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Advent calendar
Advent calendar
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UIC | Style > Beauty

Advent Calendars you NEED for the Holidays

Maha Majjiga Student Contributor, University of Illinois - Chicago
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UIC chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I find myself still embracing many qualities around this time of year, such as giving back to the community, spending time with family, decorating my house like a winter wonderland, and especially taking advantage of holiday deals and fun concepts, like Advent Calendars. Honestly, when others may be excited to open presents on Christmas day, I am excited about the daily routine of opening a compartment of my Advent Calendar and receiving a new addition to my beauty or self-care routines. As an Advent Calendar enthusiast, here are four of my favorite Advent Calendars over the years (in no specific order).

Happy Spa Days Advent Calendar from Target

This Advent Calendar is perfect for anyone who is a budget-conscious self-care enthusiast. It is also ideal for teenagers and college students. The packaging aesthetic exudes a clean, minimalist energy with shades of cream and gold. It feels less like a festive, Christmas-centered product and more sophisticated and spa-like (perfect for those who don’t want a connection to Christmas), so you can leave it on your vanity year-round. Overall, this calendar is incredibly practical. By not giving too much away, you can expect a well-rounded rotation of popular sheet masks, lotions, cleansers, and other products that promote wellness. The Advent Calendar costs about $20 but has a value of about $63. Arguably, this is the best value for money calendar with accessible pricing and 24 days of products with few, if any, filler items.

Glow Recipe 12 Days of Glow Advent Calendar

Glow Recipe is a beloved skincare brand, and their Advent Calendar features many of their viral products. This is ideal for skincare enthusiasts and trendsetters who view skincare as a vibrant and sensory experience. The packaging of this Advent Calendar is very girly with floral, pink, and strong coquette vibes. Opening it feels like opening a door to a secret garden dinner party; it is truly designed to be Instagrammed and displayed on your vanity. This is also another non-Christmas-centered packaging, perfect for everyone who wants to experience the fun of day-to-day surprises! The products themselves are considered deluxe sample sizes, large enough to truly test the formula’s efficiency for well over two weeks. The price of this Advent Calendar is $110 for 12 deluxe sample-size products. Although not as affordable, you are paying for brand experience, so it is a cost-effective way to sample a whole routine for anyone who loves and has always wanted to try Glow Recipe products.

Victoria’s Secret The Bare Advent Calendar

Victoria’s Secret is an iconic brand that has expanded into various areas of retail, including fragrance, loungewear, and more. The Victoria’s Secret the Bare Advent Calendar is perfect for comfort seekers and pop culture fans. It is truly a trendy sensorial gift. Its “Bare” involves soft minimalist branding that highlights warm neutrals. It gives the same energy as a luxurious, cozy night in. However, this calendar shifts focus from skincare/beauty to body care and fragrance. One can expect a mix of their popular fragrance mists, lotions, and even plush socks. It is a perfect addition to lazy days or unwinding routines, encouraging an upscale version of relaxation. This calendar is priced at $125, where you’re paying for the iconic brand name and a curated lifestyle experience. Ultimately, it is a sensory escape in a box, perfect for the senses of smell, touch, and vision.

Lush 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

This Advent Calendar is perfect for anyone who loves to incorporate all the Christmas/winter vibes into their self-care/body care routines! It is also ideal for those who generally prioritize being an ethical consumer. This collection of products makes bathing a theatrical and extravagant event. The packaging features a big, beautiful floral wreath with accents of mistletoe. The potent aromas can be smelt even before opening the box. The products included in this Advent Calendar are a mix of their holiday-exclusive bath bombs, soaps, and lotions. This Advent Calendar is priced at $134, but in my opinion, it is worth it for its high quality (natural, non-animal-tested ingredients) and generous quantity (many full-size products). As someone who loves shopping at Lush throughout the year, I can say that the cost per item in this Advent Calendar is generally less than usual retail prices. Ultimately, this is the height of holiday bath and body indulgences.

I hope you join in on the fun of opening Advent Calendars and take a chance at some of the ones I have listed here! Happy Holidays!

Thanks for Reading, 

Maha Majjiga

mmajj2@uic.edu

Her Campus at UIC, President & Editorial Team

Maha Majjiga

UIC '26

Maha Majjiga is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Driven by a commitment to social impact, she is motivated to raise awareness of underdiscussed societal issues, foster diversity and inclusion, and explore holistic approaches to physical and mental health—particularly through lenses like nutrition, psychological resilience, and community wellness. Their academic background fuels a passion for understanding how cultural, biological, and social factors shape humanity.

Beyond the academic environment, Maha actively engages in community service. She dedicates significant time to volunteering at local food pantries. Her commitment to public health is seen through volunteer roles at running events like the Chicago Marathon and the Hot Chocolate Run, and through health initiatives such as recruiting donors for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and assisting at community blood drives. Being the eldest of her siblings makes her hold a strong sense of responsibility and drives her proactive commitment to supporting others.

Outside of academics and service, Maha embraces creativity and exploration. She is an avid reader, drawn to historical fiction, fantasy novels, and young adult fiction. In the kitchen, she is a passionate baker, usually baking homemade breads, bagels, and brownies. Her artistic side is expressed through various crafts, including painting, faux stained glass, and sewing projects. Maha also values relaxation and connection, often unwinding by binge-watching compelling TV series or hosting movie nights with friends. An enthusiast of food and travel, some of her favorite destinations include Puerto Rico and Paris, and she is always eager to discover new restaurants, cafes, and cuisines.