Advent calendars are taking the world by storm this Christmas, with everyone from skin care and beauty companies to toy giant Lego boxing up 25 carefully curated treats into thoughtful packages - to be painstakingly revealed in the lead up to Christmas Day.
Starting on 1st December, kids and adults alike are excitedly pressing open little pockets to reveal a hidden treat. Once the domain of children alone, everyone is now getting in on the fun and people of all ages couldn’t be more delighted to expose a daily dose of gift giving - all the way to Christmas morning.
Here’s our pick so far for 2018 and why we love them:
1. The Body Shop Ultimate Advent Calendar
What you’ll get: a daily dose of nourishing beauty products to feed your skin and your soul.
How much: $250
Why we love it: The enchantment of the enormous gated box alone is the most beautiful thing to behold, filled with individually numbered and decorated boxes to explore.
Where to buy: Online or at Body Shop stores
*Other price points include the “Deluxe Advent Calendar” for $150 and the “Beauty Advent Calendar” for $100
2. Lego Star Wars Advent calendar
What you’ll get: Minifigures, starships, vehicles and other collectibles.
How much: $37.49
Why we love it: For Lego’s ability to reinvent itself year after year, creating timeless fun that can be added to existing collections and cherished for a lifetime.
Where to buy: Myer online or instore
3. Jelly Belly Candy Advent calendar
What you’ll get: Numbered compartments filled with a triangular packet of jelly beans – a different flavour each day.
How much: $23.99
Why we love it: It’s a great gluten-free, gelatine-free, nut-free alternative to chocolate.
Where to buy: Myer
4. L’Occitane Magic Premium Advent calendar
What you’ll get: Mini or travel-sized soaps, hand creams, lotions and fragrances from the best of L’Occitane collection.
How much: $165
Why we love it: Everyone loves L’Occitane quality and this fun design of hidden drawers adds to the delight in discovery!
Where to buy: Online or from L’Occitane stores
5. Net-A-Porter The Ultimate Advent calendar
What you’ll get: The best in makeup, hair and skincare in 25 individual beauty boosts, boxed and ribboned in a stylish monochrome gated gift box.
How much: $239.25
Why we love it: It’s super-sized, it’s super-luxe… what’s not to love?!
Where to buy: Net-A-Porter
“Instead of chocolate guilt, we get to count down to the holiday season via the medium of pampering products”
Net-A-Porter
6. Advent calendar candle set
What you’ll get: 1 votive holder and 24 scented tealight candles
How much: $12
Why we love it: It’s a lovely idea as an alternative to plastic toys and chocolate, giving a moment’s pause each day.
Where to buy: Kmart
7. Christmas Advent calendar
What you’ll get: Brightly painted wooden Santa sleigh decorated advent calendar with numbered drawers 1-24 to fill yourself.
How much: $20
Why we love it: Nice and compact, a festive decoration that serves a fun purpose too!
Where to buy: Target online or in stores
8. The ASOS Grooming Advent calendar
What you’ll get: A mix of masculine skin- and haircare for the man in your life – young or old with brands such as Lab Series, Clinique and Uppercut.
How much: $60
Why we love it: Because there are only 12 windows so it’s never too late to start (or buy two!)
Where to buy: ASOS
9. Blame it on the Twelve Days of Christmas Advent calendar
What you’ll get: 12 different flavoured teas “to kidnap the tastebuds of unsuspecting tea lovers” – each day includes 2 tea bags.
How much: $28
Why we love it: It’s another great alternative to chocolate, encourages a quiet moment with a cup of tea and you can mix it up with the ASOS Advent calendar above to make up your 24 days…
Where to buy: T2
10. Mini House Advent calendar
What you’ll get: A sweet decorative wall piece with rows of little MDF houses.
How much: $12
Why we love it: It’s reusable so a nice tradition to start by filling the houses with your choice of notes, treats or activities for your children to grow with and discover each year.
Where to buy: Kmart
11. Wine Advent calendar
What you’ll get: A selection of seven De Bortoli wine varieties including 12 x 187ml piccolos and 12 x 200ml piccolos.
How much: $129
Why we love it: Wine not?!
Where to buy: DeBortoli online
12. Drinks by the Dram
What you’ll get: 12 cute little wax-sealed bottles (30ml = 1 dram) of premium spirits - exceptional Scotch whiskies, interesting and botanical gins or rum from around the world – your choice of either
- Twelve days of Ginmas
- Twelve Scotch Whiskies of Christmas, or
- Twelve rums of Christmas
How much: $99.45
Why we love it: It’s the perfect gift for the spirit aficionados in your life - the packs include rare, award-winning and world-renowned classics - choose their favourite tipple!
Where to buy: BoozeBud
13. Acts of Kid-ness advent calendar bags and cards
What you’ll get: 1 x set of 25 calendar bags numbered in festive silver and gold + 1 x set of 25 cards with messages to foster "kid-ness" - simple, fun activities to bring families together.
How much: $44.95
Why we love it: Support a worthy charity and great for families to be in the moment at Christmas, sparing a thought for others less fortunate.
Where to buy: Camp Quality
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