Each year our staff and contributors collect their best gift ideas Perfect for chefs, eaters and anyone interested in the kitchen. Read on for the best Advent calendars to count down to the holidays.
You know what’s better than opening a big gift on Christmas morning? Open a bunch of small gifts every day for a month. At least, that’s what I’ve always thought. I have been fascinated with Advent calendars for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, I would bring any chocolate Advent calendar I could find—usually the stuff from the grocery store with cartoon Santas and lots of milk chocolate in fancy shapes.
While one will never forget the excitement of opening the perforated cardboard doors and getting mini chocolate reindeer each day during the festive period, there are plenty of delicious food Advent calendars to satisfy the more refined palates. On this list you’ll find classics like the Bonne Maman Mini Jam Advent Calendar and our favorite Coffee Advent Calendar, as well as a limited edition cheese calendar and a truly luxurious gourmet gift set that comes with a small jar of sea salt. Buy one (or a few) for yourself, or grab some for your friends as early holiday gifts.
Jump straight to some of the best food advent calendars:
candy
Nothing says the countdown to Christmas quite like a little sweet every day in December, which is why a chocolate Advent calendar is the first thing most people think of. If an elegant French dessert and a dose of dark chocolate are your go-to snacks to get you through the day, look no further.
Compartés makes some of our favorite chocolate gifts, but we recommend buying their delicious chocolate advent calendar as a gift for yourself. With a 24-day supply of luxurious chocolates in special-edition seasonal flavors like Pecan Pie and Holiday Gingerbread, these little treats will power all the gift-giving, decorating, and busy-finishing projects you have to do before you leave the office this December.
If you prefer cookies to chocolate, order the Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar today. Scottish shortbread cookies sell out every year during the festive season, and for good reason. When you’re shopping for gifts and thinking about holiday party outfits, these are perfect for your morning coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
Even if you “don’t like licorice,” you should still try Bülow’s Lakrids Christmas Advent Calendar with Danish Licorice. Many doors come with a two-pack of chocolate-coated licorice balls, so you Can Share, but I personally don’t. I’m still considering the strawberry smoothie licorice that comes with this one, but there are classic sweet and salty black licorice options in the mix as well. The elegant black and gold box is so chic that you can leave it out and display it all month long.
Delsyia’s advent calendar comes with 25 dark chocolate truffles, each with a number printed on it. This is probably the most fun countdown calendar because you have to guess the flavor of each day’s chocolate with the help of riddles. The theme of this 2024 Advent Calendar is the concept of cookie exchanges, so get ready for super sweet baking flavors.
drinks
When it comes to the holidays, the more the merrier, which is why I’m a big advocate of preparing at least two Advent calendars each year: one for eating and one for drinking. This means you can do the whole thing, like get a surprising chocolate and wine pairing, just by opening the calendar.
Hotel Chocolat is a world-renowned British chocolatier specializing in playful chocolate confections with a cocoa flavor without being too sweet. They’re known for making the best hot chocolate in the game, and the brand is obsessed with drinkable chocolate perfection, even creating a machine called The Velvetiser that produces smooth, creamy hot chocolate at the push of a button . Whether you own a Velvetiser or not (I do, and I love it), you’re going to want this Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar, which gives you 24 days of high-quality chocolate.
Vinebox’s wine advent calendar sells out every year and I totally understand why. Divided into two groups of 12 bottles each (one set is white wine and one set is red wine), you can choose one or buy two bottles at the same time to enjoy the ultimate wine tasting trip for a month. Each box contains wine from around the world, and each bottle comes with two servings. Buy this wine advent calendar now during the pre-sale period so you don’t miss out.
Even if tea isn’t your whole personality (but especially if it is), this luxurious French Tea Advent Calendar is the perfect way to add a little calmness to each day of the holiday season. The calendar itself features a gorgeous blue and silver winter wonderland design, and the little cotton tea bags are both chic and eco-friendly. There’s a surprising selection of teas, such as Montagne Bleu Fruit Tea and organic caffeine-free herbal blends.
Foodie’s Favorite
If you’re a more refined person, or a full-fledged member of the Bonne Maman cult, don’t worry – I haven’t forgotten about you. These Advent calendars will help you count down the days to Christmas like a true foodie.
Murray cheese
Murray’s 12 Days of Cheese Calendar sells out every year, so grab a copy while you still can. It comes with enough cheese (as well as oatcakes and mini jam jars) to make a sizable cheese board for entertaining – but you can also use it as an excuse to stand in front of the fridge and eat a personal-sized piece of cheese at a time Stayed for 12 nights. any!
The limited edition Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is a favorite year after year because who can resist opening and tasting a little jar of jam every day? Literally, no one.
This deluxe advent calendar from Williams-Sonoma has a bit of everything, so it’s the perfect choice if you can’t decide which gourmet advent calendar you want. There are some classics, like the brand’s signature Peppermint Bark, and some mini jars of Bonne Maman Preserves, but there’s also pocket-sized jars of Jacobsen Sea Salt and some cute cookware-style decorations.
If cookie exchange season has you craving something fiery to balance out all the sweet treats (or if your in-laws always under-season everything), this hot sauce calendar will feel like something straight out of the Christmas candy craze A welcome respite. The calendar comes with 12 mini bottles of hot sauces in a variety of flavors, from mild smoked horseradish to bhut jolokia-infused Zombie Apocalypse.
