From fragrance and beauty gifts to the exclusive S$180,000 set by Tiffany & Co., these advent calendars will definitely get you into the festive mood

November ushers in the season of giving, and gifts—whether for yourself or your loved ones—are definitely our favourite part of Christmas. It is no wonder that advent calendars are so popular because who doesn't love a new surprise for every day of the Christmas countdown?

With almost every brand from departmental stores, online retailers, fragrance houses, to jewellers pushing out their own version of this festive special, we round out the best advent calendars that will make the countdown to Christmas a worthwhile wait.

Tatler Asia

1. Tiffany & Co.

Perhaps the most exclusive advent calendar in 2019, only four of Tiffany & Co.’s Ultimate Advent Calendar are available worldwide, and it has a price to match at S$180,000. Featuring 24 creations, the assortment of jewellery and silverware includes the iconic Tiffany Key, an 18-carat rose gold pendant with diamonds, a sterling silver harmonica and a diamond-encrusted Tiffany 1837 Makers 22mm square watch—all individually wrapped in a Tiffany Blue Box and housed within a custom-designed replica of the Fifth Avenue flagship store.

(Related: Breakfast At Tiffany's: Dine At These Cafés Around The World Owned By Luxury Fashion Brands)

Tatler Asia

2. Diptyque

Inspired by lucky charms for the festive season, Diptyque’s advent calendar features 25 emblematic gifts that include candles, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, face and body care products, and trinkets emblazoned with symbols of good luck and protection—such as the scarab beetle, shooting star, and the four-leaf clover.

Tatler Asia

3. Charlotte Tilbury

British makeup artist to the stars Charlotte Tilbury opens the doors to her magical, enchanting galaxy for the holidays with a curvy boxed set filled with 12 surprises (four of which are retail sizes) for fans of the brand. Among the highlights in the beauty firmament are the Matte Revolution Lipstick in the Pillow Talk shade, alongside the Wonderglow makeup primer.

Tatler Asia

4. Jo Malone London

Jo Malone London’s much-loved advent calendar returns for the Christmas countdown, offering 24 miniatures from colognes and home fragrances to bath and body products like the crowd favourite Blackberry & Bay Cologne (9ml), the iconic English Pear & Freesia Body Crème (15ml) and the new Bronze Wood & Leather Cologne Intense (9ml).

Tatler Asia

5. Net-a-porter

When Net-a-porter debuted its first beauty advent calendar last year, it was instantly sold out. This year, the advent calendar returns with the same popularity, offering a selection of both travel and full-sized products hand-picked by the online retailer’s beauty buyers. These include skin saviours like Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel and 111Skin’s Rose Gold Radiance Booster as well as party-ready makeup from Charlotte Tilbury and Marc Jacobs.

Tatler Asia

6. Mr Porter

Looking good for the holidays isn’t just reserved for the ladies, gentlemen deserve to look and feel their best too. Mr Porter’s 'The 12 Days of Grooming’ advent calendar keeps dull and dry skin at bay—what with the late night-parties and boozy cocktails—with a selection of skincare and grooming products. Anthony's Anti-Wrinkle Glycolic Peptide Serum blurs pesky fine lines for a youthful-looking complexion, Pankhurst London's cooling Aftershave Ice Gel helps to tone and revive irritated skin, and Hanz De Fuko's Modify Pomade ensures your hair is always in style.

Tatler Asia

7. Penhaligon’s

Unveiling its first-ever advent calendar this year, Penhaligon’s comes bearing 25 fragrant gifts big and small, from body and hand lotions to signature perfumes. Highlights include the iconic Blenheim Bouquet (5ml), Terrible Teddy (10ml) and a Maduro Leaf Candle (75g), accompanied by Father Christmas’ limited edition gift sack.

Tatler Asia

8. Balmain Paris Hair Couture

Get gorgeous, party-ready tresses in just 10 days with Balmain’s 10-door advent calendar. Featuring some of Balmain Paris Hair Couture’s best-selling products, the calendar comes with the Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner, Silk Hair Perfume, Texturising Salt Spray, a Paddle Brush and Styling Comb, and more.

Tatler Asia

9. Intercontinental Singapore

Dreaming of a Christmas holiday out of town? Start counting down with Intercontinental Singapore’s limited edition advent calendar. The hotel’s 24 treats will definitely get you in the mood, with their signature scent spray, Moet & Chandon Champagne Brut (200ml), TWG InterContinental Singapore Heritage Tea, and festive delights from fruit cake and candy canes to plum pudding and pecan pie.

Tatler Asia

10. Clarins

Clarins’ version of a holiday countdown ensures that you’ll be glowing at all your Christmas parties with 24 of their bestsellers. Look forward to skincare essentials like the Gentle Foaming Cleanser (30ml), Tonic Body Treatment (30ml) and SOS Hydra Mask (5ml), as well as the Beauty Flash Balm (50ml), Wonder Perfect 4D Mascara (7ml), and Joli Rouge #732 (3.5g) that will have you looking flawless in every photo. There’s also a cute holiday keychain to top it all off.

Tatler Asia

11. Dr. Barbara Sturm

Love Dr. Barbara Sturm’s skincare products? Then this 24-day advent calendar will make the perfect Christmas countdown. Inspired by Dr. Sturm’s mother, who used to make a yearly advent calendar in her childhood, this holiday set is full of surprises, including a full-sized Cleanser (50ml) and Anti-Aging Body Cream (50ml), as well as 22 deluxe-sized products from face creams to serums.

Tatler Asia

12. Paul & Joe Beauté

Paul & Joe are definitely cat people, and this time around, a wonderland of winter-resistant florals are their cherished felines' playground. Inside, Paul & Joe Beauté's iconic makeup products are featured alongside a clutch of skincare: the Foundation Primer Limited marks the first day, the pearly Lipstick Limited the fourth, a red nail polish the 11th, the Herbal Lotion comes in on the 16th, and, last but not least are two limited edition makeup bags to keep everything within reach.

Adapted from AFP.

Topics