I’ve been that person. You know—the one who gets weirdly excited about advent calendars every December. Not in a cute way. In an obsessive way where I already have three picked out by Halloween and I’m already researching which ones are worth the money.
So here’s the thing. I found the EOS advent calendar train completely by accident while scrolling through Instagram in September, and I literally stopped what I was doing. After collecting advent calendars for eight years—KiwiCo, Thomas the Train, some fancy Kobo calendar that cost way too much, wooden train versions, Charbonnel and Walker chocolate ones—I’d never seen anything like this.
Table of Contents
What Even Is This?
The EOS advent calendar train is literally a train. Not a grid. Not a box with little doors. An actual train that opens up.
Each compartment has an EOS lip balm inside. Different flavors. And here’s the thing—you actually want to use them. They’re not weird chocolate that tastes like cardboard or random toys that end up in a donation pile by January.
The train itself is just beautiful. I’m not taking mine down after December. It’s sitting on my bookshelf as decoration because it actually looks good. Try that with a regular advent calendar. It’s just trash by the 26th.
Where Do You Even Get This Thing?
This is where I learned the hard way—it’s not just sitting at Target.
If you’re in New York, go to an EOS location directly. I went to the pop-up near the Oculus during the holiday market, and it was worth it just to see it in person. Staff actually knows what they’re talking about, and you’re not gambling on shipping.
Online is hit or miss. The EOS website has them, but inventory is all over the place. I got lucky at the New York location, but friends had to order online and pray it arrived before Christmas.
Here’s the Real Talk
I own eight advent calendars right now. So I can tell you how this one compares.
KiwiCo calendars are cute if you have kids—building projects and STEM activities. But I’m not doing science in December.
Thomas the Train versions? Adorable for toddlers, not adults.
Wooden train calendars are beautiful but empty. You fill them yourself. That defeats the purpose.
Polar Express calendars are just drinks. Fun for two days, then sad.
Charbonnel and Walker ones are legitimately good chocolate, but after day three, you’re just eating chocolate. It’s not special anymore.
The EOS train comes filled with lip balms you actually need. Useful. Not garbage by January.
Why This Actually Matters
I’m thirty-two years old. I’ve spent money on dumb advent calendars for eight years. Some were cool for five minutes. Most were forgotten by January 2nd.
This one is different because it’s useful. Every time I open a compartment, I get a product I’ll actually use. And the train itself? It’s still sitting on my shelf looking beautiful.
The people I’ve given it to as gifts actually responded well because it’s not some novelty thing you feel obligated to be excited about. It’s actually thoughtful. It’s a beautiful object that comes with products inside.
Bottom Line
Stop overthinking advent calendars. I’ve wasted money on eight of them, and most were forgotten by January 2nd.
If you want something that looks gorgeous, isn’t garbage by New Year’s, and has products you’ll actually use every day—get the EOS train. The lip balms are good quality, the train is beautiful enough to keep on display, and it feels like an actual thoughtful gift instead of a novelty.