Which Advent Calendar did you buy and will you buy it again next year?

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I had the Rituals one which was nice but not sure I'll buy it again next year (too many shower gels)

I had the Liberty one and bought DD the Latest in Beauty one.

The packing and look of Liberty one was beautiful and I enjoyed the bits but I think overall DDs was better and for a fraction of the price.

I mean, it’s alright, but there were a lot of sample sizes like the ones they used to dish out as freebies in the good old days. I love Kiehls but I am very glad I didn’t pay full price for it (it clearly wasn’t a big seller so the shop discounted it at the end of November) as otherwise I’d feel robbed.

I had Liberty, 2nd year in a row. Started off a bit underwhelming but it definitely ramped up and I loved it towards the end

Think I’m going to try Space NK or Cult Beauty next year though

Are there any that have minimal packaging? I discovered one I'd forgotten I'd been gifted last year under the bed, and it's taken me an hour to deconstruct all the packaging for recycling (emptying and rinsing the products I won't use etc).

@didireallysaythat I don’t think they’re really aimed at the minimalist market

The Latest in Beauty calendar was a box that you did a lucky dip from so far less packaging than many, but ultimately you’re ending up with 24 small products and that is always going to be heavy on the packaging

I had the Net a Porter one (having had Liberty the last two years). After a slow start it I really enjoyed the N-a-P, very similar in quality and value to Liberty.

Mind you lots of serums and two other creams, if have liked to try a new day cream (but I guess day creams are more akin type dependent, so less mass appeal).

@PegasusReturns you're probably right. I accept that 24 tester samples is going to result in 24 plastic bottles (or whatever) but what do you do with a large cardboard structure with 24 boxes? I'd quite like things wrapped in tissue paper or something. I just can't face sending more stuff to landfill or recycling centre.

Ha, 'other' cream is inexplicably 'night' cream.

@didireallysaythat I know it’s so wasteful. I’m not sure what I will do with my Liberty one. Don’t think I can bear to rip it up for recycling.

Partly because of waste partly because it’s genuinely quite beautiful.

I loved my Holland & Barrett one, nice mix of things which I'll actually use
@didireallysaythat it's packaging was all recyclable with no plastic and as minimal as it could be

The L'Occitane luxury advent calendar was so underwhelming. Far to many hair masks and shampoo products, and the worlds most smallest tubes of creams that were gone after one use.

I had the White Company one which was lush. Well worth the money and I'll re-use the box for my DS next year.
I also bought for DD (15) the MAC one and she was delighted with the contents.

I use the liberty calendars for storing christmas tree decorations - it is perfect for that!

I usually get the M&S one but as that one wasn't there this year I bought the Bonne Maman jam one which was fantastic and I shall get it each year now. Didn't need beauty stuff much this year anyway as usually use some of the small bottles for holidays so jam was much better

SpaceNK one was fab.

@Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse I had the l’occitane one last year and was really underwhelmed too. No full size products and tiny tiny sample sizes that were just one use. It also contained about 10 hand creams ! Definitely would not purchase again. Molton Brown was about the same price but completely luxurious and I loved it.

@ makingmyway10, I couldn’t agree more. Thanks, I shall try the Molton Brown advent next year then

I've been given the MAC advent calendar twice. Last year I was thrilled with most gifts but this year I was disappointed as it was so repetitive and mostly small tester sizes (last year had a few full size products).

I'll ask DH to save his money next year, it's not worth it.

@SuePreem

SpaceNK one was fab.

I totally agree, best for years, in my view, and I’ve tried them all!

Liberty was OK, but if I only had to choose one, it would be Space NK. The range of products and sizes were great.

Haha ScienceSensibility - I may have had both of them....

I normally have the M&S one so chose the ASOS one as I like a mix of brands. It was amazing, altho only 1 lipstick, so it was very much skincare,
Body, hair products. Love them all, lots of full size & some very expensive treats! Well worth £75..

My sister bought me the Space NK calendar and it’s been amazing, I have had various calendars over the years and this has been my favourite by far.

I was given the H and B one as a gift. I loved it and have already bought full sizes of a couple of things. Really hope for the same again next year

Honestly, none of the beauty calendars interest me because I’m a beauty junkie that already owns most of what tends to be included it must be such a fun, special surprise if you’ve never tried the products

I think it is still nice to get a surprise every day even if you have tried some brands before or don't "need" another mascara / moisturiser / lip balm. It is unlikely you would buy a Callander if you have every item already.

I stopped getting beauty boxes ages ago as i had things piling up that I couldn't use but I enjoy an advent calendar as it's nice to OPK every day

didireallysaythat Freedm Street did a very
eco-friendly (vegan) calendar. I really liked my Next advent, Molton Brown and Cult Beauty. Through January I'm opening Roccabox and Marie Claire, so fingers crossed.
My DD has enjoyed her Revolution calendar containing beauty tools rather than products.