The Best Advent Calendars to Buy in 2024: There is Something For Everyone

Whether you’re ready or not, the holidays will be here in a flash, and retailers are starting to market their 2024 Advent calendars. These calendars help you count down the days until Christmas, starting on December 1, and often have 24 or 25 (depending on the calendar) flaps, windows, doors (or even drawers) containing illustrations, candy, or other small treats. You open one a day until the calendar is empty—and Christmas has arrived. My family has celebrated Advent using calendars for generations. First, beautiful paper calendars with images hidden inside to chocolate candy calendars, and today, our favorite Advent calendar is a simple, carved upright box containing 24 mini doors–each containing a small gift or treat.

While Advent calendars have roots in religion and the celebration of Christmas, today, they also appeal to a wide secular demographic. Some modern calendars even acknowledge the full Advent season (four weeks leading up to Christmas) and offer small gifts to open on the first six or 12 days of December.

The earliest Advent calendars came from Germany in the 19th century and gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1950s. Chocolate Advent calendars, still popular, went mainstream first in the United Kingdom when Cadbury debuted the first chocolate Advent calendars in 1971 and were quickly imported or re-created by other manufacturers worldwide.

Today, Advent calendars are available in an astonishing range of materials, themes, and styles, stocked with goodies from beauty items to hot sauce, as opposed to the miniature images, lines of prayers, and chocolates contained in the early days of commercial Advent calendars. Of course, you can also find those in abundance as this tradition grows its reach and retailers annually. Celebrating the season of Advent and creating light at a time when the darkness creeps in and long shadows begin in the afternoons is a way to enjoy and contemplate the season one day at a time.

Our picks for the best advent calendars

• Best beauty advent calendars
• Best chocolate and sweets Advent calendars
• Best boozy Advent calendars
• Best Advent calendars for couples
• Best Advent calendars for foodies
• Best jewelry and accessories Advent calendars
• Best wooden Advent calendars
• Best Advent calendars for dogs
• Best Advent calendars for cats
• Best home decor Advent calendars
• Best Advent calendars for kids

Best beauty advent calendars

The Gorgeous Grocer Beauty Holiday Calendar Gift Set

I am a huge fan and user of Benefit cosmetics, so this beauty calendar jumped out at me for the quality of products tucked inside and the price tag and value. For 24 days in December, your holiday looks will “benefit” from the bounty of this Advent calendar, which includes mini, full, and travel-size versions of some of the most popular items from this beloved brand.

Price in publish: $183

Anthropologie Holiday Collection Beauty Advent Calendar

The whimsical streetscape illustrations on this Advent calendar make it fun and functional as a piece of holiday decor. This countdown calendar contains 24 travel-size skin and beauty products from brands like Supergoop!, Salt & Stone, L’Occitane, and more.

Price on publish: $98

Charlotte's Beauty Treasure Chest of Love

Twelve days of full-sized beauty products are contained in a heart-shaped bejeweled keepsake box–and while this would be a wonderful holiday gift, I’d love it for Valentine’s Day, too.

Price on publish: $220.00

Liberty of London’s Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2024

This Advent calendar is pricey, but among the 28 gifts of high-quality beauty and skincare brands, you’ll receive 18 full-size products so you can add more joy to your holiday season. Valued at $1,650, the $345 price tag may (for some) seem like a steal. If you don’t buy it yourself, gift it to your best friend or favorite beauty-loving family member. The calendar design is beautifully illustrated and can sit on a tabletop for added festivity. Each day corresponds with a cunning little drawer with the gift nestled inside.

Price on publish: $345

Best chocolate and sweets Advent calendars

Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Advent Calendar

If you love a cup of hot chocolate in the wintertime, this dreamy calendar contains 16 flavors to cover 24 days of quality drinking chocolate sachets. These are single 8-oz cup servings of cacao grown in Ghana and made by Hotel Chocolat in the UK—known for its high-quality and delicious chocolate. These yummy gifts can be used with a Velvetiser hot chocolate maker (sold separately), which makes a wonderful holiday gift. Alternatively, simply whisk your sachet into 7-1/2 ounces of milk and heat without overboiling.

Price on publish: $75.00

Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark Advent Calendar

Buy this for the peppermint bark lover so they can savor 24 days of this sweet treat in shapes like a snowman, toy soldier, Santa Claus, and Christmas tree. Festive and fun, it’s easy to get your fill of chocolate and peppermint during the holiday season. In my house, when we buy a tin of peppermint bark, it is gone in seconds, but this calendar will allow us a few small bites a day while we count down to Christmas.

