Are you this excited for Santa's imminent arrival? Not so much? Supercharge your X-mas cheer (or thaw your icy, icy heart) with an advent calendar this year. Read on for 10 creative ways to make even the most diehard Scrooges look forward to Christmas...at least a little.
Image: Etsy
Pop It
Because few things in life prove to be as satisfying as popping bubble wrap.
The Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar, $11, Split
More Bee-Yoo-Ti-Ful Each Day
Beauty addicts, rejoice! Benefit’s cosmetic-filled countdown includes tons of cute trinkets and high-quality makeup samples.
Countdown To Love Advent Calendar, $68, Benefit
24 Days of Nails
Alternatively, open one new nail lacquer shade each day (and you’ll definitely end up with something to match that holiday dress).
Ciaté Mini Mani Month, $58, Sephora
Holiday Decal
Sick of all the santa tchotchkes and oversized candy canes? A minimal chalkboard wall decal keeps things modern yet festive.
Chalkboard Countdown, $20, Etsy
Fold It Yourself
Short on cash? Print out these foldable little boxes and fill them with goodies of your choice.
DIY Advent Calendar, $5, Etsy
A Shot A Day
Yep, sometimes we need a little help getting through dark, bleak, it’s-so-cold-I’m-quitting-my-job-and-moving-to-Hawaii December.
A Bottle A Day
Or, make your own “adult” calendar by using these stickers to mark a daily bottle of wine (no one will judge you — you’re taking part in a holiday tradition).
Adult Advent Calendar - Wine Edition, $17, Etsy
Christmas Tea
Not so into holiday booze? Use the month as an excuse to sample a huge variety of artisanal loose-leaf teas.
Christmas Tea Advent Calendar, $30, Etsy
Calendrier de l'Avent
These lovely calendars allow you to open up a teeny Parisian window each day (Brooklyn and Amsterdam versions also available).
Paris Advent Calendar, $20, Etsy
Calendar from the Future
Have one of those newfangled 3-D printers lying around? No? Well, in the near future, when everyone prints out all their clothes/household objects/slave robots(?), you can also make this intricate puzzle-like tree. Happy counting!
Advent Calendar, Free, Thingverse
