The holiday season is officially here, and there’s no better way to count down to the festivities than with an advent calendar. These calendars, which often contain small numbered flaps or doors to open on each day of Advent, were traditionally filled with Bible verses and chocolate. Today, advent calendars have evolved to include makeup, coffee, skincare, wine, sweets, candles, and, well, you name it. Since there are so many options to choose from, advent calendars also make a great present for nearly anyone on your list—though we wouldn’t judge you if you bought one (or more) for yourself. To inspire your holiday shopping, we’ve compiled our top picks for the best advent calendars, all of which are geared toward travelers, to snag before they sell out.
Payot Advent Calendar
This holiday season, elevate your skincare routine with this advent calendar from fan-favorite French brand Payot. It comes complete with 24 TSA-friendly products, including cleansers, masks, and moisturizers—along with hand creams, lipstick, shampoo, and conditioner—making them all perfect additions to your toiletry bag. The festive packaging is just the icing on the cake.
Voluspa 12 Day Advent Calendar
It’s no secret that scented candles make excellent gifts, which makes Voluspa’s 12-day advent calendar an absolute must-have, even if you divvy it up into stocking stuffers for the whole family. Designed exclusively for Sephora, this gift set offers 12 of the brand’s best-selling fragrances—from Spiced Pumpkin Latte to Tahitiaian Coconut Vanilla to Forbidden Fig—in adorable 1.25-ounce varieties. Bonus: The candles are housed in colorful and embossed glass votives, meaning they’re stylish enough to double as home decor even after the wax runs out.
The Ritual of Advent 3D Calendar
Rituals is known for its home and body products, and The Ritual of Advent 3D advent calendar offers something for everyone. You—or your giftee—will unwrap a total of 24 gifts, including soaps, creams, shower gels, candles, balms, and more. Also, as you can guess by its name, this advent calendar opens up to form a 3D Christmas tree, and it even comes with string lights for decorating.
Bonne Maman Limited Edition Advent Calendar
French brand Bonne Maman is renowned for its jams and preserves, making it a favorite amongst food lovers. Don’t miss your chance to score the brand’s 2023 advent calendar, which features a mouthwatering selection of 23 limited-edition spreads plus honey. Flavors run the gamut from caramel with cinnamon to raspberry chocolate to lemon yuzu.
Williams Sonoma 24 Days of Baking Cookies Advent Calendar
The holidays are prime time for baking, and Williams Sonoma’s 24 Days of Baking Cookies calendar has everything you—or your giftee—need to get started. The adorable advent calendar offers all sorts of baking essentials, including 16 cookie cutters, 10 piping bags, spatulas, stencils gift bags, and much more.
Dior Le 30 Montaigne 2023 Advent Calendar
Luxury lovers need not miss the Dior Le 30 Montaigne holiday advent calendar, modeled and named for the brand’s historic Paris boutique. The stunning display houses 24 travel-sized gifts, including fragrances, skincare essentials, makeup, and candles. Best of all, post-holiday season, the advent calendar can be upcycled as a chic storage case.
Ladurée Paris Iconic Advent Calendar
Transport yourself (or your lucky gift recipient) to France with Ladurée's Iconic advent calendar. The 24-piece gift set is chock-full of sweets, including caramels, chocolates, nougats, jams, and honey. Spoiler alert: There’s even a Christmas tree garland hidden in the last box.
Ulta Beauty 15 Days of Holiday Faves Set
Treat the beauty aficionado in your life to Ulta Beauty’s 15 Days of Holiday Faves set, which features an array of skincare, hair care, and makeup essentials. Each day, they’ll unwrap a fun surprise from coveted brands like Drybar, Clinique, Origins, Oaui, Tarte, and Urban Decay, to name a few.
Palais des Thes Tea Bag Advent Calendar
Tea connoisseurs of all ages will love the Palais des Thes Tea Bag advent calendar. Each day leading up to Christmas, you’ll have the chance to sip on a distinct tea blend, single-estate tea, or herbal infusion, all packaged in hand-stitched cotton tea bags. One of the 24 boxes holds the brand’s limited-edition holiday tea, Le Thé Magnifique.
Hogesa Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar
This holiday season, take family game night to the next level with the Hogesa Jigsaw Puzzle advent calendar. Each of the 24 boxes reveals a set of puzzle pieces to put together. The result? A colorful—and festive—masterpiece that’s fun and easy for folks of all ages to assemble.
Neiman Marcus Beauty Holiday Advent Calendar
Count down to the holidays with luxury skincare, hair care, and makeup products courtesy of the Neiman Marcus beauty holiday advent calendar. This coveted 25-piece set features buyer favorites from luxury brands like La Mer, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Augustinus Bader—and no, we wouldn’t blame you if you kept it for yourself.
Keurig Advent Calendar
Keurig’s 24 Cups of Cheer K-Cup Pod advent calendar makes the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life who insists on packing their own coffee for family vacations. It offers a combination of coffee and hot chocolate flavors from fan-favorite brands like Peet’s Coffee, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and Swiss Miss.
Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine
Oenophiles can sip and savor fine wines all season long with Vinebox’s 12 Nights of Wine. The Cozy Collection comprises 12 delicious reds, while the Chill Collection offers a mix of whites, rosés, and chillable reds). Each offers hand-picked vinos from beloved wine destinations across Italy, France, Spain, and California.
Need some more inspo? Check out Traveler's Amazon Storefront for even more of our favorite travel gifts.
