I got my hands on the best advent calendars of 2026 – these are the ones to shop before they inevitably sell out
From budget to luxury, this guide has got an advent calendar for everyone
Long gone are the days of advent calendars being filled exclusively with chocolate. These days, the best advent calendars offer everything from your favourite coffee to luxury scented candles (and everything in between). And if you’re after home-related treats like that (and more) then this guide is sure to have something for you, whatever your budget.
Over the course of the past month, I spent hours researching alternative advent calendars. I then got my hands on as many of the best ones as I possibly could, and gathered them all in one room - one beautiful room at Pinterest’s London office, might I add - for a testing session. This is what ultimately informed this round-up of the 12 best advent calendars I’ve seen and tried first hand.
Advent calendars like these make for a great present idea for your loved ones. Or even if you feel like treating yourself, I couldn’t recommend a beautiful advent calendar like one of these enough.
The only downside of advent calendars is that they tend to sell out quickly after release. And even though it’s only September, some brands have already started dropping their advent calendars, while others are available on pre-order. So I recommend you act fast if you have your eye on one (or more) of these calendars.
I rate good, pretty design, good quality gifts inside, unique ideas and great value for money – so I won’t let an overpriced advent calendar slide. That’s why I've put in the hours to see, try and open as many of this year's advent calendars as possible to keep this guide up to date on the best ones out there.
Best advent calendars 2026
Availability status: In stock
The White Company advent calendar is back for 2026 - and it's better than ever before. It features a new hand-drawn design, new products and more full-sized treats compared to previous years. And yet, the £195 price point remains unchanged. It never disappoints and even treats you on Christmas day, providing 25 treats rather than the traditional 24. The calendar has a good mix of various products from home fragrance (candles, a home spray and a diffuser) to body and skincare like shower gels and lotions. It’s certainly not the cheapest calendar out there, but it's great value for money. And if you're a fan of the brand it's definitely worth it.
Availability status: In stock
If your budget doesn't quite stretch to some of the luxury calendars (join the club), then this Yankee advent option delivers candles aplenty with the much more affordable RRP of £34.99. Taking on the look of stacked-up, wrapped Christmas presents, the calendar opens to reveal 24 scented tea lights in 24 different scents to discover every day in the lead up to Christmas, with one bonus glass tea light holder to add. It may not look as impressive as some of my other top picks, but it’s very good value for money. And who doesn’t love a Yankee candle? It’s a wholesome classic.
Availability status: Sold out online, in stock in select stores
This advent calendar only just dropped at the beginning of September and it's already out of stock online. You can, however, still find it in some select physical stores like John Lewis. But I'm not surprised shoppers jumped at the opportunity to bag one of these asap - because it's good! I've had one in my locker for a few weeks now and every time I open it, a heavenly, spa-like scent envelops me. I love Neom's soothing fragrances and the two scented candles included don't smell beautiful but look special, too, as they come in coloured glass jars with a beautiful organic shape.
Best luxury advent calendars
Availability status: Available for pre-order, launches on the 8th October
One of the main criteria when judging these advent calendars was value for money, but when it comes to this luxurious Diptyque advent calendar, logic really goes out the window in all honesty. I’m a big Diptyque candle fan – and so is the majority of the Ideal Home office. So if I was to spend a lot of money on an advent calendar - and £420 undeniably is a high price point - this would be one of the top contenders. Every year, the brand goes for a different theme - and this time, a 'wood-turner’s toolbox' is the reference as the box is covered with pictures of wooden toy animals. It's not my favourite look that the brand has done but the fold-out mechanism and wooden-effect interior are still very impressive. Inside, you get 25 mini versions of some of Diptyque’s bestselling candles, as well as Christmas tree decorations, room sprays and even perfumes.
Availability status: In stock
Last year, I compared the Jo Malone and Diptyque advent calendars - and spoiler alert, the Diptyque came out on top. But this year, I'm actually favouring the Jo Malone calendar and would recommend it over the other. Why, you might ask. For starters, the price point is better, selling for £375 - only £15 more compared to last year, yet the product has much improved in my opinion. Taking on the look of a treasure chest, the interior reveals a Scottish-themed checked pattern as little gifts come packaged in miniature Christmas stockings. Another drawer reveals a row of Christmas crackers filled with perfumes, hand creams and more. And finally, the very bottom drawer is filled with larger treats like scented candles in checked boxes.
Availability status: Available for pre-order, launches on the 21st September
If you're into a more dark and opulent look and prefer home fragrance over perfumes and body care then I recommend Chase and Wonder's 12 Days of Christmas calendar. The made-in-Britain brand's aesthetic reminds me of Fornasetti - an Italian brand most known for its decorative wall plates featuring various face motifs - and it comes across on its beautifully scented, full-sized candles and room sprays included in the calendar. You even get a big box of long candle matches. The only thing that could be improved is how each of the gifts is presented - each is individually wrapped (it took me ages to unwrap them all) but the wrapping paper is held in place with plain cello tape which doesn't come across as very high end.
