Dating back to the mid-19th century, advent calendars originated when German Protestants marked doors with chalk or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. Advent—the four-week period beginning on the Sunday closest to the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) through the following three Sundays—was a time for converts to Christianity to prepare for baptism, but nowadays, it’s associated with the anticipation of the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25.

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Many brands and companies have started to make exclusive, limited-edition advent calendars that have come a long way from those chocolate advent calendars many of use enjoyed as kids. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with a chocolate advent calendar (who doesn’t love chocolate, after all?), but with so many different offerings available from luxury retailers, it’s hard to pick just one!

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From gourmet jam and cat treats to luxury beauty and candles, we’ve rounded up fun and unique 2020 advent calendars that make the perfect gift for others and yourself. What’s more, many of them are still available for purchase, so it’s not too late to order one if you want to partake in the countdown festivities this year! Read on to discover and shop:

1. Ardell 12 Days of Wispies Advent Calendar ($23.99)

Let the countdown to glam begin! 12 days of iconic Wispies lash styles plus one bonus day! The Ardell 12 Days Of Wispies Advent Calendaris sure to bring a smile to your face as you pop open each new window. Buy one for yourself and give one to a lash-loving friend.

2. Bonne Maman Advent Calendar ($89)

This holiday season, treat yourself and those you love with the Bonne Maman 2020 LIMITED EDITION Advent Calendar—the ideal gift for the foodie, preserves lover or holiday enthusiast in your life. Featuring an all-new design and package with a charming illustration of an inviting holiday home setting, open a new window each day to reveal a different iconic 1 oz. Bonne Maman jar in 24 unique flavors of Mini Fruit Spreads or Honey.

3. Christian Dior Advent Calendar ($520)

Celebrate the magic of the holidays inside 30 Avenue Montaigne. Revisited by the artist and illustrator Vincent Darré, the advent calendar unveils all the secrets of the incredible Dior Workshop: an enchanting world where expert hands snip, stitch, and sew to craft the most exquisite gifts. In each window, discover an iconic product from Dior or an exclusive gift. 24 surprises to immerse yourself in the magical world of Christmas in Dior.

4. Ciate London Mini Mani Month Vegan Nail Polish Advent Calendar ($35.75)

Ciaté London’s all new nail polish formulation Plant Pots takes centre stage in this year's Mini Mani Month, the ultimate beauty haul. Formulated with up to 80% natural origin ingredients and using only biodegradable glitters, these nail essentials are infused with strengthening biotin, nourishing bamboo, and hydrating bakuchiol extracts for long-lasting, ultra-glossy results.

Ranging from sultry, shimmering purple to striking, vibrant blue, soft pinks to peachy hues, Mini Mani Month is your new one-stop-shop for lust-worthy nails. As a bonus this year the set features a mini Watermelon Lip Oil, a quick hit of superfruit hydration that leaves the lips feeling nourished and seriously glossy. Each calendar includes:

• 22 mini Plant Pots

• One full size Plant Pot

• Deluxe mini Watermelon Lip Oil

5. ESPA No Place Like Home Advent Calendar ($189)

Explore ESPA’s limited-edition collection in the comfort of your own home. Hidden within each drawer, you will find hand selected ESPA treasures for the skin, body, and mind. Discover new favorites and embrace your most loved formulas, each day before Christmas.

6. Fancy Feast Limited Edition Feastivities Advent Calendar ($19.49)

Surprise your furry little sugar plum this holiday season with a Purina Fancy Feast Feastivities Advent Calendar wet cat food variety pack. Share her wonder and excitement each day as you peel open the window of the advent calendar to reveal which of the gourmet entrees in this limited-edition holiday cat gift is destined for her dish. With 24 cans of the brand’s best-selling recipes, this can cat food variety pack spreads delicious holiday cheer.

7. Jane Iredale 12 Days of Celestial Skincare Makeup Collection ($125)

This exclusive 12-piece set is the perfect gift for clean beauty lovers to enjoy this holiday and all year round.
Exclusive collection of Jane Iredale best sellers and holiday favorites includes:

• Smooth Affair® Facial Primer & Brightener

• Champagne Silk Eye Shere® Liquid Eye Shadow

• 24-Karat Gold Dust Shimmer Powder

• Spice Lip Pencil

• Black/Brown Eye Pencil

• Pencil Sharpener

• PureLash® Lash Extender & Conditioner Mini

• Sheer LipDrink® Lip Balm Mini

• Forever Red Just Kissed® Lip and Cheek Stain Mini

• Black Ice Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara Mini

• POMMISST™ Hydration Spray Mini

• D20™ Hydration Spray Mini

8. MAC Frosted Firework Boom Boom Wow Mini Advent Calendar ($99)

Twelve moments of MAC magic! Count down to the most spectacular celebration with this limited-edition advent calendar. A firework-frosted keepsake case bursting with mini and major surprises to unbox daily. Gift set includes:

• Matte Lipstick - Velvet Teddy, 0.1-oz.

