If you enjoy counting down the days to Christmas as much as we do, you’ll want to grab one of these fantastic 2023 Advent calendars ASAP! The best ones get scooped up fast. And while the holidays may seem very far away right now, experience tells us that December 1st will be here before you know it (and my family will be caught without a 2023 Advent calendar, ha.) So we’ve rounded up two dozen unique options for kids, teens, and adults–even an awesome 8-Night Hanukkah countdown.
While we think these are all sweet picks, if you’re looking for calendars filled with edible treats, check out 21 of the best food and drink Advent calendars of 2023 on Cool Mom Eats. Good luck narrowing it down to just one!
24 of the best Advent Calendars of 2023, Whatever Your Taste
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2 Advent Calendars for Tweens Who Would Make Great Toy-Building Elves
Tweens–or younger kids with some help–will spend December building an entire wintery scene, complete with lights, a motorized sled hill, and an ice rink thanks to KiwiCo’s latest Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar. With several little peg people, animals, and snowmen, they’ll want to play with this too, maybe even past Christmas. We love that this can be easily packed away when they are ready and brought out again next year. ($89.95, KiwiCo)
This Christmas Village Advent Calendar Playlet (also at top) from Kiwi Co comes together day-by-day to create a little village. Last year we were so impressed with the attention to detail like the multi-hued, diverse peg people and the detailed general store that we included it this year too. ($49.95, Kiwi Co)
Note that if you’d like something geared specifically for ages 5+, KiwiCo’s adorable and entertaining Advent Calendars from previous years are still available too.
The 2023 Advent Calendar for Kids Who Love The Man With the Bag
For kids who adore the big guy from up North, this Wooden Santa Christmas Countdown from Wondership is an adorable option. Offered in two different skin tones, Santa’s “pack” holds 24 small drawers to fill with tiny treats or trinkets and can be used year after year. ($20, Target)
Related: 64 cool 2023 holiday gifts under $15 for adults that don’t feel like stocking stuffers
The 2023 Advent Calendar for Cat Lovers
Cat lovers, your Advent Calendar is here! This limited edition wooden cat Advent Calendar contains numbered trays stored in a leather-handled suitcase, each revealing etched, colorful wooden cats plus accessories to set the scene. Of course actual cats would destroy this in a second, so keep out of reach. ($55, MoMA Store or $44 for members)
PS There’s a wooden dog Advent Calendar too that’s new for 2023, so if you can’t pick a team in your home, don’t!
The 2023 Advent Calendar for Star Wars Fans, (A.K.A. All Of Us)
Little and big fans will go into hyperspace each morning when they get to reveal a new 2-inch tall Star Wars figurine in this Funko Pop! Star Wars Advent calendar. Somehow even the scary Dark Side guys look adorable all decked out for the holidays proving that even Darth Vader can get into the Christmas spirit.
2 2023 Advent Calendars for Jigsaw Puzzle Lovers
A puzzle a day will make the holiday bright with this Christmas Through the Window Puzzle Advent Calendar. Each day’s build reveals a new family holiday tradition as seen through a window, and each window scene connects to create one large puzzle by Christmas. Love the illustrations which reflect the diverse traditions that we all bring to the holidays. ($28, Uncommon Goods)
For something a bit more erudite, this gorgeous keepsake puzzle-a-day The New Yorker Advent calendar is definitely a splurge for the right person. A lovely gift for grandparents or friends who read The New Yorker for more than just the cartoons, each of 24 mini puzzles features a holiday cover from a past issue. It’s not cheap, but as one of the best Advent calendars of 2023, it sure is spectacular for the right person. ($200, Anthropologie)
A Wonderfully Customized 2023 Advent Calendar for the Kids
No, it’s not filled with lottery scratch-and-wins, but same vibe; this customizable scratch-off Advent calendar from long-time favorite Pinhole Press comes pre-filled with ideas to help you plan your month with special activities, but you can switch it up and they’ll print it with your own words! Tell your kids 24 things you love about them each day. or just write a funny word of the day. You can make it wholly your own. At under $15, it’s a great price for a one-of-a-kind Advent calendar for kids. ($14.99, Pinhole Press)
A Personalized Family Advent Calendar Made From Your Own Photo
This personalized Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar from Tiny Me is so cool! Each day is actually a puzzle piece and when it comes together, it forms a favorite photo that you’ve submitted.Choose from traditional and more modern designs and colors — plus each puzzle comes with a wooden display stand. Amazing. ($24-$36, TinyMe)
The 2023 Advent Calendars for Adults with a Sense of Humor
Anyone who loves candles and a bit of snark will get a kick out of Sugar Sidewalk’s two Advent Calendars: the PG-13 rated Funny Advent Calendar or the R-rated Snarky Advent Calendar. With names like Son of a Nutcracker! (Chestnuts and Rum scented) or Let’s Take an Elfie (Christmas wreath scented), these deliciously lightly scented candles are made of 100% soy with a crackling wood wick poured into a small brushed metal tin. Fair warning: The Snarky version is NSFW for younger kids who may learn a new favorite word. ($160 scented, $140 unscented, Sugar Sidewalk)
4 Pampering Advent Calendar for 2023. . .Because We Deserve It
Who couldn’t use a little extra TLC this year? I love The Advent of Change Calendar from The Body Shop, which is not only beautifully designed, but filled with useful bath and body products like shea butters and shower creams. Want even more? There are two larger sizes if you really want to splurge. (from $89, The Body Shop)
Related: 16 of our favorite hygge gifts for everyone who needs more comfort and coziness right now
Even if the kids stand outside the shower waiting for you to finish, this beautiful Advent Calendar Shower Steamer Set from Austin’s Lātika will fill you with aromatherapy bliss. With a mix of seven seasonal scents, including peppermint, rosemary & fir, and orange & clove, don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly singing Christmas carols in the shower. Hey, maybe it’ll keep the kids out for a minute. ($98, Uncommon Goods)
