I asked this question last year. But it was last year. And now we’re “all in” into the next holiday season. When did it happen?
Saturday Question #192:
Are You Doing Any Advent Calendars This Year? (2023 Edition)
Perfume? Beauty? Chocolates? Drinks? Anything else?
My Answer
I created a self-made Perfume Advent Calendar in 2021, and it was fun. Last year, not being in the mood for preparations, I skipped it. But this year I decided that, mood or no mood, a small investment of time now would allow me to enjoy surprises daily and help with my recently developed choice paralysis issue. I made a list: perfumes that I definitely want to wear in December (for example, I never want to go through Winter Holidays without wearing Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles) and perfumes that I might wear. I printed and cut out both lists, added all “must” choices and randomly selected “might” ones to cover 31 days (why stop at 25, right?), and then, without looking, placed paper strips in the numbered boxes of the Whittard of Chelsea Tea Advent Calendar (one of the three calendars that I enjoyed last year). Choices for December 25 through December 31 all went into box #25. Today’s perfume was Houbigant Quelques Fleurs Royale. If it weren’t for the Advent Calendar, would not have chosen to wear it today since it feels “too fancy” for grocery shopping I had on my “to-do” list. Having it decided for me, I enjoyed wearing it. So, my plan worked!
The above-mentioned Whittard of Chelsea Tea Advent Calendar was not bad, but it wasn’t spectacular, so I didn’t want to repeat it. But since I still liked the idea of having a different cup of tea every day, I decided to make my own. I bought several sets of teas from different brands and placed them in the box from last year’s Cult Beauty Advent Calendar that I redecorated slightly to hide the name (see the box on the right in the photo below). If anyone wonders: I couldn’t use the Whittard of Chelsea’s AC because those boxes were too small for tea that I got.
Cult Beauty Advent Calendar was the best of the three: I got from it many products that I liked and used throughout the year. And together with the GWP that I received, it was a fantastic value. This August, I spent more time than I care to admit comparing different beauty Advent Calendars. I didn’t need one. But I wanted one. So, it had to be the best value (for me). My first choice was Space NK. I didn’t expect to get a discount, but I hoped to catch some promotion/GWP to make me feel better about paying full price. I waited and waited… until it was sold out. While I was thinking whether to take it as a sign and skip a beauty AC for this year or to go with one of the two “runner-ups” – Harrod’s and Cult Beauty – the latter, once again, offered a very tempting GWP. I was sold. I mean, I bought it – hence the second box in the picture above.
Today Rusty didn’t object to posing with the items I got from my two calendars. He was busy trying to chew the packets of Smith Tea Meadow.
And for more pictures of Rusty, head over to my Instagram, where I started the traditional Advent CaTendar (count up to Rusty’s 15th Birthday on Christmas Eve).
How about you?
Undina's Looking Glass 
I’m not doing an advent calendar this year, Undina. I make a concerted effort to wear everything in my collection with regular rotation, so the advent calendar wouldn’t be much of a surprise for me.
I think the advent calendar idea might be a fun idea for new samples though. Of course, you might have to have a friend load the calendar, as so you would know what to expect. 😉
You’re absolutely right about Fille en aiguilles. I have an embarrassing amount of Serge Lutens fragrances, but Fille en aiguilles is one of my absolute favorites, and a must wear for the season.
Which Quelques Fleurs Royale is it, Undina the 2004 or 2018 version?
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Since it’s the Privee version, it’s 2018.
As to the Advent Calendar, you can do something similar to what I’ve done: make a list of twice as many samples, then randomly without looking place them either in separate boxes/bags or even in a single one and get out one per day.
I’m curious: how do you achieve the rotation of your perfumes?
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I am still a member of Parfumo.com, and utilize the “Collection” and “Advisor” feature quite a bit. The site has evolved, since I originally joined back in 2012. I had my collection listed there, and each time I wear a fragrance, I select the fragrance that I’m wearing that day. I keeps track of the times I’ve wore a fragrance, as well as the ones I’ve neglected. You can select an overview of what you’re worn, often worn, rarely worn or recently worn. All I have to do it select the fragrance I’m wearing that day, and it keep track o the rest. I find it very useful. It also helps the neglected fragrances get some love.
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What a good idea to use slips of paper to tell you which semi-random scent to wear! I may do a “Scented Advent” again but I’m stalling on the decision, and here we are at December 2, lol. I might just do Advent Sundays …
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Sundays are better than nothing! :)
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Rusty looks fab! The last couple of years I did a self made advent calendar to use some perfumes I had neglected. This year I just didn’t get around to it . I always look at the calendars to buy, but have almost always been disappointed, or at least underwhelmed. We will be lucky to get decorations up this year based on the current energy level!
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I had absolutely no energy or mood today, but I made myself decorating the small Christmas Tree in the bedroom and persuaded my vSO to put the lights on our house. I feel good. Now I need to find time and energy to decorate the large tree in the living room.
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I love your calendars!
