Adults are getting in on the festive fun this holiday season, but some environmental groups are sounding the alarm about a new trend: superfluous consumerism. Adult Advent calendars have become a lucrative market, with luxury items like beauty products and instant mashed potato making the cut.
The trend has sparked concerns among green groups, who argue that these calendars contribute to excessive and wasteful consumption. Anna Diski, a plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK, says that most of us don't need 24 new products just to get through December, and the single-use plastic packaging is only adding to the problem.
Daniel Webb, founder of Everyday Plastic, agrees that the luxury Advent calendars are a symptom of a larger issue: a system that keeps producing more stuff we don't need. "These calendars are a microcosm of our society's obsession with consumption," he says.
The data backs him up: Ipsos found that seven in ten Britons have bought an Advent calendar at some point, and while most were chocolate-based, beauty calendars are increasingly popular. But the environmental impact is real – online discussions about Advent calendars start as early as September, driven by marketing campaigns and influencer-led unboxing videos.
While some experts argue that the perceived savings on individual products make these calendars a good value for money, others say it's just not worth the cost of novelty when it comes to things like packaging. Sali Hughes, beauty expert and journalist, suggests asking yourself if you'd want five of the items if sold at full price – if not, maybe reconsider the calendar altogether.
As the trend continues, governments are already taking notice. Extended producer responsibility is being implemented, which means companies will have to take responsibility for the waste generated by their packaging. This could lead to changes in design and materials, making Advent calendars more sustainable in the long run.
For now, though, consumers just need to be mindful of what they're getting themselves into – whether it's luxury beauty products or instant mashed potato, it's worth considering if it's really worth the environmental cost.
The trend has sparked concerns among green groups, who argue that these calendars contribute to excessive and wasteful consumption. Anna Diski, a plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK, says that most of us don't need 24 new products just to get through December, and the single-use plastic packaging is only adding to the problem.
Daniel Webb, founder of Everyday Plastic, agrees that the luxury Advent calendars are a symptom of a larger issue: a system that keeps producing more stuff we don't need. "These calendars are a microcosm of our society's obsession with consumption," he says.
The data backs him up: Ipsos found that seven in ten Britons have bought an Advent calendar at some point, and while most were chocolate-based, beauty calendars are increasingly popular. But the environmental impact is real – online discussions about Advent calendars start as early as September, driven by marketing campaigns and influencer-led unboxing videos.
While some experts argue that the perceived savings on individual products make these calendars a good value for money, others say it's just not worth the cost of novelty when it comes to things like packaging. Sali Hughes, beauty expert and journalist, suggests asking yourself if you'd want five of the items if sold at full price – if not, maybe reconsider the calendar altogether.
As the trend continues, governments are already taking notice. Extended producer responsibility is being implemented, which means companies will have to take responsibility for the waste generated by their packaging. This could lead to changes in design and materials, making Advent calendars more sustainable in the long run.
For now, though, consumers just need to be mindful of what they're getting themselves into – whether it's luxury beauty products or instant mashed potato, it's worth considering if it's really worth the environmental cost.
its like we r never gonna run out of things to buy lol & what s the point of instant mashed potato 
i mean im not against festive vibes but can't we just stick with whats needed? 
gotta say, its kinda sad that we even need gov intervention for something as simple as a calendar packaging 
come on guys, can't we just have a chill holiday season without breaking the bank (or the planet)? I mean, think about it, 24 new products in one calendar? It's like you're trying to justify buying more stuff every month 
. And don't even get me started on the packaging 
. It's like companies are intentionally designed to make us feel like we need that one thing to be happy. Newsflash: we don't! 
It's all about marketing, folks. Let's not fall for it just because someone else is drooling over a luxury beauty calendar online 
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. We can have fun without breaking the bank...or the planet 
And don't even get me started on the packaging – single-use plastic is a major no-no in my book 
. I'm all for treats and whatnot, but come on, can't we find ways to make it more sustainable? 
Like, Daniel Webb said it best, these calendars are like a reflection of our society's obsession with stuff 
I don't know about me, but it's like, what's the point of having all that packaging and waste when we could just make more eco-friendly choices? 
.
Maybe next year, I'll get a reusable Advent calendar instead of the fancy one 
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WHAT'S WRONG WITH JUST GETTING A COZY PAIR OF SOCKS OR SOMETHING RATHER THAN SPENDING MONEY ON ALL THIS NON-ESSENTIAL STUFF?! 
The plastic waste is already a major issue and now these luxury calendars are just adding to it 
. I mean, do we really need 24 new beauty products or instant mashed potatoes in December?! 
? Like, come on guys, we're already drowning in plastic waste – do we really need more single-use packaging? I mean, I know it's tempting to get all excited for the holidays and maybe even treat yourself (or not), but let's be real, these calendars are just a symptom of our society's love affair with stuff we don't actually need 
. And honestly, if I had to think about whether I'd buy five of those beauty products at full price, I'd probably say nope 
.
it's all just a bunch of marketing hype 
and influencers peddling stuff we don't need 
I'm not saying no to some fun holiday goodies, but let's be real, most of us don't have 24 new products just chillin' around the house waiting for Christmas 
maybe that'll make a difference
. And let's be real, those single-use plastic packaging is just adding to the problem 
. Plus, it's all about novelty and instant gratification, which isn't exactly sustainable in the long run 
. I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves if it's really worth it, even if it is a good value for money initially 
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how governments respond with extended producer responsibility and make these calendars more eco-friendly 
i mean, i'd rather have a sustainable calendar experience over some fancy packaging any day 
anyway, it's good to see governments taking notice and implementing extended producer responsibility... maybe this will lead to more eco-friendly designs in the future