Shropshire Star

Advent countdown begins across Shropshire

It's December 1 today, and across Shropshire and Mid Wales people young and old will open the first door on their Advent calendars.

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It's when the real countdown to Christmas begins for many families.

Whether you're eight or 80, advent calendars are as much a part of families' Christmas celebrations across the world as trees and carols.

But opening that tiny window and sampling the tasty chocolate treat is only part of the fun nowadays.

Whether it's whisky or craft beer, there is a whole world of choice available – if money is no object.

The Craft Beer Advent Calendar by Beer Hawk offers you 24 bottles – £80

Coming in at a whopping £80, the Craft Beer Advent Calendar by Beer Hawk offers you 24 bottles of the finest craft beer across the globe, including brews from as far afield as Japan.

You can also grab some classic beers from Craft Beer Kings of the globe, Britain's Canadian brewery, America's Flying Dog and Brooklyn and Anchor brewing Co.

  • To find out what attractions and events are in the region this festive season click here

For those with a sweet tooth out there Hotel Chocolat is offering you a milk chocolate option, at the much lower price of £12.50.

Ranging from reindeer to snowmen chocolates, there is a festive choice for everyone. If you're also looking to share, you can delve into a 'truffles for two' calendar at £26.

Bags of loose leaf tea – £39.50

From traditional chocolate to something a little less ordinary, a calendar from PostTea features sachets of loose leaf for £39.50. It will also contain a fine mesh metal ball tea strainer for fuss-free brewing, instructions and tasting notes.

Some of the teas include breakfast blend, Duchess Earl Grey, refreshing infusion and gingerbread chai.

Wooden LED calendar – £29.50

The days of simple nativity scenes are long gone – and the Wooden LED calendar by Forest & Co priced at £29.50 shows just how far festive technology has come. It features numbered drawers that illuminate the village scene and animals on top with the LED light.

Tesco offer children and adults alike a £25 wooden train calendar, painted in festive red and green which allows you to cram the little carriage drawer full of lots of mini surprises.

Even our four-legged friends can be treated to a personalised dog calendar at £23.50 by Cot2tot & Beyond. It will have 24 bones and has been described as a perfect and stylish original gift for a family dog that you could otherwise be struggling to find a present for.

It can be used for years to come by simply adding another set of bones.

For £85, a huge handmade chocolate tree advent calender to share is available from Chocolate by Cocoapod, although how much chocolate will actually be shared out depends on the owner's will-power.

The huge box of chocolates comes with a Christmas tree image and can be personalised with a name or message to a loved one.

A special handmade garland calendar can be yours for just £12, made by Amber Marie. You can hang the little paper snowman envelopes, with added chocolate and jokes, at home with other Christmas decorations, or you could even just hang it on the back of a door. The choice is yours!

A chalkboard calendar for £10 with a colourful Santa Claus will give people a daily dose of joy as they get excited with the Christmas countdown, crossing off each day in December.

A handmade linen calendar – £58

For £58, you could have yourself a handmade linen calendar, in a dove grey, by The Linen Works London, with 24 pockets that are the perfect size for little chocolates or miniature gifts.

Staying on the handmade theme, but for a rather more lavish £98, a children's advent calendar which features a colourful polar bear design will become part of festive tradition with the patterned, plain and embroidered fabrics made by Samantha Peare Embroidered Textiles.

So, whether it's just the traditional chocolates from the calendar for you, or a tot of whisky or a bottle of beer, the one thing you can be certain of is the countdown to Christmas is well and truly started.

Let's just hope that by the time Christmas Day comes around, we're not all thoroughly sick of chocolate and alcohol!

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