20 Advent Calendars That Will Surprise and Delight You for 2026 (We Opened Every Door!)

Gone are the days when Advent calendars were simply filled with mini chocolates that you’d pop out of their plastic molds. In 2026, the holiday countdowns are so beautifully designed that the packaging is almost as much fun as the little gifts, and they contain all sorts of fun things. Think: makeup minis (and full sizes!), hot sauce bottles, Swedish candy, tinned fish, hair accessories, shower steamers, and so much more. 

To uncover the most useful, novel, and downright delightful Advent calendars of the year, the Dorm Therapy team tested out 20 creative countdowns to find the very best ones. Our favorite beauty, food, and craft Advent calendars include little gifts you’ll be so happy to give yourself.

Benefit and I have a close, personal relationship in that I trust my local store’s Brow & Beauty Experts to wax my eyebrows. So when I saw this 24-day Advent calendar with four full-size, eight mini, and nine fun-size products, plus three more goodies, it felt like kismet (it’s a $330 value, according to the Macy’s product listing). I’ve never ventured much into the brand’s makeup, so it was fun to play and experiment — I discovered I love a liquid blush and that clear brow wax can work wonders (I’ve always used the tinted version). The mini and full-size products are adorable and perfect for trips; I’m already planning what to pop into my travel cosmetics bag! The “hotel” packaging is super cute and sturdy, and each little box was so fun to open (some were wrapped in tissue paper, which made it feel extra special). The carrier even has handles if you want to convert it into makeup storage after the holiday. —Collette Reitz, Deputy Editor, Special Projects

Best for: Beauty lovers who want to stock up with minis they’ll actually use.

If the lip products are really your favorite part of any beauty Advent calendar, this is the one for you. The giant lipstick-shaped box contains a mix of every kind of lippy you can think of: lip liners, lip stain, lip balm, lip gloss, and lipstick — and it’s valued at $200. The colors all go well together, too, with mostly nudes and mauves and a few pops of berry and bright red (perfect for the holidays). It features lots of cult favorites, like Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm, Benefit Cosmetics Benetint, and Kylie Cosmetics Supple Kiss Lip Glaze Gloss — those three all come in mini sizes, but there are a handful of full-sized products, too. I even discovered one of my favorite new lipsticks in this calendar: a full-size NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick in the shade Idolized, which goes on like a buttery balm with a nice sheen, but has real staying power. —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: Makeup aficionados who love to try a new lip combo.

I didn’t quite know what to expect from Dedcool’s Advent calendar (would it be all mini fragrances?), but I was so pleasantly surprised by the variety of little treats behind each door. The first thing I noticed when I opened this 12-day calendar’s chrome-like cardboard box was how big several of the doors are. That’s because it includes covetable items like a full-size body scrub, room and linen spray (one of my fave Dedcool products — this will make your room smell wonderful), and a solid perfume in a chic, sculptural metal case (that’s also a keychain). Plus, there are air fresheners, a mini body wash, a mini bottle of laundry detergent, and a few other things to keep you and your room smelling gorgeous. —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: People who love fragrance in all its forms and an Advent calendar with a true variety of goods. 

I had to get past the first day to truly appreciate this calendar. The packaging has a cozy winter holiday design that mirrors some of the colors inside. The shower steamers are individually wrapped with a decorative number on top and come in seven colors with metallic designs; each hue represents a different scent, and there’s a helpful guide on the back of the box. My first steamer was rosemary and geranium, and unfortunately, I couldn’t really smell it in the shower. Day two was orange and clove, and it smelled delightful when I placed it on my shower floor just outside the direct water stream! Inside the box, it smells divine, with all the scents combining even though they’re individually wrapped. For future steamers, I’ll probably add it to my shower after I’ve used my shampoo and soap so that I can really enjoy and bask in the steamer’s scent alone. I love that these are specifically for showers so that even if you don’t have a tub, you can still have a spa-like moment (yes, even in a dorm!). —Collette Reitz, Deputy Editor, Special Projects

Best for: Someone who wants the serenity of a bubble bath without taking an actual bath.

