Delightful Discoveries for Gift Givers with Great Taste
So, who else is all about December? As soon as turkey day is in sight, I’m leaning in to all that says holidays. Draping twinkly lights on every last thing. Gingerbread lattes. And, counting down the days until Christmas with a fun Advent calendar.
Aside from proving to be the perfect present to yourself, an Advent calendar is ideal if you need a gift for a Thanksgiving host. Another idea: grab one for yourself, then order a second to be sent to that person you would spend the holidays with if only you could. You can bond as the season unfolds, sharing the same little surprise each day.
I’ve been reviewing Advents since they became a thing, so I know there are literally hundreds and hundreds of them out there. But these select few are the ones that rise to the top for me in 2023.
The Parisian luxury tea maker’s Advent calendars have been international sell-outs, and given what the 2023 offering is comprised of, I doubt this year will be any different. Flavored tea blends, single-estate, whole leaf teas, and herbal infusions fill the hand-stitched cotton tea bags. One of the doors hides the 2023 limited edition holiday tea, Le Thé Magnifique. You’ll also find Lovers Tea, Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope, Scandinavian Detox, Sahara Tea, and Dreamy Tea amongst the expert-curated collection.
If you have someone in mind who really, really deserves to be spoiled this season, this jewelry calendar is probably The Thing. The British maker of stunning demi-fine jewelry has launched its 2023 Advent in two versions: 18k gold plated stainless steel or silver plated stainless steel. If you bought all the pieces in the calendar separately, they’d cost $605. In an unusual move, Abbott Lyon lets you customize your set with name, birthstone, and initial. The earrings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, and rings are water, sweat, and heat resistant, and nickel free. I bought the gold initial bracelet and wore it all summer, in the shower, the pool, the ocean, and no tarnish. It’s still shiny.
Advent calendars started way back when with chocolate. So, gifting (or keeping) a chocolate one seems fitting. But this one is as far as you can get from the ones we got as kids. The sweet treats are exquisite and are season-exclusive, handmade in all flavors like honey lavender, lemon poppyseed, raspberry rose, coffee toffee, and strawberry cheesecake. This makes an amazing gift for a November birthday or a Thanksgiving hostess. The packaging, with rich hues and metallic accents, is absolutely gorgeous; the picture doesn’t do it justice.
Yes, there is, in fact, more than one marshmallow Advent calendar, but XO Marshmallow’s is the one I love best year after year. The handcrafted treats aren’t too sweet, come in delicate, authentic flavors .. and they look pretty. I know that shouldn’t matter, but it kind of does, no? Among the 2023 calendar-exclusive flavors are sugar plum, orange cardamom, dark chocolate, chai, and black forest. Fair warning: These sell out fast every year, and the company traditionally has not restocked once they’re gone.
Your morning cuppa is even more of a must during the busy holiday season. Bean Box’s coffee calendar delivers 12 bags of java in season flavors–think roasted chestnut, spicy gingerbread, figgy pudding–from small-batch coffee roasters from around the world. Each bag will brew about 5 mugs. You can choose from whole bean or ground.
Here’s an Advent for nut lovers or just folks who are trying to keep it healthy. Nosh on honey-sea salt almonds, curry coconut peanuts, butter-cinnamon pecans, sea salt walnuts, and eight more. Note the cute little reusable tins.
Vinebox’s vino calendar is crazy popular, and I’m among its fans. You have options here. Go for the Chill Collection, with whites, roses, and chilled reds, or the Cozy Collection, which is what it sounds like–all rich reds that feel fireplace-y. Either way, you get 12 100 ml samples, so about the size of a pour in a fancy restaurant. The wines come from Italy, Spain, France, and California. A nice extra is the box. It’s nice and heavy, with a magnetic closure, completely capable of serving some useful purpose after the holidays.
The iconic French brand is among my favorites for bath and body products, and this retro-calendar, themed on 1976, the year the company started, is worth every penny. Yes, the goodies are travel-sized, but they’re hefty travel-sizes, and the variety is fantastic, from their classic Shea Butter Hand Cream and Verbena Shower Gel to calendar-only exclusives.
Guys can be tricky. But this calendar checks all the possible boxes: pretzels, hot sauce, craft beer, jerky, whiskey, spicy nuts, and quite a few more.
Despite it being one of the most talked-about 2023 Advent calendars according to trends, I had actually never heard of The Woobles prior to finding this Advent. Apparently, the company was on Shark Tank. But that’s not what drew me to it. This calendar builds on basic crochet skills, starting with a beginner project and ending with an intermediate. The 24 drawers contain crochet gear, supplies, tools, mini accessory kits, and a full-sized kit that works for both lefties and righties. Bonus: the box is incredibly substantial for an Advent calendar. With a magnetic closure and adorable artwork, it can without doubt serve as craft or other storage all year.
$125 at thewoobles.com
