Advent calendars used to be an enjoyable tradition, but now some of them have turned into a symbol of consumerism.
These calendars have been a tradition for decades. Every morning would reveal a chocolate treat surprise, counting down the days until Dec. 25.
But recently, Advent calendars have become a marketing scheme for luxury brands to sell their least popular products or miniature items for a high price, using the “element of surprise” as justification for the cost.
This is commonly seen with beauty brands like Dior, Charlotte Tilbury, Lancome, and Mac. Their Advent calendars are overpriced for the small amount of product consumers receive. These calendars range from $100 to $300 dollars for travel or sample-sized products.
With luxury calendars, the gifts inside are not the only important thing; the unboxing of the products becomes just as important. With popular videos circulating on social media of unboxings, the packaging and experience seem more important than the actual products inside.
Personally, I bought a Sephora Collection Advent Calendar expecting good quality products. There ended up being things I did not expect, like a keychain and a hair clip. It was disappointing because the calendar was not that cheap, and yet cheaply made, random items were thrown in there.
The whole calendar was not a disappointment, but these luxury companies should include more full-sized items or more best sellers from the brand to please a greater audience.
Some other calendars are affordable and also offer good products. Brands like Ulta, Target, and Elf offer good quality, affordable, and popular products in their calendars under $100.
Ultimately, during the holiday season, brands should stop worrying about trying to scam people during the Christmas craze, where people buy unnecessary things. Instead, they should worry more about selling good products for an affordable price to please their audiences.
The simple and more affordable Advent calendars are the way to go during the holiday season to avoid being scammed or disappointed.
