Time for tea? If you want to treat the kids, read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London, with teas inspired by sweets, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and more
Time for tea? Taking kids to afternoon tea is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in the school holidays or for a special occasion or birthday. Many of the iconic London afternoon tea venues, such as The Ritz or The Savoy, will do separate afternoon tea menus suitable for children. But there are some special venues that go even further, with magical afternoon teas that will appeal to kids and adults alike, for a truly memorable experience. Whether inspired by favourite children's stories, recreating nostalgic sweetshop treats or offering cakes and pastries inspired by museums, there's an afternoon tea to appeal to all. The menus and whole experience are fun and delicious and sure to have the kids talking for a long time afterwards. Read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London. For more afternoon tea inspiration, check out our full guide to the best afternoon teas in London for even more suggestions, including reviews of famous afternoon tea hotspots such as Fortnum & Mason and restaurants in The Shard. We've also reviewed the best themed afternoon teas in London, with menus centred around art, cheese, London landmarks and more... For more London restaurant inspiration, check out our guides to the best pasta restaurants in London, best food markets in London or the best burgers in London. Best kids' afternoon tea in London at a glance Best all-rounder kids' afternoon tea: The Hansom at St Pancras London, £59 for adults, £35 for children Best London-themed tea: The Dilly, £49 for adults, £39 for children Best for presentation: Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard, from £70pp for adults, £55pp for under 12s Best for luxury surroundings: Palm Court at The Langham, from £85 for adults, £50 for children Best for a post-museum treat: Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel, from £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children Best for storytelling: One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, from £95pp for adults, £65 for under 12s Best for sweet treats: Sweetshop afternoon tea at Chesterfield Hotel, from £75pp for adults, £45pp for children Best affordable afternoon tea for kids: Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel, £40 for adults, £20 for children Best afternoon tea for kids in London The Hansom afternoon tea at St. Pancras London From £59 for adults, £35 for children, book at The Hansom Best all-rounder kids' afternoon tea St. Pancras London’s new kids' afternoon tea offers a wonderful mix of fun, creativity and delicious treats, all set within one of the city’s landmarks. The hotel is a stone’s throw from King’s Cross station, and it’s an ideal stop during a family day out as there’s plenty going on in the area – check out Granary Square, where there are often pop-up events and kids love playing in the fountains, plus Harry Potter fans will love platform 9¾ in the station. As soon as we arrived at The Hansom, a stylish cocktail bar inside the St. Pancras London hotel, the staff in the elegant, light-filled lounge were warm and welcoming. Menus arrived with activity sheets and crayons for children, which were an immediate hit and kept them busy while we settled in. We started with a selection of classic mini sandwiches, thoughtfully made with younger palates in mind – fillings included honey-cured ham and mild cheddar, and egg mayo. Staff were more than happy to offer extras too. Next came the sweet treats, beautifully presented and perfectly sized. Children are served a fluffy vanilla and raspberry cupcake, a chocolate brownie with popping candy, a strawberry tart, and the indulgent standout – a milkshake with sprinkles. Each treat had the right amount of sweetness without being too heavy. Finally, a selection of warm buttermilk plain and raisin scones arrived, accompanied with either plum or strawberry jam and loads (if you’re like me) of clotted cream. Throughout the afternoon tea, a violinist played classic music, which the kids found fascinating and made the whole experience feel really special. While the kids enjoyed their mini treats, adults can pair the experience with tea, coffee or something sparkling. We picked the orange blossom tea, which was delightfully fragrant and floral. Overall, it’s a charming, fun experience that children and adults will enjoy – a lovely way to pause and recharge on a busy day out in London. From £59 for adults, £35 for children, book at The Hansom The Dilly afternoon tea From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly Best London-themed afternoon tea for kids Right in the centre of London, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and Regent’s Street, you’ll find The Dilly, a huge, grand hotel in the perfect spot for exploring London (West End theatres, Buckingham Palace and Leicester Square are all within easy walking distance). Kids will love the red phone box and free lollipops in the foyer. Tea takes place in the second-floor terrace restaurant, a beautiful, light-filled room. The tea is themed around iconic London landmarks. For adults, it all arrives on a fun London bus stand, and kids get their own London-themed board. Kids' sandwiches included classic cheese and ham, egg and cress and beetroot carpaccio and feta on onion bread. The sweet treats are fun and incredibly detailed. There’s a stand-out hazelnut praline and milk chocolate Big Ben, a chocolate London Eye perched on a rich mud cake, and a mini version of the hotel made from walnut and honey cake with a strawberry ginger bus, which even includes an image of the hotel’s façade printed on chocolate, plus staple scones with jam and cream. Kids' drinks include a frothy hot chocolate or refreshing strawberry lemonade, while adults can enjoy a high-quality brew from Tea Makers of London or a glass of English sparkling or champagne. It made for a fun, memorable afternoon tea, and combines perfectly with a day of sightseeing – see the sights, then eat them in chocolate form! Portions are generous, and staff will happily provide a takeaway box. Before you go, if you need ideas for things to do in London with kids, the doorman is very knowledgeable and had lots of great recommendations. From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard From £70pp for adults, £55 for under £12, book at Aqua Shard Best for presentation Get transported to Neverland with magical views, as if you're Peter Pan flying over the rooftops of London. Children and adults alike will love the nostalgic treats and artistic touches included in this perfectly designed afternoon tea. From the custom crafted ship that holds the food, to the story behind each component (the cod brandade is in the shape of a hook, as Peter calls him a ‘codfish’, for example), everything is meticulously designed and pure magic. Choose from either 'darling tea', which has delicious floral notes, or 'adventure tea', made from black tea with citrus, mango and ginger. The perfectly cut sandwiches are light, soft and fluffy, with flavoursome fillings of chicken, bacon and mustard, along with the standout egg mayo (more vegetarian options are available). Your next course, after a fresh round of specially designed plates with Peter Pan characters on them, are freshly baked scones served with delicious apricot jam, raspberry jam and coconut clotted cream. The magic continues into the desserts. The ‘Peter’s secret never tree entrance’ is particularly noteworthy – a soft chocolate sponge with chocolate mousse, ganache and raspberry jam. Like the waitress spraying the Tinkerbell biscuit with edible gold glitter, the thought behind each element brought so much joy. From start to finish, this afternoon tea is a display of enchanting storybook delicacies in a stunning, picturesque setting. From £70pp for adults, £55 for under £12, book at Aqua Shard Palm Court at The Langham From £85 for adults and £50 for children, book at The Langham Best for luxury surroundings The Langham’s children’s afternoon tea offers a perfect blend of fun and delicious treats in a beautiful setting. Located in the heart of London’s West End, it’s an ideal spot for exploring the city, and within walking distance of Hyde Park and Covent Garden. As soon as we entered the stunning art deco-inspired Palm Court, the staff were warm and friendly, making a special effort with the children to make them feel welcome. As the menus arrived, so did Langham-themed colouring books for kids, which were much appreciated. First up were finger sandwiches (they were a big hit!), with fillings for kids including cucumber & soft cheese, crushed avocado & tomato, roast