Advent calendars, gift boxes made with 25 compartments containing small treats or gifts to open on each day of December leading up to Christmas, have been a beloved tradition for decades. They used to be mostly for kids, but modern brands now market them to grownups too, offering mini versions of skincare products, jewelry, or fancy chocolate truffles.
We don’t mind splurging around the holidays, but $1,000 for an advent calendar seems like a bit much. That’s not even the half of it, either. Keep reading to see the most expensive advent calendars sold this year.
15. Penhaligon’s The Toy Chest Advent Calendar: $435
British heritage brand Penhaligon has been making luxury perfumes since 1870. It’s only fitting that their annual advent calendar has a price tag to match. The pricy advent calendar is described as a “toy chest,” but they use the term toy loosely.
The items in each little cubby are all skin care products, including soaps hand cream, and, of course, perfume. You, too, can sample some of their best-selling scents, like Elisabethan Rose and Endymion, whatever that is, as long as you have $400+ to drop.
14. Jo Malone Advent Calendar: $495
Another well known perfumer, Jo Malone is well-loved for its colognes that can be applied in layers to create your own, signature scent. This year, the Jo Malone Advent Calendar is gingerbread-themed, but the goodies inside have nothing to do with cookies. 24 mini versions of their most popular scents are included, for just $495. How smelly does one have to be to dish out $500 to smell nice? Just wondering.
13. Christian Louboutin Women’s Advent Calendar: $600
The name Christian Louboutin is synonymous with those red-bottomed stilettos that appear every year on the red carpet, which start at about $800 a pair. The fashion brand’s advent calendar isn’t quite as expensive, but it comes close. For $600, revelers can open up 25 tiny presents, including a variety of red lipsticks, perfume, and eye makeup. What can we say? It costs to be glamorous.
12. Sisley Advent Calendar 2023: $650
Beauty brand Sisley was founded in the 70s, but 2023 is the first year the brand has offered an advent calendar. Similar to the Christian Louboutin calendar, it’s packed with skin care treats, makeup, an eye roller, and signature scents in a box so pretty, you might want to keep it. For $650, we definitely wouldn’t have the heart to throw it in the recycling bin.
11. Hanky Panky Original Rise Lace Thong Advent Calendar: $660
We thought someone was pranking us when we saw an underwear advent calendar selling for over $600, but no. The price tag is very real, and we remain confused. The calendar is made by Hanky Panky, a brand known for brightly colored thongs that are purported to be extra comfortable.
They must do something else to justify the expense. Maybe they double as slingshots in a pinch. Or maybe they do your taxes while they’re at the dry cleaner?! They can’t just be regular underwear for that price. And why does anyone need 25 pairs at once, anyway?
10. Guerlain Advent Calendar: $720
Skin care seems to be the name of the game for pricy advent calendars, and the older the company, the pricier the product. The French brand Guerlain has offered inspired fragrances since 1828, and their 2023 advent calendar is based off of their signature Bee Bottle. Each bottle is poured by hand, sealed with a cord of your choice and a golden stamp, and engraved in gold.
The advent calendar is almost as elite, with deliciously scented mini candles, soaps, Abeille Royale skincare products, makeup, and more. We’re not sure any candle is worth $700, but hey, if you have the money to burn, at least burning it this way will smell nice.
9. Liberty London 12 Days of Jewellery Calendar: $755
Moving on to jewelry, Liberty London’s $755 advent calendar doesn’t even include 25 presents. Twelve small drawers are packed with lavish surprises that do, admittedly, justify the cost. The baubles inside include items with real diamonds and other precious gemstones, solid gold necklaces, earrings and pretty much everything you need to completely overhaul your jewelry collection.
8. Awe Inspired Season of Awe Deluxe Advent Calendar: $795
Co-founded in 2017 by three-time breast cancer survivor Jill Johnson and her son, Max, Awe Inspired is an edgy newcomer to the jewelry scene. This year, the eclectic brand launched not one, but two high end advent calendars.
The deluxe version includes 15 days worth of surprise jewelry and wellness treats, valued at more than $1,400. The “budget” version, which lasts a measly five days, is still $395. All of the brand’s materials are ethically sourced, and some of the proceeds go to charity, but that’s still a hefty sum of money to drop of five days of trinkets.
7. 111SKIN The Dr. Yannis Hero 10-Piece Skin Care Set: $800
As far as skincare brands go, 111Skin is the real deal. It was founded by a reputable plastic surgeon who formulated science-based skincare products that have since developed a cult-like following.
This year’s advent calendar offers 10 compact versions of the brand’s most popular anti-aging, exfoliating, and glow-inducing serums to look your best all season long. We’ll just turn down the lights and use our $8 moisturizer from Trader Joe’s until we save up the other $782 to splurge on this one.
6. Wedgwood Christmas Advent Calendar 2023: $1,000
The award for the oldest brand to release an advent calendar this year goes to Wedgwood, one of the oldest ceramic brands around today. It was founded in 1759 in England, producing fine china, porcelain and luxury dining and homeware items.
The $1,000 Wedgwood advent calendar is modeled after a quaint, Georgian townhouse. Inside each window is a collectable porcelain ornament to add to your tree.
5. Swarovski Disney100 Advent Calendar 2023: $1,300
Swarovski is a master of partnering with brands to make glittery, crystal collectors items, and their advent calendar is no exception. To give a shoutout to 100 years of Disney, Swarovski launched a calendar with 22 House of Mouse ornaments and two sparkling necklaces.
Also included is a set of crystalline stickers that our kids would immediately stick on random items around the house before we had a chance to stop them.
4. Astrid & Miyu 14k Gold Advent Calendar: $1,480
2012 jewelry brand Astrid & Miyu just released a legendary advent calendar worth almost $1,500. It’s a 14-karat gold version in a minimalistic wooden case with gold accents, that doubles as a jewelry box. There’s a less expensive recycled sterling silver version and a smaller 12-day version, but we’d probably save up for the nicest one. If you’re already dropping hundreds on a surprise, you might as well get the one you really want.
3. Dior La Collection Privée Holiday 2023 Advent Calendar: $4,200
The name “Dior” is synonymous with all things luxe. The most expensive beauty product-centered advent calendar on the market, the Dior advent calendar comes with a selection of La Collection Privée perfumes, skincare products, nail polishes, lipsticks, candles and accessories.
The brand also sells a cheaper version for $750. We never thought a $750 calendar would sound affordable, but it’s beginning to.
2. Tiffany & Co Advent Calendar: $131,000
Tiffany & Co., a design house founded in the Big Apple in 1837, is internationally recognized for its remarkable craftsmanship and creative designs. It better be, considering its advent calendar goes for more than a Tesla.
The 24 turquoise drawers are lined with bright red, and each individually wrapped surprise is a piece of fine jewelry. We’re talking diamond-encrusted bracelets, tanzanite earrings, a finely crafted watch, perfume and more. Only four are available for sale. We’d love to know who ends up buying them.
1. A Custom Made Advent Calendar Worth Millions
Lastly, we have a custom-made creation valued at an unheard of 10.3 million dollars. Yes, for an advent calendar. The calendar’s items were selected by Debbie Wingham, a renowned multi-media artist and designer. She curated the calendar for a wealthy Swiss family, including designer watches, diamonds, and art pieces made by brand names like Ferrari, Chanel and Cartier.
Check out the video below to get an inside look at this next-level advent calendar. In the meantime, we’ll stick to the kind that’s filled with chocolate truffles for under $50.
