Beauty advent calendars can cost hundreds – but are they value for money?

Heather Widdows, a philosophy professor and beauty expert, has pointed out that while you might buy some of the products in an advent calendar individually, it’s highly unlikely you’d buy all of them.

“Beauty calendars may offer you lots of products for a really good price. They can also be a bit of fun and feel sensuous.

“But it is exceptionally unlikely that you would use all the products inside them, so they’re probably not worth it.”

This year, Julia has spent £99 on a John Lewis fragrance calendar which she thinks is good value for money. But it doesn’t mean she’ll keep everything in it.

In fact she’s joined a Facebook group where people trade the ones they don’t want for ones they do.

“The ones I keep are already a lot cheaper per mililitre than if you bought them at retail,” she says.

With additional reporting from Kris Bramwell