The Rise of Collectable Advent Calendars

Tis’ the season to eat our body weight in advent calendar chocolate but over recent years it has become more than just chocolate, starting a brand-new collecting genre.

LEGO Advent Calendars

LEGO was the trendsetter of the collectable advent calendar, launching their first one in 1998. The first one was a system-themed calendar that featured Santa Claus minifigures and could be reassembled into a larger build.

Over the years, LEGO has expanded its advent calendar offerings to include various themes like Harry Potter, Star Wars and Disney. They now create seasonal scenes that you can set up and keep, some sets include minifigures that you can’t get anywhere else.

They currently cost £30 each, but previous years' editions can sell between £30-£50 on eBay.

Last year, LEGO gave all employees an exclusive gingerbread house advent calendar which if found on eBay is being sold for £150-£200. So, if you’re previous employee, have a look and see if you have one lying around.

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Labubu Advent Calendars

Due to the intense popularity of Labubus this year, many different brands have released their own Labubu advent calendar. From what I can see there is no official Pop Mart advent calendar dedicated to Labubus. But independent sellers have taken the hype and decided to monetise it with many Labubu advent calendars popping up on places like Etsy.

However, Pop Mart’s collection of Funko does have an official advent calendar, last year they released a retro toys version which included 24 collectable Funko Pocket Pops! This is still available on Amazon for £42.

Book Advent Calendars

Book advent calendars have increased in popularity in recent years, with many Instagram influencers showing off all the books they have picked for their kids’ book advent calendars. But some brands have joined the trend and curated their own book advent calendars ready with 24 books, so you don’t have to.

One of them is the Disney Twisted Tales advent calendar box set. It not only includes exclusive stories to the advent calendar, but it also includes colouring books, quote books and journals. Full of gifts you can keep and collect for years to come.

Another example is the Batman Advent Calendar, this includes 25 days of surprises with mini books, mementos and more. Perfect for any comic book lover, gives the retro feel for old style comic books.

There are many sellers on Etsy that will collate 24 books for you as well, however, they will be regular books not exclusive content or collectable editions.

Murder Mystery Advent Calendars

A new collection of advent calendars this year is the murder mystery advent calendars. These include 24 daily puzzles so by the end of the month you will have solved the mystery. That’s if you can wait a whole month to finish the mystery! I found a few online, even one inspired by Cluedo!

As this is a relatively new theme, there aren’t any with increased value on eBay yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be eventually. So, get buying now as you never know what could happen.

There are also many novelty collectables including a Highland Cow advent calendar, Harry Potter and the Fallout game. These are collectable but I don’t see the value increasing in the future due to the high demand!

Enjoy all your advent calendars this year, one chocolate and one collectable, I hope!