The 25 Absolutely Best Luxury Advent Calendars of 2020

Part of the fun of holiday 2020 is all the Advent Calendars that have a little treat for every day from December 1-25. Whether you’re looking for beauty, fragrance, gourmet food or wine and spirits, there’s a luxury advent calendar out there to suit you for holiday 2020. Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has rounded up the 25 best luxury Advent Calendars this year.

its advent calendar time!

Advent, which was once a fasting holiday, is now best known for its candy and treat-filled calendars. Over time, the season has morphed into a Christmas Countdown, with Advent Calendars that hold a micro-treat for each day in the month of December becoming ubiquitous.

Purists might object that this is the opposite of what was intended. But it’s pretty hard to resist, no? Like, who wouldn’t love the idea of opening one present a day all Christmas season long?

And Advent calendars are definitely not just for kids anymore. Long gone are the days where just the little ones got to countdown to Christmas with a variety of chocolates and sweets.  These days Advent calendars can feature adult-friendly treats like beauty products, rare teas and even craft beers, wine and spirits.  After all, why should kids have all the fun?

what are the absolutely best advent calendars this year?

For many, the holiday season can be a stressful one – filled with deadlines to make before year end, family get-togethers and holidays shopping just to name a few.  Throw 9 months of a pandemic into the mix and you might find you need a little reminder of the reason for the season.  That’s where treating yourself – or a friend – to a luxury Advent calendar can come in.

If you need any further proof about the growing popularity of this daily treat gifting, last year Tiffany & Co. offered a luxury Advent Calendar ($112,000) containing 24 discreet gifts in a 4-foot tall Tiffany blue box. It’s still TBD on this year’s offering as of now. Watch this space for further updates!

The best 25 luxury advent calendars of 2020

To get you in the holiday spirit we’ve rounded up our 25 favorite advent calendars hitting the store shelves as we speak. 

Our top 25 picks of this year’s advent calendars include a daily porcelain ornament to brighten your home, a Fortnum’s feast, 24 days of Japanese whiskey, 12 days of jewelry. And, of course, plenty of beauty and fragrance calendars from your favorite brands to keep you looking and feeling fresh all December long.  So instead of stressing this holiday season, why not indulge yourself with a little luxury each day?

1. dr. barbara sturm beauty

Dr. Barbara Sturm’s molecular approach to skincare has gained her international acclaim, and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Advent Calendar ($450) is a brilliant way to experience the full reach of her products.  Bestsellers from this renowned skincare guru’s highly coveted, luxuriously minimalist product line await behind the doors of this advent calendar in full, deluxe and sachet sizes.

BUY NOW – $450

2. carolina bucci forte beads 

Carolina Bucci has brought back the Forte Beads Advent Calendar ($913) from last year and this year the midnight sky inspired calendar comes with a thick golden cord and 24 navy drawers – each of which reveals a semi-precious stone that can be slid on to the bracelet. By Christmas, the recipient will have a bespoke treasure to keep or gift.

BUY NOW – $913

3. vinebox 12 nights of wine

Whether you have been naughty or nice, countdown the holiday with Vinebox’s 12 Nights of Wine Advent Calendar ($129) that includes 12 glasses of red and white wines, perfectly paired to wash away your hectic days.

BUY NOW  – $129 

4. net-a-porter 25 days of beauty 

The perfect gift for a loved one or beauty enthusiast, Net-a-porter’s 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar ($300) is filled with downsized editions of their 25 favorite products.  Each drawer reveals a best selling product from brands like Omorovicza, Le Labo, Charlotte Tilbury and Sunday Riley to see you through the season and have a restorative effect once it’s over.

BUY NOW  – $300

5. dekanta japanese premium whiskey 

Dekanta’s Japanese Premium Whisky Advent Calendar ($400) is packed with 24 single malts, grains and blends from some of Japan’s top producers including the likes of Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, Taketsuru, Chita, Ichiro’s Malt and more. 

