These cheer-filled favorites from top brands like Lindt, Lego and L'Occitane are sure to make your spirits bright. (Papier, Williams Sonoma, Amazon)(Photo Illustration: Amanda Garrity/Yahoo; photos: Papier, Williams Sonoma, Amazon)
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 an assortment of mini candles, round out your jewelry collection with a dozen Kendra Scott bestsellers 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 inevitably sell out.
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. Psst, refrigerate your chocolates upon arrival, so they'll still be fresh come December.
There's more than meets the eye here. Each drawer in this 25-day countdown has a mix of truffles and chocolate mints, which means you'll snack on 104 (!) sweets by the time Santa comes to town. Hold onto the box once the season wraps and repurpose it next year.
If you own a machine from Nespresso's Vertuo line (like our best-tested VertuoPlus), then it's clear that you like having options, and this advent calendar gives you a whole latte of 'em. You'll get 23 capsules varying in strength, flavor and caffeination, plus a limited-edition mug to carry your morning ritual into the new year.
Throughout the month, sip a variety of festive blends from brands like Green Mountain, The Original Donut Shop and Caribou Coffee. And if there's a morning or two that you want a break from the caffeine, pop one of the Swiss Miss hot chocolate pods into your machine and call it a day.
Short on space (and patience)? This is one of the most compact — and not to mention, most affordable — advent calendars on this list. Tucked inside, you'll find 24 tea bags in an array of delicious flavors like wild apple and cinnamon, chamomile, and morning berry. "I didn’t know there was a daily quote and recipe under each day. That was a cool surprise," one Pukka fan wrote. Noted!
Cheese and crackers! Bluey was recently named the most-watched show in the U.S. in 2024, which comes as no surprise to the kids (and parents) who love it so. If it's on repeat in your house, then lean into the fun with this themed calendar.
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. A countdown that convinces them to read during winter break? It doesn't get much better than that — well, it does because it's also nearly 30% off for a limited time.
No bells, whistles or Santa-shaped chocolates here. Nope, just a treemendous tannenbaum decked out with 24 colorful ornaments and a gold star on top. This Melissa & Doug favorite has racked up thousands of five-star reviews, with one writing that it's "terrific for practicing fine motor skills."
Everything's magnetic, so you don't have to worry about losing any of the baubles as Christmas draws near. Plus, the base of the tree doubles as a storage space for the extras. Snag it now for nearly half off and revel in its magic during future Christmases.
An advent calendar that makes learning fun? Talk about a parent's dream! Starting December 1, little scientists will experiment with floating coins, secret messages and growing crystals; other days, they'll uncover a new gemstone to add to their rock collection.
"We bought this for our seven-year-old daughter and she absolutely loved it (as did my husband and I)," one five-star fan wrote. "There are extra 'ingredients' included so you can do the experiments more than once too." Score 20% off right now and get ready for 24 days of mad science.
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.
Are your Spidey senses tingling? That's because this 24-day countdown takes young Lego builders (ages 7 and up) on a journey to recreate some of their favorite Spider-Man scenes with iconic set pieces (like Peter Parker's desk) and Marvel's finest dressed in their holiday best. It's a no-brainer for Spider-Man fans, especially since it's 30% off right now.
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.
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.
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.
Or if you want something tangible to inspire free play, then this Bluey countdown is your best bet. They'll uncover a new surprise behind each window, including a decked-out Bluey and Bingo, festive accessories and themed stickers.
Take a cue from Buddy and treat every day like it's Christmas, especially the 12 days leading up to it. Get a dose of holiday cheer by snacking on peppermint taffy, drizzling maple syrup on your spaghetti, sipping on hot chocolate and so much more.
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