I have been ready since October, when Costco had the Lego x (some known line) Advent Calendars available at a good price (not on sale). I chose the Lego x Marvel version because I am least familiar with it. I thought about making it perfume-related but opted out because it would have taken too much thought! In any case, I am making the “toy”, taking a picture and posting it on Insta when I can. It’s only Day 2 and I know I will post it today! I think it took me far longer to make it than a five-year old would but heh, half the fun is trying to figure out how the parts fit!
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Sounds like fun 🤩
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I loved your Lego post on Insta. That would be a good one to get for the grandchildren when they are older.
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I think it’s a great idea! Can’t wait to see what each day would bring.
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I was doing my annual new bra & knicker shop from Marks & Spencer when the site flagged my purchase meant I could get their Beauty Advent calendar for either £30 or £35. Excellent value. Then ….. drum roll….. I forgot all about it until reading this!
Might wait til tomorrow & open 3 at once
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It’s a good calendar! The case itself is quite nice. I hope you’ll find useful things in it.
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The silver vanity will come in useful, though I liked the “Beauty” tin better. Going to use the tin to hold the sorta DiL’s gift goodies
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No advent calendars for me. Again, but that’s ok with me. And hello handsome Rusty.
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Maybe next year?
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I have been wanting a Guerlain advent calendar for years, so this year I took the plunge and got one through @shopfranceinc. It’s beautiful and I love it. I’ll be posting some pics on Instagram of the goodies for each day. There are perfumes, candles, soaps, and a couple of ornaments. I’ll be keeping the box. It’s like a lovely little tree house with gold and green flowers and leaves 🍃 on it. I love it ❤️❤️ Best Christmas present ever 🎁
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Behind door #1 (December 1) was a 7 ml size of Musc Outreblanc. I LOVE it, soft, floral, orrisy, gorgeous. The 7 ml size is perfect for me.
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I think you’re mistaken: it’s supposed to be 10 ml, not 7.
Speaking of mini bottles, if you decide to sell Cuir Beluga, Rose Barbare or Angélique Noire, please ask me first.
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You are correct. The bottles are 10 ml each. They looked similar to some 7.5 ml bottles I have of Armani Prive scents so I thought they were the same, but the Guerlain bottles are taller and have more juice in them.
You have right of first refusal on those 3 mini-bottles if I should decide to part with them, but right now I’m planning on keeping all of them. Cuir Beluga was one of the reasons I bought the advent calendar, the chance to get small bottles of Cuir Beluga and Herbes Troublante was too good to pass up.
I noticed that the Angelique Noire has been changed somewhat since I bought my initial big bottle some years ago. The original smelled sharper in the opening, more galbanum, more oakmoss. I guess the IFRA regulations in subsequent years required using synthetic molecules so the opening is a bit softer. I actually like this new version better. It’s stunning and has good lasting power on my skin.
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Angelique Noire is the bottle I should have bought! But I waited to finish my largish decant. That should teach me! :)
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I looked at my big bottle and it’s about half full so I have plenty to share. I’ll buy some decant containers and send you some. :-)
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It’s a very generous offer, thank you.
If you’re interested in a swap, I have Cruel Gardenia I could share. Or we can see what other perfumes that I have interest you – and I could send it to you together with an extra bottle – so that you don’t have to buy supplies if you didn’t plan on doing it for other purposes.
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Sounds perfect, cruel gardenia with empty bottle to send back to you filled with Angelique Noire. Thanks 😊 I’m in!
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I wanted that calendar as well and planned to get it. But it wasn’t in stars this year. Maybe next.
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I’m looking forward to see what each day brings you. A well deserved treat
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I was sent a Jacquie Lawson e-advent calendar as a gift, though I wouldn’t bother with one otherwise – bought or made. I loved opening the little doors as a kid, when there weren’t even any gifts behind them, haha, but they seem less magical now.
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Electronic calendar is the strangest idea, in my opinion. But if people are paying for it, why not? :)
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Lucky Scent has an e-Advent Calendar on their website. There is a special deal for the specific day in question.
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Yes, but not perfume. Doing Art by Marlene stencils, chocolates, Yves Rocher, and a cat treat calendar.
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What chocolate calendar do you have?
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Something from Aldi.
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That sounds like dedication! This year my other half decided to try a coffee advent calendar, which contains coffee beans from different regions, roasting profiles, etc., so I’m benefiting from that as well! It’s fun to discover a different coffee every morning for a while and compare impressions. Although our schedules this month are a bit crazy and one or the other of us is not at home some days, so some of them will probably be enjoyed after the holidays to tide us through the dreary beginning of January.
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I have not seen any coffee advent calendars. That sounds delightful! I love coffee. We’re loving a single origin Laotian coffee that we get from a local roaster.
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This one is from Onyx Coffee Lab. They have a great selection of coffees and teas as well, including a tea of whole roses that’s naturally sweet and rosy.
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I’ll look for the Onyx coffee calendar next year. That would be fun to try. I got a Mariage Freres tea calendar last year and it was fun, but not interesting enough for me to buy it again this year. I have pretty specific tastes in teas and the calendar just confirmed that I don’t need to try every type of tea the company makes.
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That coffee calendar sounds interesting. It’s sold out this year. Maybe I should try to get it next year.
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