Shoppers are expressing widespread disappointment and anger after purchasing a premium £250 advent calendar from one of Britain's most beloved department stores, with many describing the experience as feeling like "an expensive prank."
What £250 Actually Buys You
The luxury calendar, which promises 24 days of festive surprises, has left customers feeling short-changed upon discovery of its contents. Rather than the high-value luxury items many anticipated at this price point, recipients found an assortment that included:
- Small food items of questionable value
- Basic beauty samples rather than full-sized products
- Several days featuring nothing more than discount vouchers
- Items described as "filler" content by disappointed customers
Social Media Backlash Erupts
Across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, unboxing videos have gone viral for all the wrong reasons. One particularly popular video shows a customer's genuine reaction to opening the calendar, captioned: "When you realise you've paid £250 for what feels like a corporate joke."
Another shopper commented: "I genuinely thought it must be a mistake when I saw what was inside. For that money, I expected proper luxury items, not samples you'd get free with a magazine."
The Department Store Responds
When confronted with the growing backlash, the retailer defended their product, stating that the calendar represents "excellent value" and contains items carefully curated to provide a "premium festive experience."
However, this response has done little to placate angry customers, many of whom are now requesting refunds and warning others to steer clear of what they're calling this year's biggest Christmas shopping disappointment.
The controversy raises broader questions about the value proposition of luxury advent calendars, which have become increasingly popular in recent years but sometimes fail to deliver on their premium price promises.
