The Best Advent Calendars from Beauty to Legos
Advent Calendars are a huge hit in our home. The two things that make mornings exciting are figuring out where the Elf moved and the mischief he got up to, along with opening a door on our Advent calendars. My son has two Advent calendars. A friend of ours always gifts him a chocolate Advent calendar from Trader Joe’s, and we have a wooden Advent calendar with little drawers that his elf, Mr. Bart Peepers, fills when he comes to town on December 1st. Each drawer contains little candies or gifts (think: bouncy balls or temporary tattoos), and it’s a fun surprise for our son, but admittedly a lot of work for our Elf (wink, wink) to come up with filling 24 drawers of different candies and gifts. So, a word to the wise, if you’re going to go that route, stores like Five Below and Home Goods have great options for filling Advent calendar drawers.
He’s getting older now and in the fifth grade this year. I’m happy to continue the tradition of the wooden drawer advent calendar but it got me looking into other advent calendars that are out there. I’ve seen so many around beauty but it seems the business of advent calendars has really exploded! You can get them for pets (a different dog treat a day), for the tea lover – a bag of tea of day, and there are even advent calendars for the cook in your life with different mini chili oils, salts, and spices. It got me thinking… where did advent calendars begin? I know the history of so many different holiday traditions but really don’t know that much about advent calendars.
The History of Advent Calendars
Long before there were tiny chocolates and mini bottles of wine tucked behind cardboard doors, Advent calendars began as a simple way for families to count down the days until Christmas. The tradition dates back to 19th-century Germany, when people would mark each day of Advent with chalk on a door or light a candle to keep track. Some day, I hope to get to Germany to visit their Christmas markets. It seems as if so many of the wonderful, nostalgic Christmas traditions began in Germany.
By the early 1900s, printed calendars began appearing, complete with little paper windows that revealed Bible verses or small pictures. Then came the mid-century upgrade: chocolate. Once sweets entered the scene, Advent calendars quickly became a December staple. Fast forward to today, and the options are endless with beauty minis, pet treats, tiny toys, or even daily wine tastings. What started as a quiet countdown to Christmas has turned into one of the most joyful (and addictive) holiday rituals of the season.
What to Look For in an Advent Calendar
- Theme & Quality: Decide whether you want something classic (chocolate) or indulgent (beauty, candles, or snacks).
- Value: Check the contents’ total retail value, many higher-end calendars offer more than what you pay for. I was thinking of splurging on a Beekman advent calendar. While it’s $199, you get almost $500 worth of really quality products. Some calendars provide a bit more value than others if you’re going for something more substantial like beauty advent calendars.
- Longevity: Some brands design reusable calendars that can be refilled year after year—a nice sustainability bonus. This is what we have as I mentioned above. You can find them anywhere from TJ Maxx to more expensive versions at Crate and Barrel.
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Chocolate & Sweets Advent Calendar Ideas
Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Chocolate Advent Calendar
A true chocolate classic, this Advent calendar has 24 pieces of luscious decadent Lindt chocolates. Sure to be a crowd pleaser with children and adults.
Godiva 2025 Chocolate Snowglobe Advent Calendar
Another great chocolate Advent calendar, behind each door you’ll find a different chocolate offering ranging from delicious white chocolate to rich dark chocolate.
Christmas Market Chocolate Advent Calendar
For anyone looking for that traditional, rectangle Advent calendar with small windows filled with chocolates in various Christmas shapes and decor, this is for you. A great budget-friendly option that even has a verse from ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas on each window flap.
Dylan’s Candy Bar All Spruced Up Advent Calendar
For those looking for more than just the traditional chocolate offerings, Dylan’s Candy Bar makes an Advent Calendar that has everythign from peppermint candy cane pieces to gummies!
Sugarfina North Pole Candy Advent Calendar
Another great option for those that are looking for more than chocolate, this Advent Calendar by Sugarfina is sure to be a hit. Each drawer contains artisinal candies like caramels, sour jelly bears, and sparkle pops. This is the one I think I’m getting for myself this year!
McCrea’s Caramel Advent Calendar
This includes 24 different caramels ranging from flavors like maple and cinnamon clove to the classic vanilla and fresh cream.
Kinder 2025 Advent Calendar
This one has my son’s name written all over it as he is a but for anything Kinder chocolate! This includes 24 individually wrapped pieces of Kinder chocolate treats. If you don’t want your littles gobbling up chocolate the second they open the door, this is a good one to have them open and then throw the candy in their lunchbox for a good little sweet treat later in the day.
Bluey Advent Countdown to Christmas
Even through my son is 10, Bluey is still a big hit in our house. (I’ve even found myself watching it alone.) Under $10, this is a great option for all you Bluey fans!
Kids Toy (Non-Food) Advent Calendars
Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Lego Fans? Check! Harry Potter Fans? Check! This is 24 days of building Harry Potter legos with the instructions included on each door. Great for busy little hands.
