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The 50 Best Advent Calendars of 2023

Countdown the holidays with dog treats, candles, and coffee.

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Real Simple / Brian Kopinski

The holidays are rapidly approaching, so you might be planning to dust off your seasonal decor and find some new pieces to make your home feel festive. An Advent calendar is not only a fun way to stay engaged and enjoy a small treat every day during the month of December, but it can also make a thoughtful and useful gift for a loved one.

To find the best Advent calendars, we spent hours researching dozens of popular options from beauty and sweets to nostalgic wooden calendars. We also spoke with Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, CEO, interior designer, hosting aesthetic expert, and gifting expert, for insight on what to look for when choosing an Advent calendar so your Christmas can feel even more special. 

You can never go wrong with morning toast and jam with a warm cup of coffee. Condiment lovers will especially appreciate the Bonne Maman 2023 Limited Edition Advent Calendar. Every day you’ll get a mini spread, made using traditional French recipes, that includes preserves, jellies, and honey. They’re all gluten-free and non-GMO too. If it isn’t toast, they’ll make delicious toppings on yogurt, scones, oatmeal, and any other of your favorite foods as you taste your way through December. 

Deciding between chocolates, gummies, and sour candies can be difficult, but why choose one when you can have them all? Sugarfina’s festive Advent calendar, themed to portray Santa’s infamous Candy Shop, includes a wide range of sweets that will please any candy connoisseur. Simply open the whimsical doors to uncover 24 days worth of treats from all over the world, from Thailand to France. The calendar’s decorative design makes it the ideal gift for adults and children alike, no wrapping paper needed. 

Harry & David are renowned for their gift baskets, but we think their Advent cookie calendar is just as enticing and memorable. This calendar has 24 drawers that are filled with a delicious cookie to indulge on, including double chocolate cherry cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, vanilla shortbreads, and dark chocolate peppermint cookies to name a few. We love this as one of the best Advent calendars to gift a hardworking host to enjoy throughout December.

It’s hard to go wrong with a classic wooden Advent calendar that you can fill with your own treats and trinkets. The Anthropologie Ethel Wooden Advent Calendar is beautifully crafted of European linden wood and hand-painted, making every one of these pieces unique. It features a cozy and enchanting snow-frosted nature scene and 24 numbered drawers that can fit small items like candies, stickers, jewelry, and pins. No matter what you fill it with, this is one of the best Advent calendars to add to your holiday decor. 

Wine may be an evergreen drink, but a sip from the In Good Taste 2023 Wine Advent Calendar will definitely get you into the holiday spirit. The calendar comes with 24 mini bottles of premium wines sourced from the best regions in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and California. Each mini bottle has a 187-milliliter pour, which is equivalent to a quarter of a traditional bottle of wine. With a diverse selection of whites, reds, and rosé, this one of the best Advent calendars to share with your significant other or as a gift for the sommelier or wine lover in your life.

The Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar includes 24 cookies of six shortbread cookie varieties, including their iconic butter shortbread finger as well as rounds, stars, hearts, chocolate chip, and salted caramel squares. Share them with your family or enjoy one yourself each night with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to feel the coziness of one of the best Advent calendars.

Whether you're an amateur tea drinker or a seasoned tea snob, this holiday Advent calendar is sure to put you in the cozy Christmas spirit. Vahdam’s Loose Leaf Tea Advent Calendar includes 24 flavorful blends, each perfect to sip on a cold winter morning. Plus, the packaging is half the fun. The exterior design shows a scene of Santa and his elves, while each numbered door displays a unique holiday accessory to get you in the festive mood. 

Pair your daily Christmas movie this season with the Williams Sonoma Christmas Popcorn Advent Calendar. Each day of this calendar contains different types of seasonings, such as sweet caramel and zesty cheddar, and also includes a variety of kernels, from purple to classic yellow. Save each piece to have a popcorn party on Christmas Eve or enjoy bowls of delicious popcorn throughout the month of December. 

While some Advent calendars offer knick knacks specifically designed for the holidays, the Astrid & Miyu 12 Day Advent Calendar will supply you with earrings you’ll want to wear for years. This unique set includes a variety of earrings, from huggie hoops to gold cuffs. It’s available in gold and silver versions, as well as a 24-day option if you want to extend the countdown. The recyclable jewelry box is even reusable, perfect for storing your entire jewelry collection. 

