Last updated: October 2026
A wellness advent calendar swaps chocolate for 24 small acts of self-care, one for each day from 1 to 24 December. You can buy one or make your own with simple daily ideas: a morning walk, an early night, a warm drink, a phone-free evening. Here’s a free 24-day plan.
Below: our 24-day wellness advent calendar, DIY ideas for her, him and adults, how to make one as a gift, and what to put in it.
Our free 24-day wellness advent calendar
One small thing a day. Most take 10 minutes or less.
| Day | Today’s self-care |
|---|---|
| 1 | Get outside in daylight for 10 minutes before 10am |
| 2 | Drink a glass of water before your first coffee |
| 3 | Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual |
| 4 | Message a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while |
| 5 | Swap your evening scroll for a book |
| 6 | Take a 20-minute walk without your phone |
| 7 | Make a warm, caffeine-free evening drink. Try our healthy hot chocolate |
| 8 | Write down 3 things that went well today |
| 9 | Try 5 minutes of slow breathing with a long out-breath |
| 10 | Cook a meal from scratch with plenty of vegetables |
| 11 | Have a warm bath or shower an hour before bed |
| 12 | Have an alcohol-free evening. See alcohol-free nightcaps |
| 13 | Stretch for 10 minutes |
| 14 | Clear one small space: a drawer, your desk or your inbox |
| 15 | Plan your festive week so nothing lands at the last minute |
| 16 | Turn notifications off after 8pm |
| 17 | Do something kind for someone else |
| 18 | Eat a handful of nuts or seeds. See foods high in magnesium |
| 19 | Massage your shoulders, neck or feet with a balm or oil |
| 20 | Spend time in nature: a park, woods or the coast |
| 21 | The longest night: dim the lights and have a cosy, early evening |
| 22 | Say no to one thing you don’t need to do |
| 23 | Write a thank-you note |
| 24 | Wind down for Christmas Eve. See how to sleep on Christmas Eve |
How to make a DIY wellness advent calendar
- Pick a base: 24 small envelopes on a string, a box with 24 compartments, or numbered paper bags.
- Write the daily ideas above on cards, one per day.
- Add a few small treats on weekends: a tea bag, a bath soak, a candle, a sachet of hot chocolate.
- Put the bigger gift behind day 24 or 1.
- Personalise it. For her, him, a partner or a friend, match the ideas to what they enjoy.
Making one for someone who sleeps badly or feels run down? See our sleep gifts and wellness gifts guides.
What to put in a wellness advent calendar
| Type | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Evening wind-down | Herbal tea, hot chocolate, a bath soak, an eye mask |
| Pampering | Hand cream, a massage balm, lip balm, a face mask |
| Mind | A gratitude card, a puzzle, a short book, a journal |
| Move | Resistance band, walk route, yoga video link |
| Connect | A voucher for a coffee together, a handwritten note |
For the big day, a full-size gift works well. Our Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex is a cosy evening hot chocolate, the Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a berry bedtime drink, and the CBD Balm is lovely for a shoulder or foot massage. See bundles for gift sets.
Buying one: what to check
- Full-size or minis? Check how many items are full size.
- Value: compare the price with the items you’d actually use.
- Ingredients: check for allergies, especially nuts and fragrances.
- Supplements: check doses and that they’re suitable for the person, and avoid giving supplements to anyone pregnant or breastfeeding without checking.
Why December needs it
December is busy: late nights, more alcohol, shorter days and money worries. Small daily habits help you keep sleep, energy and mood on track. See Christmas stress, the winter blues and seasonal affective disorder.
See also our wellness stocking fillers.
See also gifts for someone with anxiety.
For year-round ideas, see 50 self-care ideas.
FAQs
What is a wellness advent calendar?
An advent calendar with a self-care idea or small wellbeing treat behind each door, from 1 to 24 December, instead of chocolate.
What do you put in a self-care advent calendar?
Daily ideas like an early night or a walk, plus small treats such as herbal tea, hot chocolate, a bath soak, a candle or a massage balm.
How do you make a DIY wellness advent calendar?
Use 24 envelopes or bags, add a self-care idea card to each, tuck in a few small treats, and save a bigger gift for the last day.
Is a wellness advent calendar a good gift?
Yes, especially for someone busy or stressed. A DIY one is personal and can cost very little.
When should I start a wellness advent calendar?
On 1 December, finishing on Christmas Eve. Some people start on the first Sunday of Advent.
Sources
- NHS. 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
- NHS. How to fall asleep faster and sleep better.
- NHS. Vitamin D.
Evopure makes the Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex, Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex and CBD Balm. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and they’re for adults only.
