Isn’t the concept of an Advent calendar just blissful? Counting down the days until Christmas with chocolate, or, in my kids’ cases, tiny monster trucks, packs of basketball cards, or Barbie accessories. Just a tiny little treat each day, much deserved in this busy season that can be taxing mentally, emotionally, and physically, with colder, shorter days.
The trend of elevated Advent calendars for adults that’s emerged in the last decade or so? Love it. Except so often the little products or trinkets inside are throwaway quality—tiny or really not your interest/skin concern/shade. Stashed away in your little travel toiletries box, destined to be forgotten forever. And frankly? Just more stuff to contend with during a heavy stuff season.
Instead, I propose: the Self-Care Advent Calendar. Thoughtfully composed to build a cache of self-care heavy-hitters to make your holiday season:
calm
cozy and
moisturized
Mix and match what you really love and need this season, and take a big exhale knowing you’re taking a moment for yourself each day.
Ideas on assembly and presentation? Why not buy 12 cute gift bags, tie these around their handles, then fold them back up after your use, to be recycled with a gift for someone else later in December? Does a gift bag even work if it hasn’t been repurposed at least once?
Or try a hanging pocket-style Advent calendars (like this, this, or this) or traditional hanging wall organizers (like this or this), on the inside of your closet or bathroom door, ready to be used again and again each year.
The Advent Calendar
Quince Spiced Noël Candle. The quintessential holiday candle on day 1, for a full fortnight of cozy ambience. With a heavy dose of fragrance oil, the scent of pine, citrus, and mulling spices will be wafting through your entire space.
Le Monde Gourmand Chai Épicé Perfumed Body Oil. The new step in your skincare you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for slathering on out of the shower or whenever that skin needs a break from the cold, windy world outside, this body oil’s scents read like a love letter to cozy, sweet-spicy-scent lovers: violet fig, sweet apple, cinnamon stick, crushed ginger, warm amber, gingerbread, cardamom pods, vanilla cream. Delicious.
Palais de Thés N°25 Green Tea Holiday Blend with Citrus, Rose, Almond, and Spices. My absolute favorite tea blender, especially during the holidays. Not too heavy on the vanilla or spice, just thoughtful, elevated blends that feel cozy but invigorating. The gentle lift, calming l-theanine, and protective antioxidants from the green tea make this the perfect choice for self-care.
COSRX Snail Mucin Sheet Mask with Snail Mucin Serum. The snail goo that fixes everyone’s face! I’m a big fan of the snail mucin serum, and these masks are soothing for irritated and sensitive skin
Quince Recovery Electrolytes. Overdo it last night? Or all last week? No judgment here. Whether you’re traveling, hitting the gym or studio hard as your form of therapy, or wassailed a little too close to the sun with your friends last weekend, you probably need a little recovery this season. These are also delicious, less than half the price of the leading raspberry salt electrolyte brand (IYKYK), and includes zinc, plus more magnesium and potassium than comparable packets. Big, big fan.
Plush Cloud Socks. A fleecy upgrade to the beloved Cloud Socks, cold toes are now a thing of Christmas past. When I get home from just about anywhere these days, these socks go on the moment my bra goes off.
Quince Organic Stress Support. Whether it’s making a Christmas budget work when everything seems to be way more expensive this year, trying to make it to all the kids’ programs and parties even though you do, like, also have a job, or your racist aunt at Christmas Eve dinner, this season is stressful. I highly recommend a regular meditation practice and developing other ways to productively manage and mitigate your stress, but ummmm…. also there’s these. Packed with my favorite adaptogens and antioxidants, these capsules help ease your stress response when needed (which is probably, like, a lot right now).
Magnesium Bath Bombs in Orange, Vanilla, and Cinnamon. Perfect for sleep, de-stressing, and muscle recovery, these bath bombs smell delicious and are such an easy way to turn a bath into a recovery ritual. Light your Spiced Noël candle, throw on a COSRX sheet mask, and make a cup of Palais des Thés holiday tea, and you’re basically your own spa therapist. I love this for you, and you’re going to sleep so well.
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Robe. Absolute luxury without the luxury markup, I live in my Quince Mongolian cashmere robe. It’s cozy but not heavy or suffocating, and it’s impossibly soft. Pair with those Cloud socks, and you’re basically transported away on a fluffy marshmallow. The splurge of your Advent calendar, but this robe is peak quality and will last you forever.
Gya Peaceful Roll-On Essential Oils Set. Instant aromatherapy for whatever ails you, this essential oil roller set contains four blends for: sleep, stress relief, deep calm, and congestion/breathing issues. Keep a couple in your purse and roll them on your pulse points whenever aunt Sandra starts talking about immigration laws…
Quince Mulberry Silk Pillowcase. The ultimate skin- and haircare upgrade. Strange as it sounds, sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth hair, and nourish and hydrated skin and hair. Silk is also amazing at naturally regulating temperature so it doesn’t ever get too toasty hot like cotton or synthetic materials. The perfect investment in deep skin and hair care.
Prequel Skin Foot Rescue, Professional Foot Treatment with 15% Urea + Salicylic Acid. Woof, the dry, cracked heels during the winter! I recently discovered this active foot treatment, which makes my feet look so smooth and exfoliated, it’s like I just stepped out of the nail salon. Slather it on before you put on those plush Cloud socks for the night, and wake up to refreshed skin on your heels that didn’t require a cheese grater even once.
Let me know what you’ll add to your Advent calendar below—you always have the best recs!
See you in the next issue!
XOXO,
Cheryl