• Mini MAC Lipstick - Cockney (Lustre), Diva (Matte), Craving (Amplified), 0.06-oz. each

• Mini MAC Lipglass - Oyster Girl Lust, Magically Delightful, Spice, 0.08-oz. each

• Strobe Cream - Pinklite, 6 ml

• Matte Eyeshadow - Carbon, Wedge, 0.04-oz. each

• Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow - All That Glitters, 0.04-oz.

• Mini MAC In Extreme Dimension Mascara - 3D Black, 0.14-oz.

• Lipstick offers Matte, Lustre and Amplified finishes

• Lipglass provides a glass-like shine

• Strobe Cream provides radiance while hydrating and smoothing skin

• Eyeshadow is long wearing (8 hours) and can be used wet or dry

• In Extreme Dimension Mascara is lengthening, volumizing, curling and lifting; clump-resistant, non-flaking and non-smudging; carbon-black formula

9. NARS Advent Calendar ($250)

Unwrap NARS' 12 most coveted lip shades, all in one exclusive set of full-size lip products in a variety of finishes for endless expression and unlimited style. For the ultimate NARSissist. Set includes:

• VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL

  • Intriguing

  • Dolce Vita

  • Do Me Baby

  • Cruella

• LIPSTICK

  • Tolède

  • Lovin’ Lips

  • Inappropriate Red

  • Immortal Red

• POWERMATTE LIP PIGMENT

  • Slow Ride

  • American Woman

  • Starwoman

  • Vain

10. Omnom Advent Sundays Chocolate Confectionary ($49.99)

This beautiful box features specially crafted handmade delicacies, one for each of the four Advent Sundays before Christmas. Each is a unique treat inspired by the Icelandic festive tradition. Includes:

• Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds: Roasted almonds covered in Madagascar 66% chocolate and finely dusted with dried raspberries.

• Mocha Chocolate Covered Raisins: Raisins soaked in rum for four months and covered with creamy mocha chocolate.

• Sea Salted Toffee Chocolate Covered Almonds: Salted almonds engulfed in delicious Sea Salted Toffee chocolate.

• Milk Chocolate Covered Hazelnuts: Toasted hazelnuts enrobed in luscious Milk of Nicaragua chocolate.

11. Sigma Beauty 12 Days of Sigma ($99)

Let the countdown begin with this limited-edition advent calendar featuring 12 must-have beauty products to glam up your holiday season! With everything from buttery soft makeup and rose gold brushes, to innovative brush care and chic storage, this gorgeous, gift-ready calendar is perfect for you or any beauty lover on your list!

12. Sugarfina 24 Days of Christmas ($50)

The countdown to Christmas never tasted so sweet. This is the perfect way to count down the 24 days until Santa's arrival. Each festive little drawer of the Sugarfina advent calendar is filled with four pieces of each of the candies below to delight you and your loved ones. *This product was so popular that it has sold out. You may still be able to purchase the 24 Tastes of Christmas Advent Calendar at Sugarfina Boutiques or retail locations. Click here to find a retailer near you.

13. Target Best of Box - Advent Calendar Edition ($22.49)

This surprise beauty box contains 12 personal care and beauty essentials in samples sizes—from dry shampoo to face serum, mascara, hand cream and more—and each item is hidden behind a numbered cardboard punch-out. They'll love getting to try new products each day, and you'll love watching them discover their new beauty favorites.

14. Too Faced 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar ($100)

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a new Too Faced treat every day! 12 best-selling and iconic surprises are waiting to be discovered in this limited-edition advent calendar of beauty. Reveal a new gift each day as you count down to Christmas Day the pretty, fun and fabulous way.

15. Valmont Advent Calendar ($465)

Come discover the limited-edition Valmont fairytale collection with this stunning advent calendar that features 12 beauty surprises. La Maison Valmont's iconic creations have been invited to a year-end celebration in a fairytale palace, all dressed in white and gold. Valmont's anti-aging expertise, the cosmetic masterpiece l'Elixir des Glaciers, and Storie Veneziane's art of perfume cast their spell each time a door is opened. An 12 enchantments of vials, travel sizes, and glittering treasures create a magical, merry month of December. Each advent calendar purchase will also include 3 bonus gifts:

• Moisturizing Booster 4ml

• Eye Instant Stress Relieving Mask

• Wonder Falls 15 ml

16. Voluspa 12 Day Candle Gifting Advent Calendar ($118)

Celebrate the holiday season through delectable, indulgent scents with this advent calendar designed by Voluspa exclusively for Anthropologie. Including 12 glass votives and one brass-plated wick trimmer, it's the perfect gift for the candle lover in your life that will be cherished well into the New Year. Includes the following scents:

• Bergamot Rose

• Blackberry Oud Rose

• Branche Vermeil

• Butter Cookie

• Copper Clove

• Crushed Candy Cane

• Gilt Pomander & Hinoki

• Makassar Ebony & Peach

• Milk Rose

• Rose Colored Glasses

• Spiced Pumpkin Latte

• White Cypress

[Images courtesy of brands]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk