Calendars With Large Squares

The 35 best advent calendars for the whole family (and pets, too!)

The build-up to Christmas is almost better than the day itself. Think about it: As soon as December hits, many of us start decking the halls, cranking up the Christmas tunes and tracking down the perfect gifts for the ones we love most. But if you really want to embrace the yuletide spirit, then start counting down to Santa’s much-anticipated arrival with one of these advent calendars.

While there’s certainly a time and a place for a chocolate advent calendar, there are so many other options tailored to different budgets, styles and interests. A lot of the brands that you know and love have jumped on the bandwagon, which means you can find everything from a calendar with 24 K-Cup pods to one that comes with enough OPI nail polish colors to carry you through the season.

There’s an advent calendar for all kinds: the beauty lover, foodie, pop-culture obsessed, LEGO fanatic, wine drinker … the list goes on. Keep scrolling to find an option for every kid, adult or pet (you heard that right) in your life.

My advice (and trust me because I’m Yahoo’s gifting expert): If something catches your eye, pick it up now, because advent calendars tend to sell out before December rolls around.

Best beauty and wellness advent calendars

ChapStick

Their lips could use some TLC — especially given the harsh indoor heating and chilly winter winds. With this advent calendar, they’ll get 12 full-size lip balms in a mix of sugary-sweet flavors — sugar cookie, candy cane and vanilla icing, to name a few – to soothe their dry, cracked lips.

$18 at Amazon

Charlotte Tilbury

Unlock Charlotte Tilbury’s best-kept beauty secrets, one day at a time. For 12 days straight, open a drawer and find a new makeup or skincare favorite, everything from a travel-size jar of Magic Cream moisturizer to a mini version of the TikTok-approved liquid highlighter.

$210 at Charlotte Tilbury

Sephora

Sephora regulars know that you can get the most bang for your buck by shopping from the store’s very own collection. This advent calendar will introduce (or in some cases, re-introduce) her to 24 Sephora Collection products — hydrating eye masks, lip products, nail polish and more.

$49 at Sephora

Ulta

She’ll be able to switch up her mani each and every day leading up to Santa’s arrival. Inside this 25-day advent calendar, there’s an assortment of holiday-specific shades, fan-favorites (Big Apple Red, for example) and nail treatments.

$80 at Ulta

The Body Shop

Nourish her body from head to toe with the 25 lotions, creams, soaps and masks in this box. Unlike other beauty advent calendars, this one comes with 14 full-size products — that’s more than half!

$152 at QVC

Le Mini Macaron

Gel manicure incoming. Let Le Mini Macaron help her perfect her at-home gel mani with this 12-piece set, including an LED lamp, polish and all the prep materials she needs to get the job done.

$68 at Ulta

Uncommon Goods

When she needs a breather after a day filled with errands, wrapping and baking (so, every single day in December?), she can pop one of these tabs into her shower and breathe in the soothing scents of the season, including eucalyptus, citrus and peppermint.

$98 at Uncommon Goods

BareMinerals

BareMinerals brought together a dozen makeup and skincare standouts in this advent calendar. Get four full-size products and eight minis.

$110 at Ulta

Revolve

With a retail value of $481, this 24-day advent calendar covers all the bases with a product to target every beauty need: Sunday Riley’s Jet Lag mask wakes up tired skin, Sol de Janeiro’s hair oil fights off frizz and the Dibs highlighting stick gives a shimmery sheen, for example.

$150 at Revolve

NYX

NYX is here to make sure her lips are mistletoe-ready. Celebrate the 12 days of Kissmas with the brand’s long-lasting (and kiss-proof) lipsticks and glosses in a range of bold, festive shades.

$50 at NYX

L’Occitane

L’Occitane knows advent calendars — and this year’s release proves exactly that. Along with the brand’s beloved shea butter hand cream and almond milk concentrate, she’ll be able to try out old and new favorites in hair care, body care and skin care.

$80 at L’Occitane Best food advent calendars

Bonne Maman

Crack open this advent calendar each morning to uncover a mini jar of jam or honey to spread on your toast, top your pancakes or mix into your yogurt. Although you should eat them daily to get the full experience, there’s no rush since the spreads don’t expire until June of next year.

$45 at Amazon$90 at Belk

Kohl’s

Because all they want for Christmas is a cup of cheer — er, coffee. Instead of drinking their same old brew, they can sip on a new seasonal flavor each day, such as Caribou Coffee’s Reindeer Blend and Peet’s Coffee Holiday Blend.

$25 at Kohl’s

Vahdam

Oprah loves Vahdam tea — so much so that the brand earned a coveted spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2018 and 2019. See what the hype is all about by sampling their loose-leaf teas in a variety of flavors, everything from spicy chais to citrusy greens.

$60 at Amazon

Godiva

A classic for a reason, chocolate advent calendars are perfect for young and old alike. Indulge in a mix of milk, dark and white chocolates — some are filled with caramel, nuts or cream, others are completely solid.