Some Advent calendars can take up plenty of space in your home, which is why we love that the Coral & Tusk Tree Trimmers 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar can be used for wall decor. The wooden dowel rod and hanging strap makes it easy to hang it on a wall or an entryway to add a touch of holiday spirit. The calendar itself is made of 100-percent natural linen and features embroidered, charming designs of winter woodland creatures. The 12 pockets are the perfect size to fill with small goods like candies, notes, money, and more. 

The holidays are the best time to crack open a cold one and catch up with old friends, and Maker Wine’s 12 Days of Canned Wine Advent calendar is the perfect companion for cozy winter nights with loved ones. Guests will be excited to select from 12 cans, including a range of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines to please the whole crowd. Each can holds the equivalent of roughly two glasses of wine, reducing the need for refills throughout the night. The featured wines are also each made at female or minority-led wineries, allowing you to give back to smaller producers with every sip.

If you often overlook the importance of self-care, then Lancer’s 12 Days of Glow Advent Calendar will encourage you to refresh and reset as you enter the new year. The festive box includes 12 miniature versions of Dr. Lancer’s best-selling products to keep your skin healthy and hydrated all winter long, including The Lancer 3-Step Method, the Caviar Acid Lime Peel, and other hydrating skincare gems. 

For fans of bourbon, this Advent calendar checks all the boxes of a perfect boozy holiday gift. The box includes eight holiday-themed windows, each revealing a personal-sized portion of mixers and bitters selected by Woodford Reserve’s mixology experts. It comes equipped with four cocktail mixers (old fashioned, whiskey sour, spiced cherry old fashioned, and spiced apple), along with four types of bitters (aromatic, chocolate, orange, and spiced cherry), allowing you to craft your favorite cocktails from scratch. 

Nothing hits quite like a hot cup of tea on a cozy day, and Tea Forte’s Warming Joy Advent Calendar will keep you toasty during even the snowiest Decembers. Each calendar comes with 24 unique tea blends, including black, white, green, and herbal teas, hidden behind numbered doors to get you through your holiday countdown. The Christmas-inspired, tree-shaped box will put you in the holiday spirit before you even see what’s inside. Whether you opt to enjoy the aromatic assortment on your own, sip with friends, or give it to a fellow tea-lover, this Advent calendar is a great choice. 

Puzzle lovers can challenge themselves with this satisfying Christmas countdown, which will get them in the holiday spirit for the 12 days leading up to December 25th. Complete each of the festive, 80-piece puzzles to uncover one of Andy Warhol’s holiday-inspired paintings. This Advent calendar will give you a fun activity to do with friends and family this winter, and the whimsical final product will add a festive flair to your living space.

If you’re feeling uninspired by a repetitive morning routine, then the Onyx Coffee Lab Advent Calendar will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new flavors and roasts. Simply open the antique packaging to reveal 24 days worth of whole-bean, 2-ounce coffee bags spanning a wide range of artisanal blends. This Advent calendar is especially great for caffeine-lovers with a competitive streak: The packaging features a game board along with playing pieces and a color wheel spinner to get the family rivalry going. 

No outfit is complete without the right accessories, and the Personalized Jewelry Advent Calendar from Abbott Lyon will be the perfect addition to your already-chic wardrobe. The elegant gift set comes in gold and silver versions to complement your style and features a variety of pieces ideal for layering, mixing, and matching. 

Each calendar includes 12 pieces total: two necklaces, two bracelets, four pendants, two rings, and two pairs of earrings. One of the pendants can be personalized with your initial, while three of the other pieces are to be personalized with your unique birthstone, adding an extra special touch. If you’re on the fence, the 2-year warranty should ease your worries. 

Socks are one of the most classic holiday gifts, and Peanuts fans will love reliving their childhood cartoon-watching days with Snoopy on their feet. The cute calendar includes 10 pairs of ankle socks and five pairs of crew socks, each adorned with a holiday-inspired Peanuts print. With illustrations of beloved characters like Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty, these socks will add some much needed holiday cheer to your sock drawer.

The holidays are marked by traditions and quality time, and soup is a cozy season staple that will soothe the soul. The 12-pack includes a variety of vegan Italian soups, all of which take just five minutes to prepare. The soups are made with wholesome, fiber-rich ingredients, ranging from chickpeas and pasta to Tuscan veggies, that will leave you feeling satisfied. Gather around the table with your family and friends to enjoy warm soup and even better conversation. 

