33 Advent Calendars You Can Gift Yourself in 2023 (They’re Not Just for Kids!)
Countdown to Christmas with the best advent calendar ideas for adults‚ from the classic chocolate-filled version to popular beauty products from your favorite brands. Each door opens to reveal a delightful treat to pamper yourself (or your pet!)
Did you ever receive an advent calendar as a child?
I adored them.
Even though I’d only find a cheap piece of milk chocolate behind each flimsy cardboard door, I couldn’t wait to punch out the next day’s number as we counted down to the most magical day of the year.
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So just for fun, I searched for the advent calendar I remember growing up and guess what? They still make it!
What is an Advent Calendar?
Advent calendars are a fun Christmas tradition to help you count down the days to Christmas. You can either purchase one already made or make your own DIY advent calendar!
As you might expect, these calendars start on December 1st and typically go for a full 24 days, although some calendars might only feature 12 days.
Then each day, you open a small door or compartment to reveal a daily surprise—often a sweet treat, small trinket, or my personal favorite—beauty Then products! The excitement builds as anticipation grows, and its a festive way to mark the passing of the holiday season.
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A Recent Discovery
Last year, I watched an Instagram friend open up her advent calendar from Olive & June each day on Instagram and was introduced to the world of adult advent calendars.
Of course, by the time I saw her post, we had marched well into December. But I vowed that next year, I’d jump on this festive trend and grab my own. I purchased the Bare Minerals advent calendar and woke up to a new makeup or skin care item every day. It was one of my favorite Christmas activities that year!
24 surprise gifts not only adds to the magic of the season, they also brings child-like delight to the days leading up to Christmas. Anticipatory joy is real. (It’s why I’m such a huge fan of bucket lists for mental health!
I love that advent calendars are not just for kids anymore.
So out of the dozens of adult advent calendars out there, I pulled the very best for this post—from classic Christmas sweet treats to more unique options—to make this year’s countdown to Christmas day better than ever.
You’re going to love these advent calendar ideas for adults!
HEADS UP: Most companies only make a small number of advent calendars per year because they don’t want extra inventory. That means calendars sell out quickly. So if you want a specific one, scoop it up now before they run out!
33 Delightful Advent Calendar Ideas for Adults
Enjoy this thoughtfully curated selection of fun advent calendar ideas across multiple categories, including advent calendars just for your furry friends! You’re bound to find something fun to help you celebrate this magical season.
Food Advent Calendars
Williams Sonoma peppermint bark advent calendar
Melt-in-your-mouth peppermint bark every day for 24 days. Can you imagine? Plus, they rotate in four different mini character shapes!
Keurig coffee advent calendar
Brew holiday magic all Christmas season long with this festive and flavorful way to try a new cup of coffee (or cocoa!) every day. Not a coffee drinker? Grab a tea advent calendar instead.
Mini Fruit Spread advent calendar
Each day reveals a special jar of jam or honey, including exclusive new holiday flavors that every foodie will love.
24 Tastes of Christmas advent calendar
Is there anything more classic than candy? You get FOUR pieces of candy per box, making for a delightful sweet treat every day.
Harry & David deluxe advent calendar
Discover a sweet surprise inside every drawer from gourmet truffles to mini mints. A luxury upgrade to the classic chocolate advent calendar!
Gourmet Popcorn advent calendar
Who doesn’t love a holiday popcorn tin? Try this twist on the classic holiday tradition by tasting a surprise popcorn flavor each day!
Williams Sonoma Cookie Advent Calendar
Baking Christmas cookies just got more fun! This kit from Williams Sonoma includes cookie cutters, spatulas, piping bags, decorating tips and more!
Hot Cocoa Advent Calendar
Sweeten up your holiday season with hot cocoa made with real chocolate flakes! You can even choose between dark chocolate and milk chocolate flavors.
Beauty Advent Calendars
nYX holiday advent calendar
Get 14 of NYX’s iconic bestsellers in mini AND full sizes. These products are limited-edition, so grab them while you can!
Olive & June Nail Polish advent calendar
This popular beauty brand offers a ton of variety within their calendar from polish to nail stickers to press-on nails. It’s the perfect starter set from O&J!
Anthropologie advent calendar
Grab $350 worth of beauty products from brands like Phlur and Sunday Riley. All in a stunning, whimsical package.
