In the immortal words of Ms. Mariah Carey., “It’s Time !” As the festive season approaches, the excitement of counting down to Christmas begins anew. Advent calendars, once simple boxes filled with chocolates, have evolved into creative expressions of holiday spirit. This year, we explore innovative ways to craft your own calendar, transforming each day into a delightful surprise. Whether you’re filling it with heartfelt activities or gourmet treats, the charm lies in personalizing your countdown. Join us as we delve into the art of Advent calendars, ensuring your December is filled with joy and anticipation.

24 Days of Fizz Advent Calendar. This Christmas, treat yourself or a loved one to the ultimate sparkling wine experience. Whether you know your Cava from your Prosecco, or just love a good glass of bubbly, this 24 Days of Fizz Advent Calendar is the perfect way to celebrate the season. So celebrate in style and make your countdown to Christmas a truly sparkling experience with this 24 Days of Fizz Advent Calendar. Includes well-loved and renowned brands: Freixenet, I heart wines, Mionetto etc.

On next to Fortnum’s Children’s Chocolate Advent Calendar. Surely not just for Children? Filled with as much festive cheer as Father Christmas’s sleigh, this Chocolate Advent Calendar is laden with 25 premium milk chocolates. The calendar is perfect for children (and adults – after all, who can resist such delicious, chocolatey treats?), so look behind the doors of Fortnum’s Piccadilly home to discover creamy milk chocolate presents, trees, teddy bears and even Father Christmas himself, each made lovingly in the south of England from sustainably sourced cocoa. There’s an extra-special surprise on Christmas Day – but don’t go peeking before the big day arrives, or you might find yourself on the Naughty List… From all at Fortnum’s, we wish you a very merry – and very chocolate-filled – Christmas. Let the advent season begin!

The organic chocolates within this Christmas advent calendar have a cocoa content of 37%, giving them a deliciously milky, malty taste with notes of caramel.

We are catering for all the family members this year and here’s Lily’s Kitchen Advent Calendar for DogsChristmas means family time. Pets included which is why we’ve included an advent calendar made especially for your little one. Now your pooch can join in all the festivities with you.

Your lucky woofer or feline gets to enjoy a daily treat in the countdown to Christmas—a selection of three delicious meaty goodies made with top quality ingredients. Just remember, don’t give in to the puppy eyes, no matter how powerful.

Fellow dog parents who have treated their pooch to our advent calendars in the past—you’ll notice that we’ve replaced our baked biscuits with mouth-wateringly tasty meaty treats. Your pooch will get to enjoy:

Ohhhh we’re going all chic now and with The White Company Advent Calendar. Their 2024 Advent Calendar is here to provide a little daily indulgence in the run-up to Christmas, with each of the pull-out drawers containing one of their favourite seasonal scents or wellness treats. And yes – that’s 25, not 24 (we think Christmas Day deserves a present, too). Gift, share or save it for yourself. Plus, this year you’ll discover more full-sized products than ever, like Full-size Winter Signature Candle and Sea Salt Bath & Shower Gel.

Now we have the Silver Gold Tone 12 Days of Jewellery Advent Calendar by Fat Face. Get ready for the advent-ure with the 12 days of jewellery set. The calendar comprises 12 doors, behind each is a beautiful piece of jewellery. It includes a combination of gold and silver toned pieces such as earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

Ahhhh we couldn’t do a best of the best round up and not include the SOCKSHOP 25 PAIR BAMBOO CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR.

It’ll be Christmas socks for everyone! Get excited for the season with these giant SOCKSHOP 25 Pair Bamboo Christmas Sock Advent Calendars! In designs made for men, Women’s and one specially for couples to share, the luxury advent calendars give day after day of sock-based fun — all of these festive collections have a mix of Christmas sock styles, and colourful everyday designs to enjoy all year round, all made from their soft, breathable high quality bamboo blend for a cool, comfortable feel. Bamboo socks are gentle and non-irritating for all skin types, so everyone can enjoy them. These fun festive socks come in a gorgeously designed double door gift box, fastened with a lovely bow. A gift that anyone and everyone will want to receive, this set makes every day of Christmas just as great as Christmas Day!