ham and gouda. Gone in seconds, they immediately bought out another round (a big tick in our book!). Next, a beautifully presented selection of bite-sized desserts arrived: for kids there was citrus cake, apple & vanilla choux buns and a strawberry & cream pebble (a biscuit topped with delicate mousse). They had just the right amount of sweetness without being too rich. By far the star attraction was the large milk chocolate ganache teddy bear with a white chocolate bow. We also enjoyed warm freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, and an outstanding moist, rich fruit cake. For adults, there was an array of teas on offer, including organic darjeeling, as well as coffee, hot chocolate and champagne. For children, there was a kids' blackcurrant & hibiscus tea, juices and hot chocolate. Staff were more than happy to pack leftovers in takeaway boxes, which made for excellent train snacks. Overall, it was a really fun experience for both adults and children – the perfect way to break up a busy day of sightseeing. From £85 for adults and £50 for children, book at The Langham Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel From £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children, book at The Ampersand Hotel Best for a post-museum treat Just a stone’s throw from the Science and Natural History museums in South Kensington, it’s easy to see where The Ampersand got their inspiration from for this unique afternoon tea – the perfect treat for budding scientists. The tea aims to capture the magic of the Science Museum by experimenting with fun visuals (think rockets and dry ice), sounds and textures in each dish. Kids kick off with a 'spaceman' hot chocolate whilst adults can pair their experience with champagne and Jing tea. Fun savouries include hot dogs and dinosaur sandwiches for the kids, with classic sandwiches for adults. Sweet white chocolate scones come with strawberry preserve and Cornish clotted cream, before the quirky sweet treats of jelly, chocolate lollipops and colourful planets for children, and some extras for grown ups that still continue the science theme, such as a mandarin and redcurrant jelly petri dish. Portions are generous too, very welcome after a morning spent museum-hopping. From £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children, book at The Ampersand Hotel One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea £95pp for adults with a glass of champagne, £65 for under £12s, book at One Aldwych Best for storytelling The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea makes its theme clear from the beginning with the choice of drinks: try chocolate tea (with a delicious cocoa aroma), hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles for kids or, for adults, The Chocolatier cocktail – whisky, cherry liqueur, grapefruit juice, cherry purée and chocolate bitters topped with champagne. Once on to food, the savouries are fun and quirky, with some classics mixed in too. Think a not-quite-as-it-seems beetroot macaron and spinach roly-poly alongside classic Coronation chicken and egg mayo sandwiches. Scones arrived in baskets with 'snozzberry jam and all the creams'. Everyone around the room was busily snapping photos of their sweets displays, and when ours arrived, we could see why. It’s a sweet tooth’s dream: mysteriously flavoured candy floss, lemonade posset and 'hair toffee mousse'. A bottle of chocolate milk washes it all down. This makes for a special afternoon that kids will remember forever, or an excuse not to act your age – whatever your reason for visiting, it’s a sweet treat not to be missed. £95pp for adults with a glass of champagne, £65 for under £12s, book at One Aldwych Sweetshop afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair Best for sweet treats If you’re looking for a magical afternoon tea for a special occasion that will inspire the imagination and excite the palate of both adults and children, then the Chesterfield is for you. Set in a grand, Georgian hotel on a smart Mayfair street, the service is exceptional from the moment you step into their large marble hallway. Once you’re seated and have been talked through the extensive range of teas, your experience will start with a dramatic smoking pink lemonade topped with a flying saucer. You’ll then move onto a selection of beautifully presented finger sandwiches – our favourites were the Scottish smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds. Accompanying the sandwiches are fluffy chocolate chip scones, Drumstick macaroons, strawberry liquorice allsorts cheesecake, blue raspberry & bubblegum Battenberg, giant jazzie lollipops, coca cola slice and a decadent take on a Reece’s peanut butter cup. There's a dedicated kids menu which comes served with milkshakes. When it’s time to leave you’ll be escorted to a traditional sweet shop stand where you can select a bag of your favourite pick and mix sweets to take home, any treats you couldn’t quite finish will be beautifully boxed up for you to take away too. From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel From £40 for adults, £20 for children, book at Georgian House Best affordable afternoon tea for kids This fun and imaginative afternoon tea is one that’ll delight kids and adults alike, upon entering the smart Georgian house hotel you’ll be led to the basement where your spooky afternoon tea awaits. Expect plenty of surprises with overflowing cauldrons, salmon sandwiches served from a smoking box, bubbling cocktails and mocktails and golden chocolate wizard hats. The afternoon tea is served in a gothic looking bird cage and is a very generous affair with a variety of delicate savoury treats from tiny tarts to a selection of open and closed sandwiches. Plain and sultana scones are served with jam and clotted cream, after which a fresh bird cage is brought out with an abundance of sweet treats, a favourite had to be the web topped passion fruit jelly which almost looked too good to eat. The staff were attentive, relaxed and fun and there’s plenty of quirky decorations and spooky music for an authentically ghostly experience. There is also the option of a vegetarian or vegan version as well as bottomless prosecco for an extra £20. From £40 for adults, £20 for children, book at Georgian House Afternoon tea recipes, tips and advice Best afternoon tea in London The best afternoon teas in the UK Easiest ever afternoon tea menu plan Afternoon tea recipes with a twist 10 scone recipes you’ll fall in love with
Best novelty Christmas decorations and quirky baubles for foodies
Looking for a fun way to decorate your Christmas tree? Choose from our best foodie baubles of 2025, from pigs in blankets and mince pies to stand mixers, Christmas dinners, a cake stand adorned with treats, and more...
Foodie Christmas baubles may have been considered a passing trend but have become a firm fixture of Christmas decorations. With foods from Brussels sprouts to roast potatoes, a classic turkey and all its trimmings, mince pies and sparkly layer cakes, there are even pigs in blankets all dressed up and ready to decorate the tree, wreath or table. There's a fantastic array of decorations out there from glass to wood, metal, and acrylic, and prices range from a few pounds for a bit of fun, and upwards for the larger and more intricate or handmade. Whether your tree is for the family, creating a fun display for the children or making an elegant statement, there will be something to suit everyone. Doubtless, many of these baubles are bound to become cherished keepsakes brought out each year to evoke their treasured memories. We have chosen a selection of our favourites that made us smile, gasp with delight or both. For more festive inspiration, visit our reviews section to find over 400 buyer guides, including the best advent calendars and the best Christmas hampers to buy. Best Christmas baubles and decorations for foodies Oliver Bonas croissant sequinned decoration Available from Oliver Bonas (£8.50) Everything gets a sparkly makeover at Christmas and this croissant is no exception. Embroidered entirely with gold sequins, it will catch the lights perfectly on your tree. Bonus points for the neon pink loop to hang it from, too. Available from: Oliver Bonas (£8.50) John Lewis custard cream felt tree decoration Available from John Lewis (£6) This soft custard cream bauble has impressive detail and is a great non-breakable option. You can complete your biscuit tin collection with a felt bourbon and jam biscuit too. John Lewis baubles tend to sell out fast, so make sure you pick one up quickly if you're keen. Available from: John Lewis (£6) Emma Bridgewater Christmas stars tiny teapot decoration Available from Emma Bridgewater (£22) One for the Emma Bridgewater fans, this is a fun way to incorporate their