Advent calendars are one of the most festive ways to get into the holiday spirit. Whether we’re counting down the days until December 25, singing along to the 12 Days of Christmas, or celebrating the eight days of Hanukkah, these festive calendars are a fun holiday tradition full of warm nostalgia.
With December fast approaching, now is the best time to buy an advent calendar for the 2024 holiday season before they sell out. Since there are so many options available, from Chewy pet toys to Lancôme beauty finds, we did the research and tried the most popular ones, so you can spend more time relaxing, being with family, and enjoying the festivities.
Laneige’s lip mask changed the beauty routines of stars and PEOPLE writers alike — but there are even more skincare products for your giftee to discover inside this glow-boosting advent calendar. From several fun flavors of the famous Lip Sleeping Mask (Gummy Bear and Peach Iced Tea, to name a few) to celeb-approved skincare like the Water Sleeping Mask á la campaign star Sydney Sweeney, there’s a treasure trove of viral K-beauty products behind each door. You can almost create an entire skincare routine from this one purchase, complete with hyaluronic acid serums, eye creams, moisturizers, lip masks, and more.
Type: 12-day | Products: 12 | Compartments: Drawers | Shipping: 3-6 days
Editors Say
“I’ve been thoroughly impressed by this advent calendar — the packaging is so dreamy and the doors were fairly easy to open (there were a few I had to wrestle with, but that will happen occasionally). The variety of products would appease any skincare lover (especially a lip mask collector) and make any teen, friend, or beauty enthusiast’s day.”—Alyssa Brascia, shopping writer
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Healthy, all-natural ingredients
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Can improve dental health
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Budget-friendly
This gluten and lactose-free advent calendar offers 24 days of all-natural dog treats to please pups of all ages. From December 1 to Christmas Eve, you can offer your furry best friend one of several kinds of treats — from chicken bites to bacon bits — to include them in the holiday fun. Our only concern is that it contains several common food allergens, including dairy and peanut butter, so make sure to take stock of your household’s allergies before adding this to your cart.
Type: 24-day | Products: 24+ | Compartments: Doors | Shipping: 1–3 days
Editors Say
“As soon as the box was delivered to my building, my dog just knew it was hers (she ran up to the Chewy box and started sniffing it, and she’s never done this before). She was afraid of the actual advent calendar box, but she was beyond thrilled about the treats inside. She especially loved the Yaki Charms and the Barkeetos — apparently my pup is a cheese lover, just like her mom!”—Shalwah Evans, senior shopping editor
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Good value: lots of pieces for the price
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Box doubles as a backdrop
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Unique, festive mini builds
What better time to ‘apparate’ to Hogwarts than during the holidays? Help your little ones discover the magic of Harry Potter with this piece-by-piece advent calendar, which reveals a new mini build or minifigure behind every closed door. Each compartment features a diagram that shows you how to assemble each festive build, and the box itself doubles as the Hogwarts Great Hall, so your child can set up their creations for more imaginative play.
Type: 24-day | Products: 301 pieces (16 mini builds and 8 minifigures) | Compartments: Boxes | Shipping: Next day on Amazon with Prime or 3–5 business days on Lego
Editors Say
“This was so fun to do with my five-year-old who is just being introduced to the Wizarding World — and what a steal for what you get! Because the instructions are small and don’t necessarily go step-by-step, there were a few tricky ones in there for him to figure out, but it was a fun challenge! My favorites: a roaring brick fireplace, a decked-out Christmas tree, and a dining table topped with pies and a croissant.”—Kayla Kitts, shopping editor
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Creative, delicious flavors
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Assortment of different sweets
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Beautiful packaging
Editor’s Note: We originally tested the now out-of-stock Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Advent Calendar, but also recommend this equally festive calendar that features similar candies to the original.
With its opulent packaging and decadent confections, this assorted candy advent calendar will make any recipient feel like royalty. Behind each compartment is a carefully-wrapped chocolate (either milk or dark) or an intricate truffle. With no flavor repeats, each day holds a new surprise — with unique concoctions like gingerbread truffles and dark orange chocolates awaiting in each golden box.
Type: 25-day | Products: 25 | Compartments: Doors | Shipping: 3–5 days (no next day available)
Editors Say
“Chocolate lovers will have the best month ever with this advent calendar. Behind each of the 25 doors is a single truffle, and it’s so fun to see which of the eight delicious flavors you’ll get next. Each truffle was deliciously rich, and there was a great variety of flavors — including dark chocolate, caramel, strawberry, and one that tasted like cookie butter (my favorite)!” —Genevieve Cepeda, shopping writer
Decked with a glittering Parisian cityscape, this Lancôme advent calendar is just as beautiful as the luxe products it contains. This 24-day calendar includes favorites from the brand, including six full-sized products — from perfumes and night creams to lipsticks and mascaras. (A peek inside this amazing deal: The iconic fragrance La Vie Est Belle, just one of the full-sized offerings, is nearly half of the price of this entire calendar.)
