You can’t have an advent calendar guide without some chocolate. Many will remember the excitment of opening cheap, gimmicky advent calendars as a child, revealing an unidentifiable festive chocolate that tasted vaguely like plastic. Well, the Christmas chocolate industry has really levelled up, now offering a huge range of quality treats for sweet-toothed adults.
And what’s says quality better than Australian made Haigh’s? For just over $50, you can feast on a selection of 24 handmade mild and dark chocolates, all of which can be tucked away in an adorable gingerbread house calendar. At the other end of the scale, there’s a $1350 version filled with a range of Haigh’s top-tier selections.
Haigh’s top-tier advent calendar, $1350.
Bang for buck
Given the classic calendar is 150 grams and a 150 gram box of assorted Haigh’s chocolates costs a similar price, the retail value of the chocolate itself is presumably nearly on par with the purchase price.
The Gourmet Collection Popcorn Advent Calendar ($44.99)
The Gourmet Collection Popcorn Advent Calendar, $44.99.
Chocolate is far from the only advent calendar option for foodies these days. Myer is now offering a popcorn countdown, replete with 24 days of caramel, salted caramel and chocolate flavoured snacks.
Perfect to pair with a Christmas movie marathon, perhaps?
Bang for buck
Myer lists no actual retail value for the advent calendar (192 grams). However, when comparing it to their 200 gram “Big Night In” caramel popcorn, which sells for $14.99, it seems rather pricey. Perhaps you’re paying for the theatrics of opening a new treat each day. And it must be noted that the calendar consists of several flavours as opposed to just one.
T2 Cabinet Of Curiosity 24 Day Tea Bag Advent ($48)
T2 Cabinet Of Curiosity 24 Day Tea Bag Advent, $48.
Fancy a tea with that fruit mince pie? Australian tea icon T2 has once again curated a 24-day calendar that consists of a wide range of individual sachets, including some of their bestsellers.
Though made up primarily of black teas (notable favourites are Melbourne Breakfast and, of course, Christmas Breakfast), it also includes an array of fruit, green and herbal teas, as well as one particularly enticing rooibos called “sticky date delight”.
Bang for buck
An average T2 tea bag usually costs around $1.40 (though they aren’t usually sold separately). That means the approximate value of the tea bags inside the advent calendar is around $33.60. This isn’t too steep compared to the $48, especially given the specialty packaging.
Bitty Pop! Holiday Countdown Calendars ($85)
Bitty Pop! Holiday Countdown Calendars, $85.
Christmas is the best time of year for many people, but especially for those who are kids at heart. The Funko Bitty Pop calendars will prove particularly enticing for these young souls, no matter what their particular interests.
There’s a range of these mini collectible countdowns this year, including Stitch, Marvel and Disney princesses. Each contain 10 miniature collectibles, seven stackable display pieces, three holiday accessories, two keychain cases and two pin cases.
Bang for buck
Based on the average price of one miniature Funko collectible (around $5.99), $85 for 10 figures may sound steep. However, the calendar contains a whole swathe of accessories, which probably makes this advent calendar more or less on par with its estimated retail price.
The moderate spends
L’Occitane Classic Advent Calendar ($179)
L’Occitane Classic Advent Calendar, $179.
Not only do you get 24 items ranging from skincare to hair-care in L’Occitane’s classic calendar, but the yellow-and-white packaging is also so beautiful you won’t want to throw it away (hot tip: you could use it to store jewellery well past Christmas).
Though slightly more expensive than calendars from brands like The Body Shop ($99), L’Occitane delivers their ultimate skincare favourites (like the Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-In-Serum) to limited edition bonuses and full-size items (for example, the shea butter hand cream).
Bang for buck
According to the L’Occitane website, the total value of the items in their classic advent calendar is a whopping $367. That means you’re supposedly getting all the products for around half price – a great bargain for such a dependable, higher-end brand.
Mac’s 24 Mystery Must Haves Advent Calendar ($390)
Mac’s 24 Mystery Must Haves Advent Calendar, $390.
Make-up advent calendars are some of the most in-demand countdowns every Christmas season, so it’s little surprise that festive favourites from Charlotte Tilbury and Nars sold out as early as September. But fear not, there are still some stellar beauty options available, including Mac’s monster “Mystery Must Haves”.
Valued at a mammoth $840, this make-up calendar includes 24 mini and full-sized items from the iconic brand, as well as limited-edition gel eye pads and gua sha tool. Mascaras, lipsticks, eyeshadows – you name it, it’s probably in it.
Bang for buck
This may be one of the best-value advent calendars this year given it costs less than half of its retail value. You also get it in a cool, extendable box that can be re-used for other things like make-up or jewellery storage, and which even contains a mirror. The only caveat is not every colour may be to your liking.
