The Best Advent Calendars of 2025

Vahdam India makes a few different Advent calendars (that webpage says 2024, though it is current). This giftable box is my favorite. The packaging is sturdy, stable, and festively decorated. Each of the 24 drawers contains five individually packaged pyramid tea bags apiece, so in total you're getting 120 bags of tea (and it's nice that the box doubles as storage, if you don't have room for all those bags). The tea is perfectly dried and delicious. Steep a bag in 200 milliliters of hot water for two to five minutes (each bag has specific instructions and brewing tips, including whether or not you should include milk, and how to brew if you want it iced), and you'll soon have a wonderful, cozy cup of comfort.

My favorite so far is the India's Original Chai, which tastes unlike any other chai I've ever had. It's rich, earthy, fragrant, and fantastic. There are other unique flavors I'm eager to try, like Turmeric and Hibiscus Rose, in addition to some more commonly found blends like Chamomile or Earl Grey Citrus. One percent of the company's revenue is donated toward Teach Me, a program that helps educate the children of farmers in India. The products are also climate- and plastic-neutral. And, finally, unlike some other consumable Advent calendars, this one expires in two years—so you have plenty of time to enjoy its contents. If you're a tea enthusiast or your giftee enjoys a warm beverage during the chilly winter months, this is a no-brainer.

The Barbie Little People Advent Calendar was an absolute delight to every toddler girl in my circle who saw it. Many “oohs” and “aahs” and squeals of delight were had. The box doubles as a backdrop for the 24 different pieces behind each door. The majority of the prizes are furniture and decor, but there are six different figures, including a puppy, a kitten, three little people, and a holiday Barbie. There's also a little ornament that can go on the kiddo's real-life Christmas tree. Depending on the age of the youngster in question, it may be best to open a few doors at a time so they aren't disappointed by opening up a door and getting a couch or a sign—or maybe bring along some other toys during the opening process so they can put the new prize to use right away.

The Beekman 1802 Advent calendar is, in a word, stunning. The metallic pinstriped box looks like a present, and so does every single individually wrapped item inside. It's like a holiday party in a box. The items inside can be set up to arrange a sort of Christmas village scene, with little carnival-esque details and tons of flashy colors. The treats inside are decadent, including a mix of miniature and full-size beauty products. There are serums, cleansers, lotions, goat milk soaps, lip balms, and a few other surprises I won't spoil (though there's a full list of the inclusions on the product page). I was pleased with everything I tried, and I do think this calendar offers good value for the money. As a certified lotion addict, I especially loved the assortment of hand creams, and I think this box is full of regiftable goodies in case the supply is too much for you to use.

This Sephora advent calendar is packaged in a delightful little tin that I can't wait to reuse. Its contents include several Sephora-branded beauty products, with 16 full-size, four travel-size, and four accessories. The world of beauty Advent calendars is as vast as it is pricey. This is relatively inexpensive, but still offers solid value. Unlike some other “cheap” beauty Advent calendars, you actually get makeup in this one—not just random tools and brushes. (Though there are a few of those, too.) Highlights include eyeshadows, blushes, mini nail polishes, an assortment of lip products, and even a tiny setting spray. I especially think this would be good for a young lady that's just now getting into makeup since it includes enough products for a few different looks—and since it costs the same as one high-end product would. I'm also a big fan of the pom pom scrunchie and keychain, as were my teenage sisters when they saw it.

A sex toy advent calendar might seem a little…egregious, but this week-long box is filled with surprises worth your while. It includes seven different bestselling vibrators, all of which are waterproof, rechargeable, and very beginner-friendly. Each vibrator offers a different design and use-case scenario. There's a tongue vibrator, a clitoris and labia vibrator, a bullet vibe, a lipstick vibe, a G-spot vibe, a vibrating butt plug, and a jack-of-all-trades general-use vibrator. This box is a great exploratory set for those new to vibrator play, and also a solid way to bolster the nightstand supply at a less-expensive cost. And while many of them are marketed toward erogenous zones like the vagina and the clitoris, most are versatile enough that anyone could derive some pleasure from using them. Every vibrator is designed thoughtfully and playfully, with pretty, approachable colors. They're all easy to use and have a no-frills, no-pressure vibe (sorry) that should be fitting for basically any bedroom. And, yes, they work as intended.

As the only female in my household, I appreciate that Give Them Beer always has a huge variety of fun advent calendars geared toward those with more masculine tastes. Pickle-flavored snacks, for example, or moonshine, or even a ManVent calendar with manly things—all carefully curated anew each year with on-trend selections, and they tend to sell out pretty quickly. This year, I tested the brand’s new-to-me Bourbon Advent Calendar. It’s not a money-saver, or necessarily a pick for true connoisseurs, but those with a casual interest will find it’s got a fun mix of staples, artisanal favorites, and finds from smaller, regional distilleries. I won’t spoil the surprises, but there are no repeats. Whether it’s your family’s turn to host the holidays or you’ll be traveling out of town, it’s a funny gift to buy your spouse as a countdown until you leave. Note: Someone 21+ will need to be present to sign for delivery. —Kat Merck