signature prints into your Christmas decor. Important to note that this is made from pottery and on the larger side for a Christmas bauble, so make sure you hang it securely! Available from: Emma Bridgewater (£22) Maldon salt Christmas tree decoration Available from Amazon (£7.50) A bauble for the person who has to add salt to everything, or values the difference between table salt and sea salt. This quirky green tin is like a mini of the iconic Maldon salt boxes, tied with a green ribbon for hanging on your tree in style. Available from: Amazon (£7.50) M&S Colin the Caterpillar glass hanging decoration Available from M&S (£5) A Colin the Caterpillar cake is a staple at special occasions and now he's part of Christmas with this cute Christmas bauble, new this year. M&S decorations also sell out quickly (some of our favourites have already gone), so act fast if you're a Colin devotee. Available from: M&S (£5) Petersham Nurseries lemon bauble in glass Available from Petersham Nurseries (£10) An elegant addition to your Christmas tree and a lovely celebration of the seasonal citrus that brightens up winter fruit bowls. This glossy glass bauble has a gently shimmering finish to reflect the twinkling fairy lights of a tree perfectly. Available from: Petersham Nurseries (£10) studio THIE Heinz Ketchup felt ornament Available from Anthropologie (£14) Some of our favourite foodie Christmas baubles bring the nostalgia, and this Heinz collection available from Anthropologie certainly does that. There are embroidered felt creations of Heinz beans and spaghetti hoops too, but the ketchup is our favourite. The long shape is great for filling any awkward gaps between branches on your tree. Available from: Anthropologie (£14) March Muses Dutch pot decoration Available from March Muses (£8.50) For the home that always has a soup, stew or casserole bubbling away on the stove in winter... let the Dutch pot have its celebratory moment with this simple glass bauble. Lots of decorations are excessively big, but we love the perfect size of this little pot. Available from: March Muses (£8.50) Dunelm popcorn hanging decoration Available from Dunelm (£1.50) Celebrate the season of great TV and Christmas films with this fun popcorn bauble. We love the retro stripy bucket design. At just £1.50, this would make a great stocking filler or part of a Secret Santa gift too. Available from: Dunelm (£1.50) Sous Chef Brussel sprout decoration Available from Sous Chef (£4) It's not Christmas without Brussel sprouts and now that includes on your tree, too. Made from glass, it's impressively realistic – with a sprinkling of green glitter for an extra festive touch. At under £5, this is another bargain bauble pick. Available from: Sous Chef (£4) ASDA hotdog and burger glass baubles Available from ASDA (£8 for 2) Christmas baubles have gone far beyond just Christmassy foods themselves. Bring the fast food fun with this duo of these playful hot dog, burger and fries baubles. Available from: ASDA (£8 for 2) Fortnum and Mason caramel truffle bauble Available from Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) This elegant bauble will not only look pretty hanging from the Christmas tree – open it up, and inside you will find delicious Fortnum and Mason handmade milk chocolate caramel truffles. As this bauble also comes in a handsome box, it makes a perfect gift, too. Illustrated with 2025, it's great for marking a special year. Available from: Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) Willow and Stone fish hanging decoration Available from Willow and Stone (£15.95) This beautiful handcrafted tree decoration may not have much to do with Christmas. Still, this brass fish, made from recycled metal, will look elegant on the tree or wreath and can be used decoratively around the house after the festivities. As each one is handmade, there may be slight variations. Available from: Willow and Stone (£15.95) Fortnum & Mason cake stand decoration Available from Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) A tier of iconic afternoon tea treats in bauble form, this hand painted decoration makes the prettiest statement. We love how much detail there is on here: spot the fondant fancies, neat cucumber sandwiches, slice of Battenberg and more. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) Christmas Concepts sweets baubles, set of 8 Available from Amazon (£8.99) Ideal if you've got a larger Christmas tree, this set of eight mini shatterproof baubles will fill out your tree. There's a very wide range of 19 colours to choose from so there's one for every Christmas theme, from lime green to champagne cream. Available from: Amazon (£8.99) Sass & Belle Christmas pudding decoration Available from Amazon (£10.50) One for the traditionalists, this holly-topped felt pud decoration is handmade and intricately embroidered with beads to sparkle under the Christmas lights. Available from: Amazon (£10.50) More Christmas gift guides 50 best budget gifts under £15 Best gifts for foodies Best Advent calendars Best Christmas hampers to buy Best gins to buy as gifts Best whiskies to buy as gifts Best panettone to buy Best Christmas sandwiches If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
"What I learned cooking Christmas dinner": six hosts share what they’ll do differently this year
Discover the hosting tips you need to know for Christmas this year – and the mishaps to avoid...
Are you hosting Christmas this year? Whether it's your first time or your 20th, the thought of cooking the meal on the Big Day itself can feel daunting. We've gathered stories from the Good Food team who've been there, done that, bought the unnecessary ham... Learn from their mistakes and follow their top tips to make sure you have a seamless festive season this year. Happy Christmas! "You don’t need another ham, or another chicken" "I hosted my boyfriend’s family for Christmas in our flat last year. I was very keen to impress and wanted to make sure they were sufficiently stuffed. The 23rd December arrived and I was merrily opening my shopping delivery to unpack our Christmas ingredients. Spotting our chicken and ham, I dived into the bags, grasping them with my hands, and promptly descended into a blind panic that they weren’t big enough to feed the group. This cued a sprint to the local butcher, paying through the nose for another ham and another chicken, then lugging them back to the flat. Just to be safe, I ended up cooking both hams and chickens. Safe to say, we had more than enough meat (it was like a Henry VIII feast) and then we were left with an incredible amount of leftovers. Moral of the story, don’t be like me, the chicken is big enough." Check out all our best Christmas ham recipes or Christmas chicken recipes, to find the perfect one to suit your Christmas gathering. "Make sure the cook gets to eat too" "I was cooking for my whole family – 15 people in total – one Christmas and I was doing it pretty much on my own: turkey and beef, two gravies, all the trimmings etc. My aunt supplied the pigs in blankets and for some reason she bought loads, so there were about 60. More than enough for us all, or so you'd think... I called everyone to the table and told the family to start loading up their plates. When I eventually sat down once everything was ready, I started serving myself. I asked for the pigs in blankets only to be passed the dish – where there were only two left. I was fuming and took the dogs for a very angry post-lunch walk. This year I'm cooking for them again, so I'll be making sure to plate myself up a serving first. If you're cooking, don't let yourself go hungry!" "Take it slow on the Christmas fizz" "Having cooked more than 50 Christmas lunches, I’ve made every comedic mistake possible – short of wearing the raw turkey like a mask à la Friends. I’ve roasted birds with the giblet bag still inside, dropped entire trays, set tea towels flaming like festive torches and completely forgotten about the bits I proudly prepped and froze weeks earlier. And if there’s one thread running through all these mishaps, it’s that they all happened because I was just a bit too full of festive cheer. I know this advice risks sounding a little bah humbug – especially when half the country is already on the fizz by breakfast – but the moment I have a drink, no matter how good the Christmas playlist sounds, my organisation goes out of the window. Timers? Ignored. Lists? Misplaced. Oven? Anyone’s guess. So now I save my first drink of the day for when dinner is actually on the table, every box is ticked and the kitchen no longer resembles the aftermath of a visit from a poltergeist. And honestly, that celebratory glass tastes better than it ever did." "Don't cook for hours: separate your turkey" "I learnt a very important turkey lesson one