With the usual apologies for holiday creep, I'm starting our yearly roundup of advent calendars now, since they tend to launch early and then sell out quickly. If you want one, buy it soon. Part 2 will be coming up later this month. (Please note that some of these calendars are not available in the US. Advent calendars are more popular in the UK than in the US).

Diptyque's 2017 Advent is out at Selfridges: "Make this year’s countdown to Christmas the most special yet with the anticipated Advent Calendar from Diptyque. Housing 25 little treasures to discover before the big day, it brings together the label’s beloved products in a unique discovery format. Look forward to a selection of cute miniatures including 10ml Vinaigre de Toilette, deluxe 15ml skin and body care, mini-candles in 35g format and a 70g candle make every day a celebration." £300. (Most years, this ends up in the US as well but sells out fast.)

 

Atelier Cologne's Advent Calendar has a load of scented goodies (a 7.5 ml Orange Sanguine Travel Spray; three 7 ml dabbers in Clémentine California, Vanille Insensée, Mandarine Glaciale; three 40g soaps in Orange Sanguine, Pomélo Paradis, Cédrat Enivrant; and seventeen 1.7 ml samples in Pomélo Paradis, Bergamot Soleil, Cédrat Enivrant, Grand Néroli, Bois Blonds, Vanille Insensée, Rose Anonyme, Vétiver Fatal, Silver Iris, Santal Carmin, Oud Saphir, Mandarine Glaciale, Sud Magnolia, Cédre Atlas, Poivre Electrique, Mimosa Indigo, Tobacco Nuit). $49 at Sephora.

 

Liz Earle's 12 Days of Christmas advent calendar is mostly about skincare and accessories, but it does include a 10 ml bottle of Botanical Essence No. 15. £66 at John Lewis.

 

The Heathcote & Ivory Beauty Advent Calendar is decorated with two William Morris prints, Golden Lily and Strawberry Thief, and features a variety of bath and body items in two signature scents ("...the first bursting with fresh citrusy scents of tangerine and bergamot, blended with cinnamon and nutmeg spices on an earthy base of cedarwood. The second with rich, earthy base notes of amber, sandalwood and patchouli, topped with refreshing notes of red berries and bergamot on a heart of rose.") Also at John Lewis, £40.

 

Lush is doing the 12 days of Christmas again for 2017: "On the first day of Christmas give your true love the gift of bathing. With 12 super products to use in the bath and shower, they'll be singing with joy long after they leave the bathroom. Whether they are in the mood for bubbles, need to fizz away stress or are after loads of lathers, this gift has it covered. All that's missing is the gold ring." So far, only on the UK site, £68.

 

Rituals Advent Calendar features a variety of items — an Advent Mini Candle, mascara, plus items from the Ritual of Dao, Ritual of Sakura, Ritual of Hamman and Ritual of Ayurveda bath lines. $79 at Rituals. A more expensive 3D "Deluxe Advent Calendar" appears to have larger items, and is available over the pond — you can see the contents at the UK site.

 

Molton Brown's Cabinet of Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar includes a bunch of bath & body products and two full sized (50 ml) bottles of Eau de Toilette, plus a 75 ml Festive Shower Gel Bauble. $250 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

 

Estee Lauder's Beauty Countdown for 2017 will include items from Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Origins and more. There are two fragrances in the mix, a 10 ml Michael Kors Wonderlust and a 4 ml Clinique Aromatics in White. 1000 were made, due to launch this month, £125.

Possibly of interest