Advent calendars are usually an inexpensive and fun way to get in the Christmas spirit. The tradition got its start in the 19th century when German Lutherans created early versions to mark the days leading to Christmas.
Today, most Advent calendars offer small gifts like chocolates, Christmas tree ornaments, or little Holiday-themed toys. As the days of December go by, families open small doors to reveal that day’s gift.
But are all Advent calendars cheap? Definitely not.
As it turns out, plenty of luxury brands are in the Advent calendar market — you might be surprised just how pricey these calendars can get.
- The Missoma Calendar
- Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Advent Calendar
- The Dior Beauty Calendar
- Acqua Di Parma 25-Piece Calendar
- The Guerlain Beehive Advent Calendar
- Chanel’s Advent Calendar
- The Chatsworth Winnats Calendar
- Ingle & Rhode’s Advent Calendar
- The Porsche Advent Calendar
- Debbie Wingham’s Custom Calendar
Maker or Brand: Missoma
Unique Feature: 12 days of jewelry
Interesting Fact: Missoma was founded in 2008
photo source: independent.co.uk
Missoma is a demi-fine jewelry brand. The company was founded in 2008 and offers a huge range of styles. In the brand’s Advent calendar, buyers get things like earrings, bracelets, hair clips, and anklets. Missoma prices the value of this collection at just over £812, but the calendar goes for £395 (that’s about $490).
Unlike many Advent calendars, Missoma’s design focuses on the gifts. The calendar itself is made of simple boxes holding jewelry — one reviewer called it “simple yet sophisticated.”
Did you know?
If you don’t want the whole Advent calendar, Missoma lets you purchase individual gifts from its website.
Maker or Brand: Dr. Barbara Sturm
Unique Feature: 24 days of skincare gifts
Interesting Fact: Barbara Sturm is a German doctor
photo source: beautyAdventcalendar.net
Are you a skincare fan? This Advent calendar is for you! The $495 set comes from Dr. Barbara Sturm, a German skincare expert who offers “science-based products [that] have achieved cult status.”
So what does this calendar offer? It’s really all about healing and maintaining your skin. There’s a cleanser, lip balm, a face mask, toner, and much more. In total there are 24 gifts, taking you from December first through Christmas Eve.
Did you know?
Dr. Sturm started her impressive medical career as an orthopedic surgeon before making the switch to skincare. In 2019, the doctor opened a spa in New York City to expand her brand.
Maker or Brand: Dior
Unique Feature: Apartment building-inspired design
Interesting Fact: This calendar was designed by Alice Shirley
photo source: harrods.com
Coming in at number eight is Dior’s Advent calendar. Dior put the focus on beauty with gifts like perfume, hand cream, skin serum, and more. The calendar sells for a steep $496.
This Advent calendar was designed by Alice Shirley. Shirley is a visual artist based in London. For years, the artist has collaborated with the luxury brand Hermès of Paris to create silk scarves, jewelry, and other pricey products. Shirley got her BA in Fine Art from Byam Shaw School of Art, Central St. Martins.
Did you know?
Dior added several lip cosmetics to this expensive Advent calendar, including two lipsticks.
Maker or Brand: Acqua Di Parma
Unique Feature: Italian-made design
Interesting Fact: Portions of this calendar benefited the charity Save the Children
photo source: saksfifthavenue.com
Available at Saks, this high-end Advent calendar features 25 windows and 25 luxurious gifts. The pricey creation was designed by Acqua Di Parma and mainly features perfumes and other expensive beauty products. The calendar also offers Acqua Di Parma’s own Notte Di Stelle candle, which retails for more than $200 by itself.
Acqua Di Parma was founded in 1916 by Italian baron Carlo Magnani. Magnani traveled to Paris and New York and became inspired to create a new fragrance titled Colonia. By the ‘50s, Colonia was an international success with fans in Hollywood and the upper echelons of society. The Acqua Di Parma brand remains a major figure in the world of luxury perfumes to this day.
Did you know?
Acqua Di Parma gets its name from the city of Parma, Italy where Magnani crafted his iconic first fragrance.
Maker or Brand: Guerlain
Unique Feature: Winter cabin-inspired design
Interesting Fact: This is a limited-edition calendar
photo source: selfridges.com
Also known as the Hive of 25 Wonders, Guerlain’s luxury Advent calendar stands near the peak of opulence. The wildly expensive design is worth an estimated $700 and features 25 unique gifts for each day of Christmas. Wealthy buyers (or lucky gift-getters) are met with everything from expensive candles to face creams suitable for royalty.