Price on publish: $36.95-$73.90

Compartes Luxury Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar

This beautiful holiday snow scene under the Northern Lights contains 24 luxury chocolates so you can have a sophisticated sweet treat each day until Christmas. Each door’s confectionery contains delicious holiday flavors.

Price on publish: $109.95

Heilemann Confiserie Advent Calendar

This German chocolate maker’s Advent calendar is sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma and contains 24 milk chocolate figures from rabbits to snowmen, made in an alpine village outside of Munich. So many Christmas traditions are rooted in Germanic tradition, and this calendar does not disappoint. Molded with attention to detail, these tiny treats are mini chocolate works of art.

Price on publish: $39.95

Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s Nordic Forest Chalet Chocolate Calendar of Advent 2024

If I decided to splurge on an Advent calendar for my family, this would be it. Not only is this an incredible artisan chocolatier, but you know all the treats, from chocolate peppermint gnomes to tart cherry hedgehogs, will be delicious. The calendar is worth the price alone, in my opinion—its Nordic forest chalet is something to keep for Christmases to come. This calendar twinkles with tiny fairy lights, plays holiday tunes, and has gorgeous illustrations of creatures and animals enjoying Christmas in the forest. Each sweet treat is hidden in a pretty drawer—one for each day leading up to Christmas, plus an extra large drawer for Christmas morning. When you turn the drawers around, they fit together in a puzzle shape to show a holiday greeting and message. Note: This Advent calendar will begin shipping the week of November 18, 2024.

Price on publish: $325

Harry Potter Hot Chocolate Bombs 12-Day Advent Calendar

While this doesn’t have the traditional 24 doors and windows, you can count the 12 days of Christmas with this calendar designed for Harry Potter and hot chocolate fans. Wave the included magic wand over the mug and watch the bomb turn colors before you drink it. If your little one loves Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all things magical, this is a great, and affordable, Advent option. Tip: Buy two to celebrate all the days leading up to Christmas.

Price on publish: $19.99

Dandelion Chocolate 2024 Advent Calendar

If you are looking for an elegant confectionary Advent calendar for a chocolate lover, look no further than this choice. The beautifully designed green and gold box (with illustrations of the constellations) is filled with 25 single-origin chocolates, each in their gorgeous wrapping and handcrafted by a creative North American chocolatier and designed to look like an ornament. Price on publish: $185 box for one; $295 (if you want to share; comes with two confections per day)

Sugarfina 24 Tastes of Christmas Candy Advent Calendar

Inside each festive drawer are four tasty treats by Sugarfina to share or enjoy solo. Enjoy the flavors and designs of the holiday leading up to Christmas, from snowman gummies to peppermint bark cookies.

Price on publish: $55.00

Best coffee and tea Advent calendars

Keurig® 24 Cups of Cheer Advent Calendar

I plan to give this to my cousin, who loves her K-cups and Christmas. It contains 24 K-cups of holiday drinks, including seasonal coffees, flavored options, hot cocoa, one-step latte pods, and ice refreshers so you can mix it up during the 24 days leading up to Christmas. I was impressed by the variety offered inside of this tabletop Advent calendar. It may not appeal to coffee purists, but if you or someone you know loves seasonal drinks, this is a good pick.

Price on publish: $26.99

Coffee Advent Calendar 2024 by Yawn

Coffee lovers, raise a glass of cheer this Advent season. I appreciate that you can choose from whole bean or ground coffee when you order your 24 sachets of brew to help you get out the door on those cold winter mornings in December. Choose from single-origin, artisan blends, or ready-to-use drip bags, and personalize your grind to get the best product for your coffee maker.

Price on publish: $68.87-$79.65

Best boozy Advent calendars

2024 Wine Advent Calendar: Red, White, and Rosé

Indulge in wine daily this holiday season when you receive or purchase this Advent calendar. Each window contains a pretty glass bottle with a six-ounce pour. Share them with your partner or best friend—or keep the drinks yourself. Enjoy 14 reds, seven whites, and three rosé wines; all you need to do is open one window a day and enjoy the season sip by sip.

Price on publish: $144.99 (Get $20 off when you pre-order.)

It’s the Most Winederful Time of the Year Wine Advent Calendar

Total Wine delivers in every way with this charming Advent calendar. It features 24 bottles of red and white varieties from their “Winery Direct” line, so you can discover an under-the-radar new favorite. The price is friendly for a wine Advent calender, too—$79.99.

