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You have your Amazon stocking stuffers in the works, you have the 2022 must-have toys, now what are you missing? Advent calendars. Advent calendars mark the countdown to Christmas, offering a little joy each day leading up to Dec. 25. With an overabundance of options, zeroing in on the best advent calendar can be daunting, so that’s why we focused on the best advent calendar deals happening now.
So how does that Lego advent calendar stack up against the Disney: Storybook Collection? And really, how much does each beauty sample in a cosmetics calendar end up costing at the end of each day? We’re breaking down some of the most popular advent calendars to find out which provides the most bang for your buck.
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Best Advent Calendars for Kids
1. Chapstick 12-Day Advent Calendar
What’s there to say? It’s all about the ChapStick ($14.99, Amazon). Instead of 24 days, the calendar counts down starting at Dec. 12. So you’ll get 12 different flavors of pout-softening lip balm. It breaks down to $1.25 per ChapStick. This was KCL readers’ favorite calendar last year and it just reached its lowest price of the year.
2. National Geographic Gemstone 24-Day Advent Calendar
Future geologists will have fun with the National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar ($29.99, Amazon). Currently on sale for $21.95, it comes with 24 genuine stones plus a mini gemstone dig kit so kids can dig out the final treasure: a rose quartz specimen.
3. Play-Doh 24-Day Advent Calendars
Play-Doh gets in the advent calendar game with a holiday-themed offering ($21.99, Amazon) featuring 24 1-ounce cans of the moldable stuff. But wait, there’s more. Inside the box you’ll also find tear-off play mats with wintry scenes, plus stamps and accessories. If you purchase a 42-pack of 1-ounce Play-Doh cans ($15.50, Amazon), that gives each can a cost of $0.37; however, this assortment doesn’t include the stamps and accessories to enhance creative play.
4. Lego Marvel Studios Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar
This Lego Guardians of the Galaxy advent calendar ($28.79, Target) contains 268 pieces, so it’s basically a full set. Uncover pieces each day of the calendar leading up to Christmas. At the end, you’ll have a full, buildable Lego model on your hands.
5. Disney Storybook Collection 24-Day Advent Calendar
Disney offers up 24 paperback books (each are 24 pages in length) starring animated favorites like Mickey Mouse and Toy Story’s Woody. Each year different stories are included in the calendar ($26.88, Amazon), so there’s no fear of repeats. A single Disney paperback, like Encanto: Family Is Everything ($3.60, Amazon) has a higher price tag per book than those included in this holiday collection.
6. Color Playhouse 24-Day Advent Calendar
This 25-day advent calendar ($9.99, Zulily) comes with tons of colorable space, giving kids the perfect Christmas-themed craft for about the same price as a coloring book. Have them color the whole playhouse at once and hang it up for display, or fill in one window each day as the countdown to Christmas continues.
7. American Girl 25-Day Advent Calendar
This advent calendar collectible ($45, AmericanGirl.com) is filled with American Girl fun. Behind each door, you’ll find a new American Girl ornament to add to the pop-up tree each day from Dec. 1-25. It also includes an informative guide to 12 popular American Girl characters. The best part? You can use this advent calendar year after year to celebrate your countdown to Christmas.
8. Lego Friends Advent Calendar
It’s a picture-perfect world in (mostly) pastels celebrating with this Lego Friends Advent Calendar ($22.39, Target). There are 24 little gifts to open each day leading up to Dec. 25. And yes, there’s even a Santa minifigure to round out the cast of characters.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED9. 5 Surprise Mini Toys Disney Advent Calendar
Disney fans both big and small will revel in this advent calendar currently on sale ($18.99, Target), that’s half off its original price. It features familiar faces from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney Princess, Mickey & Friends, Fairies, and Pixar. Each of the 24 surprises feels like a collectible of its own. Three of the minis are exclusive Disney Store varieties, adding to the fun.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED10. Pokemon 2022 Holiday Advent Calendar
Aspiring Pokemon trainers will flip for this advent calendar ($69.99, Amazon) featuring some of their favorite characters. This is one of the higher-priced calendars on this list, but for the collector, it feels priceless.
11. Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar
This Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar ($31.34, Target) actually has 25 surprises, so one to open up on Christmas Day as well. It includes a full-sized Barbie doll, which can usually cost anywhere from $15 to $40. And with accessories at just above $1 each, we think this is a steal.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED12. Funko Pop Disney Advent Calendar
It’s like Funko Pop and Disney had a baby with this calendar ($34.99, Amazon). There are 24 surprises hiding behind each cardboard “door.” Expect to find Disney-themed Funko Pop figures dressed in festive garb. Each one feels special and is perfect for creating your own holiday scene to adorn a mantle or bookshelf during the spirited season.