year. During a holiday celebration at home in the US when I was feeding 13 people, the turkey had already been cooking for hours, but was still raw near the bone. I took everything off the bone, carved into sections, returned to the oven for a bit longer and suddenly it was ready in a flash! Saved the day. Plus, it makes it so much easier to carve/serve at the end. Moral of the story: if you’re cooking a very large turkey because you’re feeding a lot of people, separate it into parts before cooking. It doesn’t look as impressive, sure, but everything will cook more efficiently and evenly." Try our recipe for brined roast turkey crown with confit legs if it's your first time separating out a turkey for cooking. "Don't forget the chairs!" "I hosted nine of us a few years ago. It may not be groundbreaking, but my advice is to prep as much as possible in the days before – down to par-boiling the roasties and veg and having them on a tray ready to go. It makes the morning so much easier plus means you don’t have to get up as early. Also, be cheeky and ask guests to bring nibbles/dessert to save a job. And don’t forget about having enough chairs! We had armchairs and side tables tagged on to our main table just to fit everyone." "Cook the Christmas pudding in the garage" "After many years of cooking Christmas dinner, I've racked up the lessons. Here's my top four that help me avoid any more disasters: Steer clear of formal starters. A few nibbles passed round on a plate saves on washing up and takes up less counter space. Plus people don’t want to fill up too much before the main event! One thing I do every year is stick a sticky note on each plate or bowl with which dish I’ll serve in it the night before. Saves scrambling around for dishes on the day! Give everyone a job – my kids like making place holders and my sister helps them dress the table, mum’s usually on gravy duty, my husband is on drinks, dad carves the meat and everyone helps clear the table. Oven and hob space is always hard to come by, so reheat as many things as possible in the microwave or slow cooker. This is how I always reheat the Christmas pud (usually plugged in in a spare room or the garage!)." Try our slow cooker Christmas pudding recipe. More Christmas inspiration Christmas recipe ideas Best ever vegan Christmas party food Christmas afternoon tea recipes Budget Christmas recipes Easy family recipes for the Christmas holidays
15 best foodie subscriptions for Christmas gifts that keep on giving
Keep the gourmet deliveries coming, from boxes of brownies to crates of beer
Choosing the perfect Christmas gift gets a lot easier when it’s something delicious that arrives again and again. Foodie subscriptions really are the gift that keeps on giving: a monthly reminder that someone’s thinking of you, delivered straight to the door. They also spread the fun long beyond Christmas – arguably, presents to brighten up the days are more impactful in January than during the decadence of December. Whether it's for a brownie obsessive, a cheese lover who knows their Comté from their Caerphilly, a gin enthusiast keeping their bar cart well stocked, or a cook who’d swoon over small-batch olive oil, a subscription brings joy long after the decorations come down. From artisanal treats to curated tasting boxes and clever kits, we’ve rounded up the very best edible (and drinkable) subscriptions to give this Christmas. Here are 15 picks guaranteed to brighten the winter months – and maybe even win you the title of best gift-giver this year. Citizens of Soil Olive Oil Club Available from Citizens of Soil (from £15) No one wants to run out of olive oil mid-recipe. Get a 500ml olive oil pouch delivered each month (or every other month if you're not using it up quite that quickly), featuring top quality Citizens of Soil oil – chosen by an olive oil sommelier, no less. The oil is all consciously sourced from small-scale producers that are at least 50% female-led. It's a great way to sample different oils, with each one coming with tasting and pairing notes too. If giving as a gift, opt in for the ceramic pourer to arrive with the first delivery too. Available from: Citizens of Soil (from £15) Fitzbillies Chelsea bun subscription Available from Fitzbillies (from £69 for 3 months) Who wouldn't want a delivery of sticky buns arriving to their door? Subscribe a lucky loved one to a Chelsea bun subscription from Fitzbillies bakery in Cambridge – with deliveries arriving for three, six or 12 months. The famously sticky buns come with a pot of syrup for drizzling; we recommend warming them slightly in the microwave before serving for extra squidgyness. They're best enjoyed on day of arrival, but can also be frozen so you can spread the fun out even more. Available from: Fitzbillies (from £69 for 3 months) Pong Cheese – the Cheese Club Available from Pong Cheese (from £24 per month) Looking for a gift for the cheese fanatic in your life? Or maybe you just fancy expanding your own cheese horizons? A delivery of top-quality artisan cheese delivered to your door each month is just the ticket. Join the Pong Cheese Club and get four to five exciting cheeses from the UK, Europe and around the world every month, with no repeats over a one-year period. The selection is carefully chosen to consist of complementary picks that would make a great cheeseboard. Plus, you can specify no goat's, no blue cheese and vegetarian-friendly options only, to ensure you'll appreciate your whole box. Check out our best cheese subscription recommendations for more ideas. Available from: Pong Cheese (from £24 per month) Chococo chocolate box subscription Available from Chococo (from £48 for 3 months) Christmas can be awash with chocolates, but it's still nice to keep that treat going a little bit further. Dorset-based artisan chocolate maker Chococo offers a subscription for its fresh chocolate boxes, designed for gifting. You can opt for a small box of nine chocolates, a medium box of 16, or indulge in the large 25-chocolate box to arrive each month. Standouts we've tried include a Dorset cream tea truffle and sweet 'golden crunch gem' with caramelised white chocolate. All are made using fresh, local ingredients including jam and clotted cream. Chococo also offer a chocolate bakes or bar subscription. Browse our best chocolate subscriptions for more of our tried-and-tested picks, including Cadbury and Hotel Chocolat. Available from: Chococo (from £48 for 3 months) Rise coffee gift subscription Available from Rise (from £25) Make sure their morning is always off to a good start with the gift of a coffee subscription. B-Corp-certified Rise handpicks speciality coffee to deliver every month, so it's a great way to discover different styles. Plus, there are tasting notes, brewing tips and little extras included in every box. You can subscribe to whole bean or three different grinds of coffee, plus decaf, so there's an option regardless of how someone chooses to brew their cuppa. Available from: Rise (from £25) Laithwaites wine subscription Available from Laithwaites (from £95.88) For the keen-to-be wine connoisseur, we're pretty proud of the Good Food Wine Subscription in partnership with Laithwaites. Enjoy regular deliveries of wine to match perfectly with food (each wine is paired with a Good Food recipe to get your inspiration started) – choose a mixed, all red or all white subscription and get a new case of 12 bottles every eight weeks. Available from: Laithwaites (from £95.88) Northern Pasta Co. pasta subscription Available from Northern Pasta Co. (from £13.36 for 3 bags) Know someone who loves Italian food? Make their next pasta night a bit more special with a delivery of Northern Pasta Co.'s pasta. The pasta is made from responsibly sourced, 100% British spelt grains, giving it a unique, nutty flavour, and the regeneratively farmed ingredients mean its good for the planet too. We love the colourful packaging and getting to cook with more unique shapes such as intricate radiatori and pretty fluted gigli – no plain penne here! Available from: Northern Pasta Co. (from £13.36 for 3 bags) Craft Gin Club gin subscription Available from Craft Gin Club (from £26) Make sure the bar cart never runs dry with a gin subscription. We've tried and tested lots of the best gin subscriptions, and Craft Gin Club remains a reliable, generous choice that is great for gifting. They pull out all the stops, with a full 7ocl bottle of gin delivered every month, along with curated snacks, mixers and a gin-themed magazine. The full-sized bottle of gin is always impressive and high quality, with bottles sourced from around the world – previous boxes have included Lantic Gin from Cornwall, Australian Forty Spotted Gin and a Provence pink gin. There's a rum subscription too, if that's your lucky loved one's