It’s worth noting that the boxes are a bit confusing — they’re stacked like a puzzle, so pulling one out makes the others slide down. However, the aesthetically pleasing look of this setup makes this minor inconvenience easy to ignore.
Type: 24-day | Products: 24 | Compartments: Boxes | Shipping: 3–6 business days
Editors Say
“I was floored by the gorgeous packaging this Lancôme advent calendar arrived in — like a mystical landscape from a book. Obviously most of the products are travel-size, which is actually a bonus if you’re like me and are always looking for mini versions of your go-tos. Overall, it’s a stunning advent calendar that provides a luxurious treat for each day of December.”—Madison Yauger, shopping editor
If your dog favors toys over treats, then this 12-day advent calendar is the perfect choice. With different toy varieties for small and medium dogs, these calendars offer a range of toys including squeaky toys, rope toys, crinkle paper toys, and ball toys to keep your furry friend entertained all season long.
Type: 12-day | Products: 13 | Compartments: Pop-out Sections | Shipping: 2–5 business days (Next Day available)
Editors Say
“Though her face doesn’t show it, Stevie had a good time playing with all the toys in this Petco advent calendar. There are 12 pop-out sections with toys, but one actually contained two balls — reading ‘Naughty’ and ‘Nice’ — for a total of 13 festive toys! Whether you have one or several pets, this advent calendar will make any playful pup’s day.”—Madison Yauger
Nothing ushers in the holidays like the scents of balsam, spices, and vanilla wafting through your home — and with Voluspa’s advent calendar, you can unbox 12 new candles to keep these festive fragrances burning all season long. Each candle is a best-seller, which means that you can get year-round use out of this reasonably-priced calendar. Plus, every candle can burn for up to 15 hours and comes in a mini glass votive that looks elegant and expensive, doubling as holiday décor.
Type: 12-day | Products: 12 | Compartments: Drawers | Shipping: 3—5 days (depending on your Sephora status)
Editors Say
“The packaging is gorgeous, and the variety of scents is impressive. The scents aren’t overwhelming — they even smell expensive. I’m very picky about scents and hate artificial-smelling candles, but these are so far from those. Plus, none of the scents gave me a headache!”—Cai Cramer, shopping writer
If you or someone you know loves “adult school supplies,” this pristine Papier advent calendar, although pricey, is well-worth it for the price per product. It includes everything from high-quality pens and notebooks to creative bookmarks and even a puzzle. The calendar itself is a desk organizer packed with 24 individually-wrapped gifts presented in beautiful boxes. Perfect for the over-organizer or friend who works from home, this creative calendar is truly something special.
Type: 24-day | Products: 47 | Compartments: 24 gift boxes inside drawers | Shipping: Next day available
Editors Say
“This advent calendar is a stationery lover’s dream (and yes, I’m saving the adorable gift boxes to reuse this holiday season). It’s even better than last year’s calendar, in my opinion, and it’s something that I know I will enjoy for months to come. My favorite items are the small weekly desktop planner and the set of tiny cards and envelopes.”—Erin Johnson, associate shopping director
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Variety of makeup products
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Cute, displayable packaging
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Great value
If you have a beauty lover in your life who thrives during the holidays, they’ll be thrilled with this limited-edition advent calendar from NYX Cosmetics. Set against the nostalgic backdrop of Kevin McAllister’s house and the scheming “Sticky Bandits” from the 1990 film Home Alone, this calendar contains an assortment of liquid blushes, creamy lip glosses and oils, and even a holiday-ready eyeshadow palette.
Our writer notes that the papery doors of this calendar rip easily, so you’ll have to open each one carefully to reveal the festive product inside (and keep it looking nice until the last one opens on Christmas Eve).
Type: 24-day | Products: 24 | Compartments: Doors | Shipping: 3–5 business days
Editors Say
“This adorable advent calendar is bound to make any teen, Christmas movie fan, or makeup collector beyond ready for the holidays. I was so impressed by the variety of products included, from multi-use shimmer sticks to a smattering of different lippies (my favorite being the Fat Oil Lip Drip in “That’s Chic,” a shade begging to be worn to holiday parties). Plus, I’m a sucker for anything even remotely nostalgic this time of year — who doesn’t love Home Alone?”—Alyssa Brascia
It may feel daunting to take a chance on a surprise box when it comes to jewelry — but when we opened this calendar from Local Eclectic, our worries quickly melted away. This enchanting set is splashed with a few colorful statement pieces, though there are enough dainty pieces to appease minimalists, too. A set of 12, this collection comprises rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more, all plated in a thick, 14-carat gold finish.
