It feels like just yesterday we were all shame-Googling how much longer we had to wait for the Pumpkin Spice Latte's imminent return, but alas, my friends, the thing about time is that it just doesn't quit. The holidays are looming ever nearer with each passing day, which means both your wallet and your schedule is about to take a merry and bright hit to the face. In the hullabaloo of gift shopping, ugly holiday sweater parties, and dodging the lines for mall Santas, you really and truly deserve one, if not all, of these advent calendars for adults in 2017.
Today when you hear the words "advent calendar," it generally conjures images of the cardboard versions filled with 24 little pieces of chocolate that you generally see stocked up in grocery stores in late November. But the tradition of counting down to Christmas actually has origins in the mid-1800s, when German Protestants would put chalk marks on doors in anticipation of the Christmas holiday. In the early 1900s, a German newspaper's advent calendar insert during the holiday season popularized the practice, which eventually morphed into the versions that we see today. It wasn't until President Dwight D. Eisenhower was photographed with his children and grandchildren with an advent calendar one holiday season that the idea took off in the U.S.
Since then, we did to advent calendars what we do to most things that were once innocent parts of our childhoods: morph them into something entirely un-innocent and decidedly more fun. (See also: rosé jelly; Quidditch beer pong; the rumors about a Disney-themed Cards Against Humanity Pack.) Of course, not all of these advent calendars are booze-y or shocking, but they're certainly not things you would have gotten a kick out of as a kid. Read on for all kinds of inspo for how you should spend the days leading up to Christmas (that is, aside from listening to Josh Groban on BLAST).
DAVIDsTEA 24 Days Of Tea
DAVIDsTEA 24 Days Of Tea, $45, DAVIDsTEA
I can personally vouch for this particular advent calendar, because your girl rode that caffeinated wave all December long in the 2016 version of this calendar. Each day reveals a new single serving of loose leaf tea, which ranges from fun holiday varieties, time-honored favorites, and a surprise treat you can open any day you'd like.
12 Nights Of Wine
Twelve Nights Of Wine, $129, VINEBOX
Now available for preorder, VINEBOX's Twelve Nights Of Wine might look familiar to you because it went hella viral in 2016. This year promises to be just as festive as last year's, with a whole new lineup of wines that include member favorites, new wines that haven't been sent, and surprises.
GODIVA Holiday Chocolate Advent Calendar
GODIVA Holiday Chocolate Advent Calendar, $25, GODIVA
I can also vouch for the deliciousness of this particular advent calendar, because I am unrepentant trash for chocolate and this calendar was basically my dream come true. This year's includes milk, dark, and white chocolates, some of which come in fun seasonal shapes.
24 Days Of Beauty
24 Days Of Beauty, $55, The Body Shop
The Body Shop's 24 day advent calendar is filled with all sorts of fun, pocket-sized essentials, ranging from lip butters to shower gels to glitter dust. At a $138 value, this one's a steal — and also super convenient when you need travel minis to pack for your getaways in 2018.
Yankee Candle Countdown Calendar
Yankee Candle Countdown Calendar, $30, Amazon
This calendar comes with its own snowflake tea light candle holder for the 24 tea lights stashed inside this calendar, one to burn every night leading up to Christmas. The scents are holiday-themed, from Red Apple Wreath to Sparling Snow to good ole-fashioned Christmas Cookie.
Sephora Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar
Sephora Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar, $45, Sephora
This limited edition calendar includes 24 items exclusive to Sephora, for skincare, bath, body, and travel needs. If you fall in love with any (read: all) of the finds in the days leading up to Christmas, you can get them in regular sizes at Sephora with the click of a button.
Whiskey Advent Calendar
Whiskey Advent Calendar, $163, Master Of Malt
This one is definitely on the steep end of advent calendars, but well worth it for whiskey lovers. Each day reveals 3cl (a little more than an ounce) of different whiskeys, including single malt Scotch and Irish and American expressions. Pop open a tab and raise a glass.
Naughty Christmas
Naughty Christmas, $10+, Etsy
Amp up the love this season with this customizable "Naughty Christmas" coupon pack, which comes in many forms — among them an advent calendar. You can order them in scratch card form, too, so if you peek inside it'll still be a ~surprise~.
24 Days Of Gummy
24 Days Of Gummy, $29, Squish
The award for Cutest Advent Calendar Ever goes to Squish, with their 24 days of gummy candies. Every day reveals a new handful of gummies in fun, eclectic colors and shapes and will make you feel like a smol bean all over again.
