By Esther Carlstone,Forbes Staff,Forbes Vetted

Copyright forbes

Despite all of their posturing, many teens and tweens (and let’s be honest, adults) are still delighted by the idea of opening up a daily special surprise leading up to the big holiday. The best advent calendars for teens reflect their hobbies and interests—and are ideally filled with things they’ll actually use or display. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of options out there themed around everything from anime, crocheting, beauty products and more. Our top overall pick is the Williams Sonoma Elf Advent Calendar, filled with Buddy the Elf-approved sweet treats, while other picks like the Sephora Collection Advent Calendar is a hot commodity among skincare-obsessed teens.

The best advent calendars for teens speak to their personal interests and are filled with things to delight them this holiday season.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

Fueled in part by the rise in popularity of unboxing videos over the past decade, advent calendar sales have climbed steadily, with some estimates I found suggesting that more than 50 million are sold annually. As a parent of a teen and tween myself, I know I’m still on the lookout each year for calendars that feel special—something that brings a little joy to their day and makes the season feel more magical, so I’ve curated 20 advent calendars that speak to who they are—whether they’re into sports, crafting, books or just love a good surprise.

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Best Overall Advent Calendar For Teens: Williams Sonoma Elf Advent Calendar

Best Beauty Advent Calendars For Teens: Sephora Collection Advent Calendar

Best Collectibles Advent Calendars For Teens: Squishmallows 24-Day Micromallows Holiday Plush Advent Calendar

Best Creative Advent Calendars For Teens: The Woobles Toy To The World Advent Calendar

Best Sports Advent Calendars For Teens: Party Animal MLB TeenyMates 2025 Advent Calendar

Best Advent Calendars For Teen Boys: Retro Games Coding Advent Calendar

Best Overall Advent Calendar For Teens

Buddy The Elf + Treats = Holiday Magic

Williams Sonoma

Elf Advent Calendar

Whether your family watches Elf every holiday season like mine or just on occassion, teens will get a huge kick out of this 12-day Buddy the Elf-themed advent. Each day reveals edible versions of one of Buddy’s favorite things including items from each of the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn and, of course, syrup.

Best Beauty Advent Calendars For Teens

All The Beauty Products Their Heart Desires

Sephora Collection Advent Calendar

The affordable Sephora Collection Advent Calendar dishes up 24 treats, including 12 full-size samples and six travel size items. While this beauty calendar might not wow an older beauty aficionado, the price and sample mix is ideal for teen collectors. “My 12-year-old daughter was thrilled with the mini skincare, nail and hair samples she unwrapped each day with the Sephora Collection advent calendar,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala. “She got a good mix of each category and the 2024-price of $50 felt reasonable to me for a beauty calendar and, honestly, was on par with the Lego calendars her younger siblings received.”

A Dozen Full-Size Hair And Beauty Picks

Kitsch North Pole Post 12-Day Advent Calendar

Filled with a dozen full-size Kitsch products, including hair and beauty accessories, this viral two week advent calendar sold out quickly last year. The 2024 version included a satin pillowcase, hair clips and more. Who knows what 2025 will bring?

Two Of Their Favorite Things… Together

Tonymoly x Squishmallows Advent Calendar

Tonymoly’s wildly popular face masks combined with every teen’s favorite cuddly stuffy combine in this new 2025 calendar. It’s a short and sweet advent, featuring only seven days, but it’s filled with the aforementioned sheet masks, zit patches and lip gloss, among other K-beauty treats—all with adorable Squishmallows on the packaging.

For The Sophisticated Teen

Anthropologie

Anthropologie The 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar

Each day of Anthropologie’s more petite beauty calendar (it’s 12 days of gifts) reveals a mini-sized version of popular and more high-end beauty favorites including Winky Lux Mini Very There Lip Oil, Solinotes Vanille Eau de Parfum, Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser and more. It’s a $130-value wrapped into one lovely illustrated package for them to get excited about.

Best Collectibles Advent Calendars For Teens

Yes, They Still Love Them

Squishmallows 24-Day Micromallows Holiday Plush Advent Calendar

Micromallows are adorable 2.5-inch mini-sized versions of the Squishmallows teens still love. They’ll love opening a new one up every day of December to add to their growing (or overwhelming) collection. The sweet holiday-themed stuffies include Brooke the Polar Bear and Manny the Snowman. (The 2025 calendar is available for preorder now with a Nov. 20 release date.)

For The Franchise Fans

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar

Lego releases several advent calendars each year and this year’s lineup, includes a fun new Star Wars option, too. “Last year we got our 13-year-old the Lego Star Wars advent calendar, and she absolutely loved it,” says one mom I spoke with. “Building ships and favorite characters made the countdown to Christmas so much more exciting.” The calendar comes with Star Wars minifigures like C-3PO, Jawa and Babu Frik, in addition to various droids and set pieces. If Star Wars isn’t their thing, there’s also a Lego Harry Potter advent calendar and Lego Minecraft advent calendar.

Superheros Gone Funky

Funko Pop! Bitty Countdown Calendar: Marvel Comics

If they’re into collecting Funko Pops, they’ll get kick out of these mini-sized figurines. Measuring under an inch tall, each day reveals another Marvel character Funko Pop!, stackable display piece, keychain or pin until they have 24 in all.

