From bone china to rare whisky, Advent calendars open doors to more luxuries

Some countdown-to-Christmas offerings from stores and brands now cost hundreds, and even thousands, of pounds

It started with small chocolates and quickly graduated to Lego, socks and gin miniatures but the once-humble Advent calendar has lurched upmarket with this year's windows filled with skin-plumping creams, fine bone china trinkets, jewellery and rare whiskies.

When calendars were first popularised in the mid-1950s they cost two shillings (about 2.50 in today's money). These days, the luxury takes of department stores and brands cost hundreds of pounds and instead of a picture of the nativity the big reveal is a luxury scented candle, gold necklace or much-hyped beauty serum.