Few things capture the anticipation of the holidays quite like an advent calendar. Whether you’re eagerly awaiting Christmas, Hanukkah, or simply love a good surprise, these countdown companions offer a small, daily delight that makes the holiday season feel even more magical. Opening up a little door, drawer, or package each day brings that same childhood excitement back, no matter how old you are. But gone are the days when advent calendars only held chocolates or hard candies. Today’s options span a wide range of interests and passions, offering goodies far beyond traditional sweets.
For the beauty buffs, luxe skincare advent calendars are practically a must-have, each day revealing mini versions of high-end serums, moisturizers, and masks. For foodies, there are calendars packed with gourmet chocolates, artisanal snacks, and even craft coffee or wine to savor as you countdown. Outdoorsy folks can find advent calendars with everything from gardening seeds to eco-friendly trinkets, while homebodies might enjoy cozy surprises like candles, socks, or bath products. Tl;dr: there’s truly an advent calendar out there for every type of merrymaker.
– Best skincare: Augustinus Bader 2024 The 12 Days of Bader Set, $585
– Best makeup: Benefit Cosmetics 2024 The Gorgeous Grocer Advent Calendar, $164
– Best coffee: Onyx Coffee Lab 2024 Advent Calendar, $175
– Best fragrance: Voluspa 2024 12-Day Advent Calendar, $175
– Best cozy: Happy Socks 2024 24-Pack Advent Calendar Gift Set, $260
To help get you into the holiday spirit, we’ve compiled a list of the best advent calendars, all ready to count you down to the holidays. Some options are general crowd-pleasers, while others are unique, offering fun—and sometimes unexpected—surprises inside their compartments. All are sure sources of joy that will extend the season’s cheer into a month-long celebration.
The 21 best advent calendars you can already shop
Best food advent calendars
Give your caffeine routine a jolt with the Onyx Coffee Lab Advent Calendar. It comes with 24 2-ounce bags of whole bean coffee from roasters across the world. Each bag can make about 24 ounces of coffee to fuel you through the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Plus, the packaging itself is a joy to behold: It looks like a book, and like a book, it opens flat from the spine, to reveal a delicious whiff of its contents.