If you’re keen on cooking during the holidays (and not just on Christmas Day), the Vahdam 24 Spices of Christmas Advent Calendar is a must for your kitchen. This spice kit is packed with flavor and aroma, with spices that are handpicked from a farm in India and sealed at the source to retain freshness. This calendar includes powdered and whole spices, such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and clove to name a few. Add one each day to a different recipe or combine a few to make a delicious homemade cup of chai. However you choose to use it, this calendar will become your favorite pantry essential well beyond Christmastime. 

The Bertram Klarborg Advent Candle is unique in that it combines the traditional aspect of an Advent calendar’s countdown by lighting a candle, rather than opening boxes. This candle is marked to countdown the days until Christmas Eve, and can be lit for about two hours every day to complete each mark. Each candle has Scandinavian holiday motifs and can be paired with an equally charming Advent candleholder to dress up your mantel or dining table for the holidays. 

Winter can be cold and bare, so if you’re feeling like you’d rather count down the days to springtime, this botanical Advent calendar from Design Studio Moore was made for you. Each calendar includes a minimal yet stylish box with 24 windows that each contain a different pressed flower and inspirational quote. It also comes with a sketchbook made with recycled paper and an original botanical artwork signed by the artist. You can enjoy these pressed flowers in a variety of ways, from creating bookmarks to DIY Christmas cards. 

There’s no reason to leave out your pups from enjoying the holidays or even an Advent calendar, so if you want one just for them we recommend this Himalayan Dog Chew 24 Joyful Days Dog Advent Calendar. Each calendar comes with an assortment of freeze-dried dog treats, including peanut butter bears, bacon bite cookies, and yak cheese puffs. Whether your dog has been naughty or nice, you’ll love treating them each day to one of these enticing treats made with natural and preservative-free ingredients. 

It’s easy to find the perfect gift for the candle lover in your life, but this Voluspa 12 Day Candle Advent Calendar is extra luxurious and thoughtful. What sets this Advent calendar apart is that it includes a gold wick trimmer and a dozen of Voluspa’s bestselling and seasonal scents, such as Goji Tarocco Orange and White Cypress. Each candle comes in a mini embossed votive in assorted colors that can also serve as decor. Your loved one can light one each day to fill their home with a different fragrance, but these candles are likely to last beyond Christmas Day. 

The holidays can sometimes feel like there isn’t a moment to pause and pamper yourself, so slow down and relax with The Body Shop’s Advent calendar. We love that the Advent of Change Calendar feels like a spa experience in a box. Each calendar has assorted body and beauty products like shower gels, face masks, body butters, and makeup brushes to prepare you for the holidays. Several of these products are made with recyclable packaging and Community Fair Trade ingredients, so you can make and feel a positive impact. 

If you want an Advent calendar to yourself and one for your young kids, the Mattel Kids’ Hot Wheels 2023 Advent Calendar will keep them busy and entertained all season long. Your kiddos will love the 24 surprises contained in this calendar that include classic Hot Wheels cars and winter-themed accessories like a Christmas tree and a snowman. Once Christmas rolls around, your kids will have all the pieces to race around a festive track or winter town. 

If you’re looking for an Advent calendar with a traditional Nativity scene, you’ll love the Meri Meri Nativity Paper Craft Advent Calendar. Made of sustainable paper, this simple yet elegant calendar comes in an illustrated box with a coral ribbon that allows you to easily open and close it. There are fold out characters, animals, a stable, and props to create the Nativity scene by Christmas Eve. We especially love the thoughtful embellishments like the gold foil touches, tassels, and tissue paper elements. Although delicate, this Advent calendar can last you for several holidays to come with the right amount of care.

From kids who dream of being geologists to crystal and gemstone lovers, this National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar might be the best gift ever. This calendar reveals a new gemstone each day, along with a fact card that shares information about each stone. The final piece in this collection is a mini dig brick that unearths a striking rose quartz. This calendar also includes five jewelry settings to turn the new gemstone treasures into accessories.

Revel in the holiday nostalgia with the Peanuts Advent Calendar. It includes 24 windows that reveal two-inch scale figures of your favorite characters like Charlie, Snoopy, Linus van Pelt, plus accessories. The pop-up diorama can hold all these pieces to create your very own Charlie Brown Christmas. We also like that this calendar features the classic Charles Schulz comic strip artwork that adds to the charm and holiday spirit. 

