The buildup to Christmas is almost as exciting as the day itself. Bold, but true. And if you were to ask me, the best way to get in the yuletide spirit is with cheery countdowns full of tiny delights. But here’s the deal: A bunch of this year’s best advent calendars from popular brands like Sephora and Lego are already sold out — and if history repeats itself, the others will will be gone before Black Friday even hits. So, if you haven’t snagged yours yet, consider this your sign to do so.
Opening numbered drawers, doors and flaps to reveal foil-wrapped chocolates and tiny toys is a beloved holiday tradition. But these days, it seems like every brand is getting in on the advent calendar fun — and as a result, there are countdowns for every niche appetite, interest and budget. This year, for instance, you can cast a glow with a dozen mini candles, refresh your makeup stash with cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury products or fuel up for the festivities with different Nespresso blends. And that’s not even half of it.
Really, there’s an advent calendar for everyone, at every age. Do you like to end your day with a little sweet treat? Go with a classic chocolate-filled countdown from Lindt or Harry & David. Are you trying to sleigh your self-care routine? I’ve included some of the best beauty advent calendars full of body oils, hand creams and other skin care staples (psst, Dermstore’s chest has all of this and more). Or, ya know, you could always go for one stocked with mini bottles of wine, tea or coffee — whatever you like to sip on throughout the season.
And, of course, they make great pre-holiday gifts. I’ve included tons of options for kids, tweens, teens and pets, too. Not sure which route to take? A reusable advent calendar is a safe bet since you can switch up what’s inside each year.
Consider this list of the best advent calendars my Christmas gift to you. We’re in the thick of advent calendar season, so I’ll update this list as countdowns are released — and inevitably sell out.
Invite Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Mirabel and Moana to your holiday table. Build a small scene for each princess — including Ariel’s undersea palace — then flip over the box to play the built-in board game with up to five other Disney fans.
Travel back in time to when Olly and Paisley were preschoolers. Throughout the month, you’ll build five characters (including Olly and Paisley) and festive add-ons, ranging from a hot cocoa stand to a decked-out Christmas tree.
Kids love magic — and this countdown will teach them 15 new tricks to take to the stage. On the other days, they’ll learn how to float coins on water, write secret messages and conduct scientific fun.
Alright, I know the last thing a parent wants is more stuffed animals, but you’ll be happy to know that this 25-day countdown only comes with six mini plushies that can easily be stored away. On the other days, your little one will uncover a new festive outfit or accessory for their new furry friends.
Let your little sculptor’s imagination run wild this advent season. They’ll get 24 fresh tubs of dough, plus festive molds and accessories to create their very own snowy scene.
Hooray, the holidays are nearly here! Bluey, Bingo and the rest of their crew will take young (and old) readers on an adventure (make that two dozen adventures) in the lead-up to Christmas. There are 24 mini books in total — a mix of short stories, coloring pages and kid-friendly activities.
School may be out of session for part of December, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Some days, your little scientist will experiment with floating coins, secret messages and growing crystals; other days, they’ll get a new gemstone to add to their ever-growing collection.
Sure, you could just wrap up a decked-out charm bracelet for Christmas morning, but what’s the fun in that? This advent calendar will take her on an arm candy adventure this December, unveiling a new charm or tassel each day.
Disney fans, listen up: This interactive advent calendar sells out every year — without fail. Snag one while it’s still in stock, so the whole family can enjoy 24 days of heartfelt tales, quizzes, puzzles and other games led by your favorite characters.
Stock the shelves of a Disney store one mini at a time. Think: a tiny Tinkerbell doll in its packing, The Little Mermaid VHS tape, Mickey plushie and other nostalgic finds. It’s a treat for kids and adults alike.
Follow step-by-step instructions to build a working (!) train over 12 days. Made for ages 7 and up, this build-your-own advent calendar will teach them how to hook up an electric motor, assemble cargo cars and so much more.
Sure, there’s plenty of movies to watch, presents to wrap and cookies to bake — but what are you doing for you? Tap into your creative side with this artist-approved advent calendar, which comes with all the supplies you need to complete six different projects.
Now here’s a fintastic advent calendar for anglers of all ages. Once the 24 days are up, you’ll have a collection of fishing lures for all, er, fishy situations, everything from topwaters for catching bass and trout to spoons that are better suited for deeper dives.
