Forget the humble chocolate advent calendar – Christmas countdowns have had a serious glow-up.
We’ve done the scrolling and sleuthing to find five of the best advent calendars available in New Zealand, packed with products worth getting excited about and offering genuine value. From Charlotte Tilbury’s coveted beauty icons and Glasshouse Fragrances’ crowd-pleasing scents to a slice of London luxury from Liberty, these are the FashioNZ-approved picks we’d love to unwrap come December 1.
Whether you’re shopping for a beauty obsessive, a fragrance lover or treating yourself (as you should), there’s something for everyone. Just don’t leave it too late – the best ones sell out fast!
The holy grail: Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar, $809 (worth over $3,801)
We wouldn’t usually include an overseas pick, but this one deserves an exception – quite simply, it’s the advent calendar to end all advent calendars. Liberty London’s legendary edit has sold out 11 years running, and it’s easy to see why. While it isn’t available in New Zealand stores, you can order it online with free shipping.
Inside are 29 products, 21 full-sized, worth more than £1,300 (around NZ$3,801). Expect luxury names including Augustinus Bader, Sunday Riley, Sisley Paris, Jones Road and Lisa Eldridge across skincare, makeup, fragrance and haircare. As an added bonus, 20 lucky calendars contain a golden-ticket Liberty voucher worth £1,000 (around NZ$2,390).
At NZ$809, it’s certainly expensive, but you’re getting a seriously luxurious haul. The keepsake box, designed in collaboration with British actress Helena Bonham Carter, is also worth holding onto. A little piece of Liberty magic, minus the London airfare.
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The beauty lover’s dream: Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Beauty Wonderland, $399 (worth $624)
For the trend-led beauty obsessive, this is the calendar that’ll have everyone else wishing they’d bought one. Charlotte Tilbury has gone all out with extravagant, Hollywood-inspired jewellery-box packaging, housing a selection of the brand’s most coveted cult favourites.
There are 15 treats in total, including four full-sized icons: the famous Pillow Talk lipstick, Beauty Light Wand, Unreal Blush and Lip Cheat Contour Duo. The remaining treats include minis of her Magic Cream, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, mascara and more, plus a limited-edition gua sha and exclusive makeup bag.
$399 is a splurge, but with a contents value of $624, you’re saving $225 – particularly worthwhile if these are already on your beauty wish list. And once you’ve opened all the drawers, the keepsake box doubles as a jewellery organiser.
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The ultimate crowd-pleaser: Glasshouse Fragrances 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, $340 (worth $432.60)
Looking for a calendar the whole family can enjoy? This one comes pretty close. From hand creams for Nana and fragrance for Mum to a little something for Dad’s car (yes, there’s interior fragrance too), there’s a treat for everyone. Behind the 24 doors, you’ll find perfume minis, body lotions, scented candles and a few fun extras, including a festive ornament and a clever tube key to get every last drop out of your hand cream.
The beautifully illustrated packaging, created in collaboration with Australian artist Jeffrey Phillips, is another standout – the kind you’ll want on display. With 24 surprises for $340 and a total value of over $432.60, there’s plenty of bang for your buck.
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Best for teens and beauty beginners: Mecca Midnight Countdown 12-Piece Beauty Advent Calendar, $132 (worth $226)
Don’t overlook Mecca’s own-brand beauty range – the quality punches well above its price tag. This 12-piece calendar is a great option for teens or makeup newbies looking to build their beauty stash without breaking the bank. You’ll save $94, and despite its more affordable price point, it still feels suitably luxe, thanks to the playful packaging designed by artist Tai Snaith.
Inside are nine full-sized makeup products and tools, plus three deluxe skincare minis. Think serum and facial mist alongside brow gel, eyeshadow, blush, lip products and a brush – a handy mix of everyday essentials to take you from a fresh face to a full glam.
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Best for beauty discovery: Farmers 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, $129.95 (worth $473)
I’d be adding this to cart if you love trying new brands without committing to full-size products. Rather than sticking to one label, Farmers has curated a mix of familiar favourites and new discoveries – essentially a beauty lucky dip.
The 32-piece lineup features full-sized products and deluxe minis from Benefit, Clarins, Shiseido, Clinique, Lancôme, Antipodes, ghd and MCoBeauty, covering skincare, makeup, fragrance and haircare.
At $129.95, it’s valued at $473, saving you more than $343. With 12 days of treats to unwrap, it’s a fun way to build the excitement ahead of Christmas.
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