ADVENT calendars have come a long way from the days of simple chocolates and tiny trinkets.
Today, they’re a festive indulgence, filled with everything from high-end skincare to cheese and wine, turning the countdown to Christmas into a luxurious experience.
The best Advent calendars for women in 2024, tried and tested.
For 2024, the industry has truly outdone itself, with a range of calendars designed to suit every style, budget and need.
As we approach the festive season, many of the top brands have released their highly anticipated Advent calendars, making it hard to know which ones are worth the investment.
Whether you’re looking to pamper yourself or gift a loved one, these Advent calendars offer more than just daily surprises in the lead-up to Christmas – they’re a great way to explore new products and brands at a fraction of their regular price.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which ones are actually worth it. To help you out, we’ve done the hard work for you by testing and reviewing the best Advent calendars for women in 2024.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious gift for someone special or a well-deserved treat for yourself, this guide covers the most exciting and indulgent options out there.
From the best in skincare to foodie must-haves, here’s our list of the best Advent calendars for women in 2024, starting with some we’ve personally tried and tested, followed by the best of the rest.
Best Advent Calendars for women: At a glance
Best make up advent calendar: MAC Cosmetics Beauty Advent Calendar, £180 (worth £439) - Best luxury advent calendar: Diptyque Paris Advent Calendar, £390 - Best jewellery advent calendar: Abbott Lyon 2024 Made More You Advent Calendar, £299 (worth £500) - Best beauty advent calendar: Beauty Advent Calendar, £250 (Worth £1,200) from Space NK - Best fitness advent calendar: My Protein Advent Calendar, £59.99 (worth £83.99) - Best craft advent calendar: LEGO Advent Calendar ,from £19.99 -
7 best Advent calendars for women, tried and tested
MAC 2024 Advent Calendar 2024
MAC's beauty advent is filled with bestsellers from the brand
Pros: 17 full-sized products and an impressive saving
Cons: It’s heavy on the lip products, so those that don’t like wearing lipsticks may feel limited
Rating: 4.5/5
Mac’s beauty Advent calendar has had an upgrade for 2024, with an impressive 17-full-sized products wrapped in the gorgeous gold gift packaging.
Behind the 24 doors you’ll find everything from lipsticks to eyeshadows, a mascara and an eyeshadow, although the focus is definitely on lip products.
There are 10 lip-related products in total with five lipsticks, which is great if you’re looking to try out some new shades, although I was surprised to see no sign of Velvet Teddy despite being MAC’s most iconic shade.
The colour choices throughout feel perfect for creating party season looks, with some everyday essentials thrown in too. The lack of base makeup makes the calendar suitable for all skin tones which is great.
The packaging has definitely had an upgrade for 2024. The luxe-looking gold boxes stacked to look like presents will make the perfect festive decoration, and unlike some beauty Advent calendars, the design is pretty compact so it won’t take up too much space.
Review by Sophie Bates
Number of items: 24, Delivery: Next day delivery available
Sockshop 25 Pair Bamboo Christmas Advent Calendar
Pros: Good variety of designs, lots of colours, bamboo-blend fabric, price
Cons: Fit sizes 4 – 8 only
Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re looking for an Advent calendar that’s a bit out of the ordinary then how about this one from Sockshop.
You’ll never go short of socks again as there’s 25 pairs in here to take you up to Christmas Day and of course they’re going to last long after the holidays are over.
They come in a variety of designs from stripes and spots to candy canes and cute penguins. There’s a traditional Santa and a llama wearing a Christmas hat (my favourite) to add a festive feet feel to your celebrations.
I love the variety of colours – there’s no plain white or black here – and the fact they all contain bamboo, which is breathable and thermoregulating, not to mention soft against your skin.
There’s also a smattering of elastane in there for added stretch, which helps them fit well.
They’re longer than ankle length but not so long they feel restrictive – they’re almost mid-calf on me, which is probably my preferred length for anything other than wellies.
