While tradition dictates that you should start an Advent Calendar on Dec. 1 and continue with it every day until Dec. 25, modern Advent Calendars can be found with fewer days (like a dozen or less) and others are like gifts that are fun to open all at once.

With so many to choose from, we’ve whittled down a few that we’ve tested and others that we recommend that are sure to appeal to different demographics. These calendars come in a variety of packs ranging from 12 to 25 days of surprises.

Calendars stuffed full of products are selling out faster than ever, but they face swift backlash if the contents don’t live up to the expectations. Here are our dos and don’ts.

Indulge your sweet tooth this Christmas with an inventive advent calendar from Flapjackery. The perfect treat for the build-up to the big day, this calendar features a different f

Beauty advent calendars allow your giftee on new-to-them goodies, travel-sized wonders, and fragrances galore. Here, peruse 21 of InStyle's favorite beauty advent calendars.

Want a fun way to countdown the days before Christmas? Try an Advent Calendar! Some you can buy, some you can make, and one you can download from me here -- a reading advent calendar to motivate children to read during the month of December.