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The best advent calendars for beauty lovers and beyond are at Nordstrom

Make the countdown to Christmas one to remember with surprises from Mac, L'Occitane, Kiehl's, Augustinus Bader, Sugarfina and even Barbie!

Four advent calendars
Order yours now so you can break it out once December arrives. (Nordstrom)

The holidays are magical at any age. But I will say that these days, it takes a bit more to recreate the pure joy I experienced as a wide-eyed kid waiting for Santa. Advent calendars are one thing I can always rely on to make the season merry and bright — especially when they're filled with luxury skincare, designer makeup, or edible indulgences like chocolates and cozy tea blends. Nordstrom, one of my favorite retailers, has some of the best advent calendars I've seen this season, particularly for beauty lovers like you and me.

With these 12- and 24-day delights, each day presents an exciting little surprise. Which full-sized lip glosses or mascaras await you in Mac's advent calendar today? Will this be the morning you finally unveil Augustinus Bader's famously rich face cream, one of Eve Lom's iconic cleansers or even a sweetly scented Dipytique candle? Those are the visions of sugarplums dancing through my head.

In addition to brand-name beauty, I also found decadent daily chocolates, fancy French teas and even Barbie goodies in Nordstrom's impressive lineup of the best advent calendars. The Christmas countdown is on, so go ahead and spoil yourself with these top picks.

This year's 24-day advent calendar by L'Occitane is a limited-edition set packed with indulgent, fan-favorite mini treats like almond shower oil and shea butter hand cream. Give your skin a luxurious pick-me-up each day to pamper yourself during a potentially stressful season.

$84 at Nordstrom

Three golden tiers to represent the gold standard in cosmetics: that's what you get with Mac's 24K (and 24-day) advent calendar. It's filled with the brand's best-known goodies, including full-sized Lipglass lip glosses, both matte and lustrous lipsticks and a handful of holiday-themed eyeshadows.

$191 at Nordstrom

Every second is precious in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Instead of wasting time driving to and from a salon, just power up this mini LED lamp and get gel nails in the comfort of your home. This 12-day countdown comes with everything you need for a merry mani — six mini polishes, double-sided nail files, nail stickers and more. 

$68 at Nordstrom

The Kiehl's advent calendar is a treasure trove of treats for skincare lovers, packed with a curated selection of the brand's bestsellers. Our favorites include hydrating Ultra moisturizers and a retinol-infused anti-aging serum to nurture that holiday glow.

$84 at Nordstrom

Little bits of luxury, day by day: that's what this limited-edition Augustinus Bader advent calendar is all about. Countdown to Christmas with 12 days of the brand's coveted skincare holy grails, like The Rich Cream and The Face Oil, designed to rejuvenate and transform. This is top-shelf stuff that'll last all year and you save hundreds of dollars buying it in a bundle.

$497 at Nordstrom

It's only a matter of time until you're rockin' around the Christmas tree. This 12-day countdown will make sure you're party-ready. Get a dozen of Bobbi Brown's most dazzling makeup and skin care picks, including a shimmery shadow stick, neutral lipstick and cleansing oil to wash it all off at the end of the night. 

$195 at Nordstrom

Jo Malone's fragrances, creams and candles are the epitome of luxury. Treat yourself to a dozen of 'em, each individually wrapped in a decorative ornament to help you count down to Santa's arrival. Sample a bunch of the brand's most iconic scents — some are floral forward (peony and blush), others are fruity and fresh (lime basil and mandarin). 

$204 at Nordstrom

Reveal 12 days of premium, plant-based skincare and body care surprises, including hydrating masks, nourishing creams, and soothing oils courtesy of Clarins. It's all packed inside a festive cardboard house that sits pretty on a tabletop throughout the season.  

$95 at Nordstrom

Wake up to a new serum, cream, oil, patch and more with Lancer's Holiday Glow advent calendar, a gold mine of high-end beauty products that'll make a beauty lover giddy. The set includes 12 days of fun-sized goodies in a compact case.

$125 at Nordstrom

Sniff your way through the season with a brand-new fragrance each day courtesy of Diptyque. This unique gift set is a unique mix of scented candles and personal fragrances in aromas that run the gamut from earthy pine and bail to florals and sweet scents. Enjoy 25 days' worth of delights. 

$495 at Nordstrom

For those who prioritize a clean, bright face, this chic set by Eve Lom contains the motherlode of deep cleansers, rejuvenating masks and renewing masks that let you put your best face forward.

$247 at Nordstrom

German brand Babor is known for its luxury, science-driven approach to beauty, and this advent calendar showcases 24 of its best skincare and body care formulations in individual ampoules. Each day reveals a new indulgence — think firming creams, hydrating masks and soothing lotions.

$105 at Nordstrom

Relish in 24 days of Maison Margiela's iconic fragrances with this limited-edition advent calendar. Each day offers a mini bottle or deluxe sample of perfumes, personal care products and more from the beloved Replica collection. Soothe your senses with memory-evoking scents like Beach Walk and Lazy Sunday Morning

$120 at Nordstrom

Holidays are synonymous with nostalgic foods. In case you need another delicious way to celebrate the season, this delicious option offers gourmet chocolates from Belgium. Get your sweet fix daily, but make it festive in this gift-worthy box paying homage to Santa's workshop.

$64 at Nordstrom

Chocolate advent calendars — been there, eaten your way through that. This one, however, is filled with gummies, caramels, cookies, sour belts and chocolate bonbons to satisfy your sweet tooth in the midst of the season. 

$55 at Nordstrom

Let the Palais des Thés advent calendar see you through 24 days of winter weather with its different tea blends. From a festive Tahitian rooibos blend to Balinese detox tea, they're a perfect way to explore a world of flavors from the comfort of home.

$38 at Nordstrom

This dreamy advent calendar is more than Kenough for a Barbie fan, providing a fun and festive countdown with 25 days of surprises. Each day presents a new accessory, outfit or mini toy to enhance Barbie's world. 

$34 at Nordstrom

They've got enough cars in their toy chest to organize their very own NASCAR race — and with this advent calendar, they'll have eight more. Plus, it comes with a winterized playmat and seasonal add-ons, including a doodad that turns a car into a sleigh, and a Christmas tree to affix to the roof.

$22 at Nordstrom

Hunker down for hibernation season, er, I mean the holiday season. When you have a moment of calm, piece together one of twelve mini puzzles. After you build the last one, bring them all together to create a cozy scene. 

$25 at Nordstrom