The festive tradition of counting down to Christmas with an Advent calendar has taken a decidedly luxurious turn, sparking widespread conversation after a shopper revealed the eye-watering cost and contents of Harrods' exclusive offering.
The £250 Calendar That Divided Opinion
A shopper known online as Yorkshire Peach took to Facebook to share her purchase of Harrods' now sold-out Advent calendar, which came with a price tag of £250. The revelation immediately captured attention, with many struggling to comprehend the cost. This comes in a year where many high street calendars have been available for as little as £1 in sales, highlighting a vast gulf in festive spending habits.
Yorkshire Peach explained she was eager to delve into the calendar's 32 compartments, which included some 'double drawers,' to discover the delights within. According to the Harrods website, the calendar promised a 'top-tier selection' of skincare, make-up, bodycare and fragrance, featuring 14 full-size products from an array of prestigious brands.
Inside the Luxury Beauty Trove
The calendar's contents read like a who's who of the high-end beauty world. Brands listed include La Mer, La Prairie, Augustinus Bader, and MZ SKIN, alongside popular items from Mac and Tatcha. The shopper meticulously assessed the haul, noting she was unfamiliar with some brands but recognised the value of others.
She pointed out that many items were exceptionally 'dear,' citing her prior knowledge that a pack of 111 Skin face masks costs £100. She was particularly taken aback by the value of some travel-sized products, mentioning one worth £86 and another estimated at a staggering £200, quipping about who would spend so much on such a small item.
After calculating, she revealed the total estimated retail value of all products inside the calendar was a whopping £1,530. This technically offers a significant 'return on investment' of £1,280 for the £250 outlay, though the shopper admitted she would have liked to see more fragrance and makeup included.
Social Media Reacts to Festive Extravagance
The online reaction was swift and divided. One commenter humorously contrasted the luxury buy with their own purchase: 'Meanwhile, this almost 40-year-old bought herself a Polly Pocket advent calendar for twenty quid.' Others, however, saw clear value. One woman praised the calendar, stating: 'I think this is amazing. I’ll be getting this next year, very good value for money. Obviously, people who don’t spend a lot on skin care will think it’s overpriced, but those who know, know.'
The full list of 32 items contained in the Harrods Advent calendar includes:
- Laura Mercier Black Caviar Extravagant Mascara 8.5g (Full Size)
- La Prairie Foam Cleanser 50ml (Travel Size)
- Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 30ml (Full Size)
- La Mer Crème de la Mer 15ml (Full Size)
- 111SKIN Cyro Sheet Mask 1pc (Full Size)
- Augustinus Bader The Face Oil 10ml (Travel Size)
- Mac Ruby Woo Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick 3.8g (Full Size)
- And numerous other high-end skincare, makeup, and fragrance items from brands like Sisley, Hourglass, Bobbi Brown, Valmont, and Christophe Robin.
The story, shared on 4th December 2025, underscores the extreme ends of the Christmas market, where for some, the festive countdown is an opportunity for unparalleled luxury and perceived value, while for others, it remains a simple, affordable tradition.