Related: Check out our newest Christmas decoration deals.
13. Polly Pocket Advent Calendar
The Polly Pocket Advent Calendar is on sale right now ($16.14, Macy’s) when you use code FRIEND at checkout. The calendar itself is actually in the shape of a house, complete with four floors and eight rooms. That essentially gets you a Polly Pocket dollhouse plus 25 additional surprises.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED14. MindWare Countdown Calendar: 12 Days of Color Your Own Ornaments
For 12 porcelain gifts for $2.50 per piece, this Mindware advent calendar ($26.96, Amazon) isn’t too bad of a deal. Plus, you get the value of reusing the ornaments each year.
15. The Mandalorian Advent Calendar
Baby Yoda and milk chocolate all in one 24-day advent calendar ($2.50, Five Below)? Sign me up. Coming in as one of the least expensive calendar on this list, the price tag only sweetens the deal — literally.
16. Marvel Studios Advent Calendar
And for a calendar that packs a punch, consider the comic book-inspired advent calendar ($2.50, Five Below). The front is decorated with popular superheroes like Black Panther, Groot, Captain America, and Spiderman. For 24 days of milk chocolate, this calendar is a steal.
17. Mickey & Friends Advent Calendar
Mickey & Friends are pretty much as iconic as Santa himself, so celebrate the holidays with this Disney advent calendar ($12.98, Sam’s Club). You’ll start this calendar mid-month, as it has 12 windows that open to individual ornaments, in addition to a paper 3-D tree. There’s also a coloring book with letters to Santa templates, cookie recipes, and other activities. Considering this breaks down to just over $1 a day leading up to Christmas, it’s a nice value.
18. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Calendar
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—holiday lights, cold weather, and…chapped lips. Give the gift that keeps on giving with Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Advent Calendar ($19.48, Sam’s Club). It includes 12 of the brand’s lip balms, including two that are their classic beeswax in case flavors aren’t your thing. Typically one Burt’s Bees Lip Balm goes for $3.99, so this is a steal at $1.62 per item.
19. Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
Much like the Guardians of the Galaxy calendar, this Lego Star Wars version ($35.99 Target) holds buildable models. They equate to mini vignettes with some of your favorite franchise characters. The cost might seem steep, but it’s on par with other Lego sets of the same size. Plus, you can save 5% with your Target RedCard.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED20. Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
With 334 pieces to craft the Lego Harry Potter scene of your dream, this advent calendar ($27.35, Target) is pure magic. Minifigures of Harry, Sirius Black, Moaning Myrtle, Lord Voldemort, Horace Slughorn, Nymphadora Tonks, and Neville Longbottom are all included. You can feel as though you’re celebrating Christmas at Hogwarts in your very own home.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED21. Marvel Funko Pop Advent Calendar
Super similar to the previously mentioned Disney Funko Pop advent calendar, only this time featuring your Marvel faves ($36.49, Target). Spider-Man in a Santa hat? Sure. Groot tangled in holiday lights? Yes, please. There are 24 figures to unbox on each day leading up to Dec. 25.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED22. Star Wars Funko Pop Advent Calendar
At the risk of getting repetitive, we present to you the Star Wars Funko Pop Advent Calendar ($44, Amazon). Even though this is one of the more expensive calendars on our list, you’re still paying less than $2 per Star Wars-themed Funko Pop — a steal for collectors. And, you get 24 of them.
Best Advent Calendars for Adults 2022
23. Lindt 12-Day Advent Calendar
Celebrate the season with 12 days of sweet treats in this advent calendar from Lindt ($29.94, Amazon). Each day includes 1-3 Lindt chocolates in a variety of shapes, sizes, and Christmas characters. It also comes with a fun “spot the difference” picture game for kids.
24. Puzzle 12-Day Advent Calendar
Turn your 12-day Christmas countdown into a challenge with a different 80-piece puzzle each day. This advent calendar ($23.99, Barnes & Noble) includes a different holiday illustration for each puzzle, all from the award-winning talents of Michael Storrings.
25. 12 Days of Scent Advent Calendars
The holidays never smelled so good. This collection of 12 miniature fragrances ($21.25, Macy’s) comes with a candle as a bonus gift.
26. 12 Days of Sparkle Jewelry Gift Set
Add a bit of extra shimmer to your holiday celebration with this calendar ($19.99, Macy’s). You can unbox a new item of jewelry each day, from bracelets to necklaces to earrings. There are even assorted hairpins.
