Advent calendars for 2025 have hit store shelves early, and retailers are already warning that many popular options could sell out before December. The New York Post’s The Post Wanted team notes that more than a dozen calendars are available to buy now across major retailers, from Walmart and Saks Fifth Avenue to Anthropologie and Pottery Barn. The early arrivals reflect a broader trend: countdown calendars that double as gifts, home decor, or experiential treats, rather than simple trinkets, are drawing interest from shoppers looking to create a festive mantel, a kid-friendly activity, or a self-care ritual during the holiday season.
The calendars span a wide range of interests and budgets, with options for beauty lovers, foodies, bookworms, and families alike. Glow Recipe’s 12 Days of Glow Advent Calendar is pitched as a complete skincare kit and is listed for under $100, appealing to beauty enthusiasts who want a daily at-home self-care moment. Saks Fifth Avenue is highlighting La Mer The World of La Mer 12-Day Advent Calendar, a luxe assortment that includes a series of travel-sized and full-size skincare essentials, positioned as a high-end splurge for devoted fans of the brand. For a DIY-friendly entry point, IKEA’s VINTERFINT Advent Calendar is priced around $5 and features 24 loops to customize or showcase wrapped and unwrapped items in a family-friendly display. Cheryl’s Cookies Wooden Advent Calendar offers a budget-friendly option under $50, delivering a daily edible treat alongside a keepsake wooden frame.
For fragrance and beauty, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Advent Calendar Gift Set presents 12 daily discoveries from a brand known for its scents and body care, while Papier’s 24 Doors of Desk Delights targets stationery lovers with 24 days of organizers, to-do lists and journals. Anthropologie leans into home decor with its Light-Up Wooden Train Advent Calendar, a decorative piece that doubles as a festive centerpiece. Among toy-and-collectibles picks, Hasbro’s Funko Pop! Advent Calendar and the LEGO Disney Advent Calendar remain perennial favorites for families and collectors alike, with enthusiasts eager to count down the days with character-inspired figures and builds.
Specialty retailers are also offering niche calendars for connoisseurs: Williams Sonoma’s Spice Advent Calendar curated with premium spices by Le Comptoir Colonial invites cooks to explore new flavors across 24 days; Build-A-Bear’s Merry Mission Advent Calendar blends plush miniatures with clothing and accessories; Jo Malone London’s Twelve Days of Ornaments packs miniature fragrances and bath treats into decorative ornaments ideal for gifting. For readers and artists, Uncommon Goods offers The Book Lover’s Advent Calendar, while Revolution Beauty’s Advent Calendar provides a budget-friendly makeup assortment featuring palettes and mascaras. Chocolatiers and candy lovers can gravitate toward Compartés Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar or Sugarfina’s 24 Tastes of Christmas, both offering chocolate and candy-forward selections.
Some calendars lean into adult-only or couples’ experiences. Lovehoney’s 24-Day X Womanizer Couple’s Sex Toy Advent Calendar positions itself as a high-end, intimate gift with a value claimed at up to 530 dollars’ worth of items for under 200 dollars, while Byers’ Choice Christmas House Advent Calendar doubles as a decorative centerpiece with 24 doors concealing customizable surprises. In the home decor space, Pottery Barn’s Lit Glitter Houses Advent Calendar offers a sparkling architectural display, and West Elm’s House Advent Calendar emphasizes neutrals and modern design for adult and family enjoyment. KiwiCo bundles for kids offer 24 gifts across a trio of calendars, including a Christmas village, a North Pole railroad, and a snowy winter wonderland theme, designed to engage children in hands-on activities.
The holiday market’s appeal isn’t limited to the party-ready or luxury wing of shopping. Amazon, Walmart, and other mass retailers remain popular channels for buyers seeking quick shipping or broader availability, with some calendars including exclusive items or early-release packaging only at certain stores. A number of calendars in the mix are available for pre-order or limited runs, and several items have already started to sell quickly as shoppers plan ahead for family activities, self-care routines, and festive displays.
To cater to different tastes, some calendars are designed to be reused year after year. IKEA’s VINTERFINT is deliberately DIY-friendly, encouraging families to hang or display wrapped items in 24 loops for a recurring tradition. On the more luxurious end, the Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beauty Treasure Chest of Love is listed as a preorder, signaling that high-end beauty fans may choose to plan ahead for a premium-aesthetic gift. Wine and whiskey calendars, such as In Good Taste 2025 Wine Advent Calendar and Master of Malt Whisky Advent Calendar, offer a travelogue through beverages, appealing to connoisseurs who enjoy tasting note exploration and regional variety across 24 samples or more.
As shoppers navigate the growing landscape of Advent calendars, The Post Wanted team notes that prices, availability, and promotions can shift quickly as the season approaches. The advice from editors is to compare selections across major retailers, consider whether a calendar’s contents align with the recipient’s interests, and act promptly if a particular calendar is listed as limited stock or exclusive to a retailer. The buying window is tightening as retailers tease limited runs and special edition drops designed to spark gift-giving momentum earlier in the season.
The assortment is a reminder that Advent calendars have evolved from simple chocolate countdowns into curated experiences that blend functional design, beauty rituals, and collectible moments. Whether shoppers want a practical, budget-friendly option or a collectible luxury set, there is likely a calendar that fits the theme of a home, a family activity, or a personal self-care routine this year.
Beyond the doorways and packaging, the year’s lineup reflects a shift toward experiential anticipation—one that blends the joy of daily surprises with the practicality of gift-giving and home styling. The Post Wanted will continue tracking new drops, restocks and exclusive bundles as retailers update their calendars for the 2025 season. For shoppers aiming to beat the rush, the guidance remains consistent: research options, verify contents, and be ready to buy sooner rather than later to avoid missing out on favorite picks.
The broader trend of early availability is unlikely to fade, as brands and retailers look to capitalize on consumers’ desire for buildable rituals that help define the holiday season. As calendars multiply across price points and themes, they also become a small stage for personal or shared traditions—whether that means brunch-and-build weekends around an IKEA project, a daily skincare ritual with Glow Recipe, or a family countdown that culminates in a big reveal on Christmas Eve. The 2025 calendar assortment demonstrates that the Countdown to Christmas has grown into a year-round shopping event, with anticipation starting in earnest well before December.