Crack a Christmas mystery one puzzle at a time. It’ll be harder to solve it solo, so team up with a few trusted minds to track down Santa and save Christmas as we know it. “The little daily riddles and quests are challenging enough to keep us entertained and varied enough that everyone in our family of five has been able to make a contribution to solving,” one five-star fan wrote, adding that their 19-year-old son loves it as much as their younger kids.
Get twelve days of holiday scents — some are sweet (and a touch spicy), others bring the outside in. The candles have a six-hour burn time, so you can light a new one each day or save a couple to enjoy after the season wraps.
Create your own woodland wonderland with 24 paper cut-outs — sweater-clad bears, owls and cardinals, to name a few. The entire thing fits in a paper envelope, so you can store it safely once the season wraps.
Hunker down for hibernation season, er, I mean the holiday season. When you have a moment of calm, piece together one of twelve mini puzzles. After you build the last one, bring them all together to create a cozy scene.
You know you’re an adult when you get excited about a stocking full of socks. I see your stocking and I’ll raise you this sock-filled advent calendar. Yep, you can refresh their sock drawer with 24 funky, somewhat festive pairs, one day at a time.
Best believe you’ll be bejeweled this winter. Treat yourself to eleven of Astrid & Miyu’s bestsellers in gold or silver — including opal huggies with a bracelet and pendant necklace to match. On the twelfth day, you’ll get a $70 voucher to spend on a treasure of your choice. Sure, the upfront price is pretty steep, but it’s worth more than a thousand bucks — that means you’re basically getting this selection of jewels for half price!
High-quality stationery is one of the best gifts to give and get — and Papier knows this all too well. This year’s advent calendar is supposedly “bigger and brighter than last year’s,” with $250 worth of pretty pens, paper goods and journaling must-haves. It sold out in just three weeks last year, so snag one while you still can.
It’s simple: Christmas isn’t complete without crushing a Lindt chocolate bear (or two). Luckily, this 24-piece countdown comes with two of ’em, along with an assortment of solid chocolate balls, bite-size bars and creamy truffles.
You’ve seen it, I’ve tried it, and let me tell you this jam-filled advent calendar is all it’s cracked up to be. Spread the love with 24 gingham-lidded minis of the brand’s beloved fruit spreads (like Mixed Berries and 4 Berries) along with several limited-edition flavors.
Some like it sweet. Others like it sour. If you’re shopping for the latter, then go with this colorful countdown with 48 individually-wrapped pieces, which are perfect for sharing.
Nothing screams “Christmas” quite like a Godiva advent calendar. Pull back the cover to reveal 24 doors — each one has a decadent milk, dark or white chocolate tucked inside. Some are straight chocolate, while others are filled with salted caramel, almond crunch and sweet ganache.
Travel around the world in 24 days. You’ll get at least four candies a day — a mix of fruity sweets, toffee and chocolate treats — from Germany, Greece and dozens of other countries. Each countdown is bundled with a box of six or seven goodies from South Korea, Italy or Greece (your pick!).
Walker’s shortbread cookies are as classic as it gets. Trade Santa-shaped chocolates for 24 buttery delights, everything from the brand’s iconic fingers to chocolate chip and salted caramel squares.
One advent calendar, 104 individually wrapped chocolate truffles and mints. Pull out a numbered drawer to reveal a sweet surprise and inspiration for a new holiday tradition. Hold onto this and repurpose it during future Christmases.
Does someone need a hug? Nope, you just need 12 days of holiday cheer in the form of peppermint taffy, maple syrup and a Mr. Narwhal sugar cookie.
Chocolate advent calendars — been there, eaten your way through that. This one, however, is filled with gummies, caramels, cookies, sour belts and chocolate bonbons to satisfy your sweet tooth in the midst of the season.
The holidays are brewing — and so is your Keurig machine. Each morning, pop a new pod into your machine and brew up a cup of cheer. Sip on a variety of festive flavors from brands like Green Mountain and Caribou Coffee. And in the event that there’s a morning or two that you want a break from the caffeine, this 24-door countdown has a couple of Swiss Miss hot chocolate K-cups.
If you own a machine from Nespresso’s Vertuo line (like our best-tested VertuoPlus),then pick up this caffeinated countdown to get a whole latte coffee. You’ll get 23 capsules varying in strength, flavor and caffeination, plus a limited-edition mug to hold your fresh brew.