Price on publish: $79.99

Flaviar’s Whiskey Advent Calendar 2024

This whiskey Advent calendar sells out every year, so if you want to enjoy a dram a day up until Christmas, sign up for it now. You’ll savor Flaviar's curated and award-winning selection of drinks. Bourbon and rye, plus Australian, Irish, Japanese, and Scotch whiskey. The box-style calendar includes two glasses and a journal to record your tasting notes and experiences. Flaviar's design team does an excellent job, too—the whiskey samples are packaged in adorable small glass bottles. Note: They cannot ship to AK, AR, DE, HI, MS, SD, UT, and WV. Price on publish: $250

Give Them Beer, IPA Advent Calendar 2024

If you enjoy a hoppy IPA, this calendar is for you or any IPA lover. This 12 Days of IPA Advent calendar contains IPAs from American breweries hand-picked by beer experts. While the packaging isn’t the most Christmas, the beer drinker in your life won’t care—the beers are likely that good.

Price on publish: $85

Best Advent calendars for couples

Couples Advent(ure) Calendar

It can be hard to leave the house when it’s cold and dark (and winter), but put this cute stand-up Advent calendar on your desk to help you and your significant other get into the holiday spirit. Just scratch off the 12 days of adventures to make your season merry and bright. It also includes information about the cost, time, location, and supplies you might need so you can plan your fun ahead of time and don’t risk missing any holiday parties. Hint: You could use this anytime because there are 12 adventures in December, so that may be a lot to ask.

Price on publish: $19.99

Through the Window Puzzle Advent Calendar

If you prefer to stay in and be cozy, this puzzle Advent calendar would be fun to enjoy in front of a warm fire. It contains 24 mini-puzzles of holiday traditions, viewed through a wintery apartment window. The design has a very “Only Murders in the Building” opening credits vibe, so bonus points for that. And once you’ve solved all the puzzles, you can assemble them to form a holiday image. This calendar offers a peaceful way to spend some quiet downtime each day with your favorite person during the hectic holiday season.

Price on publish: $28

Best Advent calendars for foodies

​Bonne Maman 2023 Limited Edition Advent Calendar

This made my list last year because who can resist petite jars of yummy spreads? This Bonne Maman Advent calendar has included new flavors like caramel with coffee, apricot with orange blossom, and guava and raspberry and rose, just to name a few. This year’s theme is a holiday train station; you can stand it up right next to your breadbox or toaster. If you have guests, it would make a sweet centerpiece for breakfast.

Price on publish: $44.99

Fortnum's Feasting Advent Calendar

If you have an Anglophile foodie in your life or want to treat yourself to something special this holiday season, this Advent calendar from Fortnum & Mason, purveyors of fine food and drinks since 1707, from across the pond is a trove of U.K. delights. Open the doors to reveal full and deluxe sample sizes of items like Victoria Grey tea, Christmas pudding, and orange curd. The box-stye calendar will make a lovely decoration as well.

Price on publish: $275.76

12 Days of Hot Sauce Advent Calendar

An annual favorite around here, Uncommon Goods sells a 12 Days of Hot Sauce calendar perfect for adding spice to counterbalance all the sweets you eat in December. It may not be the most festive Advent calendar, but who cares when you open 1.75 ounces of the best hot sauces around for 12 days at Christmastime? It has bottles with names like Zombie Apocalypse and the Plum Reaper. Maybe you should consider this calendar to help you count down to Halloween.

Price on publish: $55.00

Best jewelry and accessories Advent calendars

Happy Socks, 24-Pack Advent Calendar Gift Set

Enjoy this festive box-style Advent calendar packed with socks—24 pairs to keep your toes warm all winter. While not wool, these are cotton socks. Nothing is better than knowing you won’t have to worry about socks in the wash for 24 days during the holidays.

Price on publish: $260

Sterling Forever’s 24 Days of Jewelry Advent Calendar

Build your collection of beautiful earrings with Sterling Forever’s (SF for short) dresser-style Advent calendar filled with fabulous designs to help you celebrate the holidays in style. Open one gift a day (24 pairs of earrings in all), both gold-plated sterling silver and sterling in various styles, from hoops to pearls. You can reuse the pretty midnight blue and gold Advent calendar as a hold-all for your jewelry all year.

Price on publish: $499

Christmas Advent Calendar Bracelet 24 Days Christmas Countdown Calendar

If you have a tween or teen who loves making jewelry, this is an affordable Advent option (two bracelets and many charms they can wear or share). It could also make two excellent holiday gifts—you’ll finish just in time for Christmas Day.

Price on publish: $9.99

Abbott Lion Made More You Advent Calendar (Gold)

All that glitters is gold with this stunning Advent calendar, which will make the jewelry lover in your life happy this holiday season. Designed to look like a storybook, you can personalize the front cover with your name and add four personalized pieces. There are 12 drawers plus one extra treat, and you can use the calendar itself as a jewelry box when you are done.

