An exciting surprise for every day leading up to Christmas!
By Courtney Leiva
Updated Sep 28, 2023The holidays are just around the corner, and you know what that means: holiday shopping. And if you're looking to get a head start, kids' advent calendars are a fun and festive way to do it. These daily doses of holiday cheer keep them entertained and excited until the big day (or nights!) finally arrives.
Advent calendars aren't just for the little ones. We've rounded up the best options for teenagers so they can enjoy the countdown to Christmas too. From crafts to jewelry to food gifts, these are the best advent calendars for teens that are sure to impress.
An advent calendar is a classic way to count down the 24 days until Christmas. These calendars typically have 24 doors or drawers that reveal small surprises each day. This makes them fun and festive holiday traditions. Chances are, you enjoyed some of these growing up.
Nowadays, advent calendars have gone beyond the traditional chocolate-filled ones and now offer unique gifts for everyone, teenagers included. So, if you're looking for the best advent calendars for teens, you'll want to choose ones that speak to their interests and preferences. For example, an artistic teen would love a craft or DIY-themed calendar, while a budding makeup artist would go crazy for a beauty-themed one.
No matter which advent calendar you choose, though, make sure it's not a Grinch to your budget, especially if you have other people to shop for.
What could be nicer than advent calendar chocolate? Hot chocolate, of course, and this advent calendar is definitely something your teen will love choco-lot! Choose from 12 different cocoa mixes including unique flavors like cinnamon, rocky road, and caramelized bacon. And at just $20, this advent calendar is an absolute steal!
Need a way to distract your tween from their screens? This advent puzzle is just the thing with its 24 unique challenges and 1000 pieces. But if you want an even bigger challenge, you can make it a family affair and go for the 1008-piece version.
If your tween loves to de-stress with some slime, then this Advent calendar is a no-brainer. It includes 24 surprises (think accessories like candy toy molds, small animal and fruit slices) and reusable slime so your teen can enjoy it again and again.
This advent calendar is the ultimate gift for jewelry lovers! With 24 days of surprises, they'll get to unwrap 12 pairs of earrings, four necklaces, four rings, two hair clips, and two bracelets. And the best part? It's all under $20.
Your daughter's nail art obsession is about to reach new heights with this 12-day advent calendar. It's got everything she needs to create stunning nail designs, from an LED lamp to gel polishes, nail stickers, files, prep pads, and more. While this advent calendar may be a bit more expensive (it costs $68) than others on our list, it's a small price to pay for the savings you'll see on surprise salon bills in the long run.
If your teen is both a Disney and Funko Pop! enthusiast, this advent calendar is the ultimate holiday treat. It's like getting a surprise gift every day leading up to Christmas! With 24 unique Funk Pops! of their favorite Disney characters, they'll be able to add some festive flair to their collection.
They'll have a whole set of one-of-a-kind characters to show off to their friends thanks to these collection-focused fun advent calendars.
Are you tired of giving your teenager the same old chocolate advent calendar every year? Then why not switch things up this holiday season with this STEM advent calendar? It's packed with 24 boxes filled with chemistry, biology, and physics activities, so they'll be improving their problem-solving, creativity, and fine motor skills in no time.
Socks are usually a boring holiday gift, but not when they're Harry Potter-themed! And this advent calendar offers 24 pairs of magical socks made of polyester and spandex, so they're comfortable and stretchy. What's more, these socks are also unisex, so they're perfect for anyone in the family.
It's also one of the most useful advent calendars we've seen yet.
OK, technically speaking, this isn't your run-of-the-mill advent calendar. But if your teen is a foodie or has a serious hot sauce obsession, then they'll be thanking you for getting them this. With 20 mini glass bottles of hot sauces in a variety of flavors and spice levels, this gift keeps on giving.
Choose from flavors including tequila pineapple, cayenne fuego and ghost pepper. Yum! And if you're a hot sauce lover yourself, why not treat yourself to this fiery feast?
This calendar is perfect for even the pickiest of teens to keep their lips soft and moisturized. Choose from 12 tubes of ChapStick in classic and seasonal flavors like cake batter, candy cane, and holiday cocoa. And if you're looking for a stocking stuffer gift idea, you've come to the right place! You can also order this and load the stockings with it.
'Tis the season to be jolly....and enjoy some popcorn! And if you have a teenager who's a popcorn fanatic (popcorn balls, popcorn-flavored candy, etc.), this is the perfect advent calendar to grab. Enjoy the assorted popcorn kernels and flavorful seasonings as a family.
And here's another sneaky little tip for your holiday shopping: this popcorn set comes in different sizes and varieties, so you can snag them for your teachers, coworkers, and anyone else you want to impress.
If your teen is a spiritual gangster, this crystal healing advent calendar is the perfect way to rock their world. It comes with 24 amazing rocks, gems, and crystals, a necklace, a crystal card, and a storage pouch. Find a chakra healing guide and a 'flower of life' crystal grid included with the set.
If you think your teenager inherited your love for coffee, try this advent calendar that includes 24 single-serve coffee pods from various brands for your Keurig machine. Choose from a selection of light and dark roasts. Plus, you'll both enjoy the hot cocoa and latte mixes.
Move over coffee, this tea advent calendar is tea-riffic! With 24 organic teas in all kinds of flavors, from sweet cinnamon to English breakfast to chai, this set is perfect for any tea-loving teen. Don't worry about any messes or spills—each tea is perfectly bagged.
From skincare to hair accessories to makeup, this beauty advent calendar has everything for the beauty-obsessed teen in your life. It's got everything they need, from skincare to hair accessories to makeup, and 24 non-toxic full-size and travel products to boot. Trust us, you'll be the favorite parent, aunt, uncle, grandma, or grandpa with this gift.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Keep up with your baby's development, get the latest parenting content and receive special offers from our partners