I love a bargain and I love beauty products. So I couldn’t resist the Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar. And I wasn’t about to wait until December to open it, because I had a plan.
It’s ยฃ35 when you spend ยฃ35, and as I was spending that on some slippers and school uniform (how rock ‘n’ roll am I?) I decided to go ahead. It’s currently sold out online but there are loads in the shops, so don’t panic!
Beauty Advent Calendar Contents
I plan toย use mostย of the contents of the beauty advent calendar for Christmas presents.ย The only problem is, I want to keep most of the goodies myself!
Not bad right?
The contents of the Beauty Advent Calendar work out at ยฃ1.40 each, so I think that’s a pretty good deal. I do think it’s a bit strange that there are two nail varnishes in virtually the same colour, but apart from that, it’s a nice range of goodies. There are a someย nice bits of make-up and skincare, some body care and beauty tools.
As I say, I want to keep it all, but have been fairly restrained and am just keeping these:ย 
I love Neal’s Yard,ย Burt’s Bees and REN and think the other products look nice and relatively chemical-free. I alreadyย use this Ultrasun Face SPF in the summer and it’s great:ย this little tube will be perfect for going away next summer.
Reusing The Beauty Advent Calendar
So now I have allocatedย the rest of the goodies to presents, I haveย the empty boxes and Christmas Tree shaped box. So, like the good recycler I am, I am planning to reuse it as an Advent Calendar for Ava and Thea.ย I need to find a high place to put it,ย so I don’t get any little peepers.ย 
Next, I need to decide what to put in to the lovely Christmas boxes. They are fairly big, so I think chocolate coins, mini gingerbread men, Lego figures, stationary… but then I’m stuck! Here is what I have bought so far…
Both girls love mermaids, and I found these swimming ones at The Range, for ยฃ5.99 each. I can just about fit both into one of the larger boxes
I don’t want to spend loads of money on the otherย boxes, so I just added a sweet or tiny toy in the other boxes.
So How Did Myย Beauty Advent Calendar Go Down With The Girls?
I think it’s fair to say it was a hit!
What about putting notes in for activities you can do together? Baking biscuits, making decorations, watching a Festive film? We have a DIY advent calendar too and I’m trying to mix it up and not go all out Chocolate. I also got the Lego Starwars one thoughbut mostly that’s a Family g treat!
That is such a great idea Josie, thanks! xx
Love this! … Brilliant Becky! You could re-use it year on year too.
Thanks Lucy, great idea xx
Two swimming mermaids ordered! Thank you!
He he I bet they’l love them xx