Neal's Yard's Advent Calendar is back for another year with 24 days of full-size and miniature treats to enjoy. I’ve dabbled in a few of their natural and organic gems before, but the calendar offered me a chance to delve in and try a bunch of products I haven’t had a chance to experience yet. So, of course, I couldn't resist sneaking a peek inside (admittedly a little bit early).

Just like last year, it comes in a stunning keepsake box made in collaboration with the legendary Morris & Co. For 2024, the calendar used Morris’ iconic Sunflower print, but this year it's the Golden Lily design in lush shades of deep blues and greens. It’s not super festive, but it’s definitely a showstopper that's perfect for displaying on your sideboard as you open each door, or as a gift for someone special.

Like other calendars out there this year, it’s packed with a mix of products in different sizes from their entire range. But at £165, it’s one of the priciest ones I’ve tested, so I’m diving in to see if it's really worth the splurge.

When testing out the Neal’s Yard Advent Calendar, I decided to play detective and see just how much value you're really getting for your money. I added up the cost of the calendar versus the individual price of the products inside.

I also went in with a deep dive into each product. I looked at the size, versatility, and variety of the selection to make sure you’re not just getting a bunch of minis you’ll never use. I also couldn't resist trying out a few products.

Of course, I also thought about how nice the product actually looks, and whether it's something you can re-use year after year. 

Day one kicks off with a bang in the form of a full-size bottle of Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil, and it’s got the perfect festive scent. Personally, I’ve been on a bit of a facial oil kick lately after trying the L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Youth Oil from their Advent Calendar, so I was super curious to see how this one stacked up.

I was actually really impressed by how many facial skincare products there are in this calendar. I’m a total sucker for skincare, so getting to try new products is always exciting. Bonus points because most of the skincare items are full-sized.

The Vitamin C Brightening Booster and the Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cream stood out to me the most. I already use similar products from other brands in my routine, so I was eager to see how Neal’s Yard would compare.

Of course, Neal’s Yard is also famous for its naturally-scented bath and shower gels, as well as body creams. The minute you open the box, you're hit with a spa-like scent: think English lavender, wild rose, geranium, and orange.

The calendar includes a solid mix of full-size products, including the Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil, Vitamin C Serum, and Hyaluronic Acid, plus an eye cream, lip balm, and a tub of Oat & Ceramide Barrier Repair Cream.

But the other four full-size items are all aromatherapy-focused, including a temple salve, two roll-ons, and an oil blend designed to help create a calming environment. If you're into aromatherapy, you’re going to love these. Personally, though, I would’ve loved to see a few hair care products mixed in. Neal’s Yard has some nice hair treatments, and it would’ve been nice to switch things up a bit.

That said, the inclusion of 13 full-size products does give some competitors a run for their money (L'Occitane's calendar only has four full-size items, and Anthropologie's is all minatures). 

As expected, day 24 ends with another great product: a full-sized (100ml) bottle of the Frankincense Intense Triple Action Melting Cleanser, which retails for £44 alone. 

The rest of the items are mostly smaller, sample or travel-sized goodies—perfect for tossing into your wash bag for a quick getaway, or breaking up to use as fun little stocking fillers.

You’ll find two shower gels, two foaming bath products, a hand cream, a pillow mist, body butter, two smaller face creams, a cleanser, and the vegan-certified Wild Rose Beauty Balm.

One of my absolute favourite things about this calendar, though, is that every single product is cruelty-free. While not every item is vegan-certified, everything is vegetarian-certified, which is a huge win. As a vegetarian myself, I really appreciate that commitment to sustainability, and it’s definitely a big tick in my book.

If you're already a fan of Neal’s Yard or know someone who loves organic, natural skincare, this Advent calendar is definitely going to be a hit. It has a really nice mix of facial skincare, moisturisers, bath products, and aromatherapy oils, which means there's plenty of variety to keep things exciting.

Like I mentioned earlier, the only tweak I’d make would be to throw in a couple of their hair care products – maybe a conditioning mask to balance things out a bit.

Now, let’s talk price. Yes, at £165, it’s on the pricier side. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive calendars I’ve tried. But when you look at the value of what's inside, it’s pretty impressive. The 100ml facial cleanser on day 24 is definitely a standout, retailing for £44 on its own. But most of the other full-sized items also offer great value. The Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster is worth £28, and the Oat and Ceramide Barrier Repair Cream goes for £38. So, while the price tag might sting a little, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

One of the things I really love about this calendar, though, is its sustainability. Not only are all the products cruelty-free and made from natural ingredients, but the box itself is reusable. You could totally repurpose it as a gift, use it for storage, or even turn it into your own Advent calendar next year. It’s a lovely touch that makes the price feel a bit more justified.

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