Reverie Puzzles’ Christmas Around The World Puzzle Advent Calendar ($149.99)
Reverie Puzzles’ Christmas Around The World Puzzle Advent Calendar, $149.99.
Many people take a break from work over the holidays, but that doesn’t mean an occasional brain-teaser is out of the question. Reverie Puzzles’ calendar consists of 24 individually packaged 99-piece puzzles, which showcase the ways Christmas is celebrated around the world (including a nod to Australia’s famous Carols by Candlelight).
This calendar isn’t numbered – it’s a choose-your-own-adventure whereby the owner opens up whichever world flag speaks to them each day. Its book design and gold foil detailing also means it could make a great coffee table display every December.
Bang for buck
Based on the closest comparable puzzle sets sold by Reverie Puzzles, the retail value of those in the advent calendar would be approximately $300. This is only an estimate, but it still suggests good value given the calendar sells for half this price, and even comes in an aesthetic, re-useable book box.
The Book Grocer’s Advent Calendar ($180)
The Book Grocer’s Advent Calendar, $180.
Bookworms rejoice for The Book Grocer is offering an array of different advent calendars designed for those who want nothing more at Christmas than to settle in with a good book.
Whether you love fiction, non-fiction, romance or crime, there’s a book countdown for you. They each contain 24 individually wrapped and numbered books, some of which are new and some of which are second-hand (though all in good condition).
Bang for buck
It’s difficult to say how worthwhile this advent calendar is without knowing the exact titles they contain (titles tend to sell for varied prices at The Book Grocer). However, if the average book costs about $19 in Australia, this calendar is presumably excellent value ($180 compared to an estimated $456). This is just an approximate guess, however.
The splurges
The Australian Wool Stores’ Embroidery Yarn Advent Calendar ($225)
The Australian Wool Stores’ Embroidery Yarn Advent Calendar, $225.
Keen for a new hobby? There’s an advent calendar for that. Instead of just opening up something to eat, drink or spray on your body, countdowns from places like The Australian Wool Store aim to get your hands busy.
The embroidery yarn calendar contains 25 mini embroidery skeins (a bundle of embroidery yarn) to be opened daily in the lead-up to Christmas, an embroidery design, sweet treats, and a couple of other surprises. The 50 per cent yak and 50 per cent silk version is for those searching for something a little more luxe, but there’s also a slightly cheaper merino version if spending more than $200 on wool feels a bit extreme.
Bang for buck
The value here is not so much based on the weight of the yarn itself, but on having 25 individually curated and hand-dyed colours that are typically not available for sale separately, or are custom blends. Based on similar yarn advent calendars from other Australian independent dyers, where prices range from $150 to over $300, this calendar falls into a mid-to-high-end range.
Glasshouse’s 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar ($290)
Glasshouse’s 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, $290.
Getting into the heavy-hitters, this Glasshouse calendar is a favourite every festive season, largely due to the impressive range it features. Each of the 24 drawers contain either one of Glasshouse’s signature soy candles, a mini eau de parfums, or a bath and body product. On top of that, it also includes holiday stickers for a playful touch.
Bang for your buck
Glasshouse doesn’t list the retail value of their advent calendar, and it’s difficult to definitively calculate given it consists of several miniature products. That being said, the perceived value of the products inside is typically placed in the $450 to $700 range, making the $290 purchase price a strong offer for those who want to sample a wide range of their most premium products.
Francesca’s Jewellery Advent Calendar ($499)
Francesca’s Jewellery Advent Calendar, $499.
There’s treating yourself and then there’s buying yourself 12 pieces of jewellery in one fell swoop.
Australian jeweller Francesca is offering their annual 12-day advent calendar, replete with gold-plated hoops, charms and bracelets. The gold option is the flashiest of all, but you can also get it in rose gold and silver, the last of which is $100 cheaper.
Bang for buck
You may be wondering, “why spend so much money on just 12 days when most other calendars are 24 days?” Well, not every advent calendar consists of gold-plated jewellery, and buying 24 pieces at once for yourself may seem … A bit much, perhaps. According to Francesca’s website, the 12 days of jewellery is valued at $838, so you’re getting it all for just over half-price.
Jo Malone’s Advent Calendar ($895)
Jo Malone’s Advent Calendar, $895.
This 25-day advent calendar is pure luxury. Hidden within its gold-tinted drawers are a range of Jo Malone’s best-selling products, including colognes, candles and body-care products. But be warned – it comes with a nearly $900 price-tag, which may seem steep for many even with the chic, circular chequered box it comes in.
Bang for your buck
British retailers note that Jo Malone’s advent calendar is valued at approximately £539, which, if accurate, would mean it’s worth more than $1000. That means the approximate retail value is about 1.5 times the price of the calendar – not bad for a luxury fragrance brand.
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