FYI: We're officially about five weeks away from Christmas! Those eager to spread cheer and joy ahead of the holiday season are stocking up on matching family pajamas and daydreaming about hunkering down with puzzles, board games and piping mugs of hot cocoa and mulled wine. Recently, though, one of the most popular ways to escalate the excitement as Santa heads near is the beloved Advent calendar. The best Advent calendars are ones that combine their love of the holidays with their favorite movie, show, or perhaps their favorite beauty brand.
Advent calendars can take a variety of forms, styles and budgets, from calendars designed for wine lovers and skin care obsessives to fun ones that would make great gifts for kids — and of course, the classic chocolate option.
To help you decide on the perfect Advent calender for you (or your loved ones), style and lifestyle expert Brittney Levine joined Hoda and Jenna to reveal some of the best options currently on the market.
From intricate beauty Advent calendars to options filled with crafts, toys, mini jams and more, shop the best Advent calendars of 2023 below.
Seen on TODAY | Unique Advent calendars | Candy, sweets and chocolate | Beauty Advent calendars | For kids and babies | For teens | For dogs and cats | Tea and coffee Advent calendars | Wine and beer Advent calendars | Classic Advent calendars
Advent calendars seen on TODAY
Swift Advent Box
Got a Swiftie in your life? Gift them 13 or 24 days of Taylor Swift-themed products ranging from a “Fearless” necklace to the friendship bracelets that were popular during Swift’s Eras Tour. There’s even a branded mug and Taylor-themed stickers so your loved one can rep their favorite artist wherever they go.
The "Scandi" Sharing Kindness Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for a non-traditional Advent calendar or want to embrace a new routine with your family during the holidays, consider the Scandi Sharing Kindness Calendar. Celebrate the holidays with 25 days of kindness and self-reflective activities, which offer you and your little one opportunities for more meaningful ways to spend time together. This calendar comes in various themes such as New York Ice Skating, Limited Edition 2023 Paris, Aussie Summer and Snowy Scandi. This different approach to the advent calendar is supposed to educate the whole family on the power of meaningful gifts.
12 Days Of Mischief Advent Calendar
Calling all makeup enthusiasts! Whether you’re searching for a gift for the beauty obsessed or simply want to add to your own collection, this advent calendar checks every box. The 12 Days of Mischief Advent Calendar includes the brand’s lip plumper, primer, brow gel and more, which can all be used to perfect the best holiday look.
Pokémon Deluxe Holiday Calendar 2023 Battle Figure Multipack
In the Pokémon world, you “gotta catch 'em all.” That just became easier with this 24-day advent calendar. Each day reveals a new Pokémon figure or accessory such as a Holiday Pikachu or Snorunt Figure for you or your favorite Pokémon enthusiast to enjoy.
Most Wonderful Wine Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for a good white elephant gift, know someone who adores a good glass of vino or simply want to enhance your own palate, this advent calendar is perfect for any wine connoisseur. For 24 days, you get to enjoy sample sizes of various wines from all over the world.
Andy Warhol 12 Days of Puzzles Christmas Countdown
This Andy-Warhol-themed advent calendar combines art and strategy and features some of the artist’s most iconic holiday prints and drawings. With 12 80-piece puzzles, this calendar allows family and friends to work together in solving creative and tricky puzzles each day leading up to the holidays.
Le Mini Macaron 12 Days of Nails Advent Calendar
Craving a trip to the nail salon? Need a relaxing spa-day at home? Or maybe you're searching for the perfect gift for that friend who always has flawless polish on their nails. If so, look no further. This advent calendar includes various nail colors and accessories such as nail stickers and a sanding sponge.
Unique Advent calendars
Peanuts 15 Days of Socks Advent Calendar
Who doesn't love cute Christmas socks? With this affordable Peanuts themed collection from Target, you're getting 15 pairs!
Twist Stationary Countdown to Christmas Movie Marathon Advent
For the movie buff who can never stop quoting "Home Alone" or "The Grinch," gift them this bestselling movie countdown chock full of trivia that might have them stumped. Reviewers love them because they're "beautifully made" and arrive quickly as well.
Rifle Paper Co. Snow Globe Advent Calendar
If you're not a big fan of putting up a tree each year, opt for this unique Advent calendar pick from Rifle Paper Co. It features 25 doors that open to reveal surprise illustrations, and is stamped in metallic gold foil to add an extra pop of color to your home.
Uncommon Goods Puzzle Advent Calendar
Recently appearing on Shop TODAY's Hot List, each day brings with it new puzzle pieces to solve one large puzzle, the end result revealing itself after the holidays. Each numbered door looks into a window of an apartment building, showing off a cute wintry brownstone on the front.
