As Christmas approaches, a new trend has emerged among adults: the extravagant Advent calendar. Gone are the days of simple chocolate calendars for kids; now, luxury beauty products, gourmet food, and even instant mashed potatoes are being unwrapped behind a door each day. But environmental groups warn that this trend is nothing but "superfluous consumerism," contributing to excessive waste and wasteful consumption.
Greenpeace UK's Anna Diski notes that most adults receive two or three useful items in their Advent calendars, while 20 others are essentially disposable. This single-use plastic can linger in our homes, not just the natural environment. Similarly, Everyday Plastic's Daniel Webb sees luxury Advent calendars as a microcosm of a larger problem - a system designed to produce more stuff we don't need and probably can't afford.
The trend has gained significant traction, with seven out of ten Britons purchasing an Advent calendar at some point. The most popular ones are beauty calendars, priced anywhere from £30 to £275. While some argue that these calendars offer "good value for money," others see them as a novelty with little practical use. Beauty expert Sali Hughes suggests focusing on whether you'd want to buy the individual products at full price - if not, it's likely unnecessary.
Market analyst Mintel's Samantha Dover notes that while the trend won't fade anytime soon, the way these calendars are marketed and sold is changing. Some consumers self-gift themselves calendars or split the cost with others, which can reduce waste generated by these products.
However, government legislation may have an impact on this trend. Bio-plastics manufacturer Lignin Industries' Dr. Christopher Carrick says that extended producer responsibility will charge companies based on unsustainable packaging, forcing them to redesign and reduce packaging waste. As a result, designs and materials will need to be amended.
The question remains: is the festive fun of unwrapping an Advent calendar worth the environmental cost? While some argue it's just a novelty, others see it as a symbol of our throwaway society. As the trend continues, we'll have to weigh the value of convenience against the consequences of excessive waste and wasteful consumption.
Greenpeace UK's Anna Diski notes that most adults receive two or three useful items in their Advent calendars, while 20 others are essentially disposable. This single-use plastic can linger in our homes, not just the natural environment. Similarly, Everyday Plastic's Daniel Webb sees luxury Advent calendars as a microcosm of a larger problem - a system designed to produce more stuff we don't need and probably can't afford.
The trend has gained significant traction, with seven out of ten Britons purchasing an Advent calendar at some point. The most popular ones are beauty calendars, priced anywhere from £30 to £275. While some argue that these calendars offer "good value for money," others see them as a novelty with little practical use. Beauty expert Sali Hughes suggests focusing on whether you'd want to buy the individual products at full price - if not, it's likely unnecessary.
Market analyst Mintel's Samantha Dover notes that while the trend won't fade anytime soon, the way these calendars are marketed and sold is changing. Some consumers self-gift themselves calendars or split the cost with others, which can reduce waste generated by these products.
However, government legislation may have an impact on this trend. Bio-plastics manufacturer Lignin Industries' Dr. Christopher Carrick says that extended producer responsibility will charge companies based on unsustainable packaging, forcing them to redesign and reduce packaging waste. As a result, designs and materials will need to be amended.
The question remains: is the festive fun of unwrapping an Advent calendar worth the environmental cost? While some argue it's just a novelty, others see it as a symbol of our throwaway society. As the trend continues, we'll have to weigh the value of convenience against the consequences of excessive waste and wasteful consumption.
but i gotta admit i'm tempted by those fancy beauty advent calendars myself 
my sister got one last year and it was literally the highlight of her month... she loves trying out new products and it's like a little luxury break from daily life 
meanwhile i know it's just perpetuating more waste and stuff we don't need 
still, if it makes someone happy and encourages sustainable habits, maybe it's not all bad? 
20 useless items for £275? 
That's just too much for me. Can't we find a way to enjoy the festive season without contributing to more plastic waste? 
And what about all the single-use plastics that are just gonna end up in our oceans and landfills? 
Not worth it, if you ask me. Let's try to find a better way to celebrate the holidays.
and what's up with the prices tho?! £275 is like, whoa! 
. The fact that people are spending upwards of £200 on these luxury calendars is eye-opening, especially when you consider how many people struggle to afford basic necessities. It's a bit disheartening to see how easily we're willing to indulge in something just for the sake of it without thinking about the broader implications 
.
. I like a good surprise as much as the next person, but does it have to be so extravagant? Can't we just stick to something simple and eco-friendly instead of contributing to more waste? It's like everyone's trying to outdo each other in terms of how wasteful they can be... 
I'm all for some festive fun, but not at the expense of our planet.
. The rest is just packaging and random stuff I don't need. It's kinda weird how much money we're willing to spend on it too £275?! That's like, a whole day's worth of groceries for some people.
? I guess what they say about "good value for money" is true... if you'd buy the individual products at full price, then maybe it's worth it? But most people probably wouldn't, right?
. And yeah, some people might say they're getting good value for money, but if you wouldn't buy the individual products at full price, do you really need them? 
. But honestly, can't we just opt for a simpler way to celebrate the holidays? Maybe something like a donation to charity or volunteering our time instead of buying into this materialism?
I mean, can't we just stick to simple treats or even DIY stuff for the kids (or ourselves)? All these extra items just end up in the trash and contribute to our already overflowing landfills. And let's not forget the packaging waste... it's a real concern. Maybe some companies should rethink their designs and materials? 
But then again, it's just £30 a month, what's the harm? 
I guess some of us are just too spoiled by our parents' generosity in school holidays 
. That way we're not contributing to the waste problem...
I mean, I love a good beauty product as much as the next person, but do we really need an entire calendar's worth? 
I'm gonna stick with my simple chocolate calendar from when I was a kid 
They used to be so colorful and fun! Anyway, back to these Advent calendars... I think it's kinda cool that adults are getting in on the action too, but yeah, the environmental impact is def something to consider. You know what's even more waste-y though? Those disposable coffee pods they sell at cafes 
. We should really start a movement to reduce single-use plastics everywhere! 
.