Few things can beat that feeling of sipping on your morning cup of coffee during an icy winter morning. Indulge in that vibe every morning with The Yawn Brew Coffee Advent Calendar and try a different coffee each day until Christmas Eve. Choose from whole bean or ground and receive an array of expertly sourced coffees from around the world. Each coffee is packed in a sachet for freshness and amounts to one 10-ounce cup of coffee. If you really want to spoil the recipient (or yourself) add on a mug or French press to make this one of the best Advent calendars for any coffee lover.

If you’re looking for a cute Advent calendar to build with your family or want to discover your own sense of childlike wonder, the Lovepop Pancake the Penguin’s Christmas Adventure Advent Calendar might be the one for you. Each calendar box contains 25 individual pouches that, when opened in order, unravel Pancake the Penguin’s journey through a winter wonderland. In total, this calendar has 38 pop-up pieces to create the full Christmas adventure. 

Marvel fans are guaranteed to appreciate this Lego Marvel Advent Calendar. Behind each of the 24 doors of this calendar are accessories, mini builds, and minifigures of Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Captain America, and other Marvel favorites. Whether it’s your kid or your significant other enjoying this Advent calendar, they’ll be able to exercise their imagination and creativity while putting their building skills to the test. Because of Lego’s sturdy nature, we also think this is one of the best Advent calendars for kids to use any time of year.

Puzzles are a great family bonding activity, especially during the holidays. We love the Professor Puzzle Through the Window Advent Calendar because each day is a mini puzzle that will form a bigger puzzle at the end of the countdown. The end result is a snowy scene of different families in a cozy apartment building, celebrating the holidays with their own traditions. This puzzle can be a new tradition for you and your family, bringing you closer together each day before Christmas.

Jewelry is definitely a popular Christmas gift, but if you usually struggle on what kind to choose, the Posh Totty Designs Personalized 12 Day Jewelry Advent Calendar will be your answer. Each calendar is like a personalized jewelry box that contains a variety of bestselling pieces like the Crescent Moon Necklace, Russian Ring Stud Earrings, and a Moon and Star Open Ring. You can choose from sterling silver, gold plated, rose gold plated, or a mix of all three materials, and also choose a star sign for a personalized gift.

If you like keeping a beverage on hand at all times, Waterdrop’s Advent calendar features all the necessities to ensure you’re hydrated on the go. The festive box includes 15 drink-related accessories, a limited edition bottle, and a variety of drink packs to elevate your hydration game. The dissolvable microdrink packs are designed to add flavor and vitamins to your water, while the naturally-caffeinated microenergy packs will keep you alert. If the large option seems overwhelming, consider the Small Advent Calendar, which includes an assortment of the microdrink, microenergy, and microlyte powders.

A little extra TLC seems hard to come by during the holidays, but with the 12 Days of FabFitFun Advent Calendar you can relax and enjoy the post-Christmas countdown. This calendar is all about self-care and features items like a Lele Sadoughi Jet Dot Velvet Kelly Headband, Laneige Water Bank Cleansing Foam, Laura Gellar Party in a Palette, and more. Everything in the calendar is a full-size item—rare for beauty Advent calendars. 

For the beer connoisseurs, the Give Them Beer Advent Calendar is the ideal way to go on a tasting journey before Christmas. This calendar includes 12 assorted cans of expertly curated craft beers from across the country, from IPAs to stouts. Gift this to your dad, husband, or keep it all to yourself, as you enjoy a dozen cold ones this holiday season. It’s also available as an IPA Advent calendar

For the book lovers, we think the Christmas Is Coming! Advent Book Calendar is the best Advent calendar to get them in the holiday spirit. The book cover has 24 flaps that when opened reveal a clue to a matching festive activity inside the book itself. The activities range from recipes to create a homemade treat like a Raspberry Hot Chocolate to singing Deck the Halls with your family. Each day counting down to Christmas will look different, filled with fun and creative ways to create family traditions to last generations.

Most Advent calendars come with little gifts or have space for you to fill them with your own trinkets, but if you’re taking a more minimal approach this Christmas, we recommend the Manhattan Toy Polly Penguin Advent Calendar. This soft plushie calendar is perfect for hanging on a door as you and your family move the penguin’s little fish from pocket to pocket to keep track of the days til Christmas. This adorable calendar can also double as a stuffed animal or decorative cushion to last you through future Decembers to come. 

Children will love exploring Polly Pocket's gingerbread house, which features 25 fun surprises throughout. From tiny gingerbread men to a miniature fireplace, this Advent calendar allows them to create their own festive fantasy leading up to the holidays.

