12 Advent Calendars I Want to Buy This Year—The Last One Is a Book Lover’s Dream
Think throwback treats, quirky surprises, and a bookish dream you won’t want to miss.
Now that December is officially upon us, we can discuss the most wonderful time of year: Advent Calendar season.
For years (years!) I’ve wanted to partake in these. Call it my love of surprises, the little joy of a new chocolate or a makeup sample to look forward to each day (have you seen my obsession?), I'‘ll take any excuse to bring light into the dark, cold December days.
Except, until recently, I didn’t even know advent calendars existed beyond the cardboard guarded chocolates sold at places like Christmas Tree shop. And truth be told, I love those! For the longest time, my dad would get me one each year, and while this year I’ve been eyeing that Trader Joes Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar (ssshhh that one’s a bonus!) the OG Christmas Tree Shop/local grocery store advent calendar has a special place in my heart; the same way Reeses, gold coins, and driving around looking at Christmas lights do. Special in their nostalgia, irreplaceable in their significance.
So if like me, you didn’t realize there’s a whole world of Advent Calendars out there, going well beyond just chocolates, join me. But I’m telling you, enter at your own risk because you will want all of these.
Lindt Chocolate
I love Lindt. I know, I know, there’s better chocolate out there, but something about the melt-in-your-mouth milky goodness of a good old-fashioned Lindt will still send me to Heaven each and every time. Add to cart.
Gilmore Girls
Does Jess Mariano come in one of these? No? Not even if I beg?
Just kidding, this sounds totally adorable and 100% like something I'd enjoy. Honestly, I don't know that I'd use anything in it or that it would make it past the holiday—a lot of what’s in it does feel a little cheap and geared towards younger kids, but it's adorable enough that I'd swoon over it anyway.
David’s Tea
I’m such a fan of David’s Tea! Though, I wish they’d stop discontinuing every flavor I love (creme caramel where are yooou?) Their advent calendar is a nice mix of introductory teas, so if you’re curious but not committed to any one flavor, this is a really good starting point. I’ve already spotted some of my favorites like Caramel Shortbread and Hazelnut Chocolate. I'm dying to try the Salted Caramel Oolong and Brown Sugar Bourbon!
Walker’s Shortbread
You might think, how many different shortbread surprises can there be? One? Two, maybe? But you my friend, would be wrong. I got into Walkers earlier this year after a particularly pricey David’s Tea binge and thank god I did. There’s nothing better than the buttery goodness of this cookie melting against the heat of your favorite tea. Per-fection.
EXIT: The Game
Back during the early days of Covid, my husband and I were unrelenting about our gameplay. It was the only distraction from the near-constant fear and boredom I felt and so it took up all of our free time. We spent many nights tied to Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, What the Golf, Mario Party, and for a short while, Goo-igi, which is actually Luigi’s Haunted Mansion but which we called Goo-igi for some reason I can’t remember.
Anyway, we also got really into these solve-it-yourself whodunnits, and I always loved the thrill of getting to play detective. I had no idea there was something like this in advent calendar form and so naturally, I am now obsessed.
Popcorn
Listen, is popcorn the most exciting thing I could have added? No. But we put popcorn on our wedding registry and I'm putting it here. Nothing beats a good old fashioned bowl o corn with your favorite holiday movie. If you prefer your popcorn tree shaped, check out this one from William Sonoma.
Either way, a bundle of kernals is all I need to be happy. (I wish)
Chapstick
Does it sometimes feel like the air is sucking all the life out of your lips? Like no matter how many times you lick them or apply that very expensive scrub they’re just getting more and more cracked?
Do you, like me, keep lip balm in your jeans pocket, hoodie pocket, other jeans pocket, car holder, purse, and occasionally run it through the laundry cycle by accident?
Then this, dear reader, is for you. 12 days of Chapstick for the true connoisseur. You'll get flavors (flavors?) like sugar cookie, candy cane, and even cotton candy and green apple, which really have nothing to do with Christmas but will make you want to eat your lips all the same. Bon Appétit.
Murray’s Cheese
Cheese!! I couldn't believe it when I saw this. For 12 blissful days you can stuff yourself silly with parmigiano, manchego, truffle cheddar, and more. And since cheese is nothing without its pals, they even throw in jam and crackers too. DIVINE.
OPI x Wicked Nail Lacquer 12 Piece Mini Pack
For the person who changes their color weekly like me, exchanging chipped nails for about 14 minutes of perfectly painted on color, this one’s for you. Join me in adding more polish to the never-ending overflow of half-empty polishes and colors we’ll never wear. You know you need another red.
Marshmallows
I didn’t know you could get marshmallows in an advent calendar, but the world is a magical place so here we are. This one promises a new flavor daily for 25 days, which is a lofty promise and one I’m eager to hold them to. Especially because up until 18 minutes ago, I did not know you could get 25 flavors of 'mallow. Instant add to cart.
Hot Cocoa
What goes with marshmallows? Hot cocoa of course! Ever since I had a cookie butter latte at a little cafe in Newport I've been trying to re-create it. I didn't even know you could make hot cocoa that tasted like cookie butter, but you better believe I’m going to do my due diligence in finding out.
Blind Date With a Book
I like to be in control but in a “sometimes I get exhausted and just want someone else to make the hard decisions for me” kind of way, which makes the Blind Date With a Book Advent Calendar, in which you’re sent twelve surprise books, just about as perfect as can be.
You have a few options. This one lets you pick the genre, so you're still within your comfort zone. Others will span several genres so you can kick things up a notch if you’re feeling adventurous. There’s even this one that lets you share your GoodReads account or list a few favs so that you can be sure you're getting books you’ll enjoy. I love the personalization and care that goes into these and I can’t wait to support one of them!
That’s a wrap for my Advent Calendar Wish List! What did I miss? What should I be buying? What should be on my radar for next year? 👀