IT'S nearly time to open the first window in spectacular style...

For the Christmas countdown now begins with luxury advent calendars which are becoming more popular in the run up to the festive season.

Gifting yourself daily on the lead up to the big day puts the luxury in these calendars but for many, pulling together a collection of favourite items under one giant gift simply offers value for money. Especially in the beauty market...

 

W7 Cosmetics advent calendar comes in at a bargain price of £19.95 and contains items which will give your make-up bag a much needed transformation. Cheeky flusher blusher, Beam Me Up Illuminator and Glowcomotion highlighter are just some of the beauty favourites behind the windows. You can purchase the calendar at www.w7cosmetics.co.uk.

 

Online retailer ASOS offer the pricier alternative advent calendar for the make-up fans which is packed with big brands including Bobbi Brown and MAC Cosmetics. It costs £55 but will no doubt delight those looking to sample some of the best products on the market.

 

It's a scent like no other, so why wait until Christmas Day for your Soap & Glory goodies? Their 24 day soaprises calendar comes in at £40 from Boots and features popular items such as Clean On Me shower gel and The Scrub of Your Life body buffer.

 

Scent rivals Lush also offer a bath bomb-filled advent calendar worth counting down the days to Christmas for.

The 12 days of Christmas gift set is packed with festive Lush favourites including Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Puddy Holly Bubbleroon and Naughty Elf Bubble Bar.

It is a bit pricer at £75 but with 12 super products to use in the bath and shower, you will be gleaming well into the new year.

 

The Body Shop claim to have launched the world's first beauty advent calendar 15 years ago, so they are bound to know a thing a two about the phenomenon.

And with that knowledge, they have gone all out this year with a trio of calendars and a go vegan from Christmas to New Year's Eve set.

The Evening Times sampled the 25 Days of the Enchanted Deluxe Advent Calendar which costs £65 but contains items worth £121.

The calendars not only offer more than a season of skin-loving surprises, they also set a 25-day challenge with small fun tasks. The tasks aim to help you get out, rejuvenate in nature and make the world a better place, or so The Body Shop says, are you up for the challenge?

For those of us who are sweet-toothed, the traditional chocolate advent calendar has not completely disappeared off the market, it too has received a luxurious makeover. Hotel Chocolat's Grand Advent comes in at £68 but features some of the chocolatiers most popular items.

Daily surprises include salted caramel vodka, crackers filled with pecan praline, a meltingly-smooth hazelnut bûche, macadamia and coconut snowballs (too good to throw) and super-smooth, award-winning Cocoa Gin.

Lidl's Deluxe luxury chocolate advent calendar is a cheaper alternative packed with treats including white chocolate gingerbread and Anglesey sea salted caramel for £6.99.

 

The popular supermarket chain has also surprised fans with a Powerfix Profi Tool Kit advent calendar which you can pick up for £19.99.

 

Marks and Spencer's Enchanted Forest Advent calendar also comes in at a more reasonable price of £10 although last time we checked, it was sold out online.

If you managed to snag one, you can find tempting treats including milk chocolate discs with popping candy.

 

The retailer is also selling a star shaped festive cocktail advent calendar this year which comes in at £25. It comes with peach Bellini and bucks fizz flavoured truffles and a mini bottle of sloe gin.

 

While you are indulging in those sweet treats, you could set the mood for the festive season by lighting a new candle scent everyday throughout December.

Yankee Candle's advent calendar features 24 tea lights including the new Icy Blue Spruce and Glittering Star fragrances. The advent calendar costs £24.99 and comes with a tea light holder.

 

The countdown to Christmas isn't all about sweet treats. A protein advent calendar is available for those working on their fitness. The Boostbox protein advent calendar comes in at £49.99 to fuel your festive fitness. It is one of the many unique advent calendar offerings on online retailer Find Me A Gift website.