Behind every window is a fresh pair of socks every day to pull on and enjoy daily. If you choose the couples calendar however, behind the first day window, you both get a pair of great socks to wear and start you off right. Then after that, every day is either “yours” or “mine”, taking turns to open a window and get a gift. On Christmas Eve, it’s another couples surprise with a special pair of socks each to take you through to the big day!

Ohhhh now we have Rituals Mens Advent Calendar . This exclusive gift set is a powerhouse collection comprising 12 essential products crafted to bolster his daily routine. Enjoy iconic body and home bestsellers tailored specifically for him. Plus, there’s a fantastic addition of a refreshing after-shave gel, an enticing Eau de Parfum, and a generous offering of 5 full-size products. This assortment guarantees he can face every situation feeling cool, calm and collected. And looking great, of course..

Now this is just any advent calendar ! This is the M&S COLLECTION Beauty Advent Calendar 2024. Yes returning after the runaway success of it last year. Indulge in a daily dose of beauty bliss with our highly anticipated beauty advent calendar for 2024, presented in a convenient zip-around case. This year’s edition is a treasure trove of 25 hand-picked treats, curated by our beauty experts to pamper you from head to toe throughout the festive season. Discover an array of luxurious skincare, haircare and makeup must-haves, including 6 full-size delights. Unwrap luxurious skincare from Emma Hardie, Prai and This Works, while elevating your haircare routine with Percy & Reed, Living Proof and Aveda. Enhance your natural beauty with Benefit and Pixi and indulge in pampering body treats from Bloom & Blossom and Cowshed. Complete your daily ritual with captivating fragrances from Floral Street and Velvet Amber

Back to examples strictly for us. The Original Stormtrooper Beer Advent Calendar. Get ready to celebrate the holidays with a galaxy of flavour! The Star Wars Advent Calendar offers 12 days of pure joy, packed with a curated selection of beers, snacks, and a specially themed Stormtrooper glass.

This officially licensed calendar is the perfect gift for any Star Wars enthusiast, combining festive treats with their favourite sci-fi universe. Each day brings a new surprise, making the countdown to Christmas as exciting as a space battle. Gift an out-of-this-world experience with this unique advent calendar and let the Christmas countdown begin with this unique and delightful advent calendar! It contains

2x 330ml cans of SNIPA – Situation Normal India Pale Ale (4.4% ABV – suitable for Vegans)
2x 330ml cans of Galactic Pale Ale (4.8% ABV – suitable for Vegans)
2x 330ml cans of Lightspeed Pilsner (5.0% ABV)
1x 330ml can of Full Meta Trooper Lager (4.6% ABV)
1x 330ml can of Shadow Stout (6.6% ABV)
1x 330ml can of Space Hopera New England Pale Ale (6.6% ABV)
1x Pack of tasty beer snacks
4x Original Stormtrooper Beer Mats

Ohhhh one that might be featuring in the McGrath household this year is the Luxury Whisky Advent Calendar, OK maybe not one for opening at the beginning of the day.

But this is the perfect gift for whisky enthusiasts.

Their Premium Whisky Advent Calendar is a journey across Scotland to select 24 rare and aged single cask and blended expressions.

Distilled and bottled in some of the best distilleries in Scotland, these limited release casks offer the very best of aged, old and rare Scotch whiskies across the Lowland, Speyside, Highland, Islands, Islay and Campbeltown regions.

Presented in the form of a cabinet, handmade in wood and finished in the same way as a traditional whisky cabinet, it’s the perfect place to keep and store miniatures long after Christmas too.

Each 50ml dram is bottled straight from the cask and represents an expression of some of the best whiskies Scotland has to offer.