Type: 12-day | Products: 12 | Compartments: Drawers | Shipping: Standard shipping
Editors Say
“I can’t believe how great of a value this set is. All of the pieces included feel so high-quality, and I’m genuinely going to wear all of them. The rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and charms included are tasteful and elegant, and would fit a variety of styles.”—Cai Cramer
Whether you have an aspiring sommelier or wine lover in your life, this 24-day wine sampler allows them to experience the unique flavors of Italy, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Australia, and California — a wine for each day until Christmas Day. Each bottle contains a generous pour of red, white, or rosé, including a couple of sparkling varieties with cute labels to boot.
Our only warning: The box weighs about 30 pounds, so make sure you have a friend to help you hoist it up (unless you feel like making it your workout for the day).
Type: 24-day | Products: 24 | Compartments: Box with pop-out doors | Shipping: “Advent calendars ship November 2024,” per the site | Excluded states: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Utah
Editors Say
“This is the perfect early Christmas present for the friend or family member who prefers to wine down at the end of the day. (Keep in mind that you may be that friend or family member, in which case — treat yourself!) I sampled a few varieties and found each to be quite sippable and scrumptious.”—Laura Gurfein, entertainment shopping director
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Seasonless fragrances for year-round use
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Wide variety of products, from body to home
Complete with a dazzling assortment of candles, perfumes, lotions, and more, this advent calendar is sure to enhance any fragrance devotee’s holiday season. This advent calendar is disguised as a jewelry box with 24 small compartments, which you can even repurpose for later use. Though each offering counts down to December 25, these scents transcend Christmastime — with fragrances like those of the floral Kyoto in Bloom hand cream and the citrusy Sunset in Capri perfume.
Type: 24-day | Products: 24 | Compartments: Drawers | Shipping: 3–5 business days
Editors Say
“This is a meaningful gift for anyone who appreciates fragrance — whether in their home or on their person. The compartments are drawers, which easily slide out, and all of the fragrances are divine — though my favorite is Midnight in Milan. Everything is boxed in beautiful packaging, and the advent calendar is designed to reuse, so you can fill it with other goodies next year.” —Madison Yauger
Others To Consider
When researching and testing the best advent calendars of 2024, we found a few others that are worth considering before heading to checkout.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer at PEOPLE. She has been writing for PEOPLE since 2022 and previously contributed to InStyle, Real Simple, Southern Living, Shape, and Food & Wine. As a child, Alyssa’s parents started giving her and her siblings chocolate advent calendars every year, marking the 24 days until her favorite holiday and creating a lasting tradition. These countdown gifts have since become a must-have — whether in the form of beauty products, like the delightful Dossier perfume sampler, or a good ole milk chocolate calendar. (Seriously, she’ll scour every grocery store in New York City for a good one, if she must.)
Our Expert Panel
- Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE who, as a December baby, was fully immersed in all things festive growing up. She loved the two advent calendars her family utilized for the countdown to Christmas! She’s also well-versed in pet toys as a dog mom, perfumes as a fragrance fiend (she owns 33 perfumes at present), and Lancôme products as someone whose mother swears by the brand
- Erin Johnson is an associate shopping director at PEOPLE who loves a good holiday countdown. As a kid, she would race down the stairs to “move the mouse” on her family’s Avon Mouse Advent Calendar before anyone else woke up. She’s always been a fan of stationery and cute office supplies, so the Papier advent calendar brought her infinite amounts of joy during testing.
- Kayla Kitts is a shopping editor at PEOPLE whose excitement for the holiday season was amplified after having a child. Every year, her 5-year-old tries a new countdown — last year, they unwrapped gemstones, fossils, and minerals. This year, as a lifelong Harry Potter fan, Kitts was excited to immerse her son in the Wizarding World through this enchanting Lego build kit. Each door opens a fun, little building challenge, with lots of adorable details fans will recognize and little ones will love for hours of creative play.
- Genevieve Cepeda is a shopping writer at PEOPLE who looks forward to the holidays all year long. She is a chocolate fiend, so she was thrilled to test the Williams Sonoma truffle advent calendar. During testing, she discovered that advent calendars are the only successful method to slow down her chocolate consumption.
- Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE who never got an advent calendar growing up but always wanted one, and her dreams came true when she played with the gorgeous jewelry and candle goodies which she plans to give to friends and keep a few favorites for herself.
- Shalwah Evans is the senior shopping editor at PEOPLE. She has played with dozens of advent calendars, mostly beauty, and always welcomes the opportunity to experience more. She especially loves a boozy advent calendar and anything with special treats for Minni, her tiny Silky Terrier with a big appetite.
- Laura Gurfein is PEOPLE’s shopping director and a shrewd gift-giver who thinks that the countdown to Christmas is just as good as the holiday itself.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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