Holiday shoppers are already preparing for the festive season as retailers unveil a diverse selection of 2026 advent calendars. These offerings span many categories, from luxury beauty and high-end fragrances to Swedish sweets and children’s toys. According to a recent holiday roundup by Good Morning America, popular options include curated collections from brands like Sockerbit, Voluspa, and LEGO. Many high-demand items are expected to sell out well before December.
Diverse Categories for Every Shopper
The 2026 advent calendar market shows a strong trend toward specialization. Instead of generic assortments, retailers are focusing on niche interests to capture holiday spending early.
Beauty and Wellness Enthusiasts
Beauty remains one of the most competitive sectors. Retailers are increasingly offering “high-value” calendars that include more full-size products than in previous years. Notable highlights include:
- Anthropologie: Offers a “24 Days of Beauty” calendar featuring premium samples from brands like L’Occitane, Supergoop!, and Sunday Riley. A 12-day version is also available.
- Beekman 1802: The “Kindness Cafe” calendar is designed as a miniature cafe and includes 24 treasures, 12 of which are full-sized.
- Lush: Provides multiple options, including a customizable, reusable fill-your-own calendar and a dedicated 25-item bath product collection.
- Ulta Beauty: The “12 Days of Self-Care” calendar is a budget-friendly option for tweens and teens, featuring bath bombs and hair accessories.
Candy and Gourmet Treats
For those with a sweet tooth, several brands offer gourmet countdowns that emphasize natural ingredients and unique flavors:
- Sockerbit: A standout for candy lovers, this calendar features Swedish sweets made without high fructose corn syrup, using natural flavors and colors. It is priced at approximately $125.
- Nordstrom: Offers a separate Advent Calendar Candy Set for $100.
- Bonne Maman: Known for its iconic mini jam jars, this 24-day collection features limited-edition flavors like raspberry with dark chocolate spread and apricot with honey.
- Tony’s Chocolonely: A mission-driven option that provides 24 chocolates along with messages regarding the chocolate industry.
Toys, Stationery, and Lifestyle
The holiday season also caters to collectors and hobbyists through themed builds and creative supplies:
- LEGO: Highly sought after by children and adults, LEGO has released themed calendars including Star Wars (featuring festive versions of The Mandalorian and Grogu), Disney Princesses, and Marvel.
- National Geographic: A perennial favorite, this gemstone calendar allows children to collect 24 different minerals and rocks.
- Papier: Offers stationery-themed calendars featuring bookmarks, stickers, and pens, available in both 12-day and 24-day formats.
- Cometeer: For coffee aficionados, a specialized coffee-themed calendar provides a daily caffeine ritual.
Pricing and Availability Trends
Pricing for 2026 advent calendars varies widely based on the luxury tier of the products. While budget-friendly options like Walker’s Shortbread or Ulta’s self-care kits can be found for under $30, premium beauty and gourmet sets frequently range between $125 and $185. High-end luxury editions from retailers like Liberty or Harrods can exceed several hundred pounds, often promising total values many times the retail price.
“The best time to shop for these might be right now. Many of these calendars have been known to sell out well before the snow starts falling.”
Shoppers should complete their purchases well before Thanksgiving to ensure timely delivery for the December 1st countdown. As major retailers like Sephora US and Ulta Beauty roll out their full collections, the competition for holiday gifting is expected to intensify.
