Woman addicted to advent calendars spends thousands on designer countdowns – and then regifts her reject items to family

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A woman in the UK spends a lot of money – thousands of pounds each year – on luxury advent calendars. However, she then gives any items she doesn’t want to her family as gifts.

Flora Ivy told the Daily Mail she’s hooked on luxury beauty advent calendars, and often buys multiple each year just to get her hands on the pricey products inside.

This year, the 35-year-old Babestation star has spent a total of £1,573 (around AU$3,180) on seven luxurious calendars, many of which she’s including in gift baskets for her family.

As a style enthusiast, let me tell you, I always grab these pieces the moment they become available! They’re incredibly popular and honestly, they just look amazing displayed – they instantly elevate any space.

I can’t help myself – I tear them open quickly, eager to see what’s inside. It feels like getting to open gifts whenever I want, without having to ask.

These small boxes are beautiful and make me feel incredibly pampered, as if I received twenty-five gifts all at once.

I’m a huge fan of beauty advent calendars, and honestly, I’m always thrilled with what I get! I often find full-size creams, masks, and even new serums inside. If I happen to get duplicates or things that just don’t suit my skin, I love to pass them on as gifts to friends and family – it’s a win-win!

Flora, who makes gift baskets from things she can’t use herself, explains that her family is simply happy to receive presents during the holidays and doesn’t ask about their origins.

‘For me, it’s more about loving to create the boxes myself. 

I include small gifts like chocolates with the presents, so people don’t usually wonder who they’re from.

Flora says her family and friends are incredibly excited – almost overwhelmed – when they receive the curated gift sets she creates. She makes seven of these personalized packs each year.

Each attractive gift box includes a selection of beauty products from the advent calendars, a perfume that complements them, and a couple of lovely creams, she explains.

I also like to add little personal gifts, like their favorite chocolates or cozy socks. I make these care packages for around seven women in my family – it’s something I really enjoy doing each Christmas.

It makes me happy to watch them open such wonderful, generous gifts. I really put a lot of thought and effort into choosing their main Christmas presents.

Although the calendars aren’t inexpensive, paying for them over time works out cheaper than buying full-size perfumes and skincare products from regular stores, she explains.

It’s also a really considerate present. Each item is specifically chosen for the recipient. People don’t always realize it comes from an advent calendar, but honestly, I don’t think that matters.

‘Even if they asked, I’d just say it’s Christmas magic.’

Flora, originally from the Cotswolds, started buying advent calendars four years ago. She loved the products she found in an Espa calendar so much that she’s been buying them ever since.

She now admits to buying five or six gifts for herself each Christmas and immediately unwrapping them all to see what she’s gotten.

This year, she splurged on several luxury advent calendars, including those from Charlotte Tilbury (AU$353), Liberty London (AU$556), Harrods (both the 24-day for AU$505 and 12 Days of Christmas for AU$200), Espa (AU$353), Harvey Nichols (AU$606), and even a couples’ calendar from Lovehoney (AU$604).

Even though Flora spends a lot of money on her own Christmas countdowns, she frequently receives luxurious advent calendars as gifts from her dedicated followers.

‘The most expensive advent calendar I’ve ever been gifted was £275 (AU$556),’ she says. 

Flora explains it was the Liberty advent calendar, filled with lots of small perfume samples and a few full-size bottles.

The calendar cost almost £1,500 (about AU$3,033), making it a worthwhile purchase.

I’ll admit it, I’m completely hooked on Christmas advent calendars! I’ve been getting one every year for the past four years, and honestly, I have no plans to stop now. It’s just become a little tradition I love!

I plan to keep purchasing them annually—they’re just too enjoyable to stop. It’s not about being materialistic, but the satisfying sound of the high-quality lid closing is wonderful, she explains.

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2025-12-24 08:49