preference. Available from: Craft Gin Club (from £26) Black Bee Honey gift subscription Available from Black Bee Honey (from £45 a month) This charming subscription is sure to brighten up someone's mornings for months to come. Each month, Black Bee Honey will deliver two jars of honey: a British seasonal honey and a limited release. All the honeys are single-source and the name of the beekeeper is printed on every jar. What's more, 2% of turnover is donated to the charity Plantlife to create wildflower meadows, so it's a great way to support the environment and British honey producers. Available from: Black Bee Honey (from £45 a month) The Spicery Friday Night Curry subscription Available from Not on the High Street (£28 for 3 months) The ideal gift for curry lovers and a great way to break out of a korma rut. Each box contains recipes and spices to make a delicious meal that serves four people. You're sure to find new, lesser-known curry inspiration, with recipe cards and easy-to-follow instructions. Available from: Not on the High Street (£28 for 3 months) Hotel Chocolat drinking chocolate subscription Available from Hotel Chocolat (from £14.95) If you know someone who is dedicated to their Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, or simply a fan of a good hot choc, sign them up to a regular hot chocolate delivery. What better gift to last through the winter months? Hotel Chocolat has a huge range of flavours to choose from, from classic milk and dark to mint, hazelnut praline, peanut butter or even chilli hot chocolate. Subscribe to a regular delivery of your chosen flavour for one to three months. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (from £14.95) Cake or Death brownie subscription Available from Cake or Death (£21.50) Keep the treats coming with a Cake or Death brownie subscription for three, six or a decadent 12 months. Go for a box of their bestsellers, or build your own box of six or 10 squares to curate the ultimate personalised delivery. There's an interesting range of flavours, from peanut butter to Biscoff, plus several flapjacks (the cherry bakewell flapjack is calling our name) and a changing monthly special. We love Cake or Death's packaging too, all hot pink and leopard print, so it's always a cheery sight coming through the door. Plus, all their bakes are vegan, so it's a great gift for any friends or family on a plant-based diet. Available from: Cake or Death (£21.50) Pizza Pilgrims pizza club Available from Pizza Pilgrims (from £26) A food subscription for the more savoury-minded, but still indulgent enough to make a great gift. Pizza Pilgrims have several different subscription clubs on offer, depending on how much pizza you want to commit to. The Pizza Pals membership, from £30, lets you choose between three different pizzas and have a kit for two or four pizzas arrive. For pizza fanatics, the Pizza Lovers membership (from £35) means you'll be signed up to the pizza deliveries, plus get a voucher for two pizzas in any Pizza Pilgrims pizzeria with each delivery. The hardest part will be choosing what flavours to try next! Available from: Pizza Pilgrims (from £26) The Naked Marshmallow Co. marshmallow subscription Available from Not on the High Street (from £30) Keep a sweet tooth satiated with a regular delivery of marshmallows – also perfect for winter, so you can top a gourmet hot chocolate at any time. The lucky recipient will receive a box of Naked Marshmallow Co. mallows every month, and you can choose from a wide range of flavours – go classic with vanilla bean, fruity with rhubarb and custard, or cocktail-inspired with passion fruit martini or piña colada. If you want to upgrade the gift even further, you can add a mini burner and skewers to the first delivery for gooey toasted marshmallows any time. Available from: Not on the High Street (from £30) Beer52 beer subscription Available from Beer52 (from £27) Beer more their bag? Sign them up to a subscription from Beer52 to get a case of interesting beers delivered each month. Beer52 send experts around the world to discover the best beers each country has to offer, resulting in an interesting case of exclusive, small-batch beers and a great way to discover a new favourite can. The box also includes Ferment magazine and tasty artisan snacks to enjoy with the drinks. Available from: Beer52 (from £27) More reviews and guides Best hampers to buy Best coffee gifts Best chocolate hampers Best hot chocolate Best gifts for hot chocolate lovers Best gifts for chocolate lovers Best cheese subscriptions Best beer subscriptions Best whisky subscriptions and clubs Best cocktail subscriptions and clubs Best tea subscriptions and deliveries
The best Christmas hampers to buy in 2025
Gift hampers are an extra-special present for Christmas. Discover our favourite hampers to buy, stuffed with everything from chocolate to cheese, gourmet ingredients and pasta
Christmas hamper season is officially here. There’s something so exciting about receiving a hamper as a gift – opening it up and rummaging inside to unearth not one, but a whole host of goodies, all selected to complement each other. A carefully chosen Christmas hamper makes a great gift or treat to share with your family. Show some love and send an extra-special gift hamper this Christmas to the foodie in your life. We have plenty of fantastic options perfect for foodies, from indulgent chocolate and cheese to natural wine and afternoon tea delicacies. We’ve picked some of the best Christmas hampers from our favourite foodie stores with options for home cooks, budding chefs, and everyone who loves to celebrate with great food. For more Christmas gift guides (including best chocolate gifts, best coffee gifts and best cheese gifts), and visit our reviews section to find more buyer's guides. Best Christmas hampers at a glance Best luxury Christmas hamper: DukesHill Ruby celebration hamper, £225 Best hamper for spice lovers: 'Hot Stuff' chilli lover's gift box, £39 Best hamper for farm-to-table luxury: The Flavours of Oldstead food hamper, £190 Best hamper to bring as a guest: Fitzbillies The Cambridge hamper, £90 Best for luxury Christmas sweet treats: A Little Newt Christmas hamper, £70 Best for Mediterranean food lovers: Odysea Classic Greek Hamper, £55 Best hamper for a pasta lover: Lina Stores La Pasta Hamper, £55 Best for trying new ingredients: Lebnani The Luxe Beirut Box, £46 Best for luxury Christmas gifting for Londoners: Harley's Butchery Luxury Festive Hamper, £350 Best hamper for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine: Poon's hamper, £70 Best hamper for new Christmas discoveries: Macknade Christmas Favourites hamper, £175 Best cheese hamper: Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence cheese and wine hamper, £100 Best build your own hamper: Guzzl hampers, from £40 Best chocolate hamper: The Best of Lindt Collection hamper, £108.50 Best Christmas hampers to buy for foodies in 2025 DukesHill Ruby celebration hamper Available from DukesHill (£225) Best luxury Christmas hamper You can always count on DukesHill for an extra special hamper, and this year doesn't disappoint. The ultimate Christmas treat, this generous hamper is filled with 15 items to keep you going throughout the festive season and has something for everybody. On the savoury side, treats include a 1.2kg ham, a slab of Montgomery's Cheddar and crackers. For the sweet tooth, you'll find mince pies, Christmas pudding, fudge, a large tin of buttery shortbread (our highlight) and mini panettone. Finishing extras include a bottle of fizz and DukesHill tote. Available from: DukesHill (£225) 'Hot Stuff' chilli lover's gift box Available from hampers.com (£39) Best hamper for spice lovers For those with less of a sweet tooth, this spice-filled hamper makes a great foodie gift. It's filled with a selection of spicy snacks and sauces to stock your storecupboard with. slove the moreish chilli and lime tortilla chips (serve with a cooling sour cream dip), the versatile chilli oil for drizzling on everything from noodles to eggs, and the buffalo sauce that's perfect for chicken wings. Available from: hampers.com (£39) The Flavours of Oldstead food hamper Available from Made in Oldstead (£190) Best hamper for farm-to-table luxury The Made in Oldstead Flavours of Oldstead food hamper brings Michelin-starred dining into your home, curated with ingredients, finished dishes, and drinks from Tommy Banks’ Yorkshire farm and kitchen garden. Featuring 23 artisanal delights, this hamper is a celebration of the very best of local produce. Highlights include the rich beef shin ragu, the umami-packed beer and brown sugar-glazed ham, and the fragrant spruce and lemon verbena salmon. The cicely hot chocolate is a divine twist on the familiar with its notes of aniseed from the sweet