Whoa! This jam-packed 25 Days of Magic Advent Calendar from Olive & June is filled with limited-edition nail polish shades and all sorts of goodies. I love the variety in this set and it will get tons of use. ($65, Olive & June)
So it’s not technically an Advent Calendar, but Olive & June has got a variation that makes a perfect Hanukkah Gift. The Olive & June 8 Nights of Mani Magic set gives you something fun to look forward to each night — plus bright blue and deep blue nail colors are totally in this year. Order right away to get it in time for the first night on December 7th. ($55, Olive & June)
The 2023 Advent Calendar for Mystery-Loving Families
This Exit the Game Advent Calendars from Thames & Kosmos is an excellent option for game-loving families. Each day’s clue brings you closer and closer to solving a mystery like helping Santa when a storm snows in the North Pole or helping Santa find his book of Christmas wishes in time for the holiday. Play alone or with the family; for kids ages 10+. ($48.99-$49.99, Amazon)
The Advent Calendar for Those Who Watch Elf at Least Three Times a Season
The creators of last year’s cool Star Wars:The Life Day pop-up book & Advent calendar are paying homage in 2023 to all things Buddy The Elf with this new Elf Movie Advent Calendar. Filled with little keepsakes (stickers, key chains, and pins…no maple syrup spaghetti), it’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday for those who love the movie as much as we do. Grab this to go along with the yummy treat-filled Elf Advent Calendar from Williams Sonoma—we’ve featured it on our list of the Best Food Advent Calendars. ($26.99, Amazon)
The 2023 Advent Calendar for Families Who Know There’s More to Holiday Movies Than Elf.
If your family is a “Holiday Movie Family” (IYKYK), grab this personalized holiday movie Advent Calendar from Twist Stationery–it’s a blockbuster! Each personalized box is filled with 24 different holiday movie suggestions and a riddle about it. You may even discover a new favorite holiday movie! Fantastic price too. ($16.43, Twist Stationery)
Two Print-Your-Own Advent Calendars for Kids who Love Coloring
This free printable giant Advent calendar coloring page from Seeing Dandy makes such a fun activity for the kids as they wait for the holidays to arrive. Send the printable file to an office supply store and print in as large a format as you want. There are even extra illustrations all over the page to keep siblings included. (free, Seeing Dandy)
Download and print this cute and Customizable Activity Advent Calendar for access to both the “boy” and “girl” versions. (Though honestly the “boy” is just a kid not wearing a dress, so take your pick.) Customize with a name and year–both can be edited so you can reprint this for siblings or cousins for years to come. ($9.99 for printable PDF, Samantha B. Design; pre-printed version can also be ordered for $22.99)
4 Fun 2023 Advent Calendars for Craft-Loving Kids
Created for kids ages 4+ but fun for older one too you’ll keep their hands busy for a little while with this colorful Felt Craft 2023 Advent Calendar from KidsCrafts. Includes 25 easy-to-complete holiday ornaments that won’t require you to pull out the sewing kit or glue gun. While they obviously can be hung on the tree, those ornaments would also make great additions to holiday gift cards or gift-wrapped presents. ($42.99, KidsCrafts)
You may recognize Art2TheExtreme from our many gift guides for kids, since we’re longtime fans of their top-selling, colorful handmade crayon letters. We adore their Original Rainbow Crayon Advent Calendar, filled with 25 days of handmade multicolored mini crayons in wonderful shapes. Much more than just “crayons,” there are so many intricate details and the size is perfect for small hands to hold. Plus we are so happy supporting a terrific, independent, mom-run business. ($84.95, Art 2 the Extreme on Etsy)
If your kids would rather sink their fingers into some clay, they’ll love this Hey Clay 2023 Advent Calendar. Polymer clay crafts are trending big time right now, and your kids will love opening each door to reveal a small bag of soft clay and a QR code that leads to instructions for that day’s creation. Once complete, hang each item on your tree with the included hook and string, or just let your kids set them up on a table to create a little holiday scene. ($29.95, Fat Brain Toys)
One more option: Last year we featured Purple Cow’s Arts & Crafts Advent Calendar and it’s still a great pick for kids who like loads of variety in their daily craft projects. Each day they’ll open a small box filled with what they need to make a small and easy craft for kids over the age of six.You just need to provide common items like tape, glue, and kid-safe scissors. ($39, Amazon)
Two 2023 Advent Calendars for Grown-up Crafters, because why should the kids have all the fun?
This would make such a nice gift for an older relative who may find themselves with time to fill during the holidays: de Winton Paper Co’s Watercolour Advent Calendar comes with daily tutorials for sketching and painting a small holiday-themed picture. Fill in the printed calendar by watching a short companion YouTube video each day, or save the projects to do whenever inspiration strikes. Maybe include some new watercolor paint palettes and artist brushes so they’ll be ready to jump in on December 1. Please note this calendar ships from the UK so order soon to arrive in time. ($15.17, de Winton Paper co; free shipping to the US with $35+ spend)
This printable Christmas in the City Advent Calendar from our friends at Caravan Shoppe can be customized with your own special holiday activities written behind each door. Just print on 11×17″ paper and beside you have a steady cutting hand. I love the design of this calendar for taping to the fridge door, or hanging on the wall with a poster hanging frame. You own the PDF, so you can reprint a new one year after year. ($8 PDF, Caravan Shoppe)
Even if you aren’t in the holiday spirit yet (and we understand), try to order your 2023 Advent calendar ASAP if you fall in love with one of these, so you’re ready to do a proper countdown starting December 1. Speaking from experience, it’s not quite as much fun to start the countdown on say, December 7.