A good beauty Advent calendar should make you excited to see what’s behind the next door, and this one definitely delivers. I’m a sucker for a good perfume, so finding THREE fragrances inside was already a win for me, especially Le Monde Gourmand’s Miel Bébé (which smells SO good!). The other two scents are minis from Billie Eilish’s and Ariana Grande’s respective fragrance lines. I also spotted some of my favorite brands like Sol de Janeiro and Starface. I love that there’s a little bit of everything, from skin care to nail products, and I can genuinely see myself using most of these long after the holidays. It’s worth noting that this is a 12-day calendar, and several of the products are mini or travel sizes, but I’d personally rather have fewer products I’m excited about than a bunch of extras I won’t use. At $50 for a stated value of $140, I think it’s a really good deal for anyone who loves trying new beauty products. —Eugenia Gutierrez, Audience Growth Assistant

Best for: Fragrance lovers and self-care enthusiasts.

The holiday season always has me leaning heavily into jewel tones, but I don’t wear them year-round. Enter this Conair Jewel Joy Advent calendar with 12 days of shiny hair accessories. The calendar is what you’d expect: a cutely decorated box that opens to doors of various sizes, each revealing a hair treat. I especially loved the burgundy bow scrunchie, dent-free clips, and the sparkly burgundy claw clip. It also includes a long hair pin with a pearl-esque design that inspired me to try a French twist hairstyle for the first time (it’s easier than I thought!). The jeweled bobby pins have me excited to try festive hairdos this season, and I love that the mini brush doubles as a wand for flyaways. Plus, it’s currently on sale! —Collette Reitz, Deputy Editor, Special Projects

Best for: The person who has dozens of hair tutorials saved on their phone.

I tried and loved the Sephora Collection Advent calendar last year, and honestly, this year’s is just as good! What I like about this one is that it’s filled with 24 products (a $190 value) you’ll actually use, especially if you’re building your makeup collection or want to try more from Sephora’s line. Inside, you’ll find 13 full-size products, five travel sizes, and six accessories, including everyday favorites like mascara, blush, lip gloss, and skin care essentials. The selection leans more toward everyday beauty staples than big, buzzy products, which makes it a great option if you’re looking to expand your collection without spending a ton. I can definitely see myself adding the makeup to my everyday routine and using the travel-size skin care for trips. I’d especially recommend this one for anyone who’s just getting into beauty or is already a Sephora Collection fan. —Eugenia Gutierrez, Audience Growth Assistant

Best for: Beauty beginners and Sephora Collection devotees.

People swear by Olive & June’s long-lasting polishes for beautiful DIY manicures, and this 12 Days of Mani Magic Advent calendar packs in 13 full-size bottles to build your collection. It includes two different top coats, glittery shades perfect for some holiday glamour, and a nice range of neutrals, pinks, reds, and cool-toned options. 

The Hanukkah Advent Calendar features a whole different set of nail polishes and accoutrement, and I love that this 8-day calendar is completely distinct from the Mani Magic holiday version. It comes with 10 mini bottles of polish (yes, some days contain multiple!), two sets of press-on nails, nail stickers, a mini Poppi grip tool that helps you open bottles, and other nail tools. —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: People who love an at-home manicure and want to expand their nail polish collection. 

I don’t know about you, but the checkout line at Anthropologie gets me every single time. I’m always impulsively buying minis from the store’s curated lineup of aesthetic beauty goods, so I knew the brand’s 24-Day Advent Calendar would deliver. Even though it comes with a higher price tag, it totals up to over a $300 value (including a full-size lip liner and eye pencil!), according to the product listing. Skin care and fragrance are also two areas where I like to try before I buy, and this Advent calendar has over five of each to choose from (Boy Smells FTW!). I can be picky with my beauty routine, but there genuinely isn’t a mini in this calendar that didn’t surprise and excite me. (Note: This one is currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist in case it restocks!) —Rachel Otero, Director of Audience Engagement

Best for: The IYKYK friend who’s always discovering new beauty brands.

