The rise in luxury advent calendars in the last few years has been remarkable – and nowhere does them better than Selfridges.
Gone are the days where we were happy with cheap chocolate behind a foil door.
Nowadays one of the greatest thrills of the festive season is opening a tiny present every day, whether it’s a makeup product, a flavour of tea, a pair of socks or whatever else has been stuffed into an advent calendar.
Selfridges own beauty advent calendar, which is stuffed with more than £1000 worth of products, has already sold out for this year.
But the department store has plenty more options for you to choose from.
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Read on to find 10 of the fanciest, most luxurious, most exciting advent calendars on sale this winter.
Mince pies
A mince pie advent calendar in Selfridges. Credit: The Manc Group
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without mince pies, and if you love to start stuffing your face with them as soon as the calendar hits December, then this calendar is the one for you.
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The Selfridges exclusive advent calendar has loads of different flavoured mince pies hiding behind every door, including classic, citrus, almond and chocolate.
Then there’s a mini Meg Rivers Christmas cake waiting behind door number 25.
One for the big kids (or the actual kids) now – an advent calendar full of Lego. How cute!
There are a few different themes to choose from, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Spider Man, with a different minifigure to open every single day.
MAC’s Selfridges exclusive advent calendar has loads of hit products in it. Credit: The Manc Group
Cult make-up brand MAC has picked Selfridges as an exclusive stockist for its Gift of Gold 2024 advent calendar.
Products inside this giant festive box include some of their most celebrated products, including the Fix+ Original setting spray, matte and sheer-shine lipsticks in a range of shades, lip gloss, skincare, eye shadows and brow products.
It’s £180 but you get an unbelievable £445-worth of stuff for that. Grab yours HERE.
Diptyque
Diptyque has a 2024 advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group
Another very fancy advent calendar is this one from Diptyque, with 25 days of scents to discover. Scentsational, you might say.
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Candles make up the bulk of this advent calendar, including their seasonal specials like pine tree, berries and wood fire.
But you’ll also get refillable solid perfumes, eau de parfums, soaps, body lotions and even a set of decorations.
Selfridges’ own malt ball advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group
Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic chocolate-filled advent calendar, and Selfridges has their own that should hit the spot.
This pretty green polka-dot box is filled with different flavours of malt chocolate balls, including blonde, salted caramel, orange, and cookies and cream.
The most wholesome advent calendar on the whole list is this one – the Little People Big Dreams calendar, where each day unlocks a new mini book.
Inside each envelope, children will find stories about inspirational people from across the world, from groundbreaking musician Elton John and eco hero Steve Irwin, to freedom-fighter Martin Luther King and visionary artist Frida Kahlo.
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Shopping
The old cotton mill in Stockport that’s home to the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Who would’ve known the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West, is tucked away here in Stockport?
Nestled inside a former Edwardian red-brick cotton spinning mill is where you can find The Vintage Emporium, supplying a unique shopping experience that is sure to fulfil all of your antique desires.
Pear New Mill is a Grade II listed building, set on the northern bank of the River Goyt in Bredbury, which is now home to a range of different businesses from an Adidas outlet store, to a climbing wall and of course The Vintage Emporium.
The Vintage Emporium hosts a maze of over 65 independent traders, selling everything from vintage clothes, furniture, jewellery, kitchenware, retro vinyl, and antiques, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Every section has something different to quench all of your vintage needs, with lots of quirky items including a huge Flake 99 statue, Japanese parasols and taxidermy – perfect interior decor for your new home if you ask me.
Not to mention it has the sweetest on-site tea room equipped with antique furniture, ornate teacups and crockery, serving up some delicious toasties and sweet treats to pair with your brew. Name a better way to spend your Saturday? I’ll wait.
Pear Mill is located just off of the M60, with free parking and it is in relatively close proximity to Stockport Train station making it easily accessible from across Greater Manchester and a great addition to your next trip to Stockport.
Vintage finds at Pear Mill, StockportVinyls are for sale here tooAnother corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, StockportVintage teddy bearsA corner of vintage fashionJust one of many corners filled with treasuresLeather jackets and other fashion piecesThe Vintage Tea RoomPear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage EmporiumThe Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in StockportAn adorable find
It’s open seven days a week, with the cafe open until 3pm everyday except Wednesdays. Oh, and nobody has to miss out as four-legged friends are welcome to have a browse too.
Go on grab your mates and enjoy a wholesome morning soaking up all of the history or take your nan for a little trip down memory lane.
Daisy Jackson -
25th October 2024 
