Beauty report: Grown-up advent calenders

I was fascinated by the concept of advent calendars as a child. We never had one at home, but the idea of all those little doors hiding surprises was endlessly charming. The excitement of opening just one window each day during December in the build-up to the festivities is like Christmas in microcosm.

All that excitement and anticipation would leave any child thrumming with energy and a sense of magic.

Beauty products make such lovely gifts not just because almost every adult can appreciate a nice fragrance, or a luxurious cream, but also because they encapsulate the best aspects of the season.

At this time of year, products mimic the fresh, spicy pines of Christmas fragrance. Their packaging becomes increasingly sparkly and decorative, and the textures, colours and smells evoke childhood Christmases.

Many brands are reviving that sense of wonder with advent calendars of their own. Long gone is the cooking chocolate and flimsy cardboard.

This year in particular has seen an explosion of elegant, grown-up advent calendars that hark back to the days of your youth, but do it so, so much better.

Now, it goes without saying that these gifts are painfully indulgent. None of them are cheap, and some are in fact shockingly expensive. I like to think they make wonderful gifts for those unfortunate forgotten souls who suffer from a December birthday, and can often be somewhat forgotten around this time of year.

If you can afford one, excellent. If you can’t, they’re still lovely to look at, and we can content ourselves with staring longingly at them from a distance.

All of these calendars sell out incredibly quickly, so this coming week will likely be your last chance to snap one up before the season properly starts.

Charlotte Tilbury

is the undisputed queen of make-up, and The Book of Makeup Magic (€195) is frankly inspiring. The calendar is filled with mini products, including the famed magic cream and the bestselling K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick. On the 12th day, you’ll open the little drawer to find a Magic Night Cream, which won’t launch for another year.

The

Lush

12 days of Christmas gift set (€72.50) is for bathing aficionados, or rather, those who enjoy bathing in extravagant fashion. This calendar houses 12 products, including the Comforter Shower Cream, and sweetly named Butterbear Bath Bomb. This is a riot of fun and fragrance.

The

L’Occitane

Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar (€52) is slightly more affordable than the previous two, and – I’m reliably informed – is flying off the shelves.

The

Jo Malone

London Advent Calendar (€320) has a price tag that would knock the legs from under you at first sight. Jammed with mini colognes and body crèmes in signature fragrances like Pomegranate Noir and Red Roses, it is the stuff of dreams rather than reality.

Still, nothing wrong with dreaming.