Doubling down on the luxury, Guerlain went with a design reminiscent of cozy winter cabins or cottages. The design opens at the roof, revealing all those goodies.
Did you know?
Guerlain has been in the beauty business since the 1800s. The brand was founded by a perfumer named Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain. Guerlain opened his boutique in Paris where he sold luxury products to influential buyers like Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.
Maker or Brand: Chanel
Unique Feature: Several Chanel No. 5 products
Interesting Fact: This Advent calendar faced some controversy online
photo source: surfacemag.com
At number five we have Chanel’s Advent calendar. The pricey creation proved to be a bit controversial when people online learned about the included gifts. Things like branded keychains and stickers didn’t seem worth that $825 price tag to commenters on TikTok.
To be fair, Chanel did include more expensive products — including a small bottle of its iconic No. 5 fragrance and red lipstick.
Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s president of fashion, responded to the online criticism, saying, “This controversy is a bit of a shame because it’s not what Chanel intended…Chanel thought it would please some of its customers by offering this type of product.”
Would you buy this calendar?
Did you know?
Chanel was founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The company got its start as a hat shop before taking off into broader fashion and perfume.
Maker or Brand: C.W. Sellors
Unique Feature: Styled after the Chatsworth House
Interesting Fact: In U.S. dollars, this Advent calendar is worth about $24,000
photo source: cwsellors.co.uk
$24,000 for an Advent calendar? Sure, why not!
This wildly expensive calendar features a huge collection of jewelry worth more than $25,000 — but C.W. Sellors “only” charges about $24K USD. A steal!
Inside you’ll find everything from a real gold-plated pendant to gold and diamond stud earrings. The Advent calendar itself is styled after the Chatsworth House and exudes opulence, just like the gifts inside.
Did you know?
C.W. Sellors was founded in 1979 in the U.K. The business is known for its jewelry and watches, including extremely expensive pieces like this pendant that sells for more than $50,000.
Maker or Brand: Ingle & Rhode
Unique Feature: Each gift gets more expensive as the month goes on
Interesting Fact: Ingle & Rhode calls itself an ethical jewelry brand
photo source: msn.com
Things get way more expensive with this calendar by Ingle & Rhode. The calendar is worth about 31,000 U.S. dollars — yes, really.
Each gift gets progressively more expensive as the month goes on, with things like fine necklaces, sapphire rings, and cufflinks pushing the calendar’s price past 30K.
Ingle & Rhode says it is an ethical brand. The company reports that “every element” of its collection is “traceable and ethically sourced.” The company was founded in 2007 with a focus on providing engagement and wedding rings. Today, Ingle & Rhode says it often sources recycled gold and platinum.
Did you know?
Ingle & Rhode got its start when David Rhode, one of the brand’s founders, couldn’t find an ethically sourced engagement ring.
Maker or Brand: Porsche
Unique Feature: Luxury gifts including a speedboat
Interesting Fact: This Advent calendar comes with a customizable kitchen
photo source: motorpunk.co.uk
Let’s say you really want to remodel your kitchen, but you’re also in the market for a speedboat and the holiday season is getting started and you need a gift for that special someone.
Don’t worry! Porsche has you covered! This million-dollar Advent calendar comes with a customizable kitchen, a speedboat, and 22 other goodies. The creation is offered by Porsche (yes, the car brand) and offers everything from gold sunglasses to a tobacco pipe.
A Porsche representative said the brand had never offered anything like this before, “We think it will make for a very precious Christmas.”
Did you know?
Remember that speedboat? Porsche specifically designed it for this calendar.
Maker or Brand: Debbie Wingham
Unique Feature: Gifts including designer watches and expensive artwork
Interesting Fact: This calendar was made for a wealthy Swiss family
photo source: nypost.com
Debbie Wingham’s custom calendar is the most expensive Advent calendar in the world.
Priced at over $10 million, this Advent calendar is easily the most expensive on the planet. The million-dollar design was crafted by Debbie Wingham, a.k.a. the Queen of Christmas. Wingham was commissioned to make the calendar for a wealthy Swiss family. The family would be traveling throughout the year and they wanted a special gift for each month leading up to Christmas. The final gift selection included everything from luxury designer watches to pricey artwork and expensive luggage bags.
Did you know?
This Advent calendar weighs 108 pounds.
