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Count down with fancy candles and tiny bottles of wine.

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Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

If you celebrate Christmas, nothing kicks off the holiday season quite like an Advent calendar. Popping open a paper door or digging into a felt pocket for a surprise treat every day can be just as much fun for kids as adults, especially if that hidden delight isn’t simply a wrapped truffle. Our picks for the best Advent calendars available so far this year are from Domino-favorite homeware brands. They lean more chic than cheesy, and a few are even designed to enjoy for many Decembers to come. 

For the sweet tooth, this enchanting Advent calendar by Vosges unveils luxe chocolate-based candy behind each interior door—we’re talking sourdough pretzels covered in pistachio toffee and Bulgarian rose raspberry truffles. And the exterior is just as decadent. The purple townhome’s very own string lights and garland-decked railings illuminate and twinkle at the the press of a button while Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score plays.  

Chocolates, however, aren’t the only sweets to enjoy in the days leading up to Christmas. This carousel-inspired calendar holds 24 delicious jams and spreads. It’s filled with Bonne Maman staples like strawberry and raspberry preserves, as well as a few clever flavors such as orange yuzu, grapefruit, and Mirabelle plum with spice. Multiple reviewers who have purchased it in previous years note that the serving in each miniature mason jar lasts well past the new year, too. You’ll want to buy this one sooner than later—it always sells out. 

Opening up this Advent calendar is like walking into the front door of a Paris patisserie, only you’re the head baker. Williams Sonoma tools are wrapped up inside to help you tackle the task. (Spoiler: There’s a sweater-patterned spatula and a whole assortment of cookie cutters shaped like ornaments, snowflakes, and candy canes.) This new offering is the gift to give for those with more than one cookie-cutter exchange party planned. For those of us who prefer a less interactive countdown, immediate gratification can be had with the peppermint bark box. 

Fight off winter’s chill with a steamy cup each day of December from Davids Tea’s 24 Days of Tea, a yearly best-seller of old-time favorites and new seasonal blends. Many reviewers who make the purchase every year have shared that this box has become tradition, but it’s not the only Davids Teas calendar guaranteed to keep you warm. Other options include the matcha-only box; a brand-new batch dedicated to teas sourced from across the globe; and an entirely caffeine-free selection (just in case you don’t happen to pull open the pocket until later at night). 

If vino is more your vibe, this Advent calendar is for you. Twenty-four 187-milliliter bottles are tucked into the cardboard walls of an English estate covered in snow. Popping open a window will reveal a new pour each day, from reds, whites, rosé, port, and a bigger bottle of Prosecco to celebrate on Christmas Eve. The bottles offer generous servings, so feel free to split with a friend or family member. 

If you want to bring the tasting-room experience home, sign up for In Good Taste’s Advent calendar. Not only does each day offer a new mini bottle to try, but a virtual tasting, too. In an email you can opt into, the company will also send along notes and tips on how to best enjoy the box throughout the month. Plus it’s stuffed with makers exclusive to the online retailer.  

Each candle nestled in this clocklike box new to Pottery Barn may not count down each day to Christmas, but every vessel promises 13 hours of burn time, which will likely last you past 31 days. Each offers a unique scent evocative of the season (think: spicy and sweet, like clove, sandalwood, birch, and vanilla). 

Filling your home with festive fragrances can go beyond a candle. Apotheke, a Domino-approved scent source, has an Advent calendar that includes both wax wonders (16 to be exact), matches, and reed diffusers (as well as luxury wick snippers and snuffers). The navy blue box is decorated with silvery illustrated wisps of stardust. 

Crate & Barrel’s candle-forward calendar is another mini option. It stores 4-ounce glass vessels, presented in the outline of a Christmas tree, in similar shades of white and gold. Each scent is inspired by the “12 Days of Christmas,” from pear to gingerbread. 

It’s hard not to be mentally whisked off to a Wes Anderson film set with this wood Advent calendar. Its pink painted exterior and whimsical characters are the work of illustrator Emily Taylor, and behind each window you can place any sort of delightful treat of your choosing. It’s more than a place to stash small gifts, too; we can see it being right at home in a Dickens Village display.  

For an attention grabber that’s still simple and modern in appearance, West Elm’s A-frame is just the ticket. Housed within its nearly 2-feet tall, lightly-stained arched walls are rows of 24 wood houses waiting to be filled.  

This hanging countdown will call to mind the color of your adorned evergreen and is made of sturdy cotton canvas that’s ready to house goodies. Its pockets may not be the best at keeping them a secret from curious eyes, but we love the simplicity and sweet addition of twinkly stars. 

This Christmas countdown is purely decorative—the house-shaped glass and brass structure is designed to pair with twinkling tea lights (or a bundle of fairy lights or battery-powered candles). It has staying power and will certainly never fight with the rest of your neighboring decor, especially if you like to switch things up every holiday season.

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