As soon as November rolls in, advent calendar season begins at our house. Lining them up, deciding who gets which, and knowing each morning will bring a small surprise is one of the best parts of the run-up to Christmas. This year we’ve chosen a mix of beauty, skincare and classic chocolate — here’s why each calendar earned a place.
The W7 Beauty Blast is bold and colourful, packed with makeup treats. It’s a fun pick for teens or anyone who likes experimenting — expect lip products, eyeshadows, mini mascaras and a good range of shades and finishes. It’s the kind of calendar where every day feels like a little discovery.
The Elemis calendar is a luxury skincare highlight. Filled with travel-size and full-size favourites — from cleansing balm to hydrating creams and body care — it turns December into a month of small, pampering moments. The packaging is lovely, too.
The L’or calendar is for coffee lovers. With a chic black-and-gold design, it contains a curated selection of coffee pods that make a nice way to try different flavours without buying full boxes. It feels like a little morning treat.
Play in Choc is great for younger children or families avoiding common allergens. It offers organic chocolate made from simple ingredients and includes a small cardboard toy to build each day. It’s creative, eco-friendly and tasty — one of the most thoughtful kids’ calendars around.
The Nivea Men calendar is practical and ideal for men or older teens. It’s full of grooming essentials — shower gels, face washes, moisturisers and handy accessories — so everything inside is likely to get used during the busy month.
Lindt is a Christmas classic, full of the smooth, creamy chocolates they’re known for. If you want a traditional chocolate countdown with festive Lindt characters, this is a safe and satisfying choice.
For peanut-butter fans, the Reese’s calendar is a must. Each day hides a Reese’s treat, from classic cups to mini surprises. It’s colourful, fun and sure to spark friendly family squabbles over who gets the best day.
The Cadbury Heroes calendar brings nostalgia with miniature favourites like Wispa, Dairy Milk and Fudge. It’s a playful, familiar mix that’s always a crowd-pleaser, especially with kids who enjoy guessing which mini chocolate they’ll find.
These are the calendars we’re opening this year, and they make a lovely display at home. I bought most from local supermarkets or Amazon, with the Elemis calendar sourced separately — many of these are still available to order if you want one for tomorrow.
