Life

10 Unique Advent Calendars: The Countdown Is On

Are you this excited for Santa's imminent arrival? Not so much? Supercharge your X-mas cheer (or thaw your icy, icy heart) with an advent calendar this year. Read on for 10 creative ways to make even the most diehard Scrooges look forward to Christmas...at least a little.

Image: Etsy

by Kara Freewind

Pop It

Because few things in life prove to be as satisfying as popping bubble wrap.

The Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar, $11, Split

More Bee-Yoo-Ti-Ful Each Day

Beauty addicts, rejoice! Benefit’s cosmetic-filled countdown includes tons of cute trinkets and high-quality makeup samples.

Countdown To Love Advent Calendar, $68, Benefit

24 Days of Nails

Alternatively, open one new nail lacquer shade each day (and you’ll definitely end up with something to match that holiday dress).

Ciaté Mini Mani Month, $58, Sephora

Holiday Decal

Sick of all the santa tchotchkes and oversized candy canes? A minimal chalkboard wall decal keeps things modern yet festive.

Chalkboard Countdown, $20, Etsy

Fold It Yourself

Short on cash? Print out these foldable little boxes and fill them with goodies of your choice.

DIY Advent Calendar, $5, Etsy

A Shot A Day

Yep, sometimes we need a little help getting through dark, bleak, it’s-so-cold-I’m-quitting-my-job-and-moving-to-Hawaii December.

The Whiskey Advent Calendar, $164, Master of Malt

A Bottle A Day

Or, make your own “adult” calendar by using these stickers to mark a daily bottle of wine (no one will judge you — you’re taking part in a holiday tradition).

Adult Advent Calendar - Wine Edition, $17, Etsy

Christmas Tea

Not so into holiday booze? Use the month as an excuse to sample a huge variety of artisanal loose-leaf teas.

Christmas Tea Advent Calendar, $30, Etsy

Calendrier de l'Avent

These lovely calendars allow you to open up a teeny Parisian window each day (Brooklyn and Amsterdam versions also available).

Paris Advent Calendar, $20, Etsy

Calendar from the Future

Have one of those newfangled 3-D printers lying around? No? Well, in the near future, when everyone prints out all their clothes/household objects/slave robots(?), you can also make this intricate puzzle-like tree. Happy counting!

Advent Calendar, Free, Thingverse

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