I’m a Shopping Writer, and I Buy These Best-Selling Holiday Advent Calendars Every Year

As a shopping writer, I’ve covered enough holiday sales and gift guides to know what’s worth adding to cart, and what’s not worth the hype. While the gifts I buy for friends and family change every year, I tend to stick to my all-time favorites when it comes to advent calendars.

Over the past few years, advent calendars have exploded well beyond the penny-sized piece of chocolate they used to be. Now, you can score everything from beauty advent calendars with makeup and skincare to boozy advent calendars with wine or beer, so there really is something for everyone.

But if you wait much longer, you’ll miss out. The most popular advent calendars sell out almost every year, which is why you have to pre-order well before December. Take it from me—I do this for a living, and these are the advent calendars I shell out for every year.

Must-Have Advent Calendars to Shop

• Typology Advent Calendar 2023, $269
• Glasshouse Fragrances 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, $300
• BeanBox 12 Mornings of Coffee Advent Calendar, $85 
• Maker Wine 2023 Wine Advent Calendar, $119 (was $139)
• Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine Advent Calendar, $129 
• Tea Forte Merry and Bright Advent Calendar, $60
• L’Occitane Holiday Premium Calendar, $140
• Voluspa 12 Day Advent Calendar, $75
• Glow Recipe Best of Glow Wishlist Kit, $199
• Rifle Paper Co. Advent Calendar, $15
• Winter City Advent Calendar Ornament Set, $98
• Stitch A Day Advent Embroidery Calendar, $45
• Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar, $110
• Olive + June 8 Nights of Mani Magic, $55
• Beekman 1802 A Slice of Kindness Advent Calendar, $175 

Glasshouse Fragrances 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar 

The 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar by Glasshouse Fragrances might just be my favorite of all. Every day from December 1 to Christmas Eve, there is a gorgeous fragrance to unpack, whether that’s a mini candle, hand cream, lip balm, shower gel, or an aromatic eau de parfum. (There’s even an ornament for your tree, too!) This advent calendar has everything you need for a fragrant December, and each scented goodie is an indulgent way to self-care.

12 Mornings of Coffee Advent Calendar 

Now, I’m not really a coffee gal, though I do enjoy a cuppa joe every now and then, so the 12 Mornings of Coffee Advent Calendar from Bean Box is something my husband and I share throughout the month. He goes for the darker roasts, and I stay in my lane with flavors like Milk and Cookies. It keeps us caffeinated leading up to the holidays, plus each 1.8-ounce tasting bag brews up to six shareable mugs, so we can experience it together.

Bean Box is also doing something new this year, taking a page out of Willy Wonka’s book. Five golden bags of coffee will be randomly distributed among shoppers, and if you’re one of the lucky five, you’ll automatically score a free one-year Bean Box subscription!

Typology Advent Calendar 2023

Winter City Advent Calendar Ornament Set

The Winter City Advent Calendar Ornament Set is a more traditional take on the advent calendar, which is why I find it so endearing. There is a charming wooden townhouse ornament to unlock each day leading up to Christmas, and by the 25th, my tree is more decked-out than ever. The best part is that these wooden ornaments can be reused again and again, so I can keep the decorations for Christmases past, present, and future.

Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine Advent Calendar 

I hardly consider myself a wine connoisseur, but there is nothing like red wine and a dark chocolate truffle on a cozy winter night. Vinebox makes one of my all-time favorite advent calendars, and this year 12 Nights of Wine has undergone a bit of a makeover, with more customizability than before. Winos can choose from two options, either the Chill Collection (which includes white wines, roses, and chilled reds), or the Cozy Collection (an array of rich reds). Personally, I’ve got my eye on the Cozy Collection, because like I said, I intend to pair every glass vial of wine with a decadent chocolate.

Tea Forte Warming Joy Advent Calendar

Another drinkable calendar, the Tea Forte Warming Joy Advent Calendar comprises 24 artfully crafted tea bags. The beautiful red and gold packaging comes in the shape of a Christmas tree, so it looks like a present at first glance—and in a way, it is! I usually get one of these for myself, and one for my mom, so we can spend each December morning sharing a cup of tea over video chat, while we discuss our holiday plans.

Voluspa 12 Day Advent Calendar

The Voluspa 12 Day Advent Calendar is not to be missed, especially if you want the most bang for your buck. For 12 days, you’ll find a 1.25 ounce votive of one of Voluspa’s best selling scents (which you’ve likely sniffed a time or two at Anthropologie). If you don’t want a spoiler, then skip ahead to the next calendar, but if you’re curious as to what this one entails, some of the scents include Spiced Pumpkin Latte, Baltic Amber, Cinnamon Woods, and Forbidden Fig. If you’re like me and absolutely love lighting a candle every night, this 12-day candle calendar makes my whole house smell holiday-ready.

Keep reading for more of my favorite advent calendars, and remember to pre-order now before these sell out.

Maker Wine 2023 Wine Advent Calendar

Glow Recipe Best of Glow Wishlist Kit

Rifle Paper Co. Advent Calendar

Stitch a Day Advent Embroidery Calendar

Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar

Olive + June Hanukkah Calendar 

Beekman 1802 A Slice of Kindness Advent Calendar