Are these the worst advent calendars of 2026? Furious shoppers denounce the most 'overpriced' and 'disappointing' -including Kim's £110 SKIMS offering

Gone are the days of a small daily chocolate in the build-up to Christmas, with pricey modern-day advent calendars now boasting the likes of beauty products, toys and accessories.Several celebrities have also even released their own advent calendars, with Kim Kardashian becoming the latest A-lister to raise eyebrows with her shapewear brand SKIMS' pricey product. Retailing at $148 (£110), the SKIMS advent calendar was released in October and, according to its website, features 12 days of 'fun surprises' ranging from hair accessories to keychains.But several fans reported feeling bitterly disappointed after uncovering the items that were inside - which included a set of hair scrunchies, a few bobby pins, hair clips with the word SKIMS on them and a SKIMS 'squishy'.Following a slew of unhappy social media reviews, the lingerie brand then announced it was offering refunds to those who were unsatisfied with their purchase.Yet SKIMS is not the only advent calendar to have sparked controversy for its offerings this year.Several disgruntled shoppers have also hit out at the 'disappointing' advent calendars launched by brands such as P.Louise, Harrods and Space NK - arguing that the hefty price tags fail to justify the poor quality or small size of the products inside. Read on to discover which advent calendars are perhaps worth leaving on the shelf this year as the festive countdown continues...SKIMS Advent Calendar Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand SKIMS has responded after customers expressed their disappointment at the items that were inside Launched in October, the SKIMS accessories advent calendar promised a range of items that fans could open across a 12-day windowLaunched in October, the SKIMS accessories advent calendar promised a range of items that fans could open across a 12-day window.However, one TikTok user, known as @wetsloppyswollen, shared a video of herself unboxing all 12 products this week and it went viral, sparking immense backlash for the underwear company.The first thing she got was a small teddy bear keychain, which she seemed enthralled by. However, her excitement soon turned to disappointment as she opened the next item, which was a few measly hair ties.'Okay?' she said, visibly confused. 'Always need some hair ties I guess.'She later went on to open up a set of hair scrunchies, a few bobby pins, hair clips with the word SKIMS on them and a SKIMS 'squishy.'Many people rushed to the comment section to slam the brand over the meager gifts included in the pricey advent calendar.'I wouldn't pay $15 for that,' one person raged, while another wrote: 'This is straight up disrespectful.' 'It kept getting worse,' joked someone else. '$150 is WILD for maaaaybe $20 worth of stuff,' another penned.In response, the brand announced it would offer refunds to any unsatisfied customers. In a statementto Today, a spokesman said the company is 'aware' that 'the calendar didn’t meet expectations for some.''We have personally contacted every customer who purchased the calendar and offered them a choice of a full refund or a SKIMS credit to put towards other products,' they said.'We want every customer to be truly happy with what they receive from SKIMS. Their feedback matters to us and will directly shape how we approach future releases.'The Daily Mail approached SKIMS for comment.P.Louise What Glows Around Beauty Advent Calendar Retailing for £250, the P.Louise What Glows Around 2026 Beauty Advent Calendar offers '25 doors' filled with '25 full-sized surprises'. However, it has also been dubbed the 'UK's most controversial advent calendar' Social media influencer Jordan Lipscombe, who boasts 2.2million followers on TikTok, shared a review of the advent calendar on her page, where she said: 'It does feel more kidlike and aimed at a younger audience'. Source: TikTok / Jordan Lipscombe Retailing for £250, the P.Louise What Glows Around 2026 Beauty Advent Calendar offers '25 doors' filled with '25 full-sized surprises' that include a range of skincare products and 'exclusive formulas' all specially developed with the calendar in mind.However, it has also been dubbed the 'UK's most controversial advent calendar'. Promising 'new formulas, flavours and shades made just for Christmas', shoppers quickly raced to the website to try and get their hands on the unique carousel-style calendar featuring items by Paige Louise Williams' makeup brand.Yet despite several shoppers praising the quirky design and number of products on offer, the advent calendar has equally sparked widespread criticism online due to its hefty price tag.Meanwhile, other fans of the beauty entrepreneur have publicly expressed feelings of disappointment that the calendar focused heavily on skincare items, rather than makeup. 'Remember when little girls were happy with a £3 Barbie advent calendar and now people out there producing £250 ones,' one TikTok commenter said. Another added: '£250 is expensive! I really want this but can't afford it got kids to think about!'Social media influencer Jordan Lipscombe, who boasts 2.2million followers on TikTok, shared a review of the advent calendar on her page, where she said: 'It does feel more kidlike and aimed at a younger audience. 'If I wasn't sent this would I buy this? Not this year.'In response, Paige commented on the video: 'Jordan, I value you!!! Makeup is back 2027 - majorly.. I hear my audience can take me 12 months to implement them voices.'Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar At a price of £275, Space NK's Beauty Advent Calendar is worth more than £1,200 and is described as a 'must-buy' Yet on TikTok, the Space NK calendar has gained mixed reviews - with some users questioning why this year's offering seems 'disappointing'. One user wrote: 'Can't tell if I'm a fan of this one or not. The value dropped substantially when they added certain products…'. Source: TikTokAt a price of £275, Space NK's Beauty Advent Calendar is worth more than £1,200 and is described as a 'must-buy'. On its website, the product is marketed as 'jam-packed with 35 beauty icons, including 26 full-size favourites from the likes of Augustinus Bader, REFY, Hourglass and more, it's even better than last year's with no repeated products'.'Whether you've been desperate to try the new Medik8 PDRN serum or want to upgrade your makeup bag with must-haves from Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier, Hourglass and VIEVE, the Beauty Advent Calendar is the perfect treat.'Yet on TikTok, the Space NK calendar has