The Best Advent Calendars
for Every Person & Budget

The most popular advent calendars — especially beauty, LEGO, and alcohol sets — consistently sell out by late October or early November. We recommend purchasing in September or early October to guarantee you get your first choice. Many brands now offer pre-orders starting in August. If you miss the initial rush, check back in mid-November as some retailers restock.

In most cases, yes — especially beauty and food advent calendars. Many beauty calendars contain products worth 2–3× the purchase price. For example, a $130 LOOKFANTASTIC calendar might contain over $350 in products. The key is to look at the actual product value, not just the count of items. Calendars with 24 tiny samples aren't always better than 12 with full-size products.

Beauty and skincare advent calendars are the most-searched and best-selling category, followed closely by chocolate/food and LEGO. However, in recent years, alcohol advent calendars (especially craft beer and gin) have exploded in popularity. Pet advent calendars have also seen huge growth as people want to include their animals in the holiday countdown.

Traditionally, advent calendars start on December 1st and run through December 24th (Christmas Eve). However, there's no rule against starting early — especially if you want to ensure you don't miss any days. Some advent calendars also run through December 25th with a special bonus door for Christmas Day.

Absolutely. Advent calendars are one of the best gifts you can give in November or early December because they provide 24 days of daily joy rather than a single moment. They're especially popular as gifts for partners, parents, kids, and friends. Choose a category that matches their interests — beauty for a skincare lover, craft beer for a beer enthusiast, LEGO for a child.