Even when you’re not willing to wait all 24 days to open them, here are our picks for the best calendars to gift both to loved ones and yourself this holiday season
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Originating in Germany sometime around the 19th and 20th century by local Lutherans, advent calendars have become a staple of the festive season over the years. From the most traditional ones — those that stick to edible goods, candies and cookies — to specialised ones designed to tick every box of certain niche subjects, truth be told advent calendars might just be one of the things we look forward to the most towards the end of the year.
We’ve been compiling a list of our favourite ones to help you decide which (or which ones) to buy:
One meant for the bath, bubbles and glitter lover
Lush could be described as a magic Willy Wonka-esc fantasy land made for those who love baths, bubbles, and sustainability. With this year’s calendar, the brand puts upfront some of their best sellers as well as their always coveted holiday collection, that will ensure to keep you both squeaky clean and dozed in seasonal scents.
One for that special man in your life
From ornaments that dub as cleansers and mini versions of our favourite Molton Brown bottles, this year’s special edition calendar brings to the table a classic reimagined, presenting not only some of the most loved, classic Brown scents but also new special holiday editions that will have everyone who comes across them in true festive spirit.
One ideal for the beauty junkie
Of the favourite destinations for beauty lovers came out with a calendar that allows us mortals to take home the excitement and enjoyment of breezing down the aisles while discovering who will be the new essential in our beauty bag. Combining both makeup and skincare, the calendar pushes up a notch the whole concept of try, test, love.
One for the makeup connoisseur
Dubbed the Box of Tricks, this year's advent calendar from MAC Cosmetics surprisingly taps into the remnants of our Halloween spirit and amps up the festive season in a never seen before Nightmare Before Christmas reference. With multiple lip shades, powders, setting sprays, oils, and mascaras, trick away until Christmas Eve.
One with a bit of Finland in it
Perfect as a gift or a treat for yourself, Lumene’s advent calendar combines skincare and makeup all under the umbrella of being one of the leading Nordic beauty brands. Day by day (or all at once), discover a new must have from the brand and dare to try out new products that have both Scandinavian DNA in their system and a bit of Finland to take home with us.
One with a bit of everything
Honouring the versatility of it’s main platform itself, Zalando’s is closing 2021 with a calendar that not only combines some of the best beauty products in the market but introduced a whole new level of goodies to the system (we’re looking at you, Foreo’s UFO Mini and Agustinus Bader’s The Cream).
One that truly lives up to its name
When the one thing you do best is send out monthly surprises of goodies, one must expect Goodiebox’s advent calendar to live up to the hype — and it does. Amping up the standar with practically all its surprises in full size format, the calendar combines well known favourites with new discoveries that must not be missed.
Two depending on what you’re craving that day
Kicks' Advent Calendars
True to offering what you need exactly how you need it, Kicks is offering this year not one, but two, advent calendars. Either it be the Skincare version, made for those who live for a good pampering moment and a self care ritual; or the Makeup version, that will tick every box in a beauty junkie’s list, choose the one that fits yourself the best and celebrate the holidays now.
One with a new colour almost for every day of the month
While the product by itself might not be the surprise, with OPI, this year everyday will be a new nail colour day and by the end of the month you will have shades that match every mood, state or activity. Life’s too short for just one nail colour.
One that you won’t want to open
As a brand, Rituals is amazing. As a creator of lovely things we truly don’t even want to open and would like to keep them on display for the rest of our lives, they’re even better. For this year, they’ve designed a 3D calendar that pops up right as our dreams light up during Christmas with their best seller holiday essentials.
One that will have you glowing by Christmas
Babor’s Christmas calendar has a different approach than traditional calendars. In this case, as a user, you’re meant to apply the ampoules included in the advent special in a daily manner. With Babor, everyday you immerse yourself into a self care ritual with a serum designed to have your skin in its best state right before Christmas.
One perfect depending on how fancy you’re feeling that day
Honoring their essence of having something for everyone, The Body Shop delivered four filled-to-the-brim with skincare goodies advent calendars that vary in price, size and items — allowing us gift givers to choose the one that matches perfectly with our needs and expectations.
One who’s packaging is almost as good as it’s goodies
Would you want a Lancôme’s version of the 7th arrondissement of Paris but filled with high level goodies that surround the Eiffel Tower waiting to give you a surprise for every day of December? We would and that’s why Lancôme’s newest calendar fulfills both the duty of decoration and selfcare enabler for this festive season.
One that is everything you wanted and even more
Lips, lips, lips, fragrances, and mascaras. These are only some of the novelties one can find while making its way through YSL’s newest Christmas advent calendar. The brand, who is known for its iconic red lips and signature fragrances, is betting on all the events we’re having during the festivities and is positioning itself as the best partner we could ever ask for in order to be always ready and picture perfect.
One for the person who has everything
@tiffanyandco.
Finally, for that one person who has everything and who you never know what to give, why not surprise them this holiday season with a four-foot white oak Tiffany & Co. advent calendar in collaboration with American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat? The design recalls a cabinet of curiosities, revealing 24 Blue Boxes filled with Tiffany jewellery and objects. It might not be fully beauty related, but it’ll sure light up a smile on whoever receives such an iconic present.
Shop it on Tiffany & Co.