Let’s be honest. You aren't just buying a box of samples. When you drop over $200 on the Neiman Marcus advent calendar, you’re buying the feeling of being the kind of person who shops at Neiman Marcus every single morning for 25 days straight. It is a high-end hit of dopamine wrapped in heavy-duty cardboard.
But is it actually worth the price tag, or are you just paying for a fancy logo and some tissue paper?
Every year, the "25 Days of Beauty" set causes a bit of a stir in the skincare community. Some people swear it’s the best value in luxury retail. Others—mostly the ones who do the math down to the milliliter—argue that it’s basically a collection of "free-with-purchase" samples masquerading as a premium product. Both sides have a point.
The Real Numbers Behind the Neiman Marcus Advent Calendar
The 2025 iteration of the Neiman Marcus advent calendar retails for $225. On the surface, that sounds steep for a box of minis. However, if you look at the brands tucked inside, the math starts to shift. We are talking about heavy hitters like La Mer, Sisley-Paris, and Guerlain.
Take the Sisley All Day All Year cream, for instance. A full-size bottle of that stuff will run you about $400. The 10mL version included in the calendar has a calculated value of roughly $108. Right there, you’ve almost covered half the cost of the entire box with one single drawer. Then you add in the Bioeffect EGF Body Serum (50mL) and the Babor The Cure Cream, and suddenly that $225 entry fee looks a lot more reasonable.
The 12-Day Fragrance Alternative
There’s a second option that often gets overlooked: the 12-Day Fragrance Advent Calendar. It’s cheaper, usually around $155, and it’s a total "niche" lover’s dream. If you’re tired of smelling like the perfume counter at a suburban mall, this is where you find the weird, wonderful stuff.
- Mind Games J’adoube: A cult favorite that smells like expensive cherries and rebellion.
- Parfums de Marly Delina: Basically the prom queen of the fragrance world right now.
- Byredo Mojave Ghost: For when you want to smell like a desert but, like, a very wealthy desert.
Why the "Free Sample" Argument Fails
You’ll see a lot of Redditors and YouTubers complaining that these are just "free samples." Kinda true. Sorta not.
While it’s true that you might get a tiny vial of Clé de Peau Beauté if you spend $500 at the counter, most of us aren't out here spending $500 every week. The Neiman Marcus advent calendar acts as a curated "tasting menu." It allows you to live with a product for five or six days. You get to see if that U Beauty Barrier Treatment actually fixes your skin or if it just sits there looking pretty on your vanity.
It’s about access. It’s about trying Augustinus Bader without having to commit to a $290 bottle that might make you break out.
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The 2025 Contents: Hits and Misses
Honestly, no calendar is perfect. There is always that one drawer that feels like a filler. In the 2025 set, the Glasshouse Arabian Nights Candle (60g) is a massive hit. It fills a room surprisingly well for such a small jar. On the flip side, some users were disappointed to find a few 2mL fragrance vials where they expected larger 5mL or 7.5mL travel sprays.
When you’re paying luxury prices, those few milliliters feel like a personal affront.
What's actually inside (the highlights):
- La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream: The classic. You know it, you love it, you probably can't afford the full size.
- Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser: A 25mL tube that is actually great for travel.
- 111Skin Repair Serum NAC Y2: Science-heavy skincare that usually costs a fortune.
- Revive Rescue Balm: Perfect for those dry January lips.
How to Actually Get One
Timing is everything. These things don’t sit on shelves. Usually, the Neiman Marcus advent calendar drops in mid-October. By the time the first week of December rolls around, they are often sold out or being flipped on eBay for $400.
If you want one, you have to be decisive. Don’t wait for a "Black Friday" sale on the calendar itself—it won't happen. The best move is to look for the "Spend and Get" gift card events that Neiman Marcus runs. If you buy the calendar along with a few other gifts, you can often trigger a $50 or $100 gift card for future use. It’s the only way to "discount" the experience.
The Verdict
Is it a "scam" of expensive samples? No. Is it the greatest financial investment of your life? Also no.
The Neiman Marcus advent calendar is a luxury experience for people who love the ritual of discovery. It’s for the person who wants to start their December mornings with a little bit of mystery and a lot of high-end hyaluronic acid.
Next Steps for the Savvy Shopper:
- Check Current Availability: Visit the Neiman Marcus "Beauty Gift Sets" section immediately; these frequently sell out by mid-November.
- Review the Value Breakdown: If you won't use at least five of the "hero" brands (like La Mer or Sisley), the math won't work in your favor.
- Compare to Saks or Bloomingdale’s: Before you pull the trigger, look at the Saks Fifth Avenue calendar. It often has a higher total "retail value," though the brand mix is slightly different.
- Sign up for In-Circle: If you aren't a member of their loyalty program, you're leaving points on the table for a purchase this large.