The Best Advent Calendars

Treat all the mini scientists in your life to 24 days of intellectual exploration. This National Geographic advent calendar is filled with 13 experiments and 11 gemstones to collect — pouch included. Our favorite feature: Geologists will be able to put their skills to the test and dig out a special stone on the last day.

Get cozy and keep your mind busy with these mini jigsaw puzzles. Each present box is filled with puzzles to form a nostalgic holiday scene: Santa coming down from the chimney, people opening presents, and families decorating the Christmas tree. When you’re done, you can put all 24 puzzles together to create a picture of Christmas day viewed through apartment windows.

Need we say more? This 12-day calendar from Murray’s Cheese features several different cheeses, from gruyere to truffle cheddar, as well as jams and crackers to pair them with. Consider your next dinner party app or Girl Dinner sorted.

Celebrate the holidays with the whole crew, including Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Elsa, and other Disney princesses. Behind each window is a milk chocolate in the shape of a beloved Disney character, sure to delight any child.

Take a step into the Wizarding World with an advent calendar crafted with secret drawers. A special key will reveal test tubes and colorful bottles filled with jewelry, accessories, and Harry Potter keepsakes. How magical is that?

Treat yourself and your taste buds to an advent calendar stocked with various spreads, jelly, and honey. We won’t blame you if you find yourself taste-testing them all. Each year’s calendar features new exclusive flavors and a charming illustrated Christmas scene perfect for a classy gift. Bon appétit.

This advent calendar is a beauty enthusiast’s dream. Allow them to sample the best products of 2025 with mini skincare, fragrance, makeup, and more from brands such as L’Occitane, Supergoop!, Phlur, and Caudalie. It’s a little under $100, but the products inside are valued at more than $300. Great bang for your buck.

Before the end of the year, take a last-minute trip around the globe with this advent calendar filled with 24 premium whiskey flights. In addition to 50 ml vials, this sophisticated calendar includes two Glencairn glasses and a tasting booklet describing the various Kentucky bourbon, rye, scotch, Japanese whiskey, and more included liquors.

Rejoice, Papier fans: the brand’s cult-favorite advent calendar is back. For 24 days, open mini bestsellers and new stationery items, from journals and planners to ballpoint pens and stamps. Each product is thoughtfully wrapped in its own luxurious paper gift box, designed in London. The limited-edition calendar is known to sell out quickly, so don’t wait to buy yours.

If that Sephora girl is you, even better. The brand has released a premium advent calendar including 16 hair, makeup, skincare, and accessories from the Sephora collection. You’ll find covetable items like nourishing face masks, shimmering highlighters, and more. What better way to count down to the holidays than with some exclusive beauty goodies?

For the person who likes a tree with a sense of humor, gift them this ornament calendar. It’s filled with 12 retro-kitsch ornaments (think old-school TVs, a Jello mold, and a sliced ham) stuck with whimsical googly eyes and snarky sayings.

For a stylish, hygge home, you can’t do better than this Scandi-inspired advent calendar from West Elm. It’s a high-quality wooden structure adorned with cozy striped, Nordic floral, and candy cane designs. The 21 drawers are empty, so you can DIY it with any little candies or knickknacks you want to include. The best part? It’s reusable, so you can safely store it and bring it out every single holiday season.