"Elf" Movie Advent Calendar
Don't be a cottonheaded ninnymuggins and miss the opportunity to gift your favorite elf with this Advent calendar, which gives them the chance to be surprised with 25 accessories based off the movie.
12 Days of Gourmet Nuts Advent Calendar
If they go nuts for nuts, they'll never go back to the street vendors once they get a taste of the gourmet varieties featured in this Advent calendar.
With options like salted pistachios, coconut curry peanuts, butter cinnamon pecans and more unique mouthwatering selections, they'll want to order more from the brand's distinct array of products.
Arteza Fine Art Advent Calendar
Whether they regularly dabble in creative hobbies or just getting their feet wet, this Advent calendar for Arteza is ideal for artists at any skill level. Available in 12- and 24-day iterations, each countdown includes all kinds of art tools so they could easily create their next masterpiece.
Book Christmas Advent Calendar
Choose between 12 genres of books, from mysteries and thrillers to poetry that'll retrospectively get you through the season, this homemade Advent calendar includes 25 books to unwrap.
Uncommon Goods Shower Steamer Advent Calendar
If self-care is their preferred way to spend a Saturday, gift them with this shower steamer Advent calendar that will help them feel relaxed going into the busiest time of the year. With a mixture of floral and citrus scents, they can choose to use it as a body scrub or disintegrate in the shower.
Voluspa 12-Day Calendar Advent Calendar
A candle a day keeps calm at bay with this 12-day candle Advent calendar from Voluspa. These mini candles burn for about 25 hours each, meaning you will have good smelling atmospheres well past the holiday season.
Apotheke Candle Advent Calendar
For 25 days of smells that are hard to pass up, gift them (or yourself!) with this Apotheke Advent calendar, ready with premium candles, diffusers and accessories to unwrap.
Originating in Brooklyn, New York, Apotheke has solidified a name for itself as a luxury candle brand, and it surely shows through in the packaging and details included in this splurge-worthy Advent calendar.
Candy, sweets and chocolate Advent calendars
Walker's Shortbread Advent Calendar
Whether they like pairing shortbread with their morning tea or evening scotch or just like to savor it solo, Walker's classic countdown will please any kind of cookie lover. While its approach is traditional by today's Advent calendar standards (the biggest surprise is the shortbread shape behind each door), you'll feel good knowing each day will be a guaranteed treat.
Tony's Chocolonely Countdown Calendar
If they're the sort of person who keeps sweet treats in their work desk, this assortment from Tony's Chocolonely with individually wrapped candies will be right up their alley. Beyond classic milk and dark chocolates the fair trade brand is renowned for, they'll also find out-of-the-ordinary varieties they wouldn't treat themselves to on. a daily basis.
Williams Sonoma The Grinch Advent Calendar
Their hearts might grow three sizes when they open their way through this Grinch-themed holiday countdown calendar. Awaiting behind every door are a variety of treats that Whovillians can't get enough of — twisty caramels and gummy rings and stars, to start.
Bonne Maman 2023 Limited Edition Advent Calendar
Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach loves this bestselling option from Bonne Maman, which features mini jams and honey, to change up your morning routine and enjoy with your coffee or tea.
See's Candies 2023 Advent Calendar
Several members of the Shop TODAY team swear by See's Candies for all kinds of holiday gifting, so we're thrilled to nibble our way through their Advent calendar this year. The brand promises a generous mix of timeless treats and a few special surprises just for the holidays.
XO Marshmallow Holiday Advent Calendar
If they cannot pass up a "daily sweet treat," similar to the reviewers, then this Advent calendar is a "MUST." With 24 marshmallow flavors to try each day, their sweet tooth is sure to be satisfied with the likes of caramel, cookies and cream, gingerbread, funfetti and other flavors.
Sugarfina Santa's Candy Shop Tasting Collection
Toys aren't the only things being made in Santa's workshop! Sugarfina's popular Advent calendar is back for another holiday season, and this year it's filled with tons of gummies, chocolates and other goodies the elves would rather pocket themselves.
Williams Sonoma 24 Days of Baking Cookies
Whether your family is whipping up dozens of colorful sugar cookies or jam-filled linzer tarts during the holiday, this Advent calendar is hiding all the essentials you'll need for optimal holiday baking success.
Bixby Winter in Maine Advent Calendar
Maine's known for many things — blueberries, lobsters, lighthouses — but they also have wonderful confections, courtesy of Bixby Chocolate. Their 24-day Advent calendar takes the tastebuds on a tour of sweets both quintessential (peppermint bark, milk and dark chocolate sea salt caramel) and unexpected (fig & balsamic, blueberry jam).