27. 12 Days of Kylie Makeup Advent Calendar
If you know someone who keeps up with the Kardashians like it’s their job, check this calendar out ($153 with coupon code for 15% off, Macy’s). The set comes with 12 full-sized products (kind of rare for advent calendars), including six of Kylie’s iconic lip products and four from her skincare line. It’s a bit pricey, but what else would you expect from one of the world’s youngest billionaires? It also comes with a free gift inside.
28. 12 Days of Self-Care Advent Calendar Bath and Body Gift Set
A single product from some of these brands in this Self-Care advent calendar ($20, Target) can cost $15 for a single, full-sized items. It features more than a few 1 oz samples, which is generous for beauty calendars.
29. Mystery Tackle Box 12 Days of Fishmas Holiday Advent Calendar
What I like about this advent calendar ($19.97, Walmart) is that besides fun, gifty items, it actually gives some supplies and helpful tips that you can use to improve your fishing game.
30. Keurig 24 Cups of Cheer
With this Keurig calendar ($25.95, Amazon), you can enjoy various flavors of coffee and cocoa. A dollar’s worth of coffee per day? Sign me up.
31. Pukka Tea Advent Calendar
The Pukka Tea Advent Calendar ($19.99, Target) features 24 full-size tea bags ranging from classic chamomile to a blend of elderberry and echinacea. Each bag comes out to $0.83, which is roughly twice as much per piece as you might pay when buying the Pukka Herbal Tea Samples ($10.08 for 45 tea bags, Amazon) but again, it’s all about the holiday packaging. Still, you don’t necessarily have to wrap the gift, and $0.83 a day is less than you’ll pay for a Starbucks holiday drink.
32. Friends Advent Calendar 2022
They’ll be there for you, especially during the holidays. Friends fanatics will want to get their hands on an advent calendar ($29.99, Amazon) devoted solely to their favorite fictional pals. With 24 surprises included, it’s a fun time leading up to the big reveal on Dec. 24.
33. Mother Earth Coffee 12 Days of Organic Coffee Advent Calendar
Nothing brings holiday cheer like a nice hot beverage. Even better when said beverage is organic, fair trade, and caffeinated. Get a taste of the world even if you’re home for the holidays with this selection of coffees ($29.99, Costco) from across the world including Peru, Ethiopia, Bolivia, and more.
34. Classic Christmas Advent Puzzle Calendar
Create a new tradition of puzzling each night leading up to Christmas with the Classic Christmas Advent Puzzle Calendar ($19.98, Sam’s Club). It includes 24 puzzles, each 50 pieces, with a variety of festive designs. The total cost breaks down to $0.83 per puzzle, which is an incredible value, even for 50-piece puzzles.
35. Disney & Marvel Socks Advent Calendars
When it comes to advent calendars, the standard is usually a 24-day or 12-day calendar. These socks advent calendars ($16, Target) are a little different. Instead there are 15 openings including, you guessed it, 15 different pairs of socks. Choose from either Disney Princesses or Spider-Man: Mile Morales. This breaks down to $1.07 per pair.
MOBILE COUPONS NEEDED36. Ulta 12 Days of Bath Advent Calendar
The holidays are a frenzy, so unwind each night leading up to Dec. 25 with the Ulta 12 Days of Bath calendar ($22 — use promo code 632201 to bring price down to $17, Ulta). Behind each “door” is a little something to make your bath (or the time pre and post) special, like body wash, lotion, lip scrub, etc. It breaks down to $1.83 per beauty item, which might feel a little spendy because they’re small, but it’s nice to have a different treat each time you tub.
Best Advent Calendars for Pets
37. DreamBone Furry Christmas Advent Calendar
When your pup wants a calendar of their own, there’s DreamBone ($14.37, Amazon). It features 24 individually-wrapped real chicken treats. Compare it to a 15-count pack of DreamBone Mini Sticks ($9.34, Amazon) which costs $0.62 per treat.
38. Good ‘n’ Fun The 12 Days of Dogmas Calendar
If you’d prefer a shorter advent calendar, this offering from Good ‘n’ Fun ($10, Amazon) is packed with just 12 holiday dog chews. Keep in mind that while this is the cheapest overall of the three dog advent calendars, the best value per day is still DreamBone because it includes 24 treats as opposed to 12.
39. 12 Days Advent Calendar Cat Toy Set
This cat toy advent calendar ($10, Target) has your feline friend set with toys for the year. You get a variety of toys at just $0.83 per piece.
Do Advent Calendars Sell Out?
The more limited edition the advent calendar, the more likely it is to sell out. The calendars we’ve listed below that contain exclusive collectibles are the types you should make sure to purchase early. Think along the lines of anything with a giant fandom, like Pokemon, Star Wars, and Funko Pop. Wine and beer calendars also tend to sell out quickly.