cicely. Beautifully curated and deeply rooted in Yorkshire’s culinary heritage, this hamper is a real celebration of farm-to-table excellence, ideal for feasting all year round. Available from: Made in Oldstead (£190) Fitzbillies The Cambridge Hamper Available from Fitzbillies (£90) Best hamper to bring as a guest The Fitzbillies Cambridge Hamper offers a delicious array of treats. Fitzbillies’ Chelsea buns are a standout — decadent, sticky and even more irresistible when warmed and drizzled with their treacly syrup. The hamper also features a moist vanilla and raspberry cake in a collectible tin, ideal for sharing. Plus, there are six macarons in assorted flavours, buttery shortbreads (plain and chocolate chip) and crunchy chocolate honeycomb, alongside loose-leaf English breakfast tea, sweet raspberry jam and zesty marmalade. This hamper offers a cosy twist on a festive gift, making it a wonderful choice for those after something a little less traditional. Available from: Fitzbillies (£90) A Little Newt Christmas hamper Available from The Newt in Somerset (£70) Best for luxury Christmas sweet treats Capture the Christmas spirit and indulge a sweet tooth with this range of festive sweet treats. We have a soft spot for chocolate orange at this time of year so the juicy dark chocolate-coated candied orange slices are a highlight. The giant chocolate buttons studded with salted caramel are presented in a charming felt bag. Also tucked inside, you'll find gingerbread fudge, spiced plum cordial, orange marmalade and more. In a break from traditional wicker hampers, this comes in a smart wooden box – still just as practical for reusing. Available from: The Newt in Somerset (£70) Odysea Classic Greek Hamper Available from Odysea (£55) Best for Mediterranean food lovers Bring the sunshine home with Odysea’s celebration of classic Greek flavours. This thoughtfully curated hamper captures the essence of the Mediterranean diet — rich olive oil, tangy vine leaves and sweet, floral honey. Inside, you’ll find PDO Kalamata extra virgin olive oil, plump Kalamata and Halkidiki olives, delicate balsamic vinegar from Messinia and hearty gigantes baked beans. Two varieties of raw honey (Spring Blossom and Pine & Fir Tree) add natural sweetness, while a reusable cotton tote completes the gift. Balanced, vibrant and full of Greek character, it’s a great choice for anyone dreaming of warmer days and relaxed feasting. Available from: Odysea (£55) Lina Stores La Pasta Hamper Available from Lina Stores (£55) Best hamper for a pasta lover The Lina Stores signature green and white packaging never fails to make us smile and this hamper makes the prettiest gift for any pasta lover. Arriving in a sturdy Lina Stores tote, dig inside and you'll find elevated Italian store-cupboard staples that will make everyday cooking feel extra special. There are three pretty boxes of pasta plus a selection of tomato sauces, artichoke pesto and cime de rapa so you can build the ultimate bowl of pasta, hassle free. Available from: Lina Stores (£55) Lebnani The Luxe Beirut Box Available from Lebnani (£46) This is a great gift option for a keen foodie, coming in at under £50. Whether they're a seasoned chef or a keen newbie, the Lebnani hamper has everything they need to explore Lebanese cuisine and try some new ingredients. There's generous jars of sumac and za'atar, a big tub of tahini (perfect for making hummus), fragrant rosewater and orange blossom water and more. Available from: Lebnani (£46) Harley’s Butchery Luxury Festive Hamper Available from Harley's, from 1st December (£350, for collection and London delivery) Best for luxury Christmas gifting for Londoners Hampstead’s newest high-end butcher, Harley’s, marks its first Christmas with a spectacularly indulgent offering. The Harley’s Hamper is built on butcher Ollie Harley’s dedication to traceable sourcing and artisanal producers, showcasing quality at every level, from butcher’s block to wine glass. Standouts include an in-house baked Basque cheesecake, 1kg Galician ribeye, Piggy Hot Honey, Figue Jam and premium pantry staples such as Omed olive oil, Espinaler crisps and José Gourmet tuna. Two exceptional wines — Miros de Ribera and Albariño — complete the feast. Available from: Harley's, from 1st December (£350, for collection and London delivery) Poon's hamper Available from Poon's (£70) Best hamper for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine The Poon’s hamper celebrates Chinese culinary heritage in a striking box, featuring the brand's signature artwork. Inside, you’ll find all four of Poon’s iconic sauces, including vibrant chilli vinegar dressing and smoky black bean-infused extraordinary chilli oil, plus its premium soy and umami-packed WO sauces. Accompanied by jasmine rice and noodles, the hamper also includes Poon’s wind-dried meats: mildly sweet lap cheong, duck liver sausage and richly flavoured Chinese bacon for enhancing stir-fries and rice dishes. Ideal for lovers of artisanal, authentic Chinese flavours. Available from: Poons (£70) Macknade Christmas Favourites hamper Available from Macknade (£175) Best for new Christmas discoveries This hamper from Macknade is a lovely way to try out lots of different brands at Christmas. It comes in a traditional wicker basket, with all the Christmas treats you'd expect – think classic mince pies, a panettone and a bottle of champagne. Some items have been given a quirky twist: instead of a traditional Christmas pud, there is a chocolate and chilli pudding, and a jar of mixed nuts have a salty pigs in blankets seasoning. Available from: Macknade (£175) Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence cheese and wine hamper Available from Paxton & Whitfield (£100) Best cheese hamper If you love an evening of cheese, wine and all the accompaniments, this is the hamper for you. It has three cheeses: a well-balanced and nutty hard goat’s cheese from Devon, an artisanal blue stilton with a deep, savoury flavour, and a smoked cheddar with complex, rich notes. To pair with these, a cheeseboard selection of biscuits, fruit preserve made with forged damson and crab apple, vibrant and spicy piccalilli, an impressively wrapped ball of baked figs, and an unusual yet incredibly moreish pear and vanilla confit spread are included. Enjoy the bottle of merlot with beautiful notes of soft plum and cassis on the nose and a deep garnet colour, and buttery, crumbly Scottish shortbread. Check out our full round up of the 25 best cheese hampers to buy. Available from: Paxton & Whitfield (£100) Guzzl hampers Available from Guzzl (£40) Best build your own hamper At Guzzl, flexibility is the name of the game. Y0u can build your own hamper and fill it with a range of contents so that the selection perfectly suits your lucky recipient. Choose an eco hamper box or different sizes of wicker baskets, then fill with all sorts of goodies from the site selection, from spirits and wine to confectionery, jams, chutney, pasta, vinegars, chilli sauces and much more. If you don't have time for this, there are pre-made hampers to choose from too: we tried the 'Chocolate In My Face' hamper, filled with a selection of artisan chocolate bars, chocolate spread, hot chocolate and truffles. We particularly liked that every item inside came wrapped in bright red tissue paper, making the unboxing feel extra special. Available from: Guzzl (£40) The best of Lindt collection hamper Available from Lindt (£108.50) Best chocolate hamper The best of Lindt collection hamper is a chocolate lover's dream, brimming with Lindt's finest creations. This generously filled hamper includes a varied assortment of Lindt’s best-selling chocolates and indulgent boxes, perfect for sharing. The highlight is the customisable 650g pick-and-mix selection, which works out to be around 52 Lindor truffles: select from the brand's favourites, or choose unique flavours not often seen in shops, like pistachio, Irish cream, matcha and popcorn. Alongside three boxes of classic Lindor truffles, you’ll find an array of Lindt chocolate bars and a decadent dark chocolate spread. Beautifully presented, this hamper offers a truly indulgent experience, making it the ultimate gift for those who can never resist the offer of some chocolate. Available from: Lindt (£108.50) More foodie gift guides Best advent calendars Best Easter eggs to buy Best chocolate hampers Best cheese hampers Best gifts for foodies Best cookbooks Best gin to give as a gift Best letterbox-friendly gifts Best Thanksgiving gifts Hotel Chocolat Black Friday deals Hamper inspiration How to make a homemade hamper If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
We've found the best butter dishes to buy for yourself or as a wedding or housewarming gift, from simple porcelain, to modern metal and quirky ceramic designs.