Star Wars Advent Calendar
If your little one is into both figurines and Star Wars, you’ve got your winner. This advent calendar also includes 6 different Star Wars vehicles in which the little figurines fit!
Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar
Each day, they can open a door which contains an individual play-doh and a tool to go along with it like stampers and cutters so they can make fun holiday creations like candy canes and snowmen.
Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
10 doors contain Hot Wheels cars, with the other 14 containing accessories like reindeer or sleigh so they can set up a fun holiday scene. This one is a bestseller!
Barbie Advent Calendar
Where was this when I was little?!? This comes with a 12-inch barbie and each day, the kids can open an article of clothing for her or a trendy accessory. So much fun!
Dr. Seuss Grinch Accessories Advent Calendar
My inner child is going nuts over this. I love the idea of a littel girl opening this every day and being able to wear something fun, fesstive and new to school every day. It comes with items like hair bows, charms, and more!
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
My son was sitting next to me as I was writing this, and he exclaimed, “I want that one!”. I cannot explain to you the number of gemstones he’s collected over the years – he’s always shown an interest in them. Any child interested in the outdoors, earth, space and any collector of pretty things.
Funko Pop! Bitty Marvel Mini Figures
For all of those comic and Marvel enthusiasts, they get 24 different miniatures that they can display or use for play!
Advent Calendars for Adults (and teens, too!)
L’Occitane Advent Calendar
L’Occitane products are so luxurious. This comes with 24 miniatures of L’Occitane’s most loved products like almond shower oil (a personal favorite of mine) and shea butter hand creme.
Bonne Maman 2025 Mini Spreads Advent Calendar
Bonne Maman makes some of the most delicious jams and spreads. It’s one of my favorites. This features 24 limited edition flavors like Wild Berry with Maple Syrup and Strawberry & Passionfruit. It takes us awhile to go through a jar of jam, and these small samples are the perfect way to try a myriad of flavors.
OPI Holiday Advent Calendar
A 12-day advent calendar that has the most gorgeous colors of 12 mini OPI nail polish. The colors are rich and beautiful – a perfect way to try out several new colors without having to pay for full bottles.
Burts Bees 12 Days of Joy Lip Balm Calendar
I don’t know about you, but the struggle is real when it comes to chapped lips during the winter months. It doesn’t matter how much water I drink, they always seem dry. Because this is a 12 day Advent Calendar, this would make a great gift for a Favorite Things party or an early gift to a friend.
Survival Kit Advent Calendar
Who says teen boys and grown men wouldn’t enjoy opening their calendar every morning? This survival kit advent calendar includes fun things like foldable utensils, emergency rain poncho, a compass and so much more. Bring a smile to his face and treat him with his own Advent calendar.
Voluspa Candle 12-Day Advent Calendar
If you are a candle aficiando, then you know Voluspa candles are the bees knees. I LOVE these candles and have never found a scent I don’t like. They burn beautifully and come in seasonal scents like crushed candy cane and noble fir garland but also have scents like french cade lavendar for other times of the year. It’s pricey – but so worth it.
The Book Lover’s Advent Calendar
I wish I could give this to everyone in my bookclub! This countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar is packed with literary gems for your favorite reader with surprises like magnetic bookmarks and tiny sticky notes.
Hot Sauce Advent Calendar
I have never given my husband an Advent calendar but I just ordered this for him. He’s a hot sauce expert and I know he will get a real kick out of being able to try 24 different hot sauces. Give this to any spicy person in your life!
e.l.f. Love at First Frost Advent Calendar
Calling all teen girls! This is a best seller for a reason. It’s filled with the most beloved e.l.f. skincare and beauty products with limited edition festive shades. (This is a 12-day calendar, FYI.)
Christmas Coffee Advent Calendar
This Advent Calendar for the coffee lover comes with 24 full-pot bags of various flavored beans. I just purchased two for my dad and stepdad as they are both bananas for coffee.
24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar
Another one that allows someone to try 24 different flavors in order to try and figure out what she prefers without having to buy an entire box or bag of tea without knowing if it it’s their “cup of tea” (pun intended).
Wine Adventure Advent Calendar
24 mini bottles of wine… what a fun holiday Advent calendar. For anyone curious about different kinds of wine or has a holiday party, they can save these up for guests to try a certain wine.
12 Days of Puzzles Advent Calendar
Each box contains an 80 piece puzzle. A cute gift for that friend or family that likes to keep their hands busy without the commitment of a huge puzzle.
FAQs
Traditionally, Advent calendars start on December 1 and count down through Christmas Eve. Some religious versions follow the official Advent season, which can begin in late November, but most modern calendars stick with December 1–24.
In recent years, adult Advent calendars have gone far beyond chocolate. You’ll find versions filled with beauty minis, skincare, candles, coffee, wine, snacks, or even jewelry. The idea is the same, just with a little more luxury and a lot less sugar.
Absolutely. Many brands now offer refillable or wooden Advent calendars that you can restock with your own treats or keepsakes. It’s a great way to make the tradition more sustainable and personal year after year.
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