BUY NOW – $400

6. charlotte tilbury bejewelled beauty chest 

Countdown the 12 days until Christmas rather than 24 with a Bejewelled Beauty Chest Advent Calendar ($200) from Charlotte Tilbury.  Four of the twelve items are full-sized products including a Matte Revolution lipstick, while the remaining eight are travel sized, like Charlotte’s Magic Cream and Goddess Skin Clay Mask.

BUY NOW – $200

7. bonne maman gourmet jam

With 24 adorable jars of different limited edition jams and jellies – plus honey, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar ($35) is perfect for any toast lover on your list (or, you know, yourself).  There’s a mix of both new and classic flavors, including Apricot with Bergamot, Apricot with Lavender, Cherry with Christmas Spice, Cherry with Elderflower, Fig with Cardamom, Honey, Lemon & Yuzu, Mandarin and even Sweet Orange and Passion Fruit.

BUY NOW – $35

8. diptyque home fragrance

This year, Diptyque promises to fill living rooms with bold scents and colors using artwork by the talented Parisian illustrator Ugo Gattoni with the 2020 edition of its yearly Advent Calendar (€350).  Stags and lions, elephants and swans leap across 25 drawers brimming with Diptyque scented candles, beauty products and room sprays. Both full-size and miniature pieces, exclusive and classic, fill this calendar.

BUY NOW – €350

9. missoma 12 days to shine jewelry 

For this year’s 12 Days to Shine Jewelry Advent Calendar ($511) Missoma collaborated with illustrator Vicki Murdoch, creative director and founder of Silken Favours, to create this year’s colour-pop hued experience, which conceals a selection of best selling pieces.  Highlights include White Cubic Zirconia Gold Trinal Prism Studs, a Rainbow Moonstone Gold Charm Necklace, a Gold Molten Cuff, a Gold Twisted Chain Choker and a Gold Pave Star Bracelet.

BUY NOW – $511

10. city brew tours 12 days of christmas craft beer box

For 12 days leading up to Christmas you can discover a new-to-you craft beer to enjoy courtesy of City Brew Tours and their 12 Days of Christmas Craft Beer Box ($85). The beers come from breweries across the country, and after you can hop online and discuss the cans with beer experts.

BUY NOW – $85

11. fortnum’s feasting advent calendar

When it comes to Christmas treats, Fortnum & Mason know their stuff. And this year is no exception when it comes to their Fornum’s Feasting Advent Calendar (£200) which is filled with 25 delicious treats. With everything from salted caramel florentines to English cassis gin, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, including a mini bottle of champagne to celebrate on Christmas day.

BUY NOW – £200

12. molton brown advent calendar

Inspired by the liberating glamour of the Roaring Twenties, Molton’s Browns elegant Advent Calendar ($250) shimmers with holographic foil to evoke a 1920s chandelier.  Filled with gifts, from eye gels and lip balms to body oils and eau de toilette, the brand’s unisex fragrances will appeal to just about everyone.

BUY NOW – $250

13. wedgewood advent calendar

Modelled on a traditional Christmas storybook and presented in Wedgwood’s signature blue and white tones, this year’s Wedgewood Advent Calendar ($700) contains 24 miniature porcelain decorations hung on a white satin ribbon to be added to your Christmas tree.

BUY NOW – $700

14. mccrea’s caramel advent calendar

Tick down the days until Christmas with this sweetly illustrated Advent Calendar ($42) featuring charming woodland creatures from Cindy Hendrick.  Each day, you’ll enjoy a different handcrafted caramel in mouthwatering flavors like anisette, tapped maple, cinnamon clove and black lava sea salt.

BUY NOW – $42

15. lark & berry fine jewelry ear piercing advent calendar

Just in time for the holiday season, Lark & Berry has released a 24 day Fine Jewellery Ear Piercing Advent Calendar ($11,849) with the brand’s exclusive curated ear-piercing collection of cultured (never-mined) diamonds and stones.  With 24 piercing items and most-loved pieces including the Veto Sapphire Crescent Labret and other studs, labrets and hoops, it’s the perfect calendar for any ear-piercing fanatic.

