Once a simple religious tradition used to count down the 24 days to Christmas, Advent calendars have become as highly anticipated as the holiday itself. Each year, more and more companies offer their decidedly non-religious wares in over-the-top limited edition Advent calendars filled with everything from chocolate to beauty products to wine.
Often housed in beautifully designed boxes, the calendars offer 24 boxes or drawers of surprises meant to be opened one day at a time starting on December 1. Because many of them include exclusive products you can’t get anywhere else, they sell out quickly, becoming almost like collector’s items.
Here are our favorite Advent calendars for 2022. Don’t worry; we won’t blame you if you open everything at once.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent
This is pretty much the perfect Advent calendar for so many reasons:
- It’s filled with 24 heavenly chocolates created exclusively for this collection.
- When you turn around each drawer after removing your daily treat, they’ll spell out a special holiday message by the end.
- The box itself is gorgeous.
- Push one button to light up the outside of the box.
- Push another button to hear “The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.”
The whole thing is a holiday miracle.
New York Puzzle Company New Yorker Advent Calendar
New Yorkers and loyal readers of The New Yorker will be smitten with this Advent calendar featuring 24 mini puzzles. Each 100-piece puzzle showcases a holiday-themed New Yorker cover that readers may recognize. They’re fun to put together and will give you a sense of accomplishment every day you complete one.
Lush Advent Calendar
Living up to the Lush name, this whopper of an Advent calendar is overflowing with holiday joy and eye-popping products. The reusable box designed by ARTHOUSE Unlimited – a charity that presents the work of artists living with special needs – is a gift in itself.
The fact that it’s filled with 25 Lush favorites, including Orange Shower Scrub and Turmeric Latte perfume as well as exclusive items like a Gingerbread House Bubble Bar and Christmas Eve soap, is simply the icing on the Coconut Rice Cake Shampoo Bar (which you can buy separately). This is a total treat for the senses.
Dylan’s Candy Bar Advent Calendar
A delight for anyone with a sweet tooth, Dylan’s Candy Bar has come up with a creative calendar featuring 24 festive, foil-wrapped goodies. Each window also offers a suggestion for a fun activity, like building a snowman or baking cookies. Our suggestion for the most fun activity? Roll the daily treat around in your mouth and savor it.
Beekman 1802 Time Capsule Advent Calendar
Every year, beauty buffs eagerly await this GOAT of an Advent calendar and, for 2022, Beekman 1802 has outdone itself. Their biggest calendar yet, it features 24 of their most beloved bestsellers and highly anticipated new skincare products, all individually wrapped in mini time capsules printed with daily affirmations. It also comes with a hand-blown hourglass containing Goatie, the brand’s adorable mascot. Take it as a sign to order this calendar soon because time is running out.
Walkers Shortbread Limited Edition Advent Calendar
Walkers has been making their iconic shortbread cookies in Scotland for more than a century and they’re so good, it could be a challenge to make this calendar lasts for 24 days. Each day reveals a pure buttery shortbread treat like Thin Shortbread Fingers, Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbread, Shortbread Hearts, Salted Caramel Squares and a Shortbread Star. One bite and you’re hooked.
DAVIDsTEA Around the World in 24 Teas Advent Calendar
If you’ve been sipping the same old grocery store brand of tea every day, it’s time to expand your taste buds – and your horizons – with this collection of 24 loose leaf teas and infusions from around the globe. There are two servings each of flavors like Moroccan Mint, Irish Breakfast, Kenyan Tinderet and Maui Madness. They’re proof that t(ea) is for travel.
Enfusia 25 Days of Fizzy Bath Treats Advent Calendar
Fizz the season! Bath lovers will rejoice over these bath bombs handmade with essential oils and natural ingredients. Featured fragrances include seasonal scents like Gingerbread and Frankincense & Myrrh and always-welcome Muscle Bomb and Soothing Detox. You may want to order a “do not disturb” sign.
McCrea’s Candies Caramels Advent Calendar
If your sweet of choice is caramel, you’re in for a real treat – or 24. McCrea’s Caramels Advent Calendar is filled with an exciting selection of unique caramel flavors, including Rosemary Truffle Sea Salt, Chocolate Peppermint and Cinnamon Clove.
New York Puzzle Company Janet Hill Advent Calendar
Puzzle lovers have become obsessed with artist Janet Hill’s line for New York Puzzle Company, and this exclusive Advent calendar offers 24 of her 100-piece mini puzzles. Each one is worth framing and, by the time the holiday actually arrives, you may have a whole new wall filled with her art.
Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine
Whether you choose the Holi-DAY or Twas the NIGHT collection, these wine Advent calendars from Vinebox treat you to a dozen top pours hand-picked by their certified sommeliers, who also lead a virtual tasting experience for each one. From whites to reds to rosés, you’ll eagerly raise your glass to their good taste. Cheers!
Yves Rocher Advent Calendar
You’ll be starry-eyed when you see your favorite Yves Rocher products revealed day-by-day in this Enchanted Moonlight Advent Calendar. The lovely box is dreamy in itself, but the real stars are the 8 full-sized essentials that make this set such a deal.
Bean Box 12 Mornings of Coffee
In 2021, Bean Box sold out 10,000 copies of their first advent calendar, and this year’s offering is presented as another bestseller: a classic holiday storybook. Inside are 12 limited edition holiday blends from the nation’s top roasters in your choice of ground or whole bean. Starting your day with a fresh cup or two of the best specialty coffees? It’s a tale as old as time.
Sugarwish The Dog Lovers
Advent calendars have gone to the dogs, and your own furry family member will be thrilled to get in on the fun. Put together a custom package by choosing from more than 40 all-natural dog treats, including iced drizzle hearts or flowers, cheesy goldfish and soft pork and apple ducks. Four paws up!
Uncommon Goods Advent Shower Steamer Set
These handmade shower steamers give new meaning to the phrase “good clean fun.” For 24 days, you’ll look forward to your daily shower, thanks to these fragrant little surprises. Filled with the scents of the season, from peppermint to fir tree, they can be used as body scrubs or to fill your shower with holiday cheer. They’re truly scent-sational.
REVOLVE Beauty Advent Calendar
Shaped like a travel-ready suitcase, this cheery red Advent calendar is a trip. Valued at almost $600, it’s packed with mini, deluxe and full-size versions of some of the top products out there, including Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, Boy Smells Hinoki Fantome Scented Candle and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Aura Serum. It’s a beauty.
Compartes Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar
The legendary, award-winning gourmet chocolate brand loved by everyone from Oprah to Elton John has finally released their first Advent calendar and it’s sure to sell out quickly. Featuring 24 pieces that are almost – almost – too pretty to eat, this is a gift that will be cherished by chocoholics. “Compartes” means “to share” in Spanish but, hey, if you want it all to yourself, we won’t tell.
Sabon Premium 31-Day Advent Calendar
Okay, for everyone who believes more is more and 24 days isn’t enough, Sabon presents their classic 24-day Advent calendar plus a special 7-day box to finish out the month. Pretty in pink and purple, both are stuffed to the brim with new and bestselling skincare, bath and body treats. With a combined retail value of $333, it’s worth ordering the whole set and ending the year in style.