Oprah’s a big fan of Vahdam tea — so much so that the brand earned a coveted spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2018 and 2019. See what the hype is all about by sampling a selection of their loose-leaf black, green, oolong, white and herbal teas. Just make sure you have an infuser handy.
I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we like options.This pick from Pukka has 23 (!) different tea varieties — yep, there’s only one duplicate in the whole set. Some will make sure you start your day off right (like the aptly-named morning berry), while others will help you wind down (chamomile with vanilla and honey).
Here’s one way to guarantee that your Christmas is filled with matcha happiness. Try out 12 fresh and fruity flavors fit for the season, including toasted marshmallow and gingerbread. Get two servings of each — that’s 24 heartwarming cups!
Who knew the McCallister’s house doubled as mini makeup store? NYX, that’s who. Treat yourself to 24 of the brand’s biggest sellers, from a mix of matte and glossy lippies to a trio of cheek tints.
Pamper yourself from head to toe with this 12-day countdown. Get an assortment of tried-and-tested favorites from Cetaphil and Olay, along with buzzy releases like Byoma’s gel cream cleanser.
A four-pack of Burt’s Bees lip balms usually goes for about $10 — and with this advent calendar, you can get a set of 12 for just $25 (which is seriously good deal, if you ask me). Uncover a new flavor each day, ranging from vanilla maple to coconut and pear.
Treat yourself to 24 L’Occitane goodies — yes, including their bestselling shower oil. Sample the rest of their range, everything from bath and shower gels to nourishing hand and body creams.
Don’t let dry, cracked lips get your tinsel in a tangle this holiday season. Prepare for the inevitable with this calendar, which comes with a dozen full-size lip balms in a variety of fun flavors like sugar cookie, candy cane and vanilla mint.
You without your nails done is like a Christmas tree without any ornaments. It just doesn’t make any sense. But instead of rushing off to the salon to dress up your tips, just power up this mini LED lamp and get gel nails right at home. This countdown comes with all the essentials — six mini polishes, double-sided nail files, nail stickers and more.
Get glowy this Christmas! Each year, CT releases a 12-drawer chest with all of their top products — and this year’s is stuffed to the brim with their viral highlighter wand, cult-favorite Pillow Talk lipstick and makeup setting spray, to name just a few of the all-stars.
It’s not an advent calendar per se, but this beauty comes with 21 of Dermstore’s best in makeup, skin and hair care from the last year. There are a number of full-size products thrown into the mix, including a SkinCeuticals moisturizer, BeautyStat vitamin C serum and Tarte Cosmetics eye highlight. Work your way through this chest over a couple of weeks or open everything at once — your secret’s safe with me.
Your pup only has one thing on their mind during the howl-idays: treats, and lot’s of ’em. While you’re snacking on cookies and chocolates, they’ll join in on the festive fun with bone marrow bites or crunchy peanut butter biscuits.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ball to play fetch with. On the second day, they gave me a rope for tug-of-war. Then came the plush toys that crinkle and squeak. This 12-day countdown will make for a dog-gone good Christmas — need I say more?
Chances are, your cat’s feline festive too. And while they may view the Christmas tree and decorations as toys, this 12-pack will ensure they always have a ball, plush or wand to play with. Four toys contain catnip for when they’re on the nice list.
Celebrate the most wine-derful time of the year by popping open a flap to reveal if you’ll be pouring a glass of red, white or rosé. You’ll get 12 half-bottles — it’s up to you if you drink them all before Santa’s big day or hold onto a few for the new year.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? What about a red winemas? Well, you’ll get a bit of both (plus, some rosé!) in this 24-day wine countdown. Each mini bottle gives you a six-ounce pour — sip on one solo while you make your list (and check it twice) or save ’em to share with loved ones at holiday parties.
Shipping note: This advent calendar ships in November.
Turn the festive fun into a teaching moment. By the time Rudolph lands on your rooftop, this tannenbaum will be decked out with 24 magnetic ornaments and a gold star at the very top.
Making your own gingerbread house is fun and all, but is yours packed with endless treats and trinkets? Didn’t think so. Stick this snow-covered beauty in clear view on the eve of December, then relish in its magic as the kids (or adults) in your house uncover what’s behind each door.
A wooden train on a decked-out mantel just screams “Christmas.” Everyone will think this four-car choo-choo is a mere seasonal knickknack — until you explain that there are tiny treats behind each numbered window.
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