Made from

24 x 50ml Whiskies, 42-50% ABV

15 Single Malts

5 Single Grains

4 Blended Expressions

2 Whisky Glasses

When participating in sports activities it is not ideal to wear a delicate wrist watch that can break from a sudden impact, that can be damaged by water when swimming or diving or one that can detach itself from your wrist and fall onto the ground when running. Many men take their watches off in fear of it breaking which is understandable if the watch is a Rolex or an Audemars Piguet. For these reasons, watch brands now offer a large selection of sports watches that are primarily focused on being durable, comfortable and highly resistant to water and shock impact.

TAG Heuer ‘Formula 1’ Chronograph

The ‘Formula 1’ collection by TAG Heuer has been engineered with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and tested on the road by British Formula One driver Jenson Button. Like the majority of TAG Heuer’s sports watches, it is resistant to extreme U.V. rays and temperatures and is vibration resistant so it can be worn during any form of sports, especially outside sports. It also comes with water resistance of 200 metres, scratch resistant sapphire crystal and a double security folding clasp for excellent durability. There is also a tachymeter scale on the bezel that indicates the average speed of a car so this is an ideal watch to have if you’re into driving and racing awesome sports cars.

Hublot ‘King Power’ Usain Bolt Limited Edition

Limited to only 250 pieces, this special Usain Bolt edition is one of the highest forms of sports watches currently available which is to be expected considering they have based it on the 2012 Olympic winner himself. The watch makes many references to the medal winner; most famously the material the strap is made of is the same gold-coloured synthetic leather as Bolt’s running shoes that he won in which is stitched onto black rubber for comfort, flexibility and strength. It will, however, have your bank account shivering.

Alpina ‘Adventure’ Avalanche Extreme

The ‘Adventure’ collection from Alpina is aimed at the more adventurous and extreme types, those who hike, climb and ski from the highest mountains. It claims on their website that hey are “extremely robust sports watches that perform to the highest degrees of precision and reliability in the most demanding situations.” The watch includes a rubber strap that ensures durability and comfort and the face is easy to read, even in the harshest of environments. It is also water resistant up to 200 metres, just in case the adventurer encounters being trapped under snow or happens to fall into water (I assume that’s the reason…)

IWC ‘Aquatimer’ Chronograph

Yet another collection of watches made for diving and water sports and with a similar name to TAG Heuer’s ‘Aquaracer’ collection, this watch has all the functions needed in a sports watch and is also suitable for everyday wear. The underside of the watch is coated in Super-LumiNova® which means the time can be read even in poor and dark conditions. It also has a large rotating bezel that can even be turned when wearing large gloves and it features a ‘quick-change system’ that means the strap can be changed within seconds to a rubber or a hook-and-loop strap. The hook-and-loop strap also allows the watch to be worn over a diving suit. Other incredible functions for divers include a mechanical depth gauge which indicates dive depth- current and maximum. It is the perfect partner to have when alone in the depths of the ocean.

Bremont ‘U-2’

Designed and tested by the elite U-2 Spy Plane Squadron based at Beale, CA in the US, this watch is ideal for those who like to soar in the skies and be seriously badass. It has been tested at 100,000 feet and -40 degrees C both in a laboratory and on missions and successfully sustained all tests. It is also, like the IWC ‘Aquatimer’, coated in Super-LumiNova® so it can be read in all light conditions. The stainless steel case is also hardened to reduce breakage and increase toughness and it has an anti-shock rubberised movement mount. Due to its intense testing and durability, there is no doubt that this watch is useful for any type of sport imaginable, even water sports as it is water resistant to 100 metres.

