There’s a quiet kind of magic in opening a tiny door each December morning! That shared moment of curiosity and joy that never really fades, no matter how old you are. This year, we went a step further: our team reviewed dozens of 2025 advent calendars and handpicked the ones that truly stand out. These are not random finds; they’re calendars we’ve explored, compared, and loved for their design, quality, and the smiles they bring!

So whether you’re hunting for something creative for the kids, thoughtful for your partner, or heart-warming for a close friend, here are the advent calendars that make the countdown to Christmas feel like a celebration in itself.

Little Surprises for Kids

One of the best parts of December is how quickly kids jump out of bed in the morning. No need to beg them anymore — the promise of a tiny surprise waiting behind that next door does all the magic. The better the advent calendar, the faster they’re up and smiling.

• Konges Sløjd Advent Calendar – A beautifully curated set of 24 small gifts, from soft teddies and rattles to playful trinkets, all wrapped in elegant reusable bags. Perfect for toddlers and younger kids who love surprises they can touch and keep.

• LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar – A winter wonderland of tiny Frozen builds and characters that bring Arendelle to life day by day.

• LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar – Spells, minifigures, and festive magic straight from Hogwarts. A must for every little wizard.

• LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendar – For builders who love pixel adventures — mini sets that blend play and creativity perfectly.

• Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar – Fun, colorful, and perfect for little hands. Each day brings new molds, tools, and festive Play-Doh colors.

• National Geographic Outer Space Advent Calendar – For curious minds: space-themed mini experiments, figures, and facts that make learning feel like an adventure.

• Plus-Plus Advent Calendar, MoMA Design Store – A modern favorite — small interlocking pieces kids can build into creative 3D shapes and holiday scenes.

Bonus tip from our founder, Alex:
Every year, I make a handmade advent calendar for my daughter filled with tiny surprises and simple little tasks — things like “help bake Christmas cookies using fun shapes,” “write a letter to Santa with your prettiest envelope,” or “collect toys you no longer play with to give to kids who don’t have many.” Of course, there are small gifts too: a “marshmallow and hot chocolate” ticket for movie night watching Home Alone together, or a new set of cozy Christmas-themed pajamas. It takes a couple of evenings to prepare, but seeing her excitement each morning makes it one of my favorite December rituals!

Fabulous & Thoughtful for Her

What could be better than seeing her smile — that spark in her eyes when she opens a box and suddenly feels seventeen again? Nothing, of course. That’s why we’ve rounded up the most fabulous advent calendars that will make her mornings brighter and her December unforgettable.

• Sephora Advent Calendar – A beauty lover’s dream: 24 days of skincare, makeup, and fragrance minis curated by Sephora’s experts.

• Rituals 3D Advent Calendar – A little spa moment every morning, filled with luxurious bath and body treats to unwind after busy holiday days.

• Byredo Advent Calendar – Not for every pocket, but an absolute showstopper — a collection of scents, candles, and creams that turn each day into pure indulgence.

• Maison Louis Marie Advent Calendar – For fragrance lovers, this elegant calendar hides 12 signature perfumes and oils in minimalist Parisian style.

• Acqua di Parma Holiday Advent Calendar – A true classic: refined Italian scents, elegant packaging, and a touch of golden nostalgia.

• Bloomingdale’s 12-Day Fragrance Advent Calendar – A limited-edition collection of iconic perfumes, ideal for anyone who wants a shorter but just as magical countdown.

Smart & Unexpected for Him

It’s always trickier with the guys — they rarely say what they actually want, and we all end up tempted to grab another chocolate box from M&M’s. So, we did some digging and found advent calendars that go beyond the basics. These picks are playful, stylish, and sure to impress even the hardest-to-shop-for men.

• Nespresso Advent Calendar – A must for coffee lovers. Each day brings a festive blend or limited-edition capsule to make chilly mornings a little warmer.

• Aesop Abode Gift Kit – Technically not an advent calendar, but the minimalist design and earthy scents make it a stylish December ritual for any man who appreciates quality.

• Fishing Advent Calendar 2024 Christmas Countdown – For the outdoorsy one: hooks, lures, and small accessories that make the wait until the next fishing trip much more exciting.

• Craft Beer Advent Calendar – A tour of global brews in one box. Perfect for discovering new favorites (and worth checking local versions for freshness).

• Whisky or Spirits Miniatures Advent – A tasting adventure with premium spirits in miniature bottles. Ideal for cozy evenings or collectors.

Calm & Cozy for Parents

Between gift lists, school plays, and endless wrapping, parents rarely get a quiet moment in December. An advent calendar that reminds them to slow down — even for five minutes — might be the most meaningful gift of all. Here are a few that turn the countdown into calm.

• Fortnum & Mason Tea Lovers Advent Calendar – A luxurious take on the ritual, featuring their finest brews in beautifully packaged sachets.

• Dandelion Chocolate Advent Calendar – Handcrafted single-origin chocolates, each one telling a different cocoa story. Perfect for true chocolate connoisseurs.

• Neal’s Yard Remedies Wellbeing Advent Calendar – Natural skincare and aromatherapy favorites for a peaceful daily ritual.

• Yankee Candle Advent Book – Soft lights, festive scents, and instant holiday atmosphere in every drawer.

• The White Company Advent Calendar – A minimalist dream filled with candles, creams, and delicate fragrances that define quiet luxury.

• John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar – For parents who still appreciate a little pampering — packed with beauty and wellness must-haves.

Grandparent idea: Slip in printed mini photos or little notes from the grandkids — keepsakes they’ll treasure long after December. Or better yet, make a “family moments” calendar on Wishes with small daily memories to share together.

Loving and Caring for Friends or Anyone Else

Some friends simply make life better — the ones who listen, cheer you up, and turn ordinary days into little celebrations. The holidays are the perfect time to show them how much they mean to you. These advent calendars are small daily reminders of love, laughter, and thoughtfulness.

• Papier “24 Days of Desk Delights” Advent Calendar – A stationery lover’s dream: beautiful pens, washi tapes, and desk treasures that make December’s to-do lists a joy to write.

• Puzzle or Brain Teaser Advent Calendar – Daily mini challenges for the friend who can’t resist a good solve. From riddles to trivia, it’s a fun mental warm-up before the morning coffee.

• Lush “29 High Street” Advent Calendar – Bursting with color, scent, and joy — bath bombs, shower gels, and festive body care for a friend who deserves a daily dose of self-care.

• Super NYC Chocolate 24-Day Advent Calendar, MoMA Design Store – Playful and design-forward, this calendar doubles as an edible art piece.

• Gourmet Spice Advent Calendar – Twenty-four spice blends with matching recipes — a creative way to add a little flavor to December dinners.

Make December Feel Like a Celebration

December is full of small moments that bring people closer — a cup of tea before the kids wake up, a piece of chocolate shared after dinner, a note that makes someone smile. Advent calendars remind us that the magic of the holidays isn’t about one big day, but about finding joy in every single one that leads up to it.

That same idea inspired Wishes — to make giving and receiving feel personal again. It’s a space to collect ideas, share wishlists, and plan thoughtful surprises for the people you love.

If you’d like to explore the calendars we mentioned — and a few extra gems we couldn’t fit here — we’ve gathered them all in one shared list: Explore our curated Advent Calendar Wishlist

Whether you’re shopping for kids, partners, parents, or friends, we hope it helps you find the perfect countdown to make this December feel a little more magical.