As soon as November arrives, the advent calendar excitement starts in our house. Lining them up, deciding who gets which, and knowing each day will bring a small surprise makes the countdown to Christmas feel extra special. This year we chose a mix of beauty, skincare and classic chocolate — here’s a closer look at the ones we’re opening and why each deserves a place.
The W7 Beauty Blast calendar is bold, bright and jam-packed with make-up goodies. It’s a fun pick for teens or anyone who likes experimenting with looks — lip products, eyeshadows, mini mascaras and a good mix of colours and textures. Each day feels like a little discovery.
The Elemis calendar is a real treat for luxury skincare fans. It includes travel-size and full-size favourites, from cleansing balms to hydrating creams and body care staples. It’s perfect for a bit of daily self-care, and the packaging feels lovely too.
The L’OR calendar is made for coffee lovers. With a chic black and gold design, it contains a curated selection of coffee pods so you can try different flavours without buying full packs. It feels like a premium, everyday treat.
Play in Choc is a great option for younger kids or for families avoiding common allergens. The calendar has organic chocolate made with simple ingredients and a small cardboard toy to build each day. It’s creative, eco-friendly and tasty — one of the most thoughtful kids’ calendars we’ve seen.
The Nivea Men calendar is practical and geared toward men or older teens like Noah. It’s filled with grooming essentials — shower gels, face washes, moisturisers and handy accessories — making it a useful way to encourage a little self-care during a busy month.
Lindt is a Christmas classic. This calendar is full of smooth, creamy chocolates and festive Lindt characters, ideal if you want a traditional chocolate countdown.
For peanut-butter fans, the Reese’s calendar is a must. Each day contains a Reese’s treat, from classic cups to mini surprises — colourful, fun and sure to spark friendly family battles over who gets which day.
The Cadbury Heroes calendar brings nostalgia with miniature favourites like Wispa, Dairy Milk and Fudge. It’s playful, familiar and a reliable crowd-pleaser for families who enjoy a mix of classics.
These are the calendars we’re opening this year, and they make a lovely display at home. I bought most of them from local supermarkets or Amazon; the Elemis calendar came from a different retailer. You can still order some of these in time for tomorrow. Tell me which advent calendar you chose this year.
