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  4. Advent Calendars for the Whole Family

Advent Calendars for the Whole Family

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Advent Calendar
Credit: Gwenael Le Vot/Getty Images

Looking for Christmas countdown ideas? Try an Advent calendar. It's a special Christmastime tradition that many families look forward to each year. Each December, Advent calendars are used to count the days of the Advent season, which is a period of preparation and expectation that culminates on Christmas Day. Some Advent calendars are passed down and refilled with gifts and treats year after year, but lately some of our favorite brands have gotten in on the Advent calendar tradition. They have designed and filled their own calendars with presents to be opened and enjoyed on each day leading up to Christmas morning. There's truly an Advent calendar for everyone, every interest, and every age, and we've rounded up a few of our favorites in anticipation of the Advent season. We think that your family will enjoy them too, from the littlest grandchild to Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks to these Advent calendars, which are filled with everything from nail polish and skincare to tea and honey, you can include everyone in the observance of the season. We hope they add some joy to your holiday celebrations.

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The English Tea Shop Advent Calendar

The English Tea Shop Advent Calendar
Credit: worldmarket.com

Buy it: $12.99, worldmarket.com

For the tea lover in your life, this Advent calendar provides an organic cup each morning for the 24 December days leading to Christmas.

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L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar

L’Occitane Signature Advent Calendar
Credit: nordstrom.com

Buy it: $69, sephora.com

The L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar opens to a luxurious assortment of 24 skincare products, including hand creams, shower oils, and soaps.

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Ritter Sport Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

Ritter Sport Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
Credit: worldmarket.com

Buy it: $19.99, worldmarket.com

This Advent calendar provides sweet treats in the form of delectable Ritter Sport chocolate squares.

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Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

Bonne Maman Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $27.99, amazon.com

Sure to please the foodies in your life, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is filled with preserves, spreads, jellies, and honeys.

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Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar

Atelier Cologne
Credit: sephora.com

Buy it: $49, sephora.com

Twenty-four gorgeous perfumes await the festive season in this year's Advent calendar from Atelier Cologne, including the fan-favorite Orange Sanguine, Rose Anonyme, Sud Magnolia, and Mandarine Glaciale scents.

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Sephora Collection Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar

Sephora Collection Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar
Credit: sephora.com

Buy it: $45, sephora.com

Celebrate the season with 24 new products from the Sephora Collection, including makeup, skincare, and bath treats.

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Angelina 2017 Advent Calendar

Angelina 2017 Advent Calendar
Credit: bergdorfgoodman.com

Buy it: $50, bergdorfgoodman.com

Thanks to this indulgent Advent calendar, you'll enjoy a sweet confection every day leading up to Christmas.

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LEGO City Advent Calendar

Lego City Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $29.94, amazon.com

Treat your little builders to 24 new LEGO surprises in this year's LEGO City Advent Calendar.

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Molton Brown Cabinet of Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar

Molton Brown Cabinet of Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar
Credit: neimanmarcus.com

Buy it: $250, neimanmarcus.com

Dive into the festive season with this indulgent, fragrance-filled Advent Calendar from Molton Brown.

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Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent-ure Calendar

Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent-ure Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $16.03, amazon.com

There are chocolate goodies for all in the Cadbury Advent-ure Calendar.

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Play-Doh Doh Vinci Advent Calendar

Play-Doh Doh Vinci Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $9.99, amazon.com

The Hasbro Play-Doh Doh Vinci Advent Calendar promises fun for days and culminates in a DIY winter wonderland.

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Kinder Mini Mix Advent Calendar

Kinder Mini Mix Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $29.95, amazon.com

Enjoy an assortment of mini chocolates in the Kinder Mini Mix Advent Calendar, a fun way savor the season.

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Ciate Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set

Ciate Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set
Credit: sephora.com

Buy it: $59, sephora.com

Any nail polish fanatics in your life will be over the moon to open the doors of the glossy Ciate Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set this December.