Price on publish: $385

Best wooden Advent calendars

16.25" Wood Christmas Tree Tabletop Advent Calendar Dark Green - Wondershop™

The great thing about wooden Advent calendars is you can use them year after year. My family has a beloved hand-carved Advent calendar and the tiny doors have been opened and closed for over a decade of Advent seasons. After researching wooden Advent calendar options, I may have to add another, like this one from Target. Reminiscent of folk art style, this Christmas tree-shaped calendar is 16.25 inches by 14.5 inches, so large enough to hide treats in and small enough to put on top of your table.

Price on publish: $20

HOMCOM Christmas Advent Calendar

This light-up wooden holiday decoration has 24 drawers for treats and sweets and beautifully carved Christmas scenes, like winter forests full of snowmen and Santa on his sleigh, with tiny LED lights to add to its beauty. Made from natural wood, this creation goes beyond a simple calendar—reminiscent of the exquisitely beautiful hand-carved Christmas scene from Germany, but less costly.

Price on publish: $86.38

Best Advent calendars for dogs

Member's Mark Jerky Treat Advent Calendar for Dogs

With beef and chicken jerky made in the USA for your pet and a cute city street scene for you, this Advent calendar is a win for humans and their furry canine companions. This calendar has 25 days of jerky, so they get a treat on Christmas, too.

Price on publish: $14.98

Himalayan Dog Chew 24 Joyful Days Dog Advent Calendar

My dog loves these Himalayan chews made from yak and cow milk and 100% natural ingredients with no preservatives. Let your dog celebrate with daily treats; why should you get all the fun counting down until Christmas?

Price on publish: $18.26

Bonne et Filou 2024 Dog Treats Advent Calendar

If you can afford to really treat your dog this Christmas, they might enjoy tasting these handmade doggie cookies made from human-grade ingredients and made in the USA. Twenty-four days of truffles, macaroons, and mini bones, when nothing less than the best will do for your pet. Safe for large and small dogs (all breeds).

Price on publish: $69.99

Best Advent calendars for cats

Cat Advent Calendar 2024

If you have a frisky kitty, this calendar offers 24 cat toys to keep them busy throughout most of December—balls, toy mice, and things that squeak are just some of the gifts you can give your cat each day during Christmastime.

Price on publish: $25.99

Trader Joe's Advent Calendar for Cats

I love the illustrations on this paper Advent calendar containing 24 individually wrapped pouches of salmon and dried seaweed treats for your favorite feline. Some reviewers have commented that you should cut the treats into small bites so those 24 treats may last longer. Trader Joe’s stores usually start carrying Christmas items in November, or you could just order from Amazon.

Price on publish: $22.98

Best home decor Advent calendars

Diptyque Advent Calendar 2024

Similar to last year’s gorgeous box-style calendar, this luxurious Advent offering is filled with mini candles, perfumes, and other delights. The 2024 version has a whimsical twist: It’s modeled after an antique sewing kit and inspired by artist Lucy Sparrow. You’ll definitely find a use for this charming box long after the holidays are over.

Price on publish: $495

Lenox Treasured Traditions Advent Calendar Tree & Ornaments 25-Piece Set

If you or a family member enjoys old-fashioned holiday decorations, this two-for-one tree with 25 mini ornaments to count down the days will make a great addition to their collection. Made from ceramic, the ornaments represent each line from the 12 Days of Christmas carol, like four calling birds, three French hens, five golden rings, and more, along with a few extras. The beautiful porcelain tree has a 24k gold star and holly leaf motif base with space for each ornament. Pro tip: This calendar doesn’t come with doors or flaps, so consider wrapping each ornament and placing them under the tree, then unwrap and hang up one a day during Advent.

Price on publish: $199.95

Voluspa 12 Day Candle Advent Calendar

It will be a fragrant holiday season full of soft light when you indulge your senses with these coconut wax, all-natural, hand-poured candles. They’re free from parabens and phthalates, so you can enjoy a clean glow. These gifts come in a cupboard-style decorative art decor-esque box with 12 drawers containing seasonal and other scents. Count down 12 days of Christmas with this calendar; you’ll have everything you need to keep your home smelling good all winter.

Price on publish: $158

Best Advent calendars for kids

My First Advent Calendar—Farmyard Animals

This Advent calendar is a good choice for the preschool set. It contains 24 colorful wooden toys—barnyard animals, woodland creatures, and even a snowman hidden inside a wintery 3-D holiday scene with a country cottage and a Christmas tree. Like the first Advent calendars, this one is also made in Germany.

