You’ve seen them everywhere. Those tiny cardboard doors, the promise of a little daily dopamine hit, and the inevitable realization that half the stuff inside most beauty advent calendars is just... filler. But then there’s the ChapStick advent calendar 2024. Honestly, it’s one of those rare holiday pickups that actually makes sense. No tiny bottles of lotion you'll never use or microscopic perfumes that smell like grandma’s attic. Just twelve full-sized sticks of lip balm.
It’s basic. It’s practical. And somehow, it’s still kinda the most exciting thing in the drugstore aisle right now.
The 2024 version, often labeled as the "12 Days of ChapStick" or "Cozy Countdown," has been popping up at Target, Walmart, and Amazon for about $17.99 to $19.99. If you do the math, that’s less than two bucks a stick. Given that a single tube of a specialty flavor can run you three or four dollars on its own, the value is actually there.
The Flavor Lineup (The Good, The Great, and The Weird)
Most people assume these calendars are just 12 tubes of the original black-label ChapStick. That would be a nightmare. Imagine opening twelve doors and getting the exact same waxy "medicinal" flavor every single morning. Fortunately, the ChapStick advent calendar 2024 actually mixes things up.
You get the four "Mount Rushmore" flavors of the brand:
- Original (for the purists)
- Strawberry (the nostalgic favorite)
- Cherry (it's fine, we all have one at the bottom of a purse)
- Spearmint (the MVP for when you have a cold)
But the real reason anyone buys this is for the seasonal stuff. This year’s "Cozy" theme includes flavors like Candy Cane, Holiday Nog, and Pomegranate Spritz. There’s even a Gingerbread Cookie and Warm Cinnamon Roll in the mix.
I’ll be real with you: Pomegranate Spritz sounds fancy, but most of these "baked good" flavors basically just smell like vanilla and nutmeg. That’s not a bad thing. Who doesn't want their face to smell like a Cinnabon at 8:00 AM?
Why the 2024 Version Hit Different
A lot of people think advent calendars are just for kids. Wrong. The 2024 ChapStick set specifically leaned into this "Cozy Sweater" aesthetic that targets the 20-something and 30-something crowd who are perpetually losing their lip balm.
It's a lifestyle necessity disguised as a gift.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking these are "mini" or "travel" sizes. They aren't. These are the standard 0.15 oz tubes. If you’re a heavy user—especially if you live somewhere where the air turns into a skin-shredding vacuum from November to March—this is basically a winter survival kit.
According to data from Nielsen (referenced by the brand earlier this year), ChapStick remains the #1 lip care brand in the US by units sold. They know their audience. They know we’re going to lose at least three of these tubes behind the couch cushions before New Year's Day. Building a calendar that stocks you up for the entire quarter is actually a genius move.
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The Strategy: To Give or to Keep?
If you’re looking at this as a gift, it’s a "safe" bet. It’s paraben-free, it’s widely liked, and it’s under $20.
But here is the pro tip: a lot of people are actually buying the ChapStick advent calendar 2024 and ripping it open immediately to use the tubes as stocking stuffers or "add-on" gifts. You can take the Sparkling Apple Cider tube, tape it to the top of a Starbucks gift card, and suddenly you look like you have your life together. It’s much cheaper than buying individual seasonal packs.
A Few Things to Watch Out For
- Availability: These things sell out fast. By the time mid-December rolls around, you’re usually looking at eBay resellers marking them up to $30 plus shipping. If you see one at a physical Target, just grab it.
- The "Nog" Factor: Look, Holiday Nog is a polarizing flavor. You either love that eggnog scent or it makes you want to gag. If you’re sensitive to smells, the gingerbread and cinnamon ones might be a bit much for you.
- Packaging: The 2024 box is made of cardboard. It’s not "luxury." If you’re expecting a wooden heirloom chest, you’re in the wrong department. It’s meant to be used and recycled.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to track down the ChapStick advent calendar 2024 before the season ends, check the "Seasonal Beauty" endcaps at Target first—they usually have the best stock. If you’re shopping online, Amazon’s "ChapStick Store" is your best bet for MSRP pricing. Avoid third-party sellers charging more than $22; it’s just not worth the markup. Once you get it, resist the urge to open all 12 at once. Part of the fun is the daily "what flavor am I today?" gamble, even if you know you’re eventually going to end up with a pocket full of Spearmint.