Best hobby advent calendars
Availability status: In stock
Love coffee? Love Grind? Love your pod coffee machine? Introducing the Grind Advent Calendar, which combines the best of both worlds. The Ideal Home team loves The Grind One pod coffee machine and if you know someone who does too, this could make the perfect present. You get a pod of coffee on each of the 24 days, and two on Christmas Day itself, and it's a great opportunity to try all their blends including their limited edition spiced festive flavour. Plus, I'm a sucker for the illustrated shop window style the box!
Availability status: In stock
Yep, that's right, your favourite stationery brand (and mine!), Papier is back with its advent calendar. While the brand also offers a 24-day advent calendar, it's the first-ever 12-day version that stole my heart with its adorable packaging which looks like a mini house! Featuring both mini and full-sized treats to make your desk set up more pleasing, this calendar promises to not only look the part but will help make you more organised too. Including treats like a bookmark, a pen pouch and a journal, if you love adding to your never-ending supply of stationery, then make sure your loved ones know this calendar is on your wish list.
Availability status: Launches on the 17th September
Last year, our Gardens Editor, Sophie King reviewed B&Q's seed advent calendar, calling it 'a dream come true for gardeners who love Christmas'. And due to very popular demand, the retailer is bringing it back for Christmas 2026. Every day for 24 days in the lead-up to Christmas, you'll be treated to a packet of vegetable, flower herb seeds. And according to our gardening expert Sophie, 'it’s totally beginner-friendly, with growing tips, soil tablets, and even a few surprise pieces of kit towards the end.' If you're a gardening enthusiast or just want to get into this new hobby, this one is for you - and for £15, it's a bargain!
Best 12-day advent calendars
Availability status: In stock
I wasn't familiar with Sentier Fragrance prior to trying this 12-day advent calendar. But the brand is now firmly on my radar. Considering how much you get out of it - six small-sized scented candles and six 10ml perfumes perfect for travelling or having in your handbag, all of which come with a different ethereal scent - it's very reasonably priced. And it's beautifully presented with an illustrated box lid which lifts up to reveal a numbered calendar which folds out. It looks very luxurious and if you're not familiar with the brand yet, it makes for the perfect introduction.
Availability status: In stock
I fell in love with scented candle brand Voluspa this summer when I tried its newly launched Tomato Trellis candle which is a beautiful fragrance which perfectly captures the summer season. And within this 12-day advent calendar filled with 12 mini 72g candles you actually get one Tomato Trellis candle alongside more Christmas-appropriate scents like Crushed Candy Cane in a red and pink striped, ribbed glass jar, Noble Fir Garland in a green garland-design glass vessel and Gingerbread Chalet with a gingerbread-adorned jar. You even get a wick trimmer as an extra bonus. The only downside is the rather high £250 price point of the calendar. I can attest to its luxurious look and feel though.
Availability status: Launches on the 21st September
This scented candle advent calendar from John Lewis is back for the third year running - and every year it's incredibly popular and quickly sells out. Unlike the other calendars, this one is filled with mini scented candles from various brands (rather than just one brand like the others), all of which John Lewis stocks, of course. It's great for getting a taste of scented candles from the likes of Skandinavisk, Osmology and even one from Voluspa. The box features a new outer space-inspired design with stars and a Saturn-looking planet in the centre.
How I test
Christmas advent calendars are more difficult to ‘test’ compared to something like the best air fryers. It's not exactly a very technical and one-size-fits-all process. The way I judge each advent calendar is firstly on their aesthetics – most advent calendars are going to be displayed in your home so what they look like is important. I believe an advent calendar should be visually pleasing.
Secondly, I open all of the compartments, take out and look at the products. The way each of these little treats is wrapped, contained and/or presented is important. But I also judge the quality of the products within and see their size. Based on this, I then assess the products against the price of the overall calendar to see whether the contents are worth the price tag.
Additionally, I also compare the advent calendars to what else is available on the market, rather than judging each calendar in isolation. How does it measure up next to other calendars on offer in the same category orprice range? These are the type of questions I ask myself, as well as the wider Ideal Home team.
How to choose an advent calendar?
If you’re in the market for an advent calendar, whether that’s for yourself or for a loved one as a gift, the choice available can be overwhelming. But there are a few crucial criteria to consider when choosing the best advent calendar for you.
First of all, start by establishing your budget. If you can only afford to spend £50, then the likes of the £420 Diptyque advent calendar are automatically out of the running.
Then, establish your or your loved one’s interests and hobbies to decide on the type of advent calendar that would work best. Do you (or they) have a passion for gardening? Or is it a scented candle calendar that you think would work best?
From there, I would look at existing reviews (if there are any, perhaps from previous years as well), as well as best advent calendar buying guides like this one and the retailers’ descriptions and images of their advent calendars. Do you like the look and sound of what’s inside the advent calendar? Do the products and/or brands included appeal to you? If so, that’s the one for you. If not, keep looking until you’re hooked.
I hope you've found the perfect advent calendar that fits all your needs and desires. Which one of these speaks to you the most?