‘Tis the season to start ordering your Christmas advent calendars: The best advent calendars typically sell out long before Thanksgiving.
Advent calendars are so popular because they make counting down the days to Christmas a little more special. The daily ritual can be as simple as hanging an ornament on a tree or brewing a cup of winter-blend coffee. More involved calendars include putting together a Lego figure or reading a special story.
We rounded up the best advent calendars for adults, teens, and children, whether you want a mini project to work on, something you can fill yourself, or a delicious treat from Compartes or Sugarfina.
Best beauty and wellness advent calendars
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A mix of luxury brandsIf you’d rather try out a mix of brands instead of committing to one, check out Saks’ advent calendar, which is filled with luxury products from Le Labo, Charlotte Tilbury, Diptyque, and many more.
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From our favorite makeup brandCharlotte Tilbury makes some of Insider Reviews’ favorite makeup products. The company’s advent calendar is stocked with 12 products, five of which are full-size. Some of the travel-size products include the Beauty Light Wand, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, and Charlotte’s Magic Cream moisturizer.
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Staff PickFor manicure loversIncredible value matched with some of our favorite products makes this one of the best advent calendars on our list. Each day is filled with an exclusive polish or other nail treat, including press-on nails and cuticle cream.
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From one of our favorite jewelry brandsWe love Awe’s meaningful pieces that are inspired by goddesses and mythology. This 10-day advent calendar hides 10 jewelry pieces and three additional items with a total value of $1,300.
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French skincare faveCan’t get enough skincare samples? Beloved Provence brand L’Occitane’s box offers 24 body lotions, soaps, and hand creams in its signature scents.
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The total packageFrom blush to pore primer, this advent calendar has everything you need for a full skincare and makeup routine. You’ll get 24 different best sellers in a mix of full and mini sizes, all in an adorable mini grocery basket.
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A wickedly good advent calendarThis year OPI’s nail polish advent calendar has taken on a unique twist with its collaboration with the forthcoming Wicked movie. For 12 days you’ll unwrap one mini Wicked-coded color.
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A $900 valueBrimming with a mix of 21 travel- and full-size products from brands like Kate Oribe, La Roche-Posay, Supergoop, and SkinCeuticals, Dermstore’s calendar offers a fun self-care surprise every day for three weeks.
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Under $100Clarins has packed 12 of its bestsellers into this set that includes full, mini, and trial sizes. From toner and cleansers to luxurious creams and lotions, there’s everything you need to pamper yourself during the holiday season.
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For the bath loverLush’s advent calendar comes with 24 days worth of bath time favorites that will surprise and delight, including several of its signature bath bombs in whimsical holiday designs
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Worth double its costWhile this jewelry advent calendar is a true splurge, it contains over $1,000 worth of product across twelve gorgeous pieces. You can choose between silver or gold to suit your style.
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A great way to discover your signature scentNoteworthy’s advent calendar offers incredible value: you’ll get 12 mini fragrance samples and a $25 voucher to buy your favorite. It’s like an advent calendar and a Christmas gift in one.
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The perfect amount of productThis advent calendar from beloved skincare brand Laneige comes with six full-size and six mini skincare products.
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A luxe mix of candles and beauty goodsA true collection of treasures awaits the lucky recipient of this advent calendar, which is packed with luxury candles, fragrances, and creams.
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Staff PickAn advent calendar with customizationNot only will this advent calendar net you twelve beautiful leather goods, but you’ll also get to choose free customized debossing so each product feels extra special.
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For the one on the naughty listShare a sexy month (or go solo) this December with this kit of adult toys, sure to bring one or more of you tons of pleasure.
Best food and drink advent calendars
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Staff PickDoubles as decorVosges makes some of the best chocolate, and there’s a great selection of it in the company’s advent calendar. Every bit of the calendar is made to delight, from the light-up facade, musical drawers, and whimsical gnome-shaped chocolates.
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Spice to warm cold nightsWe love Fly by Jing’s sauces, so we were thrilled to see the brand launch an advent calendar for the 2024 holiday season. Each day of this limited-edition calendar includes a 2 ounce jar of either a signature sauce, a brand new sauce, or a limited run of a discontinued sauce.
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Bound to sell outCandy connoisseurs will be thrilled to sample 24 unique confections from Sugarfina with this advent calendar. Plus, each drawer is stocked with four pieces of candy each, so there’s plenty to share (or savor on your own).
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24 nights of wineIf 12 nights of wine doesn’t seem like enough, try out In Good Taste’s calendar, which offers 24 mini bottles in pretty packaging. The wines are a mix of whites, reds, and roses from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and California.
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Fun flavorsCalifornia-based Compartes is known for its fun flavors and pretty packaging, and its advent calendar is no exception. You’ll get 24 of the brand’s delightful chocolates, though you may need to buy a second if you don’t like to share.
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For breakfast loversThere are 24 1-ounce jars in Bonne Mamman’s boxy offering. Each day promises a new flavor, and many go beyond the typical grocery store fare: caramel and coffee, plum and lemon, blueberry and maple syrup, and more.
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Five weeks of JoeBean Box’s advent calendar works a bit differently: each week for five weeks you’ll get a delivery of 12 ounces of whole or ground coffee (your choice) in unique holiday flavors like roasted chestnut, spicy gingerbread, and figgy pudding.
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For wine loversVinebox’s advent calendar comes with a dozen tubes of wine, each holding 3.3 ounces. There’s a mix of whites, rosés, and reds, and an accompanying card gives you information about the wines, including tasting notes.
