When Christmas day is over, all the pigs in blankets are eaten, and the recycling bin is full of wrapping paper and cardboard - what’s there left to do with your ‘Twixmas’? The limbo between Boxing Day and New Year is where you essentially slip into a food-induced trance, find space for all of your new gifts and work out what from your wardrobe and cupboards can go to the charity shop in January.
But the OTHER thing you can do is celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with yet another advent calendar! That’s right, as if Christmas wasn’t exciting enough.
Many brands launch themed calendars to open from December 1 - you can find some of our favourites here - but did you know that there are also a number of 12 day advent calendars out there, too?
READ MORE: This £5 Christmas card comes with two free drinks at Manchester bar saving £15
Now, there has been some debate about when to open these 12 day calendars. Some believe you should start it on December 14 and open the last window on Christmas Day. Other suggestions on Twitter recommend opening door one on December 1, and unboxing a new window on alternate days until Christmas.
However, I believe the correct way to open a 12 day advent calendar is to start on Boxing Day, and open the last box on January 6, celebrating the 12 days of Christmas.
The 12 days of Christmas traditionally represent the birth of Christ followed by the arrival of the Three Wise Men, 12 days later. This is typically the date when people take down their trees and the festive period is officially over - so why not mark that countdown with a little treat each day, too?
At Boots, there are lots of festive 12-day calendars to choose from, including one that has 12 pairs of Marvel socks for £15 , working out at £1.25 per pair. There’s also a Disney version and a Star Wars sock advent calendar , too.
Beauty buffs will love the NYX professional makeup calendar , containing 12 cult favourite products to get the perfect NYE look. The calendar was originally £45 but has been reduced to £38.25 in the sale.
Benefit’s Sincerely Yours beauty holiday calendar for 2022 comes in at £59.50, containing 12 of Benefit’s bestselling & fan-favourite beauty goodies such as mascaras, pore primers and face powders, all contained in a keepsake box that can be reused again and again.
For £27.50, shoppers can pick up the Laura Ashley beauty calendar which is home to three signature fragrances inspired by a garden in bloom. There are 12 pampering treats inside including gifts for the bath, body, and home, such as bath foam, hand cream and a cute votive candle.
Some of the more expensive 12-day calendars come from high-end brands Clarins and BareMinerals , selling their offerings for £75 and £99 respectively.
The Clarins calendar contains 12 products including a full size double serum and lip comfort oil, with a total value of over £139, while the BareMinerals kit contains makeup and skincare favourites in full sizes and minis, suitable for all ages, skin types and tones.
Those hoping to save on manicures in the new year will enjoy the Mylee advent calendar.
The £65 calendar comprises a handpicked selection of 12 exclusive Mylee goodies to see you through the festive season and beyond, including a limited edition 5-in-1 Builder Gel to strengthen and lengthen your nails, as well as 6 limited edition festive MyGel Colours.
Behind the windows, you'll also find a No Wipe Top Coat, Nail file and Cuticle Oil Pen, as well as two cushion power pens in Moon Dust & Gold Dust – a holographic gold and silver, to finish off your mani with a little festive magic.
The best part? The goodies in this advent calendar are worth £92, saving you 29 per cent.
Our review expert Narin Flanders tried the calendar out for herself and said: “For me it was the perfect way to top up my colours for the festive season. When I first tried doing my own gel manicure at home I wasn’t sure if it would be something I’d get on with and I was worried it’d be a lot of faff for the end result. But much to my surprise, I love how my nails look and wouldn’t consider going back to a salon now.”
Those who wanted the Lush advent calendar but didn’t want to pay £185 might find the 12-day calendar, priced at £75 , more in their budget. The brightly designed box contains six stunning bath bombs, two festive bubble bars, one spirited shower gel, one sweet little soap, one sugary and salty lip scrub, and a pot of shower jelly to use throughout 2023.
Elsewhere, Bobbi Brown has knocked 30 per cent off their beauty advent calendar, now £94.50 worth over £200. Some of our favourite products tucked inside include the Crushed Lip Colour in Ruby and the Vitamin Enriched Face Base that TikTok has been going wild for.
Or for something a bit more purse-friendly, Revolution’s Revolution Pro The Icons 12 Day Advent Calendar worth £77 . The calendar was originally priced at £50 but has been reduced to £30 in a site-wide sale.
Now all that’s left to do is pick which one you’d like to unbox this December!
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