The Body Shop advent calendar
Open 25 body-loving treats to pamper yourself all Christmas season long. The unique construction of this calendar means you can reuse it long after the holidays.
Sephora advent calendar
Discover 24 makeup products, skin care items, and bath accessories from Sephora. This calendar is full of exciting surprises that are sure to add holiday cheer!
Body and Earth Beauty Calendar
Practice a little Self Care and choose earth friendly products with this lovely advent calendar that features themed gifts made from natural ingredients. With things like Christmas Socks to a glitter bath bomb and bath salt, this is an excellent choice.
12 Days of Bath Advent Calendar
Treat yourself to a luxurious bath with the 12 Days of Bath Advent Calendar. From candles to bath bombs, this calendar will melt away all the holiday stress.
Bare Minerals Advent Calendar
Full of clean beauty essentials, this calendar includes 4 full -size and 8 mini-size makeup and skin care products. These products are limited-edition, so grab them while you can!
Burt’s Bees Advent Calendar
Leave your lips feeling moisturized with this Burt’s Bees Advent calendar! Try 12 different lip balm scents that leave a tint-free, matte finish.
Advent Calendars for Men
Star Wars Lego advent calendar
Filled with 24 mini builds, the Star Wars nerd in your life can celebrate the season with his favorite characters. These are the perfect little gifts!
The Office Socks advent calendar
Do you love The Office? Show off your fandom with 12 days of Office-themed socks, just for men.
Unique Advent Calendars
Christmas Movie advent calendar
Each box contains one of 24 Christmas movies for you to watch combined with a bit of trivia. You can personalize the card sleeve too!
Harry Potter Holiday Magic Advent Calendar
Celebrate the holidays with a magical advent calendar and book filled with all your favorite surprises in The Official Advent Calendar 2023 Edition from the Wizarding World.
Brain Teaser advent calendar
Complete a new challenge every day with this Christmas countdown calendar. This one is fun for all age groups!
Puzzle advent calendar
Put together one square of a holiday-themed puzzle every day. At the end of advent, you’ll have a gorgeous wintery scene!
Exit Game advent calendar
EXIT is known for their fun escape rooms in a box. Each door reveals a new riddle to solve so you know which door to open next. Joseph and I did this adult advent calendar together last year!
Christmas Stocking stitch along advent calendar
Stitch this adorable embroidery design one stocking at a time leading up to Christmas day. Perfect for anyone who loves needlepoint!
The Book Lover’s Advent Calendar
These bookish gifts are created for book lovers! Open 25 fun surprises including book-themed ornaments, bookmarks, stickers, and more!
Erin Condren Advent Calendar
Embellish your planner or journal with 12 unique stationary accessories from Erin Condren. Bonus: the gorgeous reusable box is perfect for storing your stickers and pens!
Advent Calendars for Dogs & Cats
DreamBone Chews advent calendar for Dogs
Spoil your dog with 24 chewy treats that offer all the benefits of rawhide, WITHOUT the rawhide.
Frisco advent calendar for Cats
Get ready for some kitty playdates with this Christmas countdown calendar for cats! It includes 12 different holiday themed toys for all types of play.
Refillable Advent Calendars
Gingerbread House Advent Calendar
Create a homemade advent calendar with this wooden gingerbread house! Hide tiny toys or sweet treats and refill each year with advent calendar fillers.
Woodland Advent Calendar
For those of us who love the outdoors, this reusable advent calendar is a great addition to your holiday tradition!
Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
Spruce up the Christmas season with this decorative reusable advent calendar! Easily add tiny treats behind 25 cute little doors.
I’m torn as to what advent calendar to order this year—it’s a tie between Olive & June and Ulta’s self-care box! But I also love the idea of a DIY calendar that can be reused year after year. I just need to give Joseph some stellar advent calendar filler ideas.
No matter which one I get, I’m 100% IN on this fun tradition!
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Let’s Chat
Did you have your own advent calendar growing up? What do you think of the trend for adults?
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Thanks for the article on advent calendars. I love that it’s not all food related, and divided into categories—beauty, adult, men, reusable, etc.
it’s so hard to think of big gifts (other than money) for teens and men in my life. This helps!
You’re most welcome!
Thank you for your article on 19 Advent Calendars You Can Gift Yourself This Season (They’re Not Just for Kids!) Chris
Owner CEL Financial Services IRS Registered Tax Preparer Registered bonded California CTEC Tax Preparer https://incometaxprepfillmore.com