My family's sense of the holidays was always steeped in great tradition. From hiking through the snow, Griswold style, to chop down our Christmas Tree, which occurred on the same day, every year, to the prime rib and twice baked potatoes we enjoyed every December 25th, to the annual tradition of dinner at the top of the Space Needle, my parents liked to create Christmas customs. Though many of these traditions are not ones I have continued on my own, they generated a sense of comfort to me as a child—that in life's great unexpectedness, at least from Thanksgiving to Christmas I knew what to expect.
One of those traditions happened to be our advent calendar. A fabric green and red banner that hung in the hallway, replacing a family group shot from church for about 25 days each year. The act of moving the small, felt tree from one numbered slot to another was one that my sister and I fought furiously over. Looking back, I find this hilarious as I didn't come to find out that advent calendars in my friends' homes usually included a bite of chocolate or some special treat until many years later. Clearly, we were suckers for the pure joy of the countdown.
Perhaps that's why it's one of the traditions that I do still keep three decades later. Each day that I pop open, I feel a little piece of that childhood joy of Christmas come back to me.
So, in honor of my favorite Christmas tradition, I'm sharing a couple of my favorite advent calendars. Though the tradition remains the same, my Carrots and Couture style advent calendars have had a bit of a upgrade.
Please join me in counting down, and may you find the advent calendar that adds a little sparkle and joy to your holiday season too!
Sephora Collection Frosted Party Advent Calendar: This is the calendar I chose this year. Filled with mini beauty products, it's the perfect choice to sample a little luxury, perhaps even finding your new favorite product. Filled with Sephora products, this box includes lip products, masks, and nail design products.
Ciate Mini Mani Month: Are you a sucker for nail products? Then this is the advent calendar for you. And, if you go to Ciate's website, they even have an advent calendar of discounts and promo codes!
12 Days of Advent Wine: Are you a sucker for Italian wine? Cost Plus World Market has the perfect solution for you. Though this advent calenar is only 12 days, not 25, it IS filled with 12 mini bottles of vino. Who says a little wine doesn't help you get through the holidays? Bottom's up.
24 Days of Tea: David's Tea is my favorite Canadian tea shoppe. Steep your holiday tradition with some of their bestselling flavors of black, green, and herbal teas.
Jo Malone London Scented Advent Calendar: Jo Malone is a cult favorite in the beauty and fragrance world and this calendar has 24 scented surprises to help you indulge this season. Though it's a bit of a splurge, Jo Malone fans will assure you it's worth it, plus the retail value is far higher than the actual price of the advent calendar.
La Maison du Chocolate: Translation: The House of Chocolate. I mean, do I need to say more? Treat yourself to a Parisian chocolate and countdown the month one blissful bite at a time.
Mac Stars for Days Advent Calendar: If you're a Mac cosmetics fan, this is the advent calendar for you. Valued at nearly double the cost of the calendar, this beauty box includes minis of all the cult faves including their amazing lipglass and velvet eye shadow.