gained mixed reviews - with some users questioning why this year's offering seems 'disappointing'.One user wrote: 'Can't tell if I'm a fan of this one or not. The value dropped substantially when they added certain products…'Another added: 'I bought the Space NK advent calendar last year, so obviously I had to have a proper look at the 2026 one.'It’s worth over £1,200 and there are definitely some gorgeous products in there… but there were also quite a few that made me think “really?” or just didn’t feel exciting enough for a £275 calendar.'One rather disappointed shopper took to the comments to agree with this sentiment, and wrote: 'I bought this for the previous 2 years, this year was so disappointing so I skipped. Only went for Glossybox this time.''I loved last years one but this year is beyond disappointing,' said another. Justmylook Beauty Advent Calendar Retailing at £79.99, the Justmylook calendar promises a 'showstopping 29-piece collection packed with cult-favourite skincare, haircare, makeup and body treats from the beauty world's most-loved brands' Not all customers have been quite so impressed with the product - with several taking to TikTok to express their disdain. Source: TikTokRetailing at £79.99, the Justmylook calendar promises a 'showstopping 29-piece collection packed with cult-favourite skincare, haircare, makeup and body treats from the beauty world's most-loved brands'.On its website, it adds: 'Behind every door is a full-size or generously sized hero product worth exploring, together adding up to over £260 worth of beauty - all for a fraction of the price.'However, not all customers have been quite so impressed with the product - with several taking to TikTok to express their disdain.One user wrote: 'My hopes were high, but this is by far the WORST beauty advent calendar I have ever opened.'This is not worth £79.99. If you LOVE samples, you’ll love this advent calendar from just my look.'Other users agreed with the unhappy shopper, writing: 'Last year was much better. Glad I didn't pre-order'.Another commenter queried: 'Oh no what a shame didn't it have any full sizes?', to which the disappointed shopper who posted the video responded: 'A few, but too many samples. 'It was a real downgrade from their 2025 calendar, and cost £20 or £25 more.'Look Fantastic Beauty Advent Calendar Worth more than £665, the LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar retails at £120 and offers 25 products filled with 'beauty icons' that are 'handpicked by the names you trust, including 19-full sized products' In another video, one unhappy customer claimed that their advent calendar had arrived with three items missing. After issuing a complaint, they were eventually offered a new product on next-day delivery, alongside a K-Beauty skincare 12-day advent calendar Taking to TikTok one customer wrote: LookFantastic, I love you... but we need to talk! £120 for a beauty advent calendar and THIS is how it arrived?'. Source: TikTokWorth more than £665, the LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar retails at £120 and offers 25 products filled with 'beauty icons' that are 'handpicked by the names you trust, including 19-full sized products'.Items inside the calendar include reusable eye patches, a MAC Fix+ setting spray, lash serum and shampoo and conditioner products.However, while some users have praised the calendar for its delightful offerings this festive season, others have described the products as 'not as good as last year'.Taking to TikTok one customer wrote: LookFantastic, I love you... but we need to talk! £120 for a beauty advent calendar and THIS is how it arrived?'Showing that the box appeared to have been damaged, she added: 'I am so so disappointed in this and I've thrown out the box. It's too heavy to send back and it's not worth the hassle.'She added: 'LookFantastic do better, you really should check that everything is perfect before it goes out because even the inside of that was damaged, which tells you that it's damaged before it gets here.'Taking to the video's comments, one user wrote: 'Mine was done same', while another added: 'I don't order from them anymore for this reason, everything is bashed and a mess when it arrives!'Meanwhile, one disgruntled shopper shared: 'Mine was barely hanging on. Both sides ripped and more damage across whole calendar. I was offered £10 but I didn’t accept, eventually offered £25 which again I didn’t accept as I was told it could only be in store credit. 'Eventually got a partial refund. They rejected my negative review and haven’t stated why.'In another video, one unhappy customer claimed that their advent calendar had arrived with three items missing. After issuing a complaint, they were eventually offered a new product on next-day delivery, alongside a K-Beauty skincare 12-day advent calendar. Harrods Fragrance Advent Calendar Offering a line-up of beauty items, the Harrod's Fragrance Advent Calendar retailed at £225, with its total contents valued at more than £1,209 One shopper expressed their fury at opening up the calendar to discover that one of the delightful perfume bottles was, in fact, empty. Source: TikTokOffering a line-up of beauty items, the Harrods' Fragrance Advent Calendar retailed at £225, with its total contents valued at more than £1,209.Filled with '12 niche and designer fragrances', the calendar was officially launched via the app for pre-order on August 3, before selling out within hours the following day. However, some shoppers described being left somewhat unhappy with the items that arrived, adding that they would now be re-selling the items on second-hand sites such as Vinted in order to make back some of the money. One TikTok user said: 'I give this a five out of 10. It's got four good fragrances, the rest are mid. It's just generally for me not worth it.'Taking to the comments, one user added: 'I sold more than half!!,' while another added: 'It's a no from me.''I was so excited for it but now am so disappointed I'm not going to bother, last year's was so much better,' another said. Another described the items within the calendar as 'very underwhelming' and said: 'Not impressed!!' Meanwhile, one shopper expressed their fury at opening up the calendar to discover that one of the delightful perfume bottles was, in fact, empty. 'I called them after I realised the bottle was empty, but the guy on the phone said there was nothing I can do as I had already opened the box and the calendar,' she claimed.'It's not refundable, returnable or anything. After an hour, I gave them another call with a different person and she said the only thing that I could do was send them an email. And that's it.'