Amelia Yeomans
I'm the first to admit I'm not somebody who typically raves about beauty advent calendars. I get the appeal (loads of beauty products for a fraction of the cost, the aspect of discovery etc.), but over the years I can't help feeling as though beauty advent calendars have lost their way a bit.
The truth is, as much as I adore mini beauty products (they are impossibly cute and prove very good for travelling), I think the product selection has become slightly, well, lazy. In my opinion, there are only a handful of luxury beauty advent calendars I'd actually recommend buying. When it comes to fragrance advent calendars, however, I feel differently.
In fact, I think perfume advent calendars are one of the best ideas the beauty industry has come up with since double cleansing. And no, it's not just because I'm a beauty editor with a penchant for scent. You see, shopping for the best perfumes for yourself is incredibly difficult, let alone trying to buy for somebody else as a gift. There is simply so much choice, and finding the best match can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Plus, there are so many amazing niche perfumes out there, they can often get overlooked.
And it's not just perfume that is hard to shop for—it's everything fragranced. From bath and body products to candles and diffusers, anything scented is always going to be a personal choice. And that, my friends, is why fragrance advent calendars are so great. Not only do they contain a number of different perfumes to discover, but also lotions, candles and body washes.
So, instead of spending £200+ on a luxury perfume and potentially getting it wrong, why not treat yourself the gift of scent discovery this season? Here are the 7 fragrance advent calendars that come approved by a fragrance-specialist beauty editor (me)—you're welcome.
Best fragrance advent calendars: Quick shopping links
- Space NK: £160, best for iconic scents
- Diptyque: £399, best for luxury fragrance lovers
- Jo Malone: £360, best for classic scents
- Penhaligon's: £425, best for beautiful packaging
- Harvey Nichols: £175, best for trying new brands
1. Space NK 12 Days Of Fragrance Advent Calendar
What to know: This 12-day advent calendar is, in my opinion, the best out there for those who want to try some of the most iconic scents around. It contains 18 different products and has a total worth of a whopping £558. It doesn't take great maths skills to work out that it is exceptionally good value for money. If you're into cool-girl, trending perfumes, this one is for you.
Why I love it: It is exceptional value for money. The two 50ml fragrances alone retail for a total of £160, which is what the whole calendar costs. The edit of brands in this selection is absolutely elite—Diptyque, Glossier, and Byredo, Dedcool, Malin + Goetz, D.S. & Durga, Replica, Kilian, Acqua Di Parma, and more. These brands are the reason Space NK will always be the home of cool beauty, and they've plonked the best of the best in one place. Beyond that, the actual scents themselves are all really wearable and will be, in my opinion, universally liked.
My hero products: There isn't a single dud product, and I mean it. The Diptyque candle is particular standout—who doesn't want one of those under the tree. Likewise, Dedcool's Fragrance Number 01 “Taunt“ Eau De Parfum comes in a full size bottle, and is arguably one of the most buzzy brands as of late.
2. Diptyque Advent Calendar 2025
What to know: Containing 25 drawers, Diptyque's 2025 advent calendar is every bit as good as usual. Inside, you'll find two (!) full-size 70g candles, seven travel-size 35g candles, seven mini 10ml and 7.5ml perfumes, one solid perfume, a 30ml hair perfume, a scented soap, a 45ml hand cream, a 50ml body lotion, a 50ml body and hair oil, two 30ml washes, and, finally, a set of two truly beautiful Christmas decorations. It is the very definition of luxury.
Why I love it: Diptyque is, in my opinion, the best fragrance brand on earth. Everything from its candles to its perfumes are considered the best of the best. While most of the products in this advent calendar are mini, I can guarantee you will use every single one to the last drop. You truly don't have to fear about any wastage with this one. Plus, the box itself is gorgeous and can be used for years to come.
My hero products: Obviously, the full-sized candles are the star of the show. Diptyque's annual limited-edition Sapin scent smells like the most luxurious Christmas tree you've ever walked past, and its aroma fills the whole room. Beyond that, I'm also quite obsessed with the solid Orphéon parfum inclusion. I simply adore Diptyque's solid perfumes—they are perfect for throwing in your handbag for midday top-ups—and Orphéon's rich, powdered, luxurious aroma is my favourite scent in the world.
3. Jo Malone London Advent Calendar 2025
What to know: 25 Jo Malone London products all in one place? Don't mind if I do. Inside, you'll find one full-size 30ml cologne, 12 travel-sized 9ml colognes, three mini candles, two 50ml hand and body lotions, two 100ml hand and body washes, one lip conditioner, two 50ml body crèmes and one 30ml hand cream.
