The 12-day advent calendar that won over a sceptic and it’s all down to one fragrance

I’m usually not sold on 12-day advent calendars. To me, an advent calendar should run for 24 days — or 25 if you’re lucky enough to get that extra Christmas Day treat. So when I was handed the Sentier Fragrance Advent Calendar 2026, I wasn’t exactly rushing to open it.

That changed once I got stuck in. By the time I’d worked through all 12 doors, I could see why this is a calendar that stands out. Priced at £109 and said to be worth £529, it comes in a striking illustrated keepsake box and includes six 10ml fragrances alongside six 60g scented candles.

The mix works well. It feels less like a cut-down advent and more like a thoughtful fragrance edit, with something for both your vanity and your home. Sentier was already a brand I knew a little, and its scents have always felt a bit different from the sort of thing you’d usually spot on the high street. That made the calendar more interesting from the off, because there was a chance to discover new favourites rather than just familiar bestsellers.

And one fragrance immediately stole the show: Ardent Cherry Extrait de Parfum. It layers black cherry, warm spices, incense, amber and sandalwood into a scent that is far richer than the name suggests. The other perfumes are Parisian Embrace, Path of Lemons, Balade in Autumn, Noor Riviera and Méribel. The candles are Ombre de Miel, Botanical Sanctuary, Alpine Chalet, Land of Dreams, Whispering Spell and Lait de Feu.

The presentation also helps. The artwork gives the box a proper winter look, and it feels considered rather than generic. The 10ml fragrance sizes are useful too, especially if you want to try something new without committing to a full bottle. My main issue is still the obvious one: there are only 12 doors. I know that’s exactly what this calendar is meant to be, but it still leaves me feeling as though the festive build-up is over far too quickly.

I’d also have liked a full-size fragrance inside, especially as Ardent Cherry was the clear standout for me. That would have made the whole thing feel even more special. But at £109, against a stated value of £529, it’s easy to understand why Sentier has focused on discovery sizes instead.

So while I still don’t think a 12-day calendar can replace the thrill of a 24 or 25-day one, this is one of the few that has made me rethink the format. It feels more like a carefully curated fragrance collection than a shortened version of something bigger. Would I normally buy a 12-day advent calendar? Probably not. Would I make an exception here? Yes. I just wish Ardent Cherry came in a bigger bottle.

Get 10% off the Sentier Fragrance Advent Calendar with code ADVENT10 at checkout.