My only (small) criticism is they’re for sizes 4 – 8 only so if your feet are bigger or smaller, they’re not going to work. However, there is a men’s version of the calendar to fit sizes 7 – 11.
It also contains 25 pairs and though the colours are darker, the designs are just as delightful.
Amount of items: 25, Delivery time:Priority tracked 24-hour delivery is free on orders over £40
Review by Lisa Burn
Mylee The Advent Calendar Selection Box
Pros: Good selection of nail products, pretty reusable tin, price
Cons: Curing lamp needed
Rating: 4/5
This selection box-type calendar from Mylee is full of festive treats to have your nails looking merry and bright this party season.
There’s three Christmassy colours – Sherry Trifle, Nativity Spotlight and Icing Sugar – as well as nail art pens in silver and gold, magnetic polish in Cat Eye Quartz and Cat Eye Lucky Clover, and a double-ended magnet to style the two.
The pens are perfect for creating festive designs, such as snowflakes and stars, and I found them pretty easy to use after a few practice runs.
A bottle of 5-In-1 Builder Gel in Snow Globe will strengthen your nails and can be worn on its own or as a base, while for finishing your look, there’s a bottle of No Wipe Top Coat in Iridescent Flake, a shimmering mix of holographic flakes.
There’s only one gift in this calendar I wasn’t really impressed with and that’s the scrunchie. However, if you’re a big fan of the brand then a little Mylee merch is going to go down well.
You will need an LED lamp for curing as they’re gel polishes, but your nails are ready in 30 – 60 seconds once under the lamp.
Complete your Christmas mani with a generous swish of the Nail & Cuticle Oil Pen to keep your talons in tip top condition.
I love that Mylee products are cruelty-free and vegan, as that’s something I always look for in beauty products.
Sadly there’s only 12 treats in this Advent tin, but if you can resist and open one every two days, you’ll have enough to get you to Christmas Eve. And your nails will look amazing!
Amount of items: 12, Delivery time: Standard delivery is free and takes 2 – 4 working days, next day delivery is £2.99 and takes 1 – 2 working days
Review by Lisa Burn
Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar
Pros: Good range of products including skincare and makeup, beautiful reusable box
Cons: Mostly includes travel-size products, missing some key hero products, only 12 days
Rating: 4/5
Charlotte Tilbury’s Advent calendar is the epitome of indulgence, and 2024 brings another showstopper.
Packed with 12 of Charlotte’s best-loved products, including full-sized skincare essentials and mini makeup treats, this calendar is a must-have for any beauty aficionado.
In our review, the standouts were a 15ml Charlotte’s Magic Cream – the full-sized version alone is worth £79 – and a full-sized Beauty Light Wand.
As mentioned in our review, “the Advent calendar strikes the perfect balance of skincare vs makeup. Many on the market often go too heavy on one and forget about the other, while Charlotte Tilbury's Love Chest provides a full selection.”
It’s more on the side of investment price, but our reviewer notes: “I would say it is good value for money in terms of the products you get, especially for Charlotte Tilbury fans.”
With the full-sized products alone valued at over £240, this calendar offers great value for those looking to treat themselves to some high-end beauty luxuries this Christmas.
Pros: Excellent value for money, contains more than just sex toys, helpful manuals included
Cons: You may not want to use every toy included
Rating: 4/5
If you're looking to spice up the cold months, then it's worth taking a cheeky glance at .
The risqué retailer has a trio of calendars to choose from this year and our writer Olivia Perl tested two of them: the , and the , which is a 12-day calendar tailored towards solo pleasure.
Summarising her review, Olivia wrote: "Discreet delivery, high-quality products, good aftercare instructions and something for everyone; I can’t think of a better way to count down to Christmas."
Amount of items: 12 or 24, Delivery time: Next-day delivery available.