Best Creative Advent Calendars For Teens

Mini Crochet Heaven

The Woobles

The Woobles Toy to the World Advent Calendar

I know quite a few teen girls who have become obsessed with crocheting and Woobles is their kit du jour given the step-by-step, beginner-friendly instructions. Imagine their excitement when they get to open four full-sized kits, accessories, a themed snow globe and more. It’s the perfect distraction leading up to the holidays. This could also work great as a standalone gift, too.

For The Stationary-Obsessed Teen

Papier Stationery Advent Calendar

I acknowledge this is an expensive advent calendar, but when you consider you’re getting $250 worth of high-quality Papier products within, it may just be worth it (or a holiday gift alternative) for the discerning teen. This might also be one of those things you’ll really have to resist not asking to share with your stationary-loving teen. There’s also a less pricey 12-day version.

A Holiday Baking Haul

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma 24 Days of Baking Cookies Advent Calendar

If baking cookies is part of your family holiday tradition, this charming advent calendar helps them start building their own set of baking tools to use and treasure for years to come. Two dozen goodies are tucked away inside the beautifully illustrated package including a mini spatula, cookie cutter, icing bottle, stencils, gift bags and more.

For The Book-Loving Teen

Bibliophile Advent Calendar

I’m eyeing this sweet advent for my avid reader teen. Each of the 24 days unveils a miniature book filled with prompts, trivia, and illustrations they can then place on the little bookshelf to keep as a display piece all year long. There’s also a mini journal for them to keep track of all their favorite reads of the year, and the final day is an extra special treat that’s sure to delight. (Note that this advent calendar went out of stock at Target while I was writing and is now on back order at Bookshop.org, so you may not want to delay on this one either.)

Stickers Are Always A Hit

Pipsticks’ A Groovy Winter Sticker Countdown

Do they ever really get too old for stickers? We think not. Whether they’re into collaging, decorating their water bottles or designing mood boards, this fun 12-day advent a full-size page of groovy stickers each day. There’s also a Hello Kitty version if that’s more their vibe.

Something To Zen Out With

Galison Home for The Holidays Christmas Countdown

Teen life—school and sports schedules and all—can feel extra overwhelming during December, so help them take a little time for themselves each day and quiet down that busy brain with this sweet 12-day advent calendar featuring a new mini puzzle each day. When Christmas finally arrives, they can combine all of the puzzles to create one larger picture.

Best Sports Advent Calendars For Teens

For The Baseball Fan

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Party Animal MLB TeenyMates 2025 Advent Calendar

Whether you’ve got a teen who plays baseball or is just a huge fan, behind each of the 24 doors are exclusive TeenyMates figures from all 30 MLB teams and a baseball stadium puzzle. No two advent calendars are alike, though, with some containing rare figurines like Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani.

Mini NFL Players To Display

NFL Football Funko Pocket Pop! Advent Calendar

Football fans can crack open those tiny doors to uncover 24 Funko Pocket Pops, each spotlighting a favorite NFL player. Since no two sets are alike, they’ll have fun trying to guess who’ll be the next 2-inch player to join their MVP lineup. (This popular sporty calendar from Funko already sold out online on Target and Amazon while we were writing this, so the time is now to purchase for any NFL fans.)

Best Advent Calendars For Teen Boys

Transforms Into A Real Game

Uncommon Goods

Retro Games Coding Advent Calendar

Teen boys who love gaming, coding or just solving cool challenges will get a kick out of this 24-day retro games advent calendar. This calendar gives them a daily dose of fun and focus with bite-sized coding puzzles inspired by classic arcade games. Each day unlocks a new challenge that builds their skills and keeps their brain engaged, and by the end, they’ll have created a complete playable game.

A Fun-Filled Nod To The Upside Down

Williams Sonoma

Stranger Things x Williams Sonoma Advent Calendar

If they’re counting down the days until Season 5 of Stranger Things, this quirky advent calendar is the perfect way to pass the time. With 11 compartments (naturally), each one reveals a nostalgic treat—from lemony Pac-Man hard candy and waffle lollipops to gummy pizzas and a sweet cassette tape, so they can get a small dose of The Upside Down each day.

For The Kid Who Loves Brain Teasers

Exit The Game Advent Calendar

If they’re into puzzles, space adventures or just love a good challenge, this intergalactic-themed advent calendar is a stellar pick. Each day leading up to Christmas, they’ll tackle a new riddle as part of a cosmic race to host the most epic holiday party in the universe. It’s packed with mind-bending clues that build on each other—so by the time December 25 rolls around, they’ll have solved their way through a full escape-room-style story.

Anime Lovers Dream Come True

My Hero Academia: The Official Advent Calendar

For the anime-obsessed teen who’s counting down to the holiday, this official My Hero Academia advent calendar is a total win. Each day reveals a new collectible surprise—from mini figures and keychains to pins and stickers—featuring favorite characters from U.A. High.

Where Can I Find Advent Calendars For Teens?

Fortunately, you can find great advent calendars for teens practically everywhere these days. Besides the obvious mega retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart, check out bookstores, independent toy stores and home goods stores like Williams Sonoma for some fun, older kid options.

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