20 Best Advent Calendars for 2017

Kids waiting anxiously for the 25th will get a kick out of opening a door each day to find out what Santa and his teams are doing to prepare for their Christmas Eve run. Are the reindeer practicing their landings or are the elves painting pretend food for the play kitchens Santa will deliver? Now you’ll know!

To buy: $4; hallmark.com.

Whether your child is already an avid Tsum Tsum collector or just starting to get into the adorable stackable figures, this calendar will be a big hit. Each day, kids can open a window to find a small, medium, or large character, holiday-inspired accessory, or headpiece (which fit the large figures).

To buy: $33; amazon.com.

A month of manis will be right at your fingertips with this selection of 19 mini (and one full-size) nail polishes. The collection includes a base coat and top coat plus festive shades such as “Champagne Kisses” and “After Party” so you can keep your fingers and toes party-ready all season.

To buy: $59; sephora.com.

This sweet advent calendar comes with an array of soft figures representing Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and others key to the Christmas story. Each day, pull out a piece from one of the numbered pockets and add it to the nativity scene. As the scenes fills up, you’ll know Christmas is getting near.

To buy: $38; amazon.com.

This fun 24-day calendar will give crafty kids something to look forward to each morning. Behind the doors are art supplies like clay, markers, or paint that little artists can use to complete a festive holiday project such as an ornament, finger puppet, or the ever-important note to Santa.

To buy: $20; target.com.

When you’re curling up in front of the fire or sampling some Christmas cookies, a warm cup of tea is the perfect accompaniment. This advent calendar includes 24 tins of loose tea in flavors carefully selected for the season such as Candy Cane Crush, Let It Snow, and Sleigh Ride.

To buy: $45; davidstea.com.

Pamper the important ladies in your life with this 12-day advent calendar. Each day has a popular beauty mini for her to enjoy. She’ll find a mix of classic faves—think Maybelline Great Lash Mascara—and be introduced to products she may not have tried yet, from organic facial oil to hydrating hair masks.

To buy: $15; target.com.

The month of December will be extra sweet with this vintage-looking advent calendar to help count down the days until Christmas. Behind each door is an individually-wrapped milk chocolate and a line from the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” best known by its famous first line: “‘Twas the night before Christmas…”

To buy: $16; williams-sonoma.com.

Perfect to prep for holiday party season, this advent calendar contains a dozen Ulta brand beauty must-haves including eyeliner, blush, lip balm, and eyeshadow plus a few festive extras such as face and body glitter and gems. Treat your favorite makeup junkie—or yourself to this one!

To buy: $18; ulta.com.

Lego City lovers will have a blast with this holiday-themed set featuring seasonal surprises behind each door. There’s a Christmas tree, gingerbread house, Santa’s sleigh, and even Granny being pulled by ski patrol. Each day’s simple-to-build item can be displayed and played with on the included playmat.

To buy: $24; target.com.

Filling the boxes of this pretty, light-up wooden calendar with sweets, toys, or other mini treats will become a cherished family tradition. Or stash a slip of paper suggesting a seasonal activity—from singing Christmas carols to enjoying hot cocoa and a Christmas movie—into each day’s box.

To buy: $40; worldmarket.com.

Who wouldn’t enjoy toasting to the Christmas season with this carefully chosen set of 12 wines from around the world? This limited-edition selection of reds and whites will please all different palates. Give it as a hostess gift at a holiday soiree and you’re sure to be invited back next year.

To buy: $129; getvinebox.com.

If your child has Playmobil toys on his Christmas wish list, then why not start the fun a little early? Kids will love getting a new figure or accessory each day to set up the “Jewel Thief Police Operation” scene. There’s even a safe that can double as a piggy bank post-holidays.

To buy: $23; target.com.

Help your favorite whisky aficionado get into the holiday “spirits” with this luxe whisky advent calendar. Each day, he’ll look forward to popping open a window to pull out a dram of whisky from around the world. He may find a few he already loves but he’s sure to discover some new favorites too.

To buy: $164; masterofmalt.com.

Kids can add an ornament a day to this colorful wooden advent calendar. When the Christmas tree is fully decorated, they’ll know Santa is soon on his way. The best part: this set is reusable so your family can enjoy it for many Decembers to come.

To buy: $20; kohls.com.

Craft beers are hot right now, and there’s likely someone in your life who’d love to countdown to Christmas with a variety of selections from your local beer shop. Turn the beers you buy locally into an adult advent calendar with this specially designed box that holds 24 12-ounce bottles or 12- to 24-ounce cans.

To buy: $22 (plus price of beer); craftadventbox.com.

Toddlers and preschoolers will have a hard time opening just one door a day because they’ll be so excited to pull out the cast of Little People figures and holiday-themed items. They’ll find surprises such as Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus wrapped presents, a Christmas tree, and a snowman.

To buy: $35; amazon.com.

A must-have for any Star Wars-obsessed family, you can use this fun fabric advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas… and until the December 15th release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Have it personalized with your family name and display it proudly year after year.

To buy: $48 (plus personalization); potterybarnkids.com.

Got a sweet tooth? If so, this decadent chocolate advent calendar is perfect for you. Twenty-four colorful boxes form a festive Christmas tree. Pull out the drawer on each box to reveal a yummy treat including milk-chocolate covered Oreos, chocolate-covered pretzel bites, and a variety of caramels.

To buy: $40; bedbathandbeyond.com.

Don’t forget to include your favorite canine as you celebrate the countdown to Christmas. This adorable felt advent calendar in the shape of a Christmas tree has a pouch for each day of December that’s just the right size for holding a doggie treat.

To buy: $20; creativitycustomized.etsy.com.