$45 at Godiva

Uncommon Goods

Here’s one way to keep warm this winter. As Christmas draws near, fire up your tastebuds with these 12 hot sauces. While some are milder or sweeter than others, all of them are guaranteed to bring the heat.

$50 at Uncommon Goods

Compartes

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this chocolate advent calendar. Sure, the box itself is a work of art, but it’s the 24 chocolate squares inside that’ll wake up the tastebuds with flavor combinations such as Raspberry Rose and Peanut Butter Banana. 

$110 at Compartes Best alcohol advent calendars

Vinebox

Lean into your cozy or chill side with this wine advent calendar, which comes with a dozen reds (for the ones who like to keep warm and cozy) or whites (for those who are the epitome of cool). You can also get the best of both worlds by picking up a 24-day calendar for $199.

$130 at Vinebox

Give Them Beer

Skip the chocolate and give him what he really wants: a dozen brewskis. In the lead up to Christmas, he can crack open a fresh IPA, stout or ale from microbrews around the country.

$85 at Give Them Beer

Flaviar

Go on a journey through the Amber Kingdom — with a glass of whiskey in hand. Each day, you’ll get a top-shelf sample of whiskey that you can pour straight into a Glencairn glass (or, if you’d rather, place the mini bottle in your bar and enjoy it later).

$250 at Flaviar

QVC

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good wine. Speaking of wine, pop open a flap each day to reveal a half-bottle of white or red. Stick with all-white or all-red, or go with a calendar that includes both if you like to switch things up.

$106 at QVCBest advent calendars for kids

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Unearth a new gem each day in December. On the final day, your little geologist will put their digging skills to the test as they chip away at a mini dig brick to reveal a rose quartz.

$30 at Amazon

Amazon

Ring in the season with Minnie, Mickey and friends. Each night, let your littles unwrap a new paperback book to revel in the magic of Disney and Pixar. If you have more than one kid, one Amazon reviewer offers a helpful tip: “Before I give it to the kids I write the name of which child is responsible for opening the book that night on the wrapping so there will be no arguments and every child opens the same number of books.”

$29 at Amazon

LEGO

Ages 5 and up can assemble characters and seasonal decorations out of LEGOs, then set them out on the fold-out winter wonderland playmat to bring their miniature city to life.

$31 at Amazon$30 at Gilt$31 at Walmart

Meri Meri

There’s no question that your little fashionista needs new arm candy for this season’s festivities. Behind each numbered door, she’ll find a colorful charm or tassel to add to her gold-tone charm bracelet.

$52 at Amazon$52 at Maisonette

Funko

Jedi or Sith? Both are welcome at your holiday table — at least in Funko Pop! form. Collect 24 mini Star Wars figurines, all of which are dressed in their holiday best. Our favorite: A red and green Darth Vader holding a candy cane.

$50 at Amazon$60 at Bed Bath & Beyond

KiwiCo

Keep their little hands busy with this build-your-own advent calendar. Each day, they’ll open up a corresponding envelope that gives them just what they need to assemble another section of their very own winter wonderland, complete with a reindeer, Christmas trees and carolers.

$50 at KiwiCo

American Girl

Get her American Girl in on the action. While she’ll be the one to open all 24 doors, the pint-sized holiday treats and baking supplies (think: a tiny rolling pin and piping bag) are actually made for her doll.

$50 at American GirlBest advent calendars for cats and dogs

SmartBones

Your pup should join in on the holiday fun, no? They can sniff out 24 rawhide-free chicken chews, some of which are even shaped like candy canes.

$21 at Amazon$21 at Walmart

Petsmart

No, we didn’t forget about your other furry friends. Get your cat in the ho-ho-holiday spirit with this advent calendar, which is stuffed with 25 tinsel balls, springs and catnip-infused plushies.

$17 at Petsmart

Vermont Christmas Company

If your pet is particular about what they like, then fill this felt advent calendar with their favorite treats. Or better yet, include a mix of treats and toys so they don’t fill up before the big day.

$30 at AmazonBest reusable advent calendars

Melissa & Doug

Turn the festivities into a teaching moment with this wooden advent calendar. By the time Santa comes to town, the tree will be decked out with 24 magnetic ornaments and a gold star at the very top.

$15 at Amazon$15 at Walmart$21 at Kohl’s

Juegoal

You call the shots here. Stuff chocolates, trinkets or coins in the pull-out drawers, then delight in your kid’s reactions as they uncover their tiny treasures.

$22 at Amazon

Pottery Barn Kids

Spend the extra $15 to personalize this wool advent calendar now, and thank us later. As your kids grow, you can change up what you put inside each pocket (or you can always stick to chocolate since that’s a safe bet).

$100 at Pottery Barn Kids

West Elm

This wooden advent calendar doubles as decor. The candy-colored bottlebrush trees catch the eye, but it’s the handpicked goodies inside the numbered boxes that’ll really steal the show.

$85 at West Elm