With the holiday season approaching, luxury advent calendars are generating buzz, but not all excitement is positive. Amidst the joy of counting down to Christmas, there are growing concerns about the value and contents of these high-end countdowns. Some shoppers are left feeling disappointed after splurging on calendars, leading to debates over whether these products are worth the hefty price tags.
The situation came to light recently when TikTok influencer Shivani Khosla, known for her lifestyle content and unboxing videos, shared her experience with the Lindt chocolate advent calendar. Priced at over £180 (approximately $227), Khosla expected much more from the luxury box. After opening the calendar and reviewing its contents, she found herself underwhelmed, concluding, "It’s a scammy advent calendar. It’s a whole scam, and I’m not happy." Her comments struck a chord, racking up over 6.5 million views.
Khosla noted the sheer number of repetitive items, including multiple chocolate Santas and reindeer, alongside underwhelming surprises like Crispy Bites. While she attempted to calculate the retail value of the contents, totaling £104.44, it was significantly under the calendar's price. Her frustration was echoed by commenters, many of whom shared similar sentiments about the apparent lack of value.
“You cannot tell me the cardboard is worth £75.56,” one user pointed out—raising questions about the price-to-value ratio of these luxurious items. Many struck back, defending the offerings by emphasizing the overall experience rather than just the chocolate. But, with the price disparity so evident, many couldn't help but wonder about the product's genuine worth.
Meanwhile, discounts on other luxury advent calendars have surfaced just as widely discussed. Boots' No7 Ultimate 25 Day Beauty Advent Calendar is one such example. Originally priced at £175 but currently offered at £131.25 through the brand's direct website, the calendar features over £514 worth of full-sized beauty products. The limited-time deal has aroused significant interest, especially as similar promotions have seen calendars sell out rapidly.
The Boots No7 calendar offers products from their sought-after Future Renew anti-aging skincare line, including day and night creams, eye serum, and various makeup products. Shoppers are drawn to the calendar’s full-sized items, which together deliver substantial savings compared to marketplace prices. Reviews have been largely positive, with customers praising the value for money and the range of available products, making it on par with some of the season's most desired items.
“It’s the best because it’s AMAZING,” remarked one reviewer, who appreciated both the product range and price. Still, others expressed dissatisfaction over damaged or missing items, showcasing the mixed bag nature of these pricey calendars.
The interest peek continues with another popular offering—Molton Brown's perfume advent calendar. With products valued at £313 but sold for £180 during Black Friday promotions, shoppers are similarly enticed by this discount. The calendar caters to fragrance lovers and showcases several high-end scents alongside shower gels and lotions.
Rachel Pugh, who reviewed the calendar, emphasized the standout quality of the packaging and the impressive array of fragrances, including Rose Dunes, Wild Mint, and Coastal Cypress scents. Pugh noted, "I was expecting more lotions, but perfume really is king here." Such insights suggest not only the material value but also the experiential and aesthetic aspects of the product.
The lavish display also impresses with its elegant design, making it suitable as a gift or festive centerpiece. Despite the mixed reactions across different advent calendar offerings, each provides valuable lessons about consumer expectations versus reality during the celebratory season. It's clear the luxury calendar market is drawing attention and scrutiny, making this holiday season one filled with both eagerness and caution about what lies behind those tiny cardboard doors.
