The countdown to the holidays is on, and we are so ready. But we're done opening the doors on those childhood advent calendars filled with cheap milk chocolates. Instead, we want ones filled with useful surprises. And we must have been good this year, because brands heard our plea and delivered some seriously cool options.
Is there a better way to get yourself out of bed in the morning than to remember you have a gift waiting for you, and that gift could be perfume, lipstick, or a sheet mask? We haven't found one. Ahead, our top 20 — yes, 20! — picks to gift yourself and your friends. Just make sure to get them before the 1st. Or don't — playing catch-up and getting multiple presents at once is pretty great, too.
Nothing beats a Diptyque gift — except 25 Diptyque gifts. From candles to fragrances, this countdown is as luxe as it gets.
Diptyque Advent Calendar, $390, available at Diptyque.
You get 10 polishes in festive shades and metallic finishes in this set, and we challenge you to wear them all within the month.
Formula X X in the City Nail Polish Set, $36.50, available at Sephora.
This magical countdown calendar features 24 travel-sized skin-care products for face, bath, and body.
Dr. Hauschka Advent Calendar, $74, available at Dr. Hauschka.
Pass the days by treating yourself to a French essential every single morning.
L’Occitane Advent Calendar, $55, available at L’Occitane.
This 10-piece sheet-mask set will have you glowing in time for all the parties.
Glow Recipe 10 Days to Glow, $69, available at Glow Recipe.
Introduce your best friend to some skin-care classics with this 14-product countdown set.
Clinique Ultimate Indulgence Box, $49.50, available at Neiman Marcus.
Paul & Joe packaging makes us squeal every time — and this limited-edition set is cuter than ever, if that's possible.
Paul & Joe Beauté Marché de Noël Makeup Collection, $75, available at Paul & Joe Beauté.
Save your friends some extra dough this season by gifting them the ultimate at-home mani set. It's filled with treatments, polishes, and a nail file, so there’s no need for that biweekly appointment now.
Ciaté London Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set, $59, available at Sephora.
This drugstore advent calendar is packed with 12 eyeshadows and 12 soft, matte lip creams to mix and match unlimited looks.
Nyx Wanderlust Advent Calendar, $50, available at Nyx Cosmetics.
Advent calendars present the perfect opportunity for your friends and family to play with different products and try out new brands. And if they already love The Body Shop, they’ll be hooked on these delicious body butters.
The Body Shop Deluxe Cheeky Surprises Advent Calendar, $125, available at The Body Shop.
This four-day pop-out gift set is perfect for the skin-care minimalist.
Dr. Jart+ Snow Time Like the Present, $46, available at Birchbox.
Home for the holidays? Now is the time to take advantage of your parents' bathtub and indulge in this 12 Days of Christmas calendar countdown. You know what they say: A bath a day keeps the New Year's blues away.
Lush 12 Days of Christmas, $99.95, available at Lush.
Consider yourself #blessed if you find this wrapped up and tagged for you — Jo Malone makes some of the best fragrances around.
Jo Malone Christmas Advent Calendar, $425, available at Jo Malone London freestanding boutiques.
The retro band is cute, but the makeup staples hiding "backstage" make us even happier.
Benefit Girl O’Clock Rock Mini Bestsellers Set, $45, available at Benefit.
An inexpensive countdown to the most wonderful time of the year? We’ll take two!
Ulta Beauty Collection 12 Days of Beauty, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
Every best-selling product you’ve been dying to share with your friends is packed into 12 compact drawers from Charlotte Tilbury. There are old favorites like the Magic Cream, and a full-sized Eyes to Mesmerise: Marie Antoinette eyeshadow. Plus, how rad is the packaging?
Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties Advent Calendar, $200, available at Charlotte Tilbury.
If you studied abroad in Paris, you'll cherish this Nuxe countdown illustrated with the city's streets. Pop open the Rêve de Miel, close your eyes, and go back to the banks of the Seine.
Nuxe 10 Beauty Treasures, $49, available at Ulta Beauty.
Make every shower a more interesting experience by swapping out your body wash on the daily.
Molton Brown 12 Days of Christmas Collection, $50, available at Nordstrom.
This chic box comes packed with 24 best sellers.
Estée Lauder Holiday Collection, $275, available at Nordstrom.
One large box filled with everything a mineral-makeup lover needs — 24 gifts, to be exact.
BareMinerals Countdown to Gorgeous, $79, available at BareMinerals.
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