To make your holiday countdown exciting and fun this year, we researched the best advent calendars for kids and adults. Our favorite picks include a delicious cheese option from Harry & David, a fun buildable wooden train station from Hape, and Vinebox’s 12 Days of Wine to help mom and dad unwind this holiday season. When researching our advent calendar selections, we kept in mind price, quality, and delivery time. While it may not even officially be winter just yet, many popular advent calendars sold out fast last year, so it’s best to get your hands on these as early as possible. Read on and get in the holiday spirit with our picks for the best advent calendars. Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $129 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $65 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $70 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $39 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $65 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $200 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $125 Price at time of publish: $195 Price at time of publish: $79 Price at time of publish: $98 Price at time of publish: $125 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $260 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $220 Price at time of publish: $64 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $105 Price at time of publish: $250 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $150 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $200 Price at time of publish: $110 Price at time of publish: $200
Delivery Time
Advent calendars are a time-sensitive gift, so paying attention to shipping times is extremely important. Most advent calendars begin on December 1, so shopping early is vital. Some retailers offer the last date to order a certain calendar to ensure its delivery by the first of the month. For others, you may have to pay extra for expedited to get your gift in on time. Other calendars only contain 12 items, so you have a little more leniency on when to order. Still, ordering early is always advised for gifts of any kind, especially ones meant to be enjoyed on certain days (and given the current chain supply issues).
Allergen Information
One of the most classic options for advent calendars is chocolate. For this and other food-based options featuring popcorn, caramels, candies, jams, honey, and more, it becomes very important to consider the allergen information of the person receiving the advent calendar. Luckily, retailers selling advent calendars containing food usually list all of the allergen information and ingredients on their website. Be sure to scan this section before purchasing! Another important note for food-filled advent calendars is that certain choices may require a signature upon delivery. This is especially relevant to ones containing alcohol or perishable foods. Take your recipient’s schedule into account when choosing a delivery time and maybe give them a head’s up (without revealing the gift, of course).
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, interviews with experts, and more. While advent calenders traditionally count down to Christmas, you don’t need to celebrate the holiday or be religious to enjoy the small daily surprises.
