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There’s just something about Christmas that makes us all go a little nutty with our money – we’ll buy just about anything if it’s festive and cute. 

‘Tis the season and all that…

But when it comes to some of the more expensive treats at this time of year, like luxury advent calendars, it seems shoppers might want to think twice before impulse splurging.

This is because a £250 advent calendar from Harrods has been branded ‘a scam’ and ‘not worth it’ by shoppers who aren’t happy with the contents.

The iconic London department store sells several different advent calendars, but it’s specifically the £250 Food Halls one that has got people all worked up over the price.

Warning: There are spoilers for what’s inside the advent calendar ahead, so look away now if you don’t want to know.

It all started when TikTok user @gracebooth97 shared a review of the calendar online. In the video, she unboxed each day from number one to 25 and viewers watched as she became progressively more frustrated with each reveal.

Grace has been sharing her thoughts on a number of different advent calendars, saying she’s ‘on the hunt for the most interesting’ food one for Christmas 2025.

She had high hopes for the Food Halls one, which promises a ‘selection of sweet and savoury treats to unveil each day’ alongside some ‘keep-forever Harrods pieces’.

However, instead of an array of unique and quirky things to try, Grace was disappointed to discover the calendar predominantly contained chocolate and tea.

But the item that absolutely did her in was a black notepad and pen, which left her feeling utterly baffled. 

‘You’re having me on, I feel like I’m being pranked,’ she said.

Other items inside the calendar included a mug, a teddy bear ornament, hot chocolate, a mini Christmas cake, shortbread biscuits, a mini bottle of champagne, and chocolate covered nuts.

Grace wasn’t upset with everything though, as she did praise the ‘beautiful’ packaging which had impressed her, as well as the ‘cute’ mini cake that she ‘loved’ and the ‘gorgeous’ mug.

However, her overall verdict was that the calendar was just ‘fine’ – not exactly what you want after forking out more than £200.

‘If I’m getting something from the Food Hall, I want variety, not just chocolate,’ she tells viewers. ‘This isn’t a tea and chocolate advent calendar… Give me some mustard, give me something fun, fresh, and different.’

And others have been quick to brand the advent calendar ‘disappointing’, ‘a scam’ and ‘underwhelming’ on the video app. 

A TikTok user known as @zerro856 asked: ‘Why are there non-food items in the food advent calendar?’

While @maddi_paige_ro said: ‘When are we as a society gonna give up on these advent calendars? I’ve never seen anyone pleased or pleasantly surprised by one. They’re almost always disappointing.’

Similarly, Mallor LaBeau wrote: ‘That advent calendar is so confused.’

And @ickyvicky joked: ‘This has the same energy as the Zoella advent calendar.’

@curiouschronicles thought an advent calendar containing office supplies was an ‘immediate fail’, as @jaclyn_michelle admitted the notepad and pen had ‘enraged’ her.

As for what shoppers would liked to have seen inside the calendar, @lily851171 commented: ‘They should’ve done more savory stuff like a little bottle of fancy olive oil, it could’ve even be tinned sardines with cute and fancy labels??? For sweets they could’ve done some fudges or maybe a jarred honey for teas to change things up! Also I’d love a little branded packable tote bag to carry groceries in, not a flipping pen and a note pad.’

‘Where are the oils? The vinegars?? THE SPICES AND MUSTARDS,’ demanded @emy170925. 

Some thought it should have contained caviar for the price, as well, but generally people were just really entertained by Grace’s review.

‘Most valid crashout over an advent calendar tbh,’ shared @flooshoomoo, while @lmees320 described the unboxing as an ‘emotional rollercoaster’. 

@lanasamui added it was ‘not worth it’ and they wouldn’t be buying one.

Metro has contacted Harrods for comment.

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