Space NK Advent Calendar
Pros: Multiple products on some days, excellent range of products from best-selling brands, whopping 79% saving
Cons: Paper boxes rather than sturdy drawer
Rating: 4/5
is a beauty lover’s dream come true, and the 2024 edition offers £1200 worth of products.
Featuring 25 drawers filled with luxury beauty products from brands such as Augustinus Bader, Olaplex and Rare Beauty, it’s an excellent option if you’re looking to explore top-tier skincare and makeup.
Our top picks from the calendar include the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream and the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense serum, which made a big splash in our tester Mia's morning routine.
It's definitely at the higher end of the price scale at £250, but with the sheer volume of premium products you get (a huge 35!), plus the overall value of the Advent calendar, the Space NK Advent calendar would still be worth the investment for beauty fans.
Likening it to a "beauty hall of fame", Mia wrote: “Bursting with crowd-pleasing beauty goodies, this is one of the best-curated Advent calendars I’ve ever reviewed”.
Pros: Weighty, has 26 items including some full size, good mix of Holland & Barrett own-brands and other top names
Cons: Less suitable if you want makeup items
Rating: 4/5
E-commerce editor Chantelle Symester is a big skincare fan and likes the wide variety of 'eco' brands that Holland & Barrett stocks, so she expected to like this Advent calendar from the jump.
First off, this is a weighty package and it is fairly large, which many people will appreciate and adds to the specialness of the whole Advent experience.
Chantelle also loved the simple two-drawer design of the calendar, which is neat and easy to open or store away when not in use.
Impressively, 16 out of the 26 items are full-sized, with a good mix of products for face, body and general wellness included.
Chantelle loves Trilogy and Weleda and was very pleased to see items from both brands inside, alongside some lesser-known brands like Disciple she could try for the first time.
You get value for money with this calendar as the total contents are worth £219 but the calendar only costs £45, which is considerably cheaper than other beauty Advent calendars out there.
It's probably not the right Advent for you if you are a makeup lover, but if you enjoy trying out different skin and body care items you will love the selection on offer.
Amount of items: 26 Delivery time: Free standard delivery, plus next-day delivery available
Rituals Classic Advent Calendar
Rituals Classic Advent Calendar, £91.90 (worth £166.90)
Pros: Festive packaging, varied fragrances (not all just festive), unique and rare gifts inside, unisex contents, daily descriptions behind each door explaining the product and its function
Cons: Heavy, majority of items are miniature, expensive in comparison to others, some duplicate products
Rating: 4/5
The Rituals Classic Advent Calendar is a luxurious way to treat yourself throughout the festive season.
Priced at £91.90, it's the cheapest of the Dutch brand's four Advent calendars for 2024 – yet still manages to save you £75, compared to buying each product individually.
The Advent contains 24 of Rituals' bestsellers, offering great value for the price.
Our reviewer, Maisie Bovingdon, loved the premium packaging and the fact the calendar features 'a mix of shower foams, which are my favourite products from Rituals.'
Great care and attention has gone into the calendar to make it as festive as possible, too.
'Even Day 11's Micellar water has a festive spin. Rituals has infused it with holy lotus, which is a subtle Christmassy nod,' Maisie notes.
Featuring an array of body scrubs, lotions, haircare, fragrances, hand care and so much more, it's the perfect treat for Rituals fans – and indeed, anyone wanting to sample the brand's range of luxury products for the first time.
Amount of items: 24, Delivery time: Free standard plus next-day delivery available.
Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar
Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar, £99 (Worth £362.15)
Pros: One of the most affordable beauty calendars on the market, compact design, good balance of make-up, skin, hair, and body care products
Cons: Half of its contents are travel or sample-size, basic unfestive design, inner boxes are flimsy and tricky to remove
Rating: 3.5/5
The Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar is a brilliant pick for beauty enthusiasts looking to pick up one of the more affordable Advent calendars on the market.