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Lindt Bear Advent Calendar

Lindt Bear Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $24.99, amazon.com

There's milk chocolate behind every door in this decadent Advent calendar from the chocolatiers at Lindt.

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Fisher Price Thomas & Friends Minis Advent Calendar

Fisher Price Thomas & Friends Minis Advent Calendar
Credit: amazon.com

Buy it: $39.99, amazon.com

Your little ones will find twenty-four mini characters to play with in this fun Thomas & Friends-themed Advent calendar.

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Paw Patrol Advent Calendar

Paw Patrol Advent Calendar
Credit: target.com

Buy it: $24.99, target.com

Celebrate with Paw Patrol this season and treat your kids to the 24 small gifts that are revealed each day in this fun calendar.

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Clarins Advent Calendar

Clarins Advent Calendar
Credit: clarinsusa.com

Buy it: $125, clarinsusa.com

This year's Clarins Advent Calendar is packed with the brand's beloved beauty and skincare products, including both full-size and travel-size inclusions.

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12 Days of Ciate London

12 Days of Ciate London
Credit: sephora.com

Buy it: $59, sephora.com

This 12-day Advent calendar goes beyond the nail polish that Ciate London is famous for and includes their cruelty-free bronzer, eye shadows, highlighter, and eye liners.

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SkinStore's 12 Miracles of Beauty

SkinStore
Credit: skinstore.com

Buy it: $99, skinstore.com

Pamper yourself in the days leading up to Christmas with SkinStore's 12 Miracles of Beauty Advent calendar, a 12-gift box that includes premium skincare brands Caudalie, Dermalogica, and Dr Botanicals, among others.

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Diptyque Advent Calendar

Diptyque Advent Calendar
Credit: neimanmarcus.com

Buy it: $390, neimanmarcus.com

By far, the biggest splurge on this list is the annual Advent calendar from luxury candle and skincare brand Diptyque, which is filled with lovely fragrances, mini candles, skin and body care products, and a full-size Diptyque candle.

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Make Your Own Christmas Advent Calendar

When it comes to Christmas, we can hardly contain our excitement as each day passes, getting us one step closer to our favorite day of the year. And, when December finally rolls around, we're quick to break out the advent calendar to help us count down each day until this special day. Now, there are plenty of adorable advent calendars out there you can buy to get the whole family in the spirit; but sometimes it's more fun to make your own. This DIY Advent Calendar really shows what some hot glue, felt, and store-bought yardsticks can get done, and you can pick any holiday-patterned paper you like to customize it. Make it a family activity, complete with hot chocolate, or a festive solo project while singing along to your favorite Christmas songs. It's sure to delight your crowd if you stash a little money, treats, or Bible verses in the paper pockets!

Here are the wood sizes you'll need. Start with five 24-inch yard sticks, and cut down to the sizes below:

One 23-inch piece One 20-inch piece One 17-inch piece One 12-inch piece One 9.5-inch piece

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    1 of 21 The English Tea Shop Advent Calendar
    2 of 21 L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar
    3 of 21 Ritter Sport Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
    4 of 21 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar
    5 of 21 Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar
    6 of 21 Sephora Collection Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar
    7 of 21 Angelina 2017 Advent Calendar
    8 of 21 LEGO City Advent Calendar
    9 of 21 Molton Brown Cabinet of Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar
    10 of 21 Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent-ure Calendar
    11 of 21 Play-Doh Doh Vinci Advent Calendar
    12 of 21 Kinder Mini Mix Advent Calendar
    13 of 21 Ciate Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set
    14 of 21 Lindt Bear Advent Calendar
    15 of 21 Fisher Price Thomas & Friends Minis Advent Calendar
    16 of 21 Paw Patrol Advent Calendar
    17 of 21 Clarins Advent Calendar
    18 of 21 12 Days of Ciate London
    19 of 21 SkinStore's 12 Miracles of Beauty
    20 of 21 Diptyque Advent Calendar
    21 of 21 Make Your Own Christmas Advent Calendar

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