Updated on May 11th, 2026
Since there are only a few more days until Christmas, I wanted to share my thoughts on the advent calendars I got for this year.
The Body Shop Make It Real Together Ultimate Advent Calendar
Every year, there are so many beauty calendars to choose from, but I decided to buy myself The Body Shop Ultimate Advent Calendar. I was given The Body Shop gift card for my birthday, and I decided to put it towards one of their calendars. Previously, I bought one of their calendars in 2016 on sale, which I reviewed. I thought the calendar was expensive and definitely not worth the full price because there were very few full-size products.
This year The Body Shop had three sizes of advent calendars, and I decided on the Ultimate calendar because the Make It Real Advent Calendar had 4 coconut items and the Make It Real Together Big Advent Calendar had 3 coconut items. I cannot stand coconut-scented items, and the Ultimate had none, therefore, I decided on the Ultimate, which was 995 kr/ $163 for 25 days of gifts.
This calendar has many full-size items such as shower gels, shampoo and conditioner, body butter, masks, face wash, lip butter, and hand cream. Like The Body Shop calendar from 2016, there is very little makeup (there was mascara and a liquid lipstick in this calendar), but I do like that the only tools and accessories have been a facial mask brush and a headband while the rest has been skincare. I do think the calendar is still expensive, but this one is definitely worth the price. If you are looking for spoilers for 2021’s advent calendars, Beautyqueenuk shared The Body Shop Advent Calendars.
English Tea Shop Advent Calendar
Last year I got the Pukka Tea Advent Calendar, but there were quite a few teas with licorice as the main flavor, which is a flavor I cannot stand. The English Tea Shop Calendar had fewer teas with licorice and they were a minor flavor, so I decided to try this one this year. The calendar was 110 kr / $18 for 24 teas in 12 different flavors, and I also used a gift card for Matas from my birthday to buy it.
I have been enjoying the teas, and I have been drinking them with honey or making tea lattes. Out of the 12 flavors, my favorites are the White Tea Blueberry & Elderflower and Spiced Red Fruits, and my least favorite is Sweet Vanilla Bread because the spices were too strong. The English Tea Shop Advent Calendar is a great way to try new flavors of tea, and I have found some new favorites.
Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
I have bought the Lego Stars Wars Advent Calendar several years ago, which I shared in my Christmas Advent Calendars post. This year, Lego had a Yule Ball-themed Harry Potter advent calendar, and I decided to buy it because my favorite Harry Potter book is The Goblet of Fire. The calendar has 24 days and included mini-figures of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Cho Chang, Padma Patil, and Parvati Patil.
The calendar also included items from the Triwizard Tournament like the Goblet of Fire, a Durmstrang ship, a Beauxbatons carriage, and the golden egg as well as Yule Ball decorations including tables with ice sculptures, Christmas trees, and a piano. I liked the calendar and some days built on previous days like the fireplace connected to two windows, the gramophone was placed on a table, and the two Yule Ball tables connected to each other, which was nice. My daughter also loves Lego and I bought her the Lego Friends Advent Calendar, which she loves because it is Santa’s workshop themed with toys and elves and a girl mini-figure.
Homemade Advent Calendar
My friend Lise and I sent each other 12-day advent calendars, and I loved the calendar she gave me! It was a complete surprise what would be inside unlike the others where I had some spoilers either from looking at the box or checking the ingredients with the teas. Every day for 12 days, I received makeup-related items including a lipstick, bag, brush, and sponge, skincare items including a serum, masks, shower gel, chocolate including Reese’s (my favorite candy), and DIY ornaments. It was a fun surprise opening a present each day, and I would love to do something like this next Christmas too.
If you are unsure what advent calendar to get, Lynn has a great post on 8 of the Cutest Christmas Advent Calendars including the Kinder and Cadbury advent calendars!
Cute, I’m looking for advent calendars already!
~Michelle
Yes I’ve been looking too & I think I decided on calendars from stores in Denmark
I don’t know why, but today was “think about Christmas day” hahaha. I love the idea of a homemade Advent calendar. I have a secret Santa with a group of friends every year and I might go that for whoever I get! 🙂 I’ve also eyed up the Body Shop’s every year, but have never bought one, so that’s so good to hear more about it.
Haha I’ve been thinking about Christmas lately because I’ve been getting a TON of ads for all the different advent calendars out already
That’s sweet you do secret Santa with your friends & a homemade advent calendar would be a good idea!
I’m definitely glad I got last year’s The Body Shop’s calendar, but I already know I’m skipping this year as I still have some of the items to use up.
Ooh, I always adore chocolate advent calendars! I have yet to purchase one that’s not food haha. I loved the tea one! I would get this as coffee maybe this year! Thanks for sharing xx
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Haha I used to always get chocolate calendars, but as I’ve gotten older I wanted something else & all of these were great! A coffee calendar would be nice!
I am so envious with the Body Shop and the English tea advent calendar! It was always fun to open knick-knacks to the days leading up to Christmas!
It was so much fun to exchange advent calendars, and I’d definitely love doing it again next Christmas!
Ah, so many exciting calendars! I’ve always wanted to try the Body Shop one xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
We didn’t get any this year, but these look amazing!
All these advent calendar ideas are so much fun! Thanks for sharing these great options!
I really wanted to get one and then completely forgot about it! Will think about a homemade one for next year for sure! Thanks for sharing x
I don’t bother with advent calendars for me any more, just my daughter (we have a homemade one that gets filled with chocolate the night before the next day). But I love the Advent calendar swap you did with your friend, that’s such a lovely idea, so personal! x
I have a Lego Star Wars advent calendar this year and it has been fun opening the doors and building something, haha! I love the idea of making you own, I may have to look into this for next year!
omg the harry potter advent calendar, it looks so nice 😍😍 These are amazing picks!!
I love that one!
I wish I had the advent calendar from The Body Shop. I like their products and shop there occasionally. So sad I missed out this year!
My mom used to make me homemade advent calendars when I was younger and I miss that tradition.
The Body Shop’s calendar was great this year & maybe you can get the one next year!
Aw that’s sweet your mom did that for you when you were younger
When I have a steady job and have money I will definitely be splurging on an advent calendar in the future. I went to there today and they were out of advent calendars.
We always had them in England. Yous sounds amazing 😊❤
Yes I’m so happy with the ones I had this year!
Delighted