Lady M Festive Delights Advent Calendar
One of the most elaborate Advent calendars on our list comes from the confectionary experts at Lady M. While the brand is best known for their elaborate Mille Crêpe cakes, their elevated candies and mini crêpe biscuits (all found within this 24-day countdown along with delicate ornaments) are also not to be missed.
Harry & David Cookie Advent Calendar
Harry & David are well renowned for their baked goods, so savoring their prized cookies (we’re talking dark chocolate cherry, gingerbread sandwiches, raspberry galettes and much more) every day up to Christmas might make Santa a little jealous.
Mah Ze Dahr Advent Calendar
Looking to impress the urbanite in your life? With locations in New York City and the Washington, D.C., area, Mah Ze Dahr's rich Advent calendar — loaded with some of the bakery's prized sweets, chocolates, spice blends and many other surprises — is bound to impress.
Beauty Advent calendars
Que Bella 12 Days of Masking
A proper spa day sounds like the ideal gift for many, but an Advent calendar with a dozen pampering facial treatments at home — we're talking mud masks, peel-offs and more infused with natural ingredients and extracts — sounds like a worthy alternative.
12 Days of ChapStick Holiday Advent Calendar
Nobody wants chapped lips when they’re mingling under the mistletoe. Fortunately ChapStick’s got any lovebird covered with their budget-friendly Advent calendar with a dozen seasonal and classic formulas like sugar cookie, clover honey and passion fruit.
Ulta Beaty 15 Days of Holiday Faves
"LOVE LOVE LOVE, so cute & such a good value," one verified Target shopper proclaimed about this loaded Advent filled with ample surprised. Beauty maven should anticipate staples from brands like Tula, Ouai, Tarte and much more.
Revolution 25 Days of Glam Advent Calendar
Ready to sleigh the holidays away with the perfect glam look? Revolution Beauty's got you covered with their makeup-loaded countdown, filled with 20 full-sized and five travel-sized beauty essentials and viral products you may have seen on TikTok.
The Crème Shop x Hello Kitty 10 Days of Supercute Beauty
Hello Kitty has been a pop culture mainstay for generations, so Sanrio fans young and old may want to throw this affordable K-beauty Advent calendar in their carts sooner than later. Included in the 10-day countdown are all kinds of pampering essentials, from a cushy spa headband to blenders and blotting papers perfect for abrupt beauty emergencies.
Huda Beauty House of Huda 12-Day Advent Calendar
Score premium beauty products in the 12 days leading up to the holidays with Huda Beauty's House of Huda Advent calendar. From hydrating eye patches to long lashes, this calendar comes with ample amount of makeup to feel fancy and dolled up ahead of the new year.
Advent calendars for kids and babies
Melissa and Doug Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
A hands-on way for kids to get into the holiday spirit, this wooden tree from toymaker Melissa & Doug makes keeping track of Santa easy with 24 magnetic ornaments. Be sure to read the Christmas poem on the back!
Atdawn Dinosaurs Advent Calendar
Have a dinosaur lover on your hands? This Advent calendar (temporarily out of stock, but you can still add to cart until it's available again) includes 24 adorable prehistoric friends and a surprise squishy dinosaur on the final day of the countdown.
National Geographic Rock Collection Advent Calendar
For the child who is always asking for souvenir rocks at museum gift shops, gift them with this Advent calendar that includes 24 days worth of rocks, from gemstones to fossils and minerals.
Harry Potter Holiday Magic Advent Calendar
Unveil a myriad of magical accessories in this 25-day Advent calendar, perfect for the Potterhead in your life. From trading cards to miniature coloring books, they'll relive the magic of the movies and the books each day in December.
Sesame Street Advent Calendar Storybook Collection
What better way to count down to the holidays then by introducing your little one to some classic Sesame Street characters? All 24 books are individually wrapped in a paper sleeve to keep every story leading up to Christmas a surprise!
L.O.L. Surprise Advent Calendar
Your child will love to mix and match 25 bold outfits, shoes, accessories and other fashionable finds found inside this Advent calendar on their Makeover Babe 2.0 doll.
5 Surprise Mini Brands Advent Calendar
Mini Brands are all the rage for collectors everywhere. With 24 days to see if they can score the mini products they don’t already have, this has quickly earned the title as the most gifted Advent calendar on Amazon.
Barbie Cutie Reveal Advent Calendar
With 25 days to build up to the perfect doll to accessorize and play with, the Barbie fan in your life will have fun mixing and matching wintry frocks and accessories — not to mention a pretty awesome costume to boot. They'll also be delighted by the other cute surprises waiting for them inside!