BUY NOW – $11,849

16. ysl advent calendar

YSL’s Beauty Advent Calendar ($225) is sure to sell out this year.  It includes a mixture of 24 items including skincare products, makeup and fragrances like the brand’s latest fragrance Libre, as well as the cult classics Touché Eclat.

BUY NOW – $225

17. space nk advent calendar – the beauty anthology part II

With as much substance as style, Space NK’s Beauty Anthology Part II Advent Calendar (£195) is split into different volumes, with an array of wonderful poems by the poet and writer Charly Cox and, of course, a selection of equally wonderful products, including beauty favourites from Nars, Charlotte Tilbury and Hourglass.

BUY NOW – £195

18. palais des thes tea 

Any seasoned tea lover would enjoy 24 days of new tea bags to enjoy with Palais des Thes Tea Advent Calendar ($32).  

BUY NOW – $32

19. lumene beauty – 24 nordic beauty surprises

Lumene’s Nordic skin care is loved for its gentle yet deeply hydrating ethos, and the brand’s Beauty Advent Calendar – 24 Nordic Beauty Surprises (€90) is a great intro to the brand and all things Scandinavian.  You’ll find fan fav’s like the Nordic-C Overnight Bright Sleeping Cream, which brings even the most winter-ravaged skin back to its radiant best. 

BUY NOW – €90

20. give them beer hard seltzer 

Give Them Beer’s Hard Seltzer Advent Calendar ($59) is a collection of twelve hard seltzers from top producers all over the country and it’s certain to hit the spot for anyone who has fallen in love with light, refreshing hard seltzers.

BUY NOW – $59

21. acqua di parma fragrance

At first glance, the Acqua Di Parma Advent Calendar ($480) resembles the iconic Acqua di Parma hatbox but once opened, it transforms into a bright, Italian-style house.  The brand joined forces with the Chinese artist Oamul to craft a graphic, elegant and contemporary take on traditional Christmas lights to house each of bijoux delights that span the entire Acqua di Parma range, from Colonia to Blu Mediterraneo and from Le Nobili to the rich Signatures of the Sun fragrance.

BUY NOW – $480

22. sugarfina 24 tastes of christmas 

Sugarfina’s 24 Tastes of Christmas Advent Calendar ($50) is the perfect way to count down the 24 days until Santa’s arrival. Each festive little drawer is filled with four pieces of various holiday themed candies to delight you and your loved ones.  The countdown to Christmas never tasted so sweet.

BUY NOW – $50

23. dior beauty 

Dior’s glinting gold Advent Calendar ($460) is one of the most beautiful of the season. Of course, the contents are spectacular too.  There’s 24 miniatures spanning the brand’s iconic skincare, fragrance and make-up lines. What could be better?

BUY NOW – $460

24. martha brook 24 days of stationery 

Stationary lovers rejoice!  Filled with everything from luxury pens, a 2021 calendar (here’s hoping we’ll be able to fill it out plenty more than our 2020 one), writing note cards and more, much of what’s inside Martha Brook’s 24 Days of Stationery Advent Calendar (£89) can be personalised to its lucky recipient, making for an extra thoughtful festive gift.

BUY NOW – £89 

25. liberty beauty 

Last but not least is the cult sell out collection of some of the most sought after products from Liberty of London’s Beauty Hall.  Liberty’s Beauty Advent Calendar ($275) includes fan favorites from the likes of Diptyque, Hourglass and Le Labo, fresh discoveries from Beauty Hall newbies VENN, Decree and Augustinus Bader – plus more makeup must-haves in universal shades. And even better?  This year they will be shipping them internationally so that everyone has a chance to treat themselves.  Considering it’s their fastest selling product in 145 years, we suggest you hustle up if you want one of your own.

BUY NOW – $275

the best 25 luxury advent calendars this year

There you have it, our selections for the top 25 Advent Calendars this holiday season 2020. Gourmet food, wine and spirits, beauty and fragrance – there’s a luxury Advent Calendar for them all in 2020. Now the only problem is which one to pick.  Go forth and treat yourself in the spirit of the season!

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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links. 

Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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