Keep your butter fresh and spreadable with this simple kitchen addition. Butter dishes aim to regulate the temperature of butter, keeping it spreadable for morning toast. Keeping it covered also protects it from light, air and bacteria. You can even use your butter dish in the fridge if you want your butter chilled but protected from the aromas of other foods. If serving breakfast or bringing butter to the table to serve with bread rolls and soup, a butter dish is smarter and cleaner than having open packaging on the table. There are varied styles of butter dishes available to buy. A simple white classic porcelain lid and tray might be what springs to mind, but there are colourful ceramics, simple metal or even tiled and glass options available, so there's a design for every kitchen. This is also helpful if not buying for yourself – a new butter dish makes an affordable housewarming or wedding gift, too. Check out our foodie gift guide for even more inspiration. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find over 200 round-ups of everything from the best slow cookers and best microwaves, to the best coffee machines and best blenders. Best butter dishes at a glance Best investment butter dish: Le Creuset stoneware butter dish, £45 Best butter dish for a gift: Portmeirion covered porcelain butter dish, £18.99 Best glass butter dish: Kadax glass butter dish, £16.99 Best for spreadable butter: Judge butter holder, £20.97 Best round butter dish: Glaze Me Pretty crystal lilac butter dish, £52 Best butter dishes to buy in 2025 Le Creuset stoneware butter dish Available from John Lewis & Partners (£33.60), Le Creuset (£45) Best investment butter dish If you already own a Le Creuset casserole dish, pick up a butter dish to match your set. This comes in the classic range of Le Creuset colours, from the signature ‘volcanic’ orange to white, black or blues. It holds a 250g pack of butter, has a small handle for gripping and a ridged base to hold the butter in place. It's made of chunky stoneware, but still suitable for the microwave when you need to soften butter fast. Available from: Le Creuset (£45) Latest Deals Sophie Conran Portmeirion porcelain butter dish Latest Deals Best butter dish for a gift Most butter dishes have a domed lid that encloses over the flat butter tray, which can make the lid sticky or greasy, and messy to put down on the counter. This Sophie Conran model avoids that problem, keeping the butter safe in a tub with a simple, flat lid. It has curved edges and a gentle rippling design (which is available in a whole range of kitchen products, from plates to oil drizzlers), plus it comes in a gift box, perfect for an elegant housewarming present. Latest Deals Kadax glass butter dish Latest Prices Best glass butter dish If you want to easily check how much butter you’ve got left, opt for a glass butter dish. It has a short handle to grip and tight seal to protect against anything getting inside. The clear glass design is perfect if you’ve got interesting flavoured or artisan butters to display. Latest Prices Judge stainless steel butter holder Latest Deals Best for spreadable butter If you’re a spreadable butter devotee, this is the dish for you. Designed to hold 500g tubs, you can drop the tub in to hide the packaging on your counter. However, be aware that while the dish says it holds 500g tubs, some packaging shapes and designs might not all fit. Latest Prices Glaze Me Pretty lilac butter dish Available from Glaze Me Pretty (£52) Best round butter dish Despite its deceptive round size, this holds a 250g block of butter. Made of durable stoneware clay in south west London, each dish is individually glazed, so all are unique. We love the elegant lilac, but plenty of glaze colours are available. This could also double up to be used for cheese on a cheeseboard. Available from: Glaze Me Pretty (£52) Related reviews Best spatulas Best flour shakers Best pastry brushes Best measuring sets Best rolling pins Best baking sheets Best kitchen sieves Best measuring spoons Best measuring cups Best oven thermometers
The best Christmas gifts to buy for foodies – food, drink, gadgets, homewares and more
The definitive guide to the best Christmas gifts for foodies, from home kits, gadgets and homeware, to edible and alcoholic presents
Looking for a food- or drink-inspired gift for Christmas? Look no further. We've compiled some of the very best Christmas presents for the budding chefs, passionate foodies and kitchen gadget lovers in your life. For a dose of gift magic, why not treat others or yourself to homeware too, from kitchen accessories and cookware, to unique handmade tableware. These are the ultimate foodie Christmas gifts to find under the tree this year. From gourmet food gifts that tickle the tastebuds, to your favourite food lover's top tipple, there are plenty of gifts to choose from, so treat those you love or even yourself – why not brighten up your own kitchen cupboards? There are indulgent sweet treats, special bottles for a home bar, useful gadgets, gorgeous homeware ideas, and so much more. Browse the list for gift inspiration and then check out our guides for much more, including the best Christmas hampers, best wine gifts or best gifts for cocktail lovers. You can also check out coffee table books on our sister brand olive magazine. Jump to section: Best food gifts for Christmas Best drink gifts for Christmas Best gadgets and kit gifts for Christmas Best home and kitchen gifts for Christmas Best food gifts for Christmas Black Bee Christmas honey Available from Black Bee Honey (£8.95) Slip a jar of seasonal honey into a Christmas stocking. This one is soft-set with notes of almond and vanilla for a marzipan-like finish. Available from: Black Bee Honey (£8.95) Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea for two Available from Virgin Experience Days (£140 for 2) This afternoon tea is something special. Head to Fortnum & Mason for an elegant afternoon tea in a salon opened by HM The Queen, featuring luxurious finger sandwiches, warm scones with velvety lemon curd, and seasonal patisseries. Enjoy a variety of teas including the famous smoky Earl Grey and champagne highlights like a light Brut rosé and Fortnum’s Brut sparkling from Cornwall. Available from: Virgin Experience Days (£140) Cake or Death Christmas yule log Available from Cake or Death (£42) We couldn't help but fall for this super indulgent, weighty (1.4kg!) yule log when we taste tested it. It's gloriously rich and OTT in the best possible way: super rich, barely-baked fudgy brownie is spread with Biscoff, rolled and covered with chocolate ganache. Slice it thinly (you don't need a lot) and feed a crowd – it's the ultimate foodie gift for a Christmas party host. Plus as a bonus, it is entirely vegan. Available from: Cake or Death (£42) DukesHill The Ruby Celebration hamper Available from DukesHill (£225) You can always count on DukesHill for an extra special hamper, and this year doesn't disappoint if you're looking for an extra special Christmas gift. The classic wicker basket is filled with 15 items to last throughout the festive season and has something for everybody. On the savoury side, treats include a 1.2kg ham, a slab of Montgomery's Cheddar, piccalilli and crackers (great for a Boxing Day buffet). For the sweet tooth, you'll find mince pies, Christmas pudding, fudge, a large tin of buttery shortbread (our highlight) and mini panettone. Finishing extras include a bottle of fizz and DukesHill tote. Check out our best Christmas hampers for more special gifts. Available from: DukesHill (£225) MELT orange slices dipped in dark chocolate Available from MELT (£22.99) This is the box of chocolates we want to find under the tree: juicy confit orange slices dipped in 70 per cent dark chocolate, scattered with cocoa nibs. Available from: MELT (£22.99) Venchi maxi murrine book Available from Venchi (£40) A luxury take on your classic box of chocolates that makes a special gift for someone with