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Supports holiday bakingWhile there’s nothing edible in this advent calendar, each day you’ll unwrap a tool to aid in cookie baking, from a spatula to cookie cutters. This one is a sweet treat for the baker in your life.
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Great for kids and adultsPotterheads will delight in this advent calendar, filled with treats from the books and films. Each day you’ll unwrap a wizardly delicacy, from Lemon Sherbets to Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.
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Filled with Japanese treatsThe best advent calendars offer more than one treat a day. Bokksu does just that with this keepsake box, which contains 32 edible pieces and eight collectible holiday items.
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The cheesiest advent calendar aroundAfter all 12 days of this calendar you’ll have yourself a whole cheeseboard, complete with crackers, jam, and, of course, cheese.
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Sells out every yearThe Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar lets your favorite whiskey aficionado sample drams of their favorite spirit from around the globe.
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A Parisian holidayThis advent calendar contains a selection of 24 chocolates and sweets from French patisserie Laduree, which is world-famous for its macarons.
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Only $10If you’re looking for a cheap sweet treat advent calendar, Dylan’s Candy Bar has you covered with this 24-day tree of tiny delights.
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For the gummy loverEach day of this bespoke calendar is filled with a different Danish wine gummy in fun flavors like cherry and vanilla, elderflower and yuzu, and hibiscus and raspberry.
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Keep the holiday spicyRefresh your spice jars with these single-origin spices from Vahdam, which you’ll unwrap day-by-day over the month of December.
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True luxuryI’m not sure you can get more luxe than a daily treat of caviar. Each day you’ll unwrap a one-ounce jar of caviar; enough for two people to enjoy.
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A holiday classicGodiva is a staple of the holidays for many families and this treat-filled advent calendar is sure to be a delight each day of December.
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For tea loversVahdam Teas previously made Oprah’s list of favorite things, and this purveyor of Indian tea is known for its quality. Its advent calendar features 24 miniature tins of loose leaf tea with enough to make several cups, so you’ll get plenty of value here.
Best advent calendars for kids (and kids at heart)
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Staff PickA STEM optionEach day of this calendar unlocks a science experiment for your family to conduct together, from making a diving bell for a plastic dino to creating an air elevator.
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For fidgeters and slime loversSlime is all the rage right now, so what better way to celebrate the season than with 24 different slime-like putties and mix-ins?
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For Bluey fansEach day you get to unwrap a toy to help Bluey celebrate Christmas with her family. While there’s only one of each toy, siblings can take turns opening the doors each morning.
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For budding magiciansNat Geo’s advent calendar has 24 days of magic tricks to explore. This one will be fun for the whole family as your kiddo gets to surprise and delight you with their newly-learned tricks.
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Hours of enjoymentThis calendar is guaranteed to produce hours of fun and entertainment. First, you build the motorized train, and then each day, it delivers a new micro-build for them to assemble and enjoy.
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It’s-a me, Mario!Nintendo fans will enjoy this Mario-themed calendar with holiday figurines. Once you unwrap ‘em all, you can use the fold-out on the box to display your Mario scene.
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For gamers and codersThis advent calendar teaches the basics of coding across 24 mini challenges that increase with complexity each day.
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Screen-free funTonies is great for screen-free entertainment and this story-telling kit comes with 24 days of Disney tales to keep your kiddo entertained. You can keep listening to them long after Christmas is done, or put them away to enjoy again next year.
Best advent calendars for pets
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Staff PickA calendar that’s sweet as can beYour pup will love this cookie advent calendar. Featuring 24 individually packaged treats that range from frosted to sprinkled, these cookies will have your dog howlin’ for the holidays.
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For the chonker in your lifeWhy should our feline friends miss out on the holiday fun? With this calendar, you’ll be able to treat your cat to new Grinch-themed toy for the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
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A bone-fied good calendarWish your pup a yappy holiday with this 12-day calendar, filled with your dog’s favorite classic treats.
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For the chewerThis calendar is filled with 24-days worth of rawhide-free chews so that your pup can stay satiated and entertained throughout the holiday season.
Best home, hobby, and reusable keepsake advent calendars
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A tiny village of treatsThere’s room for a tiny treat behind the 24 doors on Pottery Barn’s battery-operated advent calendar. The soft lights accentuate the glittery cardboard construction of the cozy cottages.
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For lighting up dark winter nightsSet up a cozy atmosphere with the Voluspa 12 Day Advent Calendar. The box holds 2.5-ounce luxury candles in the brand’s signature Japonica and Holiday fragrances, like Spiced Pumpkin Latte, French Cade Lavender, and Foraged Wildberry
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For the stationery loverWorth $250, this advent calendar contains stationery surprises to outfit their desk for the year ahead.
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A mindful way to count the daysA simple and beautiful way to mark the season, this pillar candle is meant to burn a little bit each day throughout the month of December.
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A cozy crafty calendarIf you’re looking to pick up a new hobby this holiday, The Woobles has you covered. Each day you’ll unlock yarn, craft kits, and crochet supplies to eventually make your own fleet of holiday critters.
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Advent puzzles you can solve year after yearThis puzzle advent calendar gets you 24 mini puzzles to solve and can be reused every year. Each puzzle features art from Janet Hill Studios.
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A crafty advent calendarEach day you’ll use the included thread and needle to embroider a section of this crafty calendar. Reviewers note that it’s best for those who already have the basics of embroidery down, however.