TAG Heuer ‘Aquaracer’ Countdown Chronograph

The ‘Aquaracer’ collection by TAG Heuer was made with water-lovers in mind, especially divers. It is water resistant up to 500 metres and it is also resistant to extreme U.V. rays and temperatures, so it can be worn outside or in the sea without worry. It is also resistant to chlorine and sea salt, making it even more durable when used for water sports and features luminescent hands that can be seen in the dark and underwater. Even though the sole purpose of this watch is to be used when in water, it is also durable in other sports as it is vibration-resistant and therefore can also be used when in a car, on a motorbike or on a mountain bike. The bezel can also be used to time which is practical when keeping track of race times or personal times without carrying around a stopwatch.

Every man should have at least one good quality, clean, crisp, fresh, white shirt in his wardrobe. A white shirt is one of the foundations pieces of any man’s dressing repertoire. It’s an indispensable item that virtually can go with every outfit from casual to formal, from a black suit to a pair of jeans, its one of those few truly versatile items of clothing that goes with pretty much anything.

But like so many things within this wonderful and great world in which we merely inhabit, it isn’t altogether straight forward and the white shirt is indicative of this fact. A white shirt, isn’t simply just a white shirt and possessing one white shirt won’t mean it caters for every required occasion. But, investing in a good quality example will serve you well and should see you through a multitude of occasions over the coming years. So take this white shirt, see it as an investment buy –

This fine Oxford shirt by Hackett with button down collar in the Clifton. With cutaway collar, two button mitred cuff, made from the finest woven cotton.

5 Ways to way a White Shirt

The Classic Tuxedo, timeless, classic, elegant. Nothing more needs to be said

The Tuxedo, timeless, classic, elegant. Nothing more needs to be said

Keeping it easy and casual. A simple white shirt, throw on a pair of jeans & a navy blazer.

Keeping it easy and casual. A white shirt, throw on a pair of jeans & a navy blazer, for that start casual look.

Sharp, dapper, and quintessentially looking good you can't go wrong with a well cut suit team with a white shirt and tie

Sharp, dapper, and quintessentially looking good you can’t go wrong with a well cut suit teamed with a white shirt and tie

The Autumn is nearly upon us and work that weekend look with one of the biggest trends for the season a spot of tweed and some fair isle knitwear. Adding a white shirt makes the outfit stand out more.

The trick is to keep things easy and simple. Just a white shirt and a pair of chinos, no more no less

The Phenomenon that was Hai Karate, otherwise known as “the Lady Killer”. Please, feel free to insert your own joke here.

Splash it all over, you Brut !

When I say heritage, I don’t mean smelling like an old person, nor do I mean the overpowering pong of Hai Karate or Brut, nothing could be further away from the truth. When I talk about heritage I mean a fragrance that has a history stretching back over 200 years.

Increasingly guys want to smell a little different, hence the explosion in the shear number of mens fragrances on the market today. Men don’t want to walk into a bar and be overpowered by the woft of Joop. Plus a great opener, when wanting to chat someone up is always, “Mmmmm you smell great, what are you wearing?” And let’s be honest we want ladies to reciprocate this. So what better way to induce this reaction then to wear a fragrance that you can be sure not every Tom, Dick or Harry will be wearing.

Two such fragrances are 4711 & Green Irish Tweed by Creed. 4711, pronounced “forty-seven eleven”, is one of the oldest recognised cologne brands. Often referred to as aqua mirabilis or “miracle water” the exact formula is still a secret today, which dates back to the Cathusian monks of the 17^th Century. The Unisex fragrance’s ingredients include Lavender and Rosemary for a calming effect to steady the nerves and Neroli, extracted from bitter orange blossom to guarantee a positive attitude, which, hey lets face it, we all need right now.

Then we have Creed, founded by James Henry Creed in 1760. The House of Creed soon drew the attention of Royalty throughout Europe, even a certain Queen Victoria appointed Creed as the official supplier to the Royal household. Still today Olivier Creed, oversees the House of Creed as President and insists on using natural ingredients rather then synthetic ones. My personal favourite from over 200 scents they have produced over the years is Green Irish Tweed. A blend of floral and woody ingredients that infuses, Violet leaves, Florentine Iris, Sandalwood & Ambergris to create this unique, fresh, masculine and natural aroma which cited Carrie Grant, Robbie Williams & Prince Charles as fans.