Playmobil Christmas Under the Rainbow Advent Calendar
Giving Christmas an extra magical touch this season is Playmobil, who recently came out with this imaginative Advent calendar featuring a golden Pegasus, princesses ready to twirl their feathery skirts, the sweetest snowman and so much much.
Lego Friends Advent Calendar
Lego Advent calendars are always a popular choice for brickmasters of all ages! This newly-released Friends calendar will help you build a winter wonderland filled with reindeer, snowmen and holiday-related festivities.
Nintendo Super Mario Pop-Up Environment Advent Calendar
Mamma mia, a new Nintendo Advent calendar! This one takes Mario, Peach, Yoshi and the rest of the gang through the Mushroom Kingdom and features several other iconic characters and accessories.
Kids Crafts Countdown to Christmas Felt Craft Kit Advent Calendar
With 25 felt crafts in various holiday characters and accessories such as Santa, a reindeer, penguins and more, they'll have a new craft to do each day leading up to the holiday. Included in this kit is everything they need to complete each one, minus the glue stick or tape to fasten the pieces together. Order this kit now to be shipped in September, so you have it just in time for the wintry months.
Plus-Plus Advent Calendar
Create and build a Christmas scene with over 600 3D puzzle pieces included in this set for children ages five and older. This kit includes instructions on how to create characters such as snow people, reindeers and other items such as a log cabin and pine trees.
Lego "Harry Potter" Advent Calendar
This "Harry Potter"–themed calendar is sure to be a hit with wizards, muggles and Lego lovers alike! This set comes with mini figures of popular characters like Harry, Moaning Myrtle and Neville Longbottom, as well as several accessories and decorations.
Funko Pop! Disney Advent Calendar
Disney lovers can't get enough of Mickey Mouse, Pluto and the rest of their friends, so this swell Funko Advent calendar — featuring two dozen Pocket Pops! decked out for the holidays — will surely bring about tons of good cheer.
Advent calendars for teenagers
Da Bomb Bath Merry Fizzmas Advent Calendar
Because teens deserve a self-care moment (or 12). Launched by a pair of teenager "sisterpreneurs," the fizzy countdown features a dozen of the brand's signature surprise-filled bath bombs.
American Eagle Fashion and Jewelry Advent Calendar
For six days of surprises, gift your teen with this jewelry Advent calendar from American Eagle that includes everything they need to elevate any outfit, from dainty to dangly earrings, new necklaces and bracelets.
Hickory Farms 12 Days of Hot Cocoa Bombs Advent Calendar
Chilly nights equal piping mugs filled with something decadent and soul-warming like hot chocolate. In preparation for many nights like that ahead, Hickory Farms curated a sweet spread of a dozen hot cocoa bombs in three indulgent flavors inside this 12-day countdown calendar.
Amish Country 12 Days of Popcorn
With four different seasonings and eight popcorn blends to add variety to their nightly snack time, they’ll have fun mixing and matching flavors to find one that suits their fancy. From rainbow to mushroom kernels to dill pickle and salted caramel seasonings, reviewers enjoyed this Amazon Advent calendar because “it’s fun to decide what kind is next” once you’ve unveiled them all.
EXIT: The Game Advent Calendar
POV: You’ve been spending all year getting ready for Christmas, only for a pending snowstorm and an empty workshop to almost destroy all your hard work and the holiday itself. To save it, unveil a new riddle each day to get you closer to figure out where your team is and how to save Christmas in the nick of time.
This storytelling game will keep children and adults alike on their feet as they try to solve riddles each day leading up to Christmas — if you manage to save it! P.S. This option is currently on backorder, so sign up for notifications once they’re in stock.
Funko Advent Calendar: “The Office”
Fans of “The Office” will adore this sweet Funko Advent calendar filled with limited-edition figures from the iconic comedies series. The characters are placed randomly, so you’ll never know who to expect.
Pura Vida 12-Day Advent Box
The stylish teen probably already knows Pura Vida for their sweet accessories, so 12 days of bracelets and other cute treats (adding up to a $196 value, according to the brand) sounds like the perfect pre-Christmas drop to us.
Advent calendars for dogs and cats
12 Days of Woofmas Milkbone Advent Calendar
For 12 days of crunchy, classic Milkbone treats, the miniature treats incorporate festive shapes, from stockings to Christmas trees. They also come in the traditional red and green holiday colors as well.
You don't have to feel bad about indulging in your dog's sweet tooth, because these treats work double time by nourishing them and cleaning their teeth as they chew. Bone appetit!
