolate treat! For more details and to get inspired by their Chocolate Gifting, click here and to purchase any of the Advent Calendars mentioned, click here.

Have you shopped at Hotel Chocolat before? If so, what did you buy? Did you buy your Advent Calendar from Hotel Chocolat? Which one did you choose? Did you manage to get your Advent Calendar in time, or will you be playing catch up!? Do let me know your thoughts as I would love to hear from you, and don't forget to click that 'like' button below!

HOTEL CHOCOLAT LITTLE MONSTERS HALLOWEEN HAMPER

October 24, 2017 by Mr Luke Christian

TRICK OR TREAT?

Whether you're staying in or dressing up to go out this Halloween weekend, one thing is for certain, Hotel Chocolat have provided the Ultimate 'Little Monster' Halloween Hamper for those who prefer choosing the 'treat' option!

A wide array of spooky and fun treats to choose from, the Little Monster Halloween Hamper contains:

Cryptopher the Vampire - 16 scarily scrumptious Halloween chocolate shapes, all solid Caramel Chocolate
Oozy Eyes - Molten Caramel in White
Tiddly Vampires - Milk Chocolate
Witchney the Witch Tiddly Pot - Dinky drops of 40% Milk Chocolate
Skull Chocolate Lollies - Solid White Chocolate & Solid 40% Milk Chocolate

My personal favourite out of the Hamper has to be the Oozy Eyes as they are simply delicious and do indeed look rather spooky!

I am sure this will come as no surprise, but unfortunately, the Little Monster Halloween Hamper has now sold out online, but do click on their 'Check Store Stock' to see if this is available to purchase in your local Hotel Chocolat store. Perhaps another alternative would be to 'Build Your Own Hamper' which allows you to select your favourite chocolate treats to gift to a loved one, but let's be honest, we all know that loved one is yourself... I'm saying nothing!

Will you be trying out these Spooky Treats from Hotel Chocolat this Halloween? Have you already tried any of these? If so, which ones and how did you find them? Have you shopped with Hotel Chocolat before? Which is your favourite chocolate from them? Do let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you, and don't forget to click the 'like' button!