…and I have some pretty strong opinions about which ones are actually worth it.
The first thing I have to say is that, variety-wise, they’ve really stepped things up this year. I remember previous calendars being essentially 40% mini shower gels, at least 3 lip balms, 3 hand creams, and enough containers of body butter to fill a medium-sized paddling pool.
This year, thanks in part to their new releases, we get more of a spread, including body yoghurts (apparently v. different to body butters), body scrub, shampoo & conditioner, sheet masks, and perfume – as well as all the usual stuff.
In fairness, the price and value of their calendars is pretty varied too. But not in such a good way.
One to avoid
The cheapest calendar (can £50 be called cheap? I’m going to call it the ‘baby bear’ calendar for maximum creepy), is worth just under £80, and honestly it’s so disappointing. You can always spot a questionable calendar by the presence of a nail file or bath sponge/scrubber, and this one has all three. Plus a ton of their absolute cheapest products, like the lip balms (more than you could use in a year) and bath bombs. Individually plastic wrapped bath bombs, really guys?
Honestly skip this one – all you’re going to do is fill up with samples of things that take forever to work through. I don’t think I’ve ever finished a pot of lip balm or body butter before they’ve expired, I don’t need a draw full of of the stuff.
My evaluation puts it at a 38% discount vs. what you’d pay buying this stuff in store. For other brands that’d be kinda tempting, but The Body Shop is aaaalways doing some kind of deal – BOGOF, 20-40% off, etc. You can do better I promise, and with things you actually want.
See a full contents list and more details on the basic advent calendar here >
The other two calendars are a totally different ball game.
Mostly worth it
The medium – or ‘mummy bear’ calendar is pretty alright. It’s £69 and I calculated a value of over £120, meaing a 43% discount – which at least is a little better than you’re likely to find on any given day, and it does come with some nice stuff. Only two shower gels in this one! But ‘daddy bear’ is where it’s really at*.
*Oof.
See a full contents list and more details on the medium advent calendar here >
The best buy
Daddy bear is loaded. In a less frightening way of putting it – it’s got good stuff. Stuff from their ranges like Oils of Life and Drops of Youth, that have the little “TM”s next to them so you know they’re legit.
It’s £99 (I know, I know, that’s an absurd amount of money to spend on something that traditionally was filled with chocolate or, worse, bible quotes) but by my calculation worth £244, meaning a discount of 59%.
See a full contents list and more details on the biggest advent calendar here >
I guess what this post is trying to say, it’s that if you enjoy The Body Shop, get the big one. You won’t be disappointed. There’s not too much of any one thing in it, and it’s really good value.
To make matters worse for me, but better for you, they’ve decided to lower the price of the two cheaper calendars by £4. Now my maths is slightly out, cheers mate. You’ll get a tiny bit better deal now, but still nothing compared to the big one.
Want more advent calendars? Check out the big list!
University drop-out, pretend artist, makeup enthusiast. Uses too many brackets when writing. Can’t be stopped.