Nothing makes me feel like my life is together quite like fresh journaling supplies, and this 12-day Papier  Advent calendar arrived just in time to start plotting my 2027 vision board. Beautiful pens and fancy bookmarks can be a luxury for students on a tight budget, which makes it the *perfect* gift, and it’s something they’ll use all semester long! I also can’t express how special the dollhouse packaging feels. It’s the kind of thing you hold onto, and I’ll definitely be using mine as jewelry storage well after the holidays. This is the first year the brand has offered a 12-day calendar, but there’s an even bigger 24-day option for the serious stationery lovers out there, complete with its own special packaging, too! —Rachel Otero, Director of Audience Engagement

Best for: The person who *loves* fancy new school supplies.

I love a good craft, and there’s something about the holidays that makes me want to get even more creative — I was SO excited about this Advent calendar. It comes with 24 days of art supplies and little projects, from watercolors and gel pens to mini canvases and paper crafts, so you actually have something fun to do every day beyond just opening another gift. But my favorite part is how thoughtfully designed the whole thing is. Each little box becomes part of an adorable gingerbread village that you build throughout the month, and by the end of 24 days, you’ll have the cutest holiday decoration to show for it. It’s such a clever detail that makes the whole experience feel extra special. The projects are beginner-friendly, too, so you don’t have to be an experienced artist to enjoy them.  If you love crafting (or know someone who does), I seriously can’t think of a cuter way to count down to the holidays. —Eugenia Gutierrez, Audience Growth Assistant

Best for: Crafters who want a creative countdown to the holidays (bonus: you could even use it to make some of your gifts!).

This embroidery Advent calendar walks you through stitching a charming winter village, and the pre-printed fabric means you can jump straight into it without having to transfer a pattern yourself. It’s designed for beginners and experienced stitchers alike, using three basic embroidery stitches, and it comes with illustrated instructions and QR codes for video tutorials if you need some extra guidance. I already enjoy hand and machine sewing, so I loved having a project to work on a little bit at a time — though adding the glass beads took some extra patience and precision. This definitely isn’t a countdown you’ll finish in five minutes a day, so be prepared to put in some time and effort, especially if you’re new to embroidery. Still, the daily progress makes it feel rewarding, and you’ll end up with a handmade winter village you can bring out as holiday decor year after year. —Joy Udoh, Editorial Intern

Best for: Embroidery enthusiasts and generally crafty people looking for a new winter hobby. 

If you’re the kind of person who loves a cozy night in, the Meowy Christmas 12 Days of Puzzles Advent Calendar is a fun way to add a little screen-free time to your December. This calendar gives you 12 mini puzzles to work through, all adding up to 500 pieces in total. The cat-themed illustrations are bright and packed with little details, so there’s plenty to look at as you piece each picture together. The pieces are small enough to make the puzzles feel like a real challenge, but still manageable to work with, and the difficulty varies depending on how much detail is in each section (I find areas with lots of detail satisfying to put together, while larger stretches of background color require a bit more patience). I like that each daily puzzle offers a contained activity rather than one massive project to tackle all at once. It’s a cute pick for cat lovers and puzzle fans, especially if you want a countdown that doubles as a relaxing daily ritual. —Joy Udoh, Editorial Intern

Best for: Cat people and puzzle fanatics.

Stickers are back in a big way, and for fans of Miffy, the adorable Dutch rabbit, this Advent calendar is a match made in heaven. Though it has 12 doors, each door contains not one, but a set of several stickers featuring Miffy and friends doing all sorts of cute things, like sitting on a crescent moon, reading a book, talking on the phone, or writing a letter.  The variety of stickers makes this calendar a great investment for junk journalers, collagers, letter writers, or simply anyone who appreciates adorable stickers. I love that this calendar folds out flat and can hang on the wall from a ribbon loop — it doubles as wall decor! —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: Junk journalers who are always looking for cute new stickers. 