Priced at £99, it offers a hefty value of over £360, with a fantastic assortment of brands like , and .
Each of the 24 boxes unveils a beauty treat, ranging from skincare essentials to makeup and pampering treats.
'Starring a cult perfume, sculpting moisturiser, and (arguably) the world's most-wanted body cream, the products inside the Boots Beauty Advent Calendar are posher than you'd expect,' says our reviewer, Mia Lyndon.
With its minimalist design made from 24 cardboard boxes, it's admittedly not the most festive of calendars out there – 'but its product lineup speaks for itself,' notes Mia.
It’s perfect for anyone who loves exploring new beauty goodies or stocking up on favourites like No7 and Soap & Glory.
With its impressive value and variety, it's sure to add a bit of magic to your holiday season.
Amount of items: 24, Delivery time: Free standard delivery, plus next-day available
Advent calendars for women: best of the rest
Diptyque Advent Calendar
If you’re a fan of luxurious home fragrance, Diptyque’s Advent calendar should be high on your wish list for when it becomes available in October.
Known for its iconic candles, the 2024 edition of includes 25 delightful scented miniatures, including votives, eau de toilettes and body care products.
This year, there’s a focus on festive fragrances like L’Eau Papier and Feu de Bois, ensuring that your home will smell divine throughout the winter season.
Though the price tag is steep, the Diptyque Advent calendar is truly a work of art, with beautiful packaging that doubles as a keepsake box to use long after the countdown to Christmas has ended.
Each day feels like a slice of luxury, making it the perfect treat for candle connoisseurs or those who appreciate premium fragrances.
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar
M&S has become a staple in the scene, and 2024 is no exception.
This year’s edition offers over £300 worth of products for just £50, provided you spend £30 in-store or online.
It’s a brilliant option for savvy shoppers who want to score luxury beauty bargains at a fraction of the price.
Inside, you’ll find an impressive mix of hair care brands such as Color WOW, Aveda and Living Proof, with full-sized and deluxe minis to try.
For skincare lovers, the Clinique Take the Day Off Balm is a standout product, perfect for achieving radiant skin in the colder months.
Plus with make-up favourites such as Benefit’s Fan Fest mascara, which is worth £27 alone, and 11 full-sized products, you’re getting an that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Kiehl’s Advent Calendar
Skincare lovers, this one’s for you. is back for 2024, featuring 24 of the brand’s best-selling products.
Known for their efficacious formulas, Kiehl’s is a great choice if you want to level up your skincare routine.
The Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Ultra Facial Cream are just two of the hero products inside that’ll keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated throughout the festive season.
Whilst it may not have the razzle-dazzle of some more makeup-heavy calendars, this one is perfect for skincare enthusiasts looking for high-quality formulations to see them through the winter.
Plus it comes in a limited-edition box designed by studio Public/Official.
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar
John Lewis has become a major player in the beauty Advent calendar scene, and its 2024 offering is a testament to why the brand is so popular.
Featuring products from premium brands such as Neom, Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and Ouai, this calendar is packed with indulgent treats to pamper yourself throughout the season.
What we love about the is the mix of skincare, makeup and home fragrance – perfect for anyone who loves a bit of variety.
With 32 full-sized and deluxe products, this calendar offers a luxurious way to explore some of the best beauty brands available at John Lewis.
Ideal for those who love high-end beauty and want a well-rounded calendar with a range of products.
Sephora Advent Calendar
The iconic beauty giant Sephora is back with its , and it’s an absolute treat for makeup lovers.
The 24-day calendar includes products from Sephora Collection, offering a mix of full-sized and deluxe items across skincare, make-up and bath products.
Some standout items include products from best-selling brands such as Glow Recipe, Glossier, Rare Beauty and Makeup By Mario.
The might be at the higher end of the scale, but with 40 products, 24 of which are full-sized, is an excellent introduction to some of the beauty industry’s top stars.
