As the countdown to Christmas continues, indulge yourself by ditching the usual chocolate Advent calendar and plump for something far more fabulous.

Approved Food is saving shoppers money – and helping to reduce climate change – through its policy of preventing perfectly good food, drink and beauty products going to waste.

This includes its impressive array of Advent calendars that gives shoppers an alternative to the usual chocolate variety.

The popularity of craft ale continues to rise, with the traditional image of the old codger nursing a pint of mild well and truly banished. Cask is widely regarded as a trendy choice among pub-goers of all ages, with the number of brewers producing craft options increasing.

So what better way to warm your cockles in the run-up to Christmas than with a craft ale Advent calendar? Containing 24 different pilsners, stouts, saisons and ales from the UK, USA, German and the Nordics with an average of 6% abv, there is something for every palate, from beer novice to the true connoisseur.

And at £39.99, that’s a saving of £30 on the RRP. Or plump for a British version at £49.99 that includes offerings from some of our most respected brewers such as Magic Rock, Black Sheep, Camden Town and Fyne Ales.

Whisky aficionados can’t fail to be impressed by the selection of several high-end Advent offerings. Top of the range is the Premium Whisky Red Advent Calendar, featuring superb single grains, smoky Islay malts and even rare blends that retail at up to £600 for a full-size bottle. With an RRP of more than £200, Approved Food stocks this for just £180.

Fans of the celebrated Speyside distillery Glenfarclas can sample a selection of 24 30ml tipples from the renowned producer, while the Premium selection includes a choice of tipples from around the globe. Both have £50 off the RRP.

If whisky is not your thing then fear not – there are selections of bourbon, Irish whiskey, tequila, cognac and even absinthe to choose from, all with an impressive discount on the RRP.

Everyone wants to look their best for the party season, so why not change up your look with a beauty advent calendar? Containing 24 mini products, a Countdown to Christmas calendar is less than half price at just £9.99.

Or make every morning feel like Christmas morning with a full-sized best-seller from the top names in beauty. The Approved Food Advent Beauty Box is a bigger, more festive version of the cult Beauty Boxes, containing goodies worth well over £200 for just £75.

YSL’s iconic Touche Eclat is one of the offerings, along with favourites from world-leading brands such as Nip + Fab, Burt’s Bees, Aveeno, L’Oreal Paris and Toni & Guy.

Treat yourself to an amazing Advent – or buy it and put some aside as stocking fillers for friends and family.

Approved Food, the UK’s largest online retailer of surplus food and drink, is celebrating 10 years in business, during which time the company has prevented thousands of tonnes of perfectly good beauty products, food and drink from going to waste.

Highlights of the past 10 years include TV appearances on Dragons’ Den, Loose Women and Food Fighters. In May, Approved Food was praised by the then Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove for its work to reduce food waste through awareness of the difference between use by and best before dates.