Gummy candies — specifically sour ones — might just be my favorite treat, and Swedish-style candy has been all over my feeds lately. I was thrilled to rip open each of the 12 little doors (and the subsequent plastic packages) of this Advent calendar for chewy goodness. They all tasted fresh, and I’d never tried any of them — my favorites were Rambo Rainbows, which were fruity, sour, and had a cream filling. The calendar’s 12 baggies contain 72 individual pieces of candy (with different amounts in each package), so you can share with your friends or really satisfy your sweet tooth. I’d also be so happy to display this calendar on my coffee table or desk as I ate my way through it because the colorful, Nordic design with two flower-adorned horses on the packaging is so cute! —Collette Reitz, Deputy Editor, Special Projects

Best for: Anyone who chooses gummy candy over chocolate.

Dylan’s Candy Bar’s 24 Days of Sweets Advent Calendar is basically a little candy shop in countdown form. Each of the 24 doors holds a holiday-themed treat, with a mix of gummies, chocolate, marshmallows, lollipops, and more. I love the variety here, since there’s something for every kind of candy craving, whether you’re in the mood for something fruity and sweet or a little sour. The sour rings on day three were a personal highlight! At $18, the calendar is a fun, affordable way to make the countdown to the holidays a little sweeter, especially if you’d rather have a mix of treats than a calendar filled exclusively with chocolate. Just keep in mind that you get one candy surprise per day, so the portions are on the smaller side. —Joy Udoh, Editorial Intern

Best for: Candy lovers who want a little bit of everything.

If you always have a bottle of hot sauce in your bag (or wish you did), you’ll love this Uncommon Goods Advent calendar, which is chock full of spicy goodness. From pineapple papaya and mango habanero to smokey horseradish and chipotle garlic, this assortment goes far beyond your run-of-the-mill hot sauce. They’d go so well on everything from your breakfast burrito to your microwaved mac and cheese, and since this Advent calendar contains a dozen mini plastic bottles, you can totally gift some to friends, too. —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: People who always want their food a little spicier. 

There’s just something so cozy about British tea brand Twinings’ tea bags, and this 24-day Advent calendar doubles down on that cozy factor. It’s a classic cardboard Advent calendar where each door looks like a colorful mug, which you punch out to collect not one but two tea bags of the same kind — perfect for sharing with your roomie, friend, or even just saving for yourself for an afternoon pick-me-up. I really appreciate that this calendar contains a nice mix of classic tea blends, like Earl Grey, chai, and Irish breakfast, along with some less expected flavors, like gingerbread, mango-pineapple, and winter spice. —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: People looking to embrace tea time this cozy season. 

This might be the largest Advent calendar I’ve ever received. Like all Fishwife packaging, the box is beautifully and whimsically designed, and this one opens like a giant picture book to reveal the 12 doors. Open them all and you’ll enjoy seven tins of preserved fish (think: smoked salmon, sardines, mussels, and more), a box of chocolate “sardines”, an adorable tinned fish keychain, a trio of Fishwife branded Bag Balm lip balms, and more. Though the delicious fish is the real selling point — they’re so good right out of the can and perfect for quick college meals — the cutie extras are a really fun bonus that made this one of my favorite Advent calendars to open.  —Sofia Rivera, Senior Editor

Best for: People who love tinned fish (or are tinned fish curious!) and appreciate really cute branding. 

‘Tis the season for cozy drinks! There’s nothing I love more than coming home at the end of the day and curling up with a warm drink in the wintertime, and this 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar makes for the perfect little ritual. Each day is a different flavor, with two limited-edition holiday blends to get you in a festive mood. With celestial packaging, surprise flavors, and an excuse to use a fun mug, this calendar is just the right amount of whimsy I needed this winter. —Rachel Otero, Director of Audience Engagement

Best for: Someone with an epic mug collection.