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Gone are the days when we were thrilled by a small, sickly chocolate behind an advent calendar door - or even just a picture of something vaguely festive - now we all need a beauty blockbuster. Well, maybe need is a little too strong - it’s certainly not easy to find the extra cash ahead of Christmas, and particularly this year as we all brace for the Budget. But, if you’re a beauty obsessive, and you use enough product throughout the year to make it worthwhile advent calendars can give you a lot of bang for your buck. The trick is to scan the contents like a hawk before you buy and pick the one packed full of stuff you’ll actually use (as opposed to obscure products you’ll never open). 

For me, that means it must be multi-brand, and packed full of grown-up labels. Which is why this one from John Lewis is my top pick. Ok, so £235 is a lot of money, but the contents list reads like a directory of the entire Peter Jones beauty hall, and are worth a whopping £1095. Highlights for me include a full size Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream, a Chantecaille mascara (what a treat!), Laura Mercier eyestick, Kate Sommervile exfoliater and a Rodial lip oil, and a Le Labo perfume, a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, a Trinny eyeshadow, and a cuddly toy (not really, but you get the gist…)

Other hits include a full size viral 'Bum Bum' cream from Sol De Janeiro - your daughter will love you - and mini scents from both Killian and Frederic Malle (yes, it’s Portrait of a Lady - doesn’t work on me but I know most midlife women adore it). Also, there’s a full size lash & brow serum from The Ordinary which people rave about (I’m yet to try it) and a Rituals foaming shower gel which I attest is deliciously creamy and smells divine. Happy Advent!

Boots is my second choice. Again, I’m all about the full size products I’d actually buy. Deep breath, here we have… moisturiser from Drunk Elephant, Nars primer (great at giving that glow we’re all after at this time of year), a Caudalie mask (I’ve long been a fan of this excellent French brand), that cult Laneige lip balm, Estee Lauder cleanser, Fenty liquid lipstick, an Aveda leave-in treatment and a Philip Kingsley elasticizer (if you never tried this, you need to!). Feeling selfish because you’ll be keeping all of this to yourself? You can pass the Sol De Janeiro perfume and the Benefit Hoola on to a younger family member.

When it comes to price, M&S is the winner. When it comes to full size products there’s a Clinique Mascara, and a Stila eyeliner (importantly, this is in a very wearable shade of Espresso which should suit most) a bath oil, and a bottle of Benetint (I used to love this, but the pigment is too much for my 49-year-old cheeks and I no longer like how it feels on my lips), and the Deep Sleep body lotion from This Works. When it comes to minis, there’s the brilliant Weleda Skin Food (dry hands begone), Estee Lauder’s famed Advance Night Repair Serum , Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse (going bare-legged to a party? Not without a spritz of this!) and the brilliant Emma Hardie Moringa Treatment Mask (chuck this in your toiletries bag for your next mini-break and your skin will thank you). This calendar really excels when it comes to hair products - something I always think when I go to M&S beauty section - their hair game is impeccable. The brands here are all excellent- I love Percy & Reed, and the Living Proof and Colour Wow products included here will help add oomph if you have fine hair like mine. There’s also a stainless steel Gua Sha tool - useful for the morning after mulled wine.