Why I love it: I mean, it's Jo Malone London—it sort of speaks for itself, doesn't it? Beyond that, I love that this advent calendar features mainly candles and colognes, the things that people love the brand for best. You're not left feeling short changed with loads of bath and body products that last just one or two washes, instead you get a plethora of fragrance options. It's also worth me saying here that I adore Jo Malone London's travel-size colognes. The bottles are really well thought-out, feel substantial and never leave you scared that the bottle might get crushed and shatter. They really do just feel like mini versions of the real, full-sized deal.
My hero products: The full-size 30ml bottle of Orange Bitters cologne and travel candle are particularly standout—Orange Bitters has a sweet yet spicy citrus bite that, despite being a limited-edition holiday offering, works all winter long and smells just as good on skin as it does in the home.
4. Penhaligon's Christmas Holiday 2025 Advent Calendar
What to know: This advent calendar is large in size and acts as one rather chic festive ornament. Inside, you'll find 24 of Penhaligon's bestselling products across perfume, bath, body and home fragrance with some of the brand’s most coveted aromas, including Halfeti, Luna and Empressa. There is one 30ml perfume, ten 10ml fragrances, four 5ml fragrances in beautiful mini bottles, three 35g candles, two 30ml body lotions, two 30ml body washes, one hard soap, and two hand creams.
Why I love it: It is, hands down, the most cute, festive and joy-inducing advent calendar I have ever laid eyes upon. It is the best of British perfumery all wrapped up in one very festive bundle. While I absolutely adore everything that Penhaligon's does, the thing I really love about this advent calendar is the thought and detail that has gone into the packaging for its minis—every product feels as luxe as you would hope.
My hero products: I am a total sucker for Penhaligon's candles and having three substantial minis in this box really pleases me. I also adore that the brand has leaned into the popularity of the deep, soapy, woodiness of Halfeti, providing two different products. The biggest shoutout, however, goes to the 30ml Luna Eau de Toilette—a lightweight, water-fresh, sense-clearing, soft floral that brings total peace of mind.
5. Acqua di Parma The Holiday Advent Calendar 2025
What to know: This year's festive collection from Acqua di Parma is a total treat, with beautiful designs by Cristina Celestino—and the advent calendar is the star of the show. Containing 25 products, there isn't a single item in this edit that I won't use the minute I open its door. Inside you will find one 50ml bottle of the iconic Colonia, 12 vials of a variety of bestselling 12ml fragrances, two 40ml shower gels, two 40ml body lotions, a 30ml hand cream, a 15ml body cream, a solid soap, two festive travel-sized candles, and one mini candle.
Why I love it: Truthfully, I've never met a single Acqua di Parma product I didn't like, and in my opinion, it is a brand that sits at the top of the luxury pyramid. Something about applying an Acqua di Parma product or lighting a candle (which, by the way, are some of the very best around) just oozes pure extravagance.
My hero products: The travel-size Bosco and Panettone candles are the most beautiful festive scents on offer this season, in my opinion. They are sweet and cosy, as all good holiday fragrance should be, but they also possess that iconic Acqua di Parma freshness that keeps things feeling light on the nose. Beyond that, some of my most worn perfumes ever come courtesy of Acqua di Parma, and having them all in vial format for my handbag is a total dream.
6. Jo Loves Advent Calendar 2024
What to know: First of all, this advent calendar is so cute. I smile every time I look at it. The festive box contains 24 Jo Loves products, along with a 100ml fragrance voucher that can be used for a perfume up to the value of £120. Inside you will find four 10ml bestselling Jo Loves fragrances, four of the iconic fragrance paintbrushes, three 75ml shower gels, three 75ml body lotions, two hand creams, four votive candles, and more.
Why I love it: I mean, for starters, just look at it—it's adorable. I also absolutely love everything Jo Malone CBE touches, every Jo Loves product in this advent calendar is a total keeper. The icing on the cake, however, is the gift voucher. I love advent calendars that contain gift vouchers or treatment vouchers—in this case, it's the equivalent of including a full 100ml size of a Jo Loves perfume, only you get to choose the scent.
My hero products: Obviously, the gift voucher. However, my main obsessions are the festive-scented, limited-edition candles.
7. Harvey Nichols 12 Days of Fragrance Advent Calendar 2025
What to know: This is just one of several calendars Harvey Nichs has put out this year, and it's bound to sell out soon. At just £175 for a range of hero brands, it's a true bargain. Inside, you'll find 20 different travel-size treats from brands including Creed, Escentric Molecules, and Frédéric Malle, plus one in every 50 Fragrance Advent Calendars will include a Harvey Nichols Gift Card worth £50.
Why I love it: If you're shopping for someone who knows a lot about fragrance, this is a calendar that offers a range of beloved and newer brands that even a perfume snob would be delighted to own. Plus, the pink and red box is just so stylish.
My hero products: The Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette mini is my personal standout—it's so long lasting that even this little bottle will stand the test of time. And, of course, the voucher is a very welcome treat for those lucky enough to score one.