4711 is available from good independent pharmacies & branches of Boots Nationwide. Priced at £16.95 for 100ml. (See image below)

Green Irish Tweed by Creed is available from Harrods, Libertys, Harvey Nichols & Selfridges and is £135 for 75ml. creedfragrances.co.uk (See image below)

4711

Green Irish Tweed by Creed

Aviation style luxury watches are set for a big year in 2013 and there is one name that typically stands out from the crowd when it comes to this style of timepiece – and it is that of Bell & Ross watches. Although they are a relative newcomer to the luxury watch industry (forming as recently as 1992) but they have not wasted any time at all in establishing themselves as one of the powerhouses of the industry and their aviation style timepieces certainly forms the cornerstone of their endeavours.

The brainchild of Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos Rosillo (Ross), these breath taking timepieces have found favour amongst luxury watch aficionados the world over and all Bell & Ross watches are designed for professionals and crafted to 4 essential criteria – namely, precision, readability, performance and water resistance. Bell & Ross have a number of different collections of timepieces but the aviation feel permeates them all to some degree or other and it is a feature that has certainly made them popular amongst those looking for a highly functional and visually appealing luxury timepiece.

Just some of their most popular collections include the WW Vintage, BR01, BR02 and the BR S series of watches and these all positively exude luxury and elegant sophistication. Many of the Bell & Ross watches are purpose designed for pilots and this is something that is extremely evident from some of the features that you find on Bell and Ross timepieces. These classically styled, aviation themed type of watches are set for a big year in 2013 and Bell & Ross will inevitably be the driving force behind this popularity.

Let’s take a look at some of the stunning watches with an aeronautical feel that could be yours from the luxury watchmaker, Bell & Ross:

Bell & Ross Vintage Collection:

The Vintage Collection from Bell & Ross is unquestionably amongst their most stylish and sought after range of timepieces and you can see just how eye-catching they are from the spectacular Bell & Ross Vintage BR 126 Officer timepiece pictured.

This excellent series of striking timepieces is based on a profound need for military precision and they are designed on the military style timepieces worn by officers throughout military history.

These Vintage Bell & Ross watches are incredibly popular and this popularity is set to continue as more and more people look to add a classic style luxury timepiece to their wrist.

Bell & Ross BR02 Collection:

Famed for their versatility, Bell & Ross watches are one of the most stylish, rugged and precise collections of timepieces on the market and that is typified by their extraordinary BR02 Collection.

This unusual and striking collection is a departure from the aviation style watches that Bell & Ross are most renowned for as it is a series that is purpose built for divers and boasts an incredibly impressive water resistance with the pictured timepiece capable of plumbing depths of up to 1000m.

Bell & Ross BR03 Collection:

The Bell & Ross BR03 Collection is their square aviation style timepieces and they have become one of the most symbolic watches that they offer and for a fan of oversized timepieces, this collection should be your first port of call.

These watches are genuine aviation instruments and are popular amongst pilots the world over for their high-visibility and precise mechanics. Needless to say, those who spend a lot of time in the skies require a highly functional timepiece and watches like the Bell & Ross BR03-94 Heritage pictured certainly ticks all of the right boxes.

A great watch for aviation aficionados and one of the collections from Bell & Ross that will likely fly (pun not intended) off the shelves.

All Bell & Ross watches are made in their modern watchmaking facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds and all of the timepieces that roll off their production line have been tested in hazardous and inclement conditions to ensure their durability because, as aviation timepieces, then need to be capable of withstanding even the most inhospitable of environments. If you want one of the most rugged and stylish watches on the market, it is difficult to look beyond Bell & Ross.

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