Advent calendar season is almost here, so it's a good time to start looking for deals. There are lots of early-holiday savings to be had on Advent calendars and other seasonal items at Amazon, like stocking stuffers.
We're spilling our tried-and-true tips for getting the best price on the holiday tradition, especially for those of you shopping early. And we're sharing the best deals you can find right now. However, do note that prices fluctuate regularly on Amazon.
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Amazon Advent Calendars You Can Get on Sale Now
There are plenty of Advent calendars on sale early, including some new 2024 releases. In case you didn't know, Advent calendars aren't just for kids anymore. While Barbie and Disney are well represented, so are Wicked, Friends, and Gilmore Girls.
Expect prices to fluctuate as the season approaches.
Note: The Gilmore Girls Advent calendar has gone viral and is going in and out of stock. Currently, shipping dates are as late as November.
How to Save on Amazon Advent Calendars
1. Calculate the price per day to assess value.
Calculating the price per day gives you a solid metric to compare prices across different package sizes. All you need to do is take the total cost and divide it by the amount of days. So a $30 calendar that runs for 24 days maths out to $1.25 per day.
We calculated the cost per day for you for each deal. But if you’re shopping on your own, on the whole, you want to aim to pay no more than $1.50 per day.
2. Opt for calendars with products that can be enjoyed again and again.
When you think about it, you’re paying for cardboard and plastic each time you purchase a disposable Advent calendar. (I don’t blame you, though, as they’re easy, convenient, and often tied with big names like Disney or Mattel).
But if you don’t mind a little DIY, I suggest getting an empty calendar and filling it with cheaper candy or going for a calendar with toys inside. These reusable options will save you money in the long run.
3. Licensed items will cost more than other goods.
You know when you buy merch from your fave band or fandom and it says the goods are “officially licensed"? That just means whomever owns the rights to that show, movie, book, etc. is getting paid for using their intellectual property. Basically, when you buy a licensed product, you’re paying more for royalties.
Licensed Advent calendars (like anything released by Disney, Mattel, Lego, etc.) will always be more expensive since you’re paying for a big brand name. For those calendars, aim to pay no more than $2.50 per day.
4. Order ahead of time to save on shipping costs.
Dec. 1 comes at you fast. If you have Amazon Prime you get access to that sweet, sweet 2-day shipping. But if you’re not a member or you have your eye on something that doesn’t qualify for Prime shipping, those fees can add up fast. Especially since rush shipping is notoriously expensive, sometimes costing more than the actual product. But if you budget enough time, you can opt for no-rush shipping and earn some Amazon promo credits too.
That said, I recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance (but the earlier, the better). This allows you to choose the cheapest shipping option while still accounting for mild holiday postal delays. If that schedule isn’t feasible for you, then opt for a 12-day calendar instead to make up for the shortened timeline.
5. Compare prices across retailers.
Some popular calendars will be tough to find on sale (that super-popular Bonne Maman Advent calendar, for example). So be sure to check other retailers' prices. For example, last year, we discovered that the frequently-sold-out Bonne Maman calendar remained stubbornly at full price at Amazon but was cheaper at other retailers (and had a downright affordable 12-day version at Costco and Sam's).
6. Look for preorder deals.
Keep this tip in mind if you're shopping super early. We've seen Amazon offer preorder price guarantees on Lego calendars in the past. In August 2024, for example, they offered this deal for those who pre-ordered the new Lego calendars before Sept. 1: if the price of the calendar dropped on Amazon between the time you preordered the calendar and the time it shipped to you, Amazon would give you the lower price.
Preorder price guarantees like this mean shoppers don't have to worry about stalking sales on preorder calendars. You can place your order, cross buy Advent calendar off your holiday prep list, and know you'll get the lowest price possible.
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