This is always one of my favorite posts to write as throughout the holiday season I find myself asking, how many advent calendars is really too many. In the past few years retailers have really stepped up their advent calendar options. There is something for just about everyone. and I’ve rounded up what I think are the best advent calendars of 2018! Let’s jump right into the choices.
If you’re looking for currently available advent calendars, check out our post with the best advent calendars for 2021!
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Advent Calendars on Amazon
If you’re a one-stop shopper, we have 25 fabulous advent calendars added to our Amazon page. Click here for the Amazon Advent Calendar Roundup! (Pssst! There’s a $9 Haribo calendar on that list!)
Collectible Advent Calendars
These are the advent calendars that are meant to be reused every year. Some have space for storing a small treat (check out our ideas for the best Advent Calendar Fillers!) and others simply have space for counting down to Christmas. Choose the option that works best for you. I personally am partial to the ones that allow me to give (and receive) a little gift every day, let’s be honest!)
Wooden Houses Wall Advent Calendar • Pottery Barn • $249 Well this is clearly a splurge, but boy is it pretty.
Tree Shaped Advent Calendar • Pottery Barn Kids • $62.99 We have an older version of this and it’s great if you want to do tiny treats like a candy cane or a couple of coins daily.
Byers’ Choice Christmas Tree Advent Calendar • $95 -This is similar in style to my kids’ calendars and they love opening the doors!
Cost Plus World Market Christmas Countdown Calendar with Magnets • Cost Plus World Market • $14.99 If you’re looking for a budget friendly item that won’t take a up a ton of space in your house this one definitely wins.
Paper Advent Tree • $18 We also love this small, paper, tabletop options.
Gingerbread House Advent Calendar • HearthSong • $33.99 – This one is just too cute. We love the sweet gingerbread style.
Santa Magnetic Advent Calendar • Pottery Barn • $99 – Move a magnet every day and you’re set! The look is classic and you don’t need to fill doors or pockets every day!
Anthropologie Felted Forest Advent Calendar • Anthropologie • $128 – Another investment piece, but LOOK AT IT!
Beauty Advent Calendars
No roundup of the best advent calendars is complete without these beauty calendars that have exploded onto the scene. I want SO MANY of these I just can’t stand it. These are fun for gifting as well as treating yourself. I keep telling myself I NEED all of the little samples for upcoming travel but really I just love beauty products and I want them all!
24 Days of Clinique advent calendar • Clinique • $84 Clinique was my first introduction to “fancy” skincare and I think I’ll always have a soft spot for the brand.
Sephora Collection SEPHORA COLLECTION – Once Upon A Castle Advent Calendar • Sephora • $45 Sephora has so many good holiday sets. This one might be best for the teen or tween in your life.
Atelier Cologne – Discovery Advent Calendar • Atelier Cologne • $59 This is a great way for someone to discover a new scent via these minis before investing in a full size product.
Opi Online Only Nutcracker Advent Calendar Mini 25 Pack • OPI • $49.95 – I LOVE OPI mini sizes as I can never finish a bottle of nail polish before it dries out and separates. These mini bottles still have a nice sized brush for great application.
Qvc Beauty Box QVC Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar 24-Piece Collection • $64.75 – This calendar has such a great variety of products – cleansers, makeup, masks and the list goes on and on!
Gifts Of Provence Signature Advent Calendar • DAY Birger et Mikkelsen • $59 – L’Occitane fans are going to want to jump all over this one!
The Body Shop 24 Days of the Enchanted Advent Calendar • The Body Shop • $70 – So many Body Shop goodies in sizes that mean you can use them all up without cluttering your bathroom for a year.
Nasty Gal Oh K! 12 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar • Nasty Gal • Oh No! This K-Beauty calendar is currently sold out, but keep your eyes peeled for a restock!
Ulta 12 Days of Beauty • Ulta • $18 – Have a tween in your life? This might be just the thing for them to get started playing with makeup.
Advent Calendars for Kids
In our family we have three advent calendars. We have one large advent calendar that we all share – so everyone gets a gift every four days. The kids also have their own calendars that my mom fills for them every year. I wasn’t kidding when I said we love advent calendars! We go BIG! These calendars do all of the work for you and there’s a calendar for so many themes, you’re likely to find one that might work for you.
Disney ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Advent Calendar – Mini • Disney • $129.95 – Okay, I currently can’t breathe based on the cost of this thing, but MAN do I find this adorable.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 75213 • Lego • $39.99 – A classic. Get them before they sell out. (Also available in City and Friends versions)
Kidkraft Disney’s Frozen Arendelle Advent Calendar By KidKraft • Kid Kraft • $30.99 – Little Anna’s and Elsa’s in your house? They obviously need their own Arendelle!
My Little Pony Advent Calendar • My Little Pony • $23
L.O.L. Surprise! #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) • DAY Birger et Mikkelsen • $29.99 Just don’t show this one to my daughter, although I admit to finding myself charmed by these ridiculous dolls.
Hatchimals Colleggtibles – Advent Calendar • $19.99 – This is another toy that I would have loved 30+ years ago and my own daughter is a huge fan of all things Hatchimal. Grab this one for days of surprises!
Playmobil 9485 Christmas Ball Advent Calendar • Playmobil • $29.90 – Every single year I drool over the Playmobil options and now my kids are too old and Christmas is ruined.
Disney Marvel Tsum Tsum 24-Day Advent Calendar • Disney • $35.45 – A more reasonable Tsum Tsum calendar than the option above, this one with plastic Tsum Tsums rather than plus – and they’re superheroes, obv.
Melissa & Doug Count Down To Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar • Melissa & Doug • $19.99 – This falls into the category of being collective and for kids AND a budget friendly reusable option. It checks all of the boxes, why don’t you have one yet?
Lego City Advent Calendar 60201 • Lego • $29.99 – Another great LEGO option! What’s your favorite of the LEGO calendar options?
Okay, so tell us – which of these is the best advent calendar in your opinion? And how many advent calendars is too many?