DreamBone Furry Christmas Advent Calendar
Meat and vegetable treats, oh my! Your furry friend will think every day is a holiday with the treats included within this Advent calendar from DreamBone.
Merry Makings Advent Calendar Chew for Dogs
One treat is never enough when it comes to your furry BFF, so they'll be delighted to have 25 days' worth of extra treats to look forward to. Have feline friends instead? There's also Advents for catnip and toys available, as well.
Midlee Cat Toy Advent Calendar
Your favorite feline deserves to be showered with more playthings. This 12-day countdown features a dozen different toys that scream holidays — we're talking snowmen, shiny mice, an assortment of balls and more, all including a bit of catnip.
Fancy Feast Feastivities Advent Calendar
With broths, purees, treat boxes and a plethora of wet food featuring their favorite flavors and ingredients, your feline friend will have a delicious December thanks to this Advent calendar.
Tea and coffee Advent calendars
Good & Gather Holiday Coffee Countdown
A good light roast is the perfect way to start the day for many casual coffee connoisseurs, and this affordable Advent calendar has plenty of variety (and single-serve Keurig pods) to give them enough jolt to start the day.
Yawn Brew Coffee Advent Calendar
With this 24-day Advent calendar from Etsy, you'll be doing just the opposite of yawning. Options to gift French press coffees, ground coffee or beans, you can't go wrong with this coffee calendar. P.S. They also make tea and hot chocolate Advent calendars, too!
Nespresso Vertuo Advent Calendar
Coffee lovers most likely have a Nespresso Vertuo on their wish list this year, so an Advent calendar filled with an assortment of pod flavors would be the perfect complementary gift to go with it. Inside this limited-edition box are crowd-pleasing blends and festive sips, plus a special coffee mug to savor it all in.
DavidsTea 24 Trips with Tea Advent Calendar
While Santa may not be able to fit a full-blown vacation in his velvet sack, he can definitely fit this wanderlust-inspired Advent calendar in there. The 24-day countdown is inspired by global traditions and flavors, taking your palate everywhere from from Saigon to North Africa to the United Kingdom to Mount Everest.
Tea Forte Warming Joy Advent Calendar
Tea Forte is a perennial favorite amongst cozy sippers when it comes to gifting, so this charming collection of 24 unique "winter warmers" is sure to be a delight. The assortment includes seasonal samplings like raspberry ganache, sweet orange spice and cherry marzipan!
Wine, beer and spirits Advent calendars
Give Them Beer Advent Calendar
With a dozen different beers from breweries across the nation, from ales to stouts and IPAs, they won't go bored experimenting with new flavors!
In Good Taste Wine Calendar
Do you like to unwind after a stressful day with a little wine? If so, Brach says you’ll enjoy “24 days of tastings” during the holidays with this wine calendar. From Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir, the brand says the mini bottles are sourced from all over, including Sicily and California.
WSJ Wines of the World Advent Calendar
For the wine enthusiast or the one looking to expand their palette, this Advent calendar features 24 miniature bottles of wines from France, Spain, Argentina and other countries.
From bubbly to white wines, reds and more, what makes this Advent calendar even more tempting to try is the free shipping. Cheers!
Classic Advent calendars
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Advent Calendar
Fans of Ree Drummond will recognize the decorated restaurant and general store that serves as the inspiration for this super affordable Advent calendar. Move her beloved Basset Hound Charlie from day to day as you and the family get closer to Christmastime.
Candy Stripe Advent Candle
Instead of opening doors every day until Christmas, how about counting down by way of candle? Advent candles are more commonly seen around European households as a daily reminder to prep ahead for the holidays, but you can bring the tradition into your home with this candy cane-inspired candle that’ll complement the rest of your cheery decor.
Leatherhead Laser Work "Die Hard" Advent Calendar
Move Hans Gruber down the building as we get closer to the holiday in this "Die Hard" wooden Advent calendar. Reviewers love this "super cool piece" whose "quality and craftsmanship" are worth the price.
HearthSong Wooden Gingerbread Advent House
A gingerbread house has its charms, but we guarantee the one you're making from scratch can't be filled with daily goodies. This version from HearthSong has 24 drawers for all kinds of treats and trinkets, plus it'll last you longer than the edible version.
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" Light-Up Advent Calendar
Countdown to the hap-hap-happiest Christmas you can imagine with Pottery Barn's Advent calendar paying tribute to one of the funniest holiday movies ever created. Various nods to the Griswolds' chaotic Christmas are featured in this illustrated homescape, plus it lights up (because what's a "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" Advent calendar without impeccable exterior illumination?)!