The $148 Skims advent calendar turned into a master class in shopaholic math. Shoppers who opened it found a few small items that didn’t quite match up to the its price tag. Still, the box is sold out, with a waitlist.
Skims, the shapewear and apparel brand founded by Kim Kardashian, lists all 12 items in the box on its product page. Divide $148 by 12 doors, and each surprise costs about $12.33. That is a steep price for a hair elastic or a keychain, even with a Skims logo.
Influencer Kayla Ryan, who shared an unboxing of the calendar, said she hoped the last door would make the price feel worthwhile.
“I’m hoping this is a prank and the last one is a $150 gift card for all my money back.”
– Kayla Ryan, influencer
Other influencers, including @wetsloppyswollen, Rachel Terriff, and Henna Ali, also criticized the calendar’s contents. After the backlash, Skims said it contacted every customer who bought the calendar and offered a full refund or store credit. If you already ordered one and the extras miss the mark for you, take the refund. If you want to keep the box and still get a refund, Skims is offering $150 in store credit. If you want to return the box and its contents, Skims will send a $150 refund to your original method of payment.
Kayla Ryan’s Skims Advent Calendar Unboxing
What the Skims Advent Calendar Actually Includes
Skims’ holiday box runs for 12 days. Many advent calendars run for 24, all the way up to Christmas. Behind the doors are a bear keychain, a 3-pack of hair elastics, two 3-packs of satin scrunchies, two 3-packs of bobby pins, a Skims squishy, a 2-pack of clips, a 2-pack of bra-elastic headbands, a comb keychain, a logo keychain, and a faux fur compact-mirror keychain.
Every door holds an accessory even though Skims built its name on clothing and shapewear. Some shoppers felt blindsided. The listing was public, so shoppers could read the mix before checkout. Beauty and fashion brands roll out these countdown boxes every fall. The packaging can hide minis and extras that would stay off your shopping list. The lesson travels well beyond this one box: read every door on an advent calendar the same way you would read a shopping cart.
Alma Rose on the Skims Advent Calendar Refund
Better Ways to Spend Than an Advent Calendar
Pay rent, bills, and debt first. If that leaves your budget empty, buying nothing is the best-value choice.
If money remains after those bills and you already wanted a Skims piece, then just buy items you would pick yourself rather than purchasing an advent calendar box. As of Nov. 9, a Fits Everybody square-neck bodysuit was $58, a Fits Everybody t-shirt was $48, and a Slip x Skims silk scrunchie 4-pack was $42. Together, those three come to $148. Yes, you get more items with the Skims advent calendar collection, but you’ll probably use the items you picked far more. The Soft Lounge midi slip dress, listed at $80 and marked down to $56, plus the $58 bodysuit, is another measuring stick against the advent calendar. Walking away from a perceived “steal” can still be the stronger move.
The same math works at any brand. An advent calendar is a bundle of surprises. A clearer buy is the item or set you would use with or without a countdown box. If you only wanted hair ties, that $42 silk scrunchie set tells you exactly what you are paying. If those accessories aren’t really on your list, then you’re paying $12.33 for items that would likely end up in your junk drawer.
If you are on the waitlist, keep your spot only when you would happily pay that price for the listed items. A sold-out badge shows the box was popular enough to empty the shelf. However, the contents still have to justify the $148 price.
Money Lesson
Advent calendars hide the price of each item behind a door. Divide the box price by the number of doors before you buy. Then ask whether you would pay that amount for the thing inside.
Do the math: $148 across 12 doors is about $12.33 a door. The same $148 covers a $58 Skims bodysuit, a $48 t-shirt, and a $42 silk scrunchie set. Pay rent, bills, and debt first. If nothing is left, keep that cash for those bills. Buying nothing can be the best value of all.
Think of us as your money-savvy best friend, not your financial adviser. This story is for information and fun, not personal advice, so talk to a licensed professional before you make any big money moves.