Jo Malone Advent Calendar
Jo Malone is synonymous with sophisticated fragrances, and its is nothing short of luxurious.
Filled with a selection of mini colognes, candles and body care products, the calendar is likely to bring together some of the brand’s most beloved scents such as Pomegranate Noir, Lime Basil & Mandarin and English Pear & Freesia, as well as potentially some new scents for Christmas.
If you’re looking to elevate your fragrance game or gift someone a truly indulgent experience, will not disappoint.
It’s a pricey option, but for those who love premium fragrances, it's the ultimate festive treat.
MyProtein Advent Calendar
The MyProtein Advent Calendar is a great option for those looking for a fitness-friendly alternative to replace chocolate filled countdowns.
This bundle is packed with high-protein goodies, supplements, and even some activewear essentials, which span from protein bars and powders to vitamins and even workout accessories.
The medley of treats in the 25-piece calendar provides customers with everything to fuel your workouts and support recovery too.
However, the calendar leans heavily on protein bars, which may not be ideal for those hoping for more variety from the vast MyProtein, MyVegan and MyVitamin range.
There are numerous LEGO Advent calendars to shop online, which are a welcome alternative for those fed up of beauty or food.
We know Christmas is a busy time of year, but if you want a more relaxing task to while away the hours, or save up the pieces to work on your Lego masterpiece in the limbo period after Christmas, this is the perfect treat.
The calendars consists of 24 gifts, which span across mini-builds and figurines, all with clear instructions.
Both Lego kits each took approximately an hour and a half to complete, and are compatible with other Lego sets, such as the Harry Potter version fits perfectly alongside the (number 76435).
Though it may not sound the most festive, Pavlina was pleasantly surprised by some festive touches in the form of Christmas jumpers - but we won't say any more than that.
Abbott Lyon Advent Calendar
Abbott Lyon is a celebrity-loved jewellery brand, and has seen a number of A-listers collaborate with the retailer, from Olivia Attwood to Molly Smith and Stacey Solomon.
Considering jewellery is a popular gift idea come Christmas, why not step it up with a jewellery gift every other day in the run down to December 25?
The Sun's Zoe Bennetts tested this Advent, and said it is an "incredibly luxurious to have a jewellery Advent calendar" because there is a new necklace, pair of earrings or bracelet behind all 12 doors.
What is great about this Advent calendar is it can be personalised based on the hardware colour you prefer, plus you can submit your birthstone and initials, ensuring the pieces are going to be worn.
It does fetch a total value of £500, and though it retails for almost half price, it's definitely on the more premium end of options on the market
Drinks By The Dram Gin Advent Calendar
Drinks By The Dram Gin Advent Calendar, £74.95
There are plenty of gin Advent calendars to shop for those looking for a boozy festive countdown, but the Drinks By The Dram Gin Advent Calendar option has been rated the best of the lot.
This set features 25 miniature bottles of gun, which makes it an impressive calendar for those who love a G&T, though the full contents means it is a hefty bundle.
All 25 Drinks by the Dram gins measure 30ml, and each miniature bottle has been fitted with a wax seal. The gins range of flavours, including Moonshot Gin, Jaffa Cake Gin and Cherry Gin.
What we love is you can sample a G&;T, or other gin cocktail in the run down to Christmas, or save them for the main event to enjoy with friends and family.
Virgin Wines Mixed Wine Advent Calendar
If you like a tipple, or want to expand your wine knowledge, a Mixed Wine Advent Calendar could be the solution, as it features a medley of red, rose and white wines.
This calendar scored top marks by in our round up of the best wine calendars, which is unsurprising when you delve into the nitty gritty.
The wines are made from a variety of grapes and from a wide range of countries; from crisp, perfumed white from Côtes de Gascogne in France, a rich fruity red from South Africa’s Swartland, a full-bodied Malbec from Argentina and a dry sunny rosé from Spain.
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