If you're a fan of Alo's comfy yet chic workout attire, you'll love starting the holiday season with the brand's wellness Advent calendar. It showcases 24 gifts that focus on every facet of self care, from clean beauty products to yoga gear, along with mindfulness prompts to keep you motivated. If that's not enough to sway you, the Advent calendar also includes a one-year Alo Moves Membership, granting you access to workout classes and fitness resources you can utilize from home.

This indulgent Advent calendar contains an assortment of Danish delicacies that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The 24-day set offers 48 licorice candies coated in sweet and salty flavors, including milk chocolate, salted caramel, and even passion fruit. Beyond the delicious sweets, the elegant gold and black packaging also makes this an excellent gift to unwrap.

True to its name, this festive gift set offers 10 days worth of beauty products that will keep you happy and healthy this holiday season. It features everything needed to have you looking and feeling your best, including hydrating lip balm, hand cream, eye cream and other nourishing products.

The holiday season is the perfect excuse to eat treats, and your furry friend deserves a piece of the action, too. This dog-themed calendar includes 12 days worth of mint brush sticks and chewy biscuits to give your pup an exciting Christmas countdown. The all-natural snacks are free of artificial flavors, ensuring only the highest quality nutrients for your best friend. 

If you're seeking something beyond the typical Advent calendar, this interactive pillow adds a unique spin to the classic tradition. Inspired by the charm of NYC, the decorative pillow brings a touch of holiday magic to your living space. Simply move the plush pup along the numbered pockets to have your own exciting Christmas countdown. Even after the holidays are over, the festive throw pillow will serve as a permanent reminder of this jolly time of year.

Caffeine addicts will love starting each December morning with a warm cup of joe. The Advent calendar boasts 24 doors, each unveiling a different Vertuo coffee to explore. Even better, the countdown concludes with a Nespresso limited-edition coffee mug. Whether your gifting this to a friend or indulging yourself, you can't go wrong with this cozy choice.

Many of us battle dry, cracked skin in the winter, but this holiday set from Kiehl's offers the perfect solution. Inspired by artists Mayumi Otero and Raphael Urwiller, the festive box includes 24 of the brand's celebrated skin care products that will keep you feeling hydrated all season.

For those looking to revamp their makeup routine, this Charlotte Tilbury set offers all the essentials. It includes 12 doors filled with the brand's iconic cosmetics—two full-sized and 10 minis—designed to keep you glowing all season. Just prepare for people to ask you what products you're using at the holiday party.

Sometimes, choosing a movie takes longer than actually watching it, and this Advent calendar will speed up the selection process. The adorable box includes 24 cards, each featuring a different Christmas movie to watch, accompanied with related trivia. You can even add their name to the card sleeve for an extra-special gift.

This educational Advent calendar can transform anyone into an at-home archaeologist. The hands-on set offers the opportunity to explore 24 specimens from around the globe, including rocks, minerals, fossils, and gemstones. In addition to these mesmerizing finds, it also features a dig tool, brush, and magnifying glass to help you further analyze the treasures.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the most popular advent calendar brands?

Although more and more brands are coming out with their own advent calendars, Malarkey says some of the most popular and beloved ones come from Williams Sonoma, Sephora, Nordstrom, and food brands such as Harry & David and Walker’s. She also says that beauty and skincare advent calendars from LOOKFANTASTIC, Benefit Cosmetics, and Charlotte Tilbury are also highly coveted. 

How do you use an advent calendar properly?

Most advent calendars are made in a 25-, 24-, or 12-day format that counts down the days in anticipation of Christmas or from Christmas Day to Three Kings Day. 

“It’s best to follow your advent calendar’s instructions, but generally you should open it or use it once per day,” says Malarkey. “Most are daily in December so you can enjoy a little treat every day!”

Are advent calendars a good gift idea?

Advent calendars are a great way to give a loved one lots of little gifts in one package. Malarkey says these are an excellent gift idea, especially if you make them specific to the person you are gifting them to. She does advise, however, to gift a longer advent calendar on the first day of December so your loved one can enjoy it all month long.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Real Simple with three years of experience writing lifestyle content and product reviews, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, she spent hours researching different kinds of Advent calendars and reading customer reviews. She also received tips on how to shop for them from Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, CEO, interior designer, hosting aesthetic expert, and gifting expert.

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