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It seems holiday advent calendars are here to stay.
Advent calendars, for those of you who didn’t go to Catholic school, are used to count down the days until the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus (i.e. Christmas!). Traditionally, these cardboard calendars featured tiny numbered flaps that, when opened, revealed a small religious photo or piece of chocolate (to keep the kids entertained).
Nowadays, though, there is an advent calendar for nearly every niche. From specialty teas and skincare products to fine jewelry and bottles of wine, brands have really capitalized on the pre-Christmas anticipation with uniquely designed calendars filled with a selection of surprise goodies.
24 Days of Wine? Yes, Please.
Spread some holiday cheer with Total Wine’s advent calendarSo we’ve rounded up the best advent calendars for 2025 that’d make a fun gift for yourself or anyone on your holiday shopping list this year. How do we know these, out of the bazillion advent calendars now on the market, are truly the best? Here at InsideHook HQ, we have a penchant for (okay, straight-up addiction to) advent calendars. Every day throughout the season, we all gather around a desk and eagerly open a new tab, revealing a fancy bookmark, a delectable piece of chocolate or a vessel of world-class whiskey. We rate these advent calendars, not only according to the quality of their contents but how thoughtfully and festively decorated the boxes themselves are.
While the countdown doesn’t start until Dec. 1, these boxes have a reputation for selling out quickly, so if one catches your eye, we suggest picking it up pronto.
For the sweet tooth:
Why we love it: This premium gift box features two dozen of Compartes’ award-winning chocolates, including a variety of festive flavors (think Cookies & Milk, Roasted Fig & Balsamic and Chestnut Praline), all handmade in Los Angeles. A luxurious offering for the sweet tooth in your life.
Why we love it: We’ve been purchasing and enjoying this calendar for years because, let’s be honest, is there anything more charming than a tiny jar of delicious jam? The advent calendar includes 24 days of jams and honey, and there are several new flavors that debut each year (Guava and Raspberry, anyone?).
For the wine-o:
Why we love it: Giftees will receive 24 days of expertly curated wines from around the globe. Varieties include Cabernets, Malbecs, Bordeaux blends, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios. And at just $80, this vino box is a steal.
Why we love it: Celebrate the countdown to the holiday season the correct way, with “the world’s first curated wine advent calendar.” This year, choose from two boxes each filled with pours of fabulous wine, hand-picked by Vinebox’s certified sommeliers and housed in fancy glass tubes. (You can also upgrade to 24 nights of wine for $199.)
For the whiskey snob:
Why we love it: Or if whiskey is more their (or your) speed, this calendar — valued at over $500 — features 24 world-class drams.
For the beauty lover:
Why we love it: Anthropologie’s beauty advent calendar was one of my favorites to unbox this year. The box stays true to the brand’s whimsical design (I almost didn’t want to rip them open!) and contains scents, skincare and makeup from top brands. Anthropologie also offers a 12-day calendar for just $50.
Why we love it: 12 days of Augustus Bader’s luxurious, most-loved formulas, wrapped in the brand’s signature blue and gold. It’s pricey — but an extremely impressive gift.
Beauty lovers, rejoice: FabFitFun’s annual advent calendar is back with 12 days of goodies to enjoy. This year features full-size items from brands like Hourglass, Korres and even a luxuriously scented candle from Siblings. It’s perfect to give yourself or someone in your life who is constantly looking for new skincare and beauty brands.
For the person who loves their jewels:
Why we love it: 12 days of glistening jewels, and each box contains your choice of gold or silver earrings, bracelets, necklaces and a $70 voucher to spend online or in-store.
For the person who always sends “thank you” cards:
Why we love it: Another advent calendar so beautifully designed, it almost hurts us to open each meticulously decorated box — but what’s inside is totally worth it. Designed in London and valued at $250, the stationery brand’s holiday calendar contains notebooks, notecards, paper clips, bookmarks and so many more desktop goodies.
For the scent-obsessed:
Why we love it: This holiday season, the Parisian house is offering an elevated, multi-sensory experience with various aromas. Designed in partnership with three artists, this box full of sensory enchantments includes the designer brand’s beloved candles, perfumes and body care items. The fun doesn’t stop after the 25th either; once everything is opened, the box transforms into a beautiful piece of storage.
Why we love it: A wheel of 25 little luxuries. This festive box includes a selection of mini colognes, candles, body care items and more celebratory surprises from cult-favorite beauty brand Jo Malone.
For the wellness junkie:
Why we love it: They’ll appreciate 24 days of zen with celeb-favorite yoga label Alo’s new advent calendar. From beauty items to workout gear, everything they need to incorporate a little more mindfulness during the stressful holiday season is here.
Why we love it: With limited-edition accessories, exclusive holiday goodies and even a diffuser, Saje’s soothing advent calendar will bring some much-needed mindfulness to the hectic holiday season.
For the foodie:
Why we love it: Fly By Jing offers our favorite Sichuan spicy chili sauces, crafted in Chengdu, China. They’re some of our go-to condiments for when we require a little extra kick, and now you can pick up a handful of jars and noodles in this very cute advent calendar.
Why we love it: This opulent countdown includes 12 mini drawers filled with 1oz tins of caviar and roe — perfect to split with a partner or for holiday hosting.
For that person who really loves puzzles … and The New Yorker:
Why we love it: The perfect way to count down to Christmas? Cozying up each night with a miniature puzzle, specifically one that features a festive New Yorker cover illustrating the comforts of winter.
For the overly caffeinated:
Why we love it: Ideal for the highly caffeinated, this surprise box features small-batch, award-winning, expertly roasted blends and single-origin coffees from Onyx Coffee Lab.
Why we love it: A must-have for any Nespresso machine owner.
For the tea drinker:
Why we love it: The premier global tea shop’s elegantly designed advent calendar looks as cozy as the 24 high-quality teas it holds.
For your lover:
Why we love it: Perfect for couples looking to enhance pleasure, explore bondage and kick their foreplay up a few notches, this limited-edition advent calendar (worth $600+) features 24 penis- and vulva-centric toys, including vibrators, BDSM accessories, anal toys and the Womanizer Classic 2 and We-Vibe Sync Lite, together worth $228.
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