I have always been a big fan of advent calendars. There is something so exciting about opening up a small gift every day in preparation for Christmas. What can I say, my love language is receiving gifts. So when it was announced that there would be an OwlCrate Advent Calendar this year, I was pretty excited!
I have been receiving OwlCrate boxes for about a year now. I love getting small gifts that represent some of my favorite books. Also, I usually love the book selection each month. I have enjoyed using OwlCrate.
So when I ordered their 12 Days of OwlMas advent calendar, I was expecting the same quality and excitement, just stretched out over 12 different days. I was excited!
And everything was going great in the beginning! I enjoyed the gifts, and I was still excited about opening the small packages each day.
However, as the 12 days continued, the gifts lost a little of their luster. So today I wanted to give my honest review of the 12-day OwlCrate advent calendar.
Warning: This post is going to contain spoilers for the 12 days of OwlMas box, so if you haven’t finished opening yours yet, don’t continue on!
Also disclaimer, this post contains my personal views, and they may differ from your own. I also know that a lot of the issues I had with the box would be solved quickly by OwlCrate’s customer service. I have worked with them before, and they are wonderful at replacing any damaged products. The reason I am making this post is to show everyone what came in my OwlCrate Advent Calendar.
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Day 1: Fingerless Gloves Inspired by The Raven Boys
The OwlCrate Advent Calendar started out pretty strong with these fingerless gloves inspired by The Raven Boys. Although I have never read that series of books before, the design was subtle enough that I could still wear them without fear of fielding off questions I didn’t know the answers to.
These have definitely come in handy over the past couple of weeks of chilly weather, I liked Day 1!
Day 2: Wallet inspired by These Violent Delights
Continuing on with some good stuff, Day 2 brought this adorable wallet inspired by These Violent Delights. I have just been talking about how I needed a new wallet, so this came at the perfect time. I love the small tassel and charm, and the sleek black design of the wallet.
Although the quote is a little weird to carry around with me, I still love the lettering and overall feel of it. But I think I would have some explaining to do if a random person read this quote. I will absolutely be using this product though!
Day 3: Headband Inspired by Spin the Dawn
Day 3 of the OwlCrate advent calendar was the gorgeous headband inspired by Spin the Dawn. I don’t usually wear headbands because the feeling of them makes my skin crawl (don’t ask me why) but I still love this.
The pattern of the fabric is so perfect for the book, although it would definitely require a little explaining if I wore it out in public, why my headband has scissors on it. What can I say, I am a fan of subtle merch.
Day 4: Coaster Inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic
Day 4 was not my favorite item in the box. Although I love the design of this coaster that was inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic, the actual build of it makes it practically unusable.
The coaster itself is made of metal. Although the top is covered in some type of material (I can’t figure out what type), it feels very weak, and I just know that this coaster would be rusting in no time if I used it with cold drinks.
My coaster also came slightly bent, as you can see in the second picture. The damage isn’t too bad, but I was a little disappointed. I know customer service would send me a new one if I asked, but it isn’t that much of a bother.
Despite the small flaws, I do love the vibrant design, so I will probably be using it for mugs of tea or coffee. Drinks with no condensation.
Day 5: Tea Inspired by Gilded Wolves
I was really excited about day 5’s gift, a tea inspired by Gilded Wolves. I am a huge tea drinker during the winter months and this blend sounds amazing. Plus, I really love Riddle Tea Shoppe!
This tea blend has black tea, hazelnut flavor, caramel flavor, vanilla flavor, cocoa nibs, and more! Brewing this with some cream and sugar is sure to be absolutely delicious, I can’t wait to try it!
Day 6: Photo Album Inspired by Sorcery of Thornes
Day 6 was a small photo album inspired by Sorcery of Thornes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too excited about this one. I have not printed out pictures since I was in middle school, so I am not sure I will find much use for this.
However, I do love the outside design of it, so putting it on my bookshelf as a display item is certainly an option. I just don’t foresee myself putting anything in it.
I wish it was big enough to store the little spoiler cards you get with art in every OwlCrate box. That would have been perfect!
Day 7: Keychain Inspired by A Court of Thornes and Roses
Day 7 of the 12 Days of OwlMas Box was a keychain inspired by A Court of Thornes and Roses. I absolutely love the art of this keychain. The small suitcase showing the world from Sarah J. Mass’s story is beautiful.
I have never read this book series, but I can definitely see myself using this keychain just for the art.
Day 8: Lip Balm Inspired by Caraval
If you know me personally, you know that I am a huge fan of lip products, blams, and salves. I get really dry lips during the fall and winter months, so I am constantly putting this stuff on.
I have received a lip balm from Fiction Bath Co. in a previous OwlCrate box and I loved it, so I was pretty thrilled to see this when I opened Day 8.
Day 9: Scent Diffuser Ornament Inspired by Lord of the Rings
Day 9 was this ornament that was inspired by Lord of the Rings. If I am being honest, I didn’t know it was a scent diffuser until looking at the spoiler card just now, so that is news to me. I wish the box came with some instructions on how to use it. I have used a scent diffuser necklace before, but it was a long time ago.
Also, I wish that a later day brought an essential oil blend based on a book, so those who don’t have any oils could use it as well. Luckily I have bergamot and lavender oils available to try this out.
Although I think this is pretty neat, I am not much of a fan of Lord of the Rings, and I don’t see myself using this as a scent diffuser when I have my real diffuser. But it is a cool concept nonetheless.
Day 10: Pocket Mirror Inspired by Where Dreams Descend
I am not the biggest fan of day 10, a pocket mirror inspired by Where Dreams Descend. I think I would have loved this in middle school, along with the photo album from day 6. However, I don’t wear any makeup that I would need a small mirror for, and if I want to fix my hair, I will just pull out my phone and use the camera.
Day 11: Candle Inspired by Stranger Things
You know how much I love candles, so I was pretty excited that there was a Stranger Things-inspired candle on Day 11 of this advent calendar. The scent of this candle is “Evelyn’s Waffles” and it is true to its name. It smells very sweet and yummy.
The candle is only 2 oz. so I know I would be done with it in one burn. So I will most likely not be burning this candle, but keeping it on my bookshelf to open randomly and smell.
Day 12: Tea Strainer Inspired by House of Salt and Sorrow
Finally, day 12 of The OwlCrate advent calendar brought a tea strainer inspired by House of Salt and Sorrow. Like I said, I love tea, so I was excited when I initially pulled this product out of the package. However, upon closer examination, I realized that it was pretty dirty, and it appears that there is some tarnishing happening where the strainer connects to the handle.
Because of this, I am not sure if I want to use it. I have a feeling the tarnishing would get worse with use.
The 12 Days of OwlMas was not the worst, but I don’t think I will be purchasing it again next year. The quality was a little worse than what I know from OwlCrate, and some of the items are not something I would use.
When I added up what I would personally spend on each item, it didn’t reach what I paid for the box. So in that sense, I was a little disappointed. But that is what you risk buying a mystery box, right?
But I also know that this might all be fantastic for someone else, which is great! I am sure others loved every product in this box.
Did you receive the OwlCrate advent calendar this year? What were your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below, I am curious what everyone else thought.
Related: September 2020 OwlCrate Unboxing