Price on publish: $39.99

LEGO Harry Potter 2024 Advent Calendar

My kids loved LEGO Advent calendars when they were little, so I recommend these for LEGO lovers around age seven and up. This one combines the magic of Harry Potter and Christmas with 16 mini-builds and seven mini-figures from the beloved film series. This is a great choice if your kids love building with LEGOs, as you can add these to other sets.

Price on publish: $44.99

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Advent Calendar and Pop-Up Book

Slightly older kids, tweens, teens, and Tim Burton fans might enjoy this unusual Advent calendar and pop-up book in one. It contains 25 removable and displayable ornaments based on the iconic film that you can hang up on your Christmas tree hidden inside the pop-up numbered calendar.

Price on publish: $20.99

What you should know before buying Advent calendars

When shopping for an Advent calendar, there are a few things to consider:

Who will use the Advent calendar?

Like anything you give someone, check to make sure the Advent calendar and the items inside are appropriate and safe for the recipient. For example, some small gifts hidden inside an Advent calendar may be choking hazards for a toddler or young child. If you’re giving a candy- or food-filled calendar, check for allergies beforehand. Some Advent calendars are designed to stand independently, while others must be hung up or leaned against a wall, bookcase, or mantel, so consider where it might be set up. If you are giving an Advent calendar to a religious family member or friend, consider a paper one with a nativity scene.

Also, some people like Advent calendars, even if they don’t celebrate Christmas, but some people may not appreciate one; just like artificial Christmas trees, there will be people who love them and those who don't.

Does it have 12 or 24 days?

Some Advent calendars only have 12 days, often due to the size or cost of the items inside, but traditional calendars have 24. If you’re observing the season of Advent in your home, you’ll want to stick with one with 24 days or purchase two 12-day calendars.

Is it easy to open?

While this is not a make-or-break issue for purchasing an Advent calendar, if you have children, make sure they can easily open the Advent calendar window or door. Otherwise, you will have torn calendars, which really defeats the purpose of using them as decor. Some Advent calendars, like those made of wood or felt, like hanging calendars, are easier for little hands to open than the more fragile paper and cardboard ones.

How did I select the best Advent calendars?

Research

To offer a comprehensive guide covering all types of Advent calendars, I conducted a comprehensive online search (a deep dive into the holidays). I picked out the best-selling calendars with verified ratings and feedback from customers, and well-known brands.

Personal experience

I drew on decades of experience receiving and giving Advent calendars, from when I was a child enjoying my chocolate Santa calendar to the LEGO Advent my children loved in elementary school. I also spoke to colleagues, family members, and friends about what they had purchased and enjoyed.

Budget

Money shouldn’t hold you back from celebrating Advent or enjoying a small treat or gift each day until Christmas. I tried to find a wide range of price points in all categories.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do Advent calendars work?

Advent calendars are usually numbered from 1-24 or 25, traditionally representing the days leading up to Christmas, although there are 12-day calendars sold as well. You open one door or window or, in some cases, as calendars have evolved, one drawer, cabinet, or pocket a day to find a sweet treat or small gift or token. Some Advent calendars are often designed to be displayed as a Christmas decoration in the home. Advent calendars have become so popular you can find Advent-style calendars for holidays like Halloween and Hanukkah.

What is the reason for an Advent calendar?

There is no one reason for owning an Advent calendar. For some, they represent taking a moment to think about the Advent season. Paper Advent calendars often show an illustrated Christmas or nativity scene. Other calendars are used to build excitement for Christmas by counting down the days. An Advent calendar may provide a small sweet treat to a child anxiously waiting for Santa Claus or to provide some joy during the dark days (for many of us) in winter.

When should I gift my Advent calendar?

My family typically gives Advent calendars to our kids and relatives around Thanksgiving and sets up our wooden Advent calendar on the last day of November, signaling that Christmas is coming. But you can gift an Advent calendar at any time. Note: Since they’re traditionally used in the Advent season, make sure to gift them before the first of December. However, I remember some holidays when my chocolate Advent calendar appeared a few days after my parents were late picking it up.

Why is Advent so important to Christmas?

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival (ad)” and “venire (come).” It means the arrival of an important person or thing. Many Christians celebrate the season of Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas) as a time of prayer, contemplation, preparing for the nativity, and anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. The Advent season and the commercial culture surrounding Christmas were originally (and for some, still are), two different things that, similar to many holiday traditions, have merged into the mainstream. Making an Advent wreath and lighting Advent candles are other ways to observe this season.