a sweet tooth. This elegant book-shaped keepsake tin from Venchi is filled with a colourful variety of their bestselling chocolates, each one a treat to unwrap. Expect plenty of rich gianduja, a variety of milk, dark and extra dark options, on-trend pistachio and fun tiramisu flavoured bites in amongst this grown-up selection. Available from Venchi (£40) Sylt Great Taste pickling starter pack Available from Not on the High Street (£26.99) Homemade pickles have never been easier. You only need to add fruit or veg to these jars of seasonally spiced liquor. The interesting flavours include Scotch Bonnet & Lemon or Dill & Mustard. Available from: Not on the High Street (£26.99) Grind x Baileys coffee pods Available from Grind (from £5.25 for 10) Give a coffee lover a Christmassy start to the day with pods infused with the iconic creamy flavour of Baileys, minus the alcohol. Available from: Grind (from £5.25 for 10) Cookies & cream malt balls Available from Selfridges (£9.99) A fancy edition of a favourite, these malt balls are coated in white chocolate and crunchy cookie pieces with an impressively deeply malty crunchy centre. Available from: Selfridges (£9.99) The Real Cure British charcuterie signature hamper Available from Not on The High Street (£45) Celebrate artisan British produce with a hamper packed with salamis, coppa and venison pepperoni. The spicy Dorset chorizo is our favourite. Available from: Not on The High Street (£45) Fitzbillies Chelsea buns Available from Fitzbillies (£24 for 6-pack) Cambridge-based bakery Fitzbillies has been making these iconic buns since 1920 and this subscription sees six buns delivered to the lucky recipient's door, complete with sticky bun syrup. Available from: Fitzbillies (£24) Yiayia and Friends olive oil Available from Fenwick (£40) Beautifully designed bottles encase equally beautiful tasting fresh and flavourful Greek olive oil. Whether you’re opting for the original extra virgin olive oil option or one of Yiayia’s infused offerings (choose from lemon, basil, chilli, truffle and garlic), these lovingly produced oils are sure to make the perfect gift. Available from: Fenwick (£35) Cutter & Squidge classic chocolate mini brownie box Available from Cutter & Squidge (£18.99) Who is ever going to say no to a box of brownies? Choose from a gift box of 12 or 24, and receive pre-cut, fudgy, ganache-topped brownies delivered straight through the door. Available from: Cutter & Squidge (£18.99) Summerdown ultimate mint chocolate collection Available from Summerdown (£9.99) Who says selection boxes are just for Christmas? Ideal for sharing in front of some TV at any time of year, this is the ultimate selection box for a mint chocolate fan. Available from: Summerdown (£9.99) Spice Pots Curry Night kit Available from Not on the High Street (£21.95) Spice Pots have made curry night simple with four clever dried spice blends (korma, bhuna, tandoori masala and Goan) plus recipes to make you a curry pro in no time. Available from: Not on the High Street (£21.95) Imp & Maker Italian Food Lovers hamper Available from Imp & Maker (£59) Full to the brim with Italian essentials, this hamper from Imp and Maker makes the perfect gift for the person in your life who is obsessed with all things Italy. There’s everything you’d need to accompany an afternoon aperitivo, from cured meats and cheese, to Perello olives and cannoli. Plus, almost everything you need to make a punchy arrabbiata with spaghetti. Mangia bene! Available from: Imp & Maker (£59) HydroHerb gift set Available from HydroHerb (£60, set of 3) If you're buying a gift for someone green-thumbed, a herb kit from HydroHerb is a fabulous choice. Pick your choice of herbs, there are 12 to choose from, and receive three, full-sized kits. Eco-friendly in design, the HydroHerb kit is crafted from a recycled wine bottle and has hand-smoothed edges for safety. Perfect for those short on space, this easy-to-maintain kit ensures fresh herbs for up to two years with organic hydroponic fluid plus spare parts for maintenance. Available from: HydroHerb (£60, set of 3) Trulli Ulivi olive oil Available from Trulli Ulivi (£22.50) Produced in Puglia, this peppery olive oil is just the thing for drizzling over roast veg or dipping bread. Available from: Trulli Ulivi (£22.50) Happy Cocoa Club Discovery Bundle Available from Happy Cocoa Club (£12.99) This time of year is the ultimate cosy season and that means one thing: it's hot chocolate time. This lovely starter bundle contains a trio of hot chocolates of different strengths, ideal for the whole family to enjoy. There's also two mini spice mixes if you want to add extra flavour to your hot choc. Cream and marshmallows on top are a must! Available from: Happy Cocoa Club (£12.99) Best drink gifts for Christmas Nemiroff wild cranberry vodka Available from Amazon (£21.50) Did you know Ukraine is one of the biggest exporters of cranberries in the world? Nemiroff have been producing vodka in Ukraine since 1872 and this tart, fruity version is perfect for a festive punch. Check out our best cocktail gifts for 20 present ideas for cocktail lovers. Available from: Amazon (£21.50) Portofino Gin Available from Master of Malt (£43.50), The Whisky Exchange (£43.50) Here’s a pretty addition to someone’s bar cart collection. This Mediterranean-inspired gin contains 21 botanicals including lavender, rosemary and sage. Available from: Master of Malt (£43.50) The Whisky Exchange (£43.50) Mijenta reposado tequila Available from Harvey Nichols (£60), Master of Malt (£60.49), Selfridges (£67.99) Newly B-corp certified, this extra special artisan tequila is carbon-neutral, made in small batches and aged for six months for a complex final spirit. Read our round-up of the best tequilas to buy for more top-quality options. Available from: Harvey Nichols (£60) Master of Malt (£60.49) Selfridges (£67.99) Avallen calvados Available from Ocado (£37.50), The Whisky Exchange (£38.75), Amazon (£34.99) Every bottle of this floral, fruity calvados removes 2.73kg of CO2 from the atmosphere (as the apple trees absorb it), for a sustainable, quality spirit choice. Available from: Ocado (£37.50) The Whisky Exchange (£38.75) Amazon (£34.99) Orangino gin liqueur Available from English Spirit (£26) This would be a welcome addition to a cocktail lover’s drinks cabinet – a splash of English orange liqueur adds a citrussy kick to a glass of fizz. Available from: English Spirit (£26) Lockdown Liquor agave cocktail gift set Available from Lockdown Liquor (£45) Mezcal takes centre stage in this set, with a smoky mezcal picante, mezcal negroni (for a twist on the Italian classic) and a classic passion fruit margarita. Available from: Lockdown Liquor (£45) Best gadget and kit gifts for Christmas Ninja Crispi Available from Amazon (£129.99), John Lewis & Partners (£149), Ninja (£149.99), Currys (£149.99), Argos (£149.99) Splash out with this latest release from air fryer stalwarts Ninja – a clever four-in-one model that can air-fry, roast, reheat and keep warm. Its glass base allows you to keep an eye on progress. We gave it a 4.5/5 when our experts tested it. Available from: Amazon (£129.99) John Lewis & Partners (£149) Ninja (£149.99) Currys (£149.99) Argos (£149.99) Jamie Oliver proper pie dish Available from John Lewis (£30), Dunelm (£30), Robert Dyas (£29.99) Pretty in pink, this stoneware dish will make a pie look even more tempting – and it makes a lovely serving dish too. Available from: John Lewis (£30) Dunelm (£30) Robert Dyas (£29.99) Smeg mini milk frother Available from Smeg (£99.95), Selfridges (£100) Available in a rainbow of colours to match any kitchen, this sleek mini frother will become an essential for a coffee and matcha fan. Available from: Smeg (£99.95) Selfridges (£100) Addison Ross bow tie corkscrew Available from Addison Ross (£35) Get ready to pop bottles in style with this sleek colourful corkscrew which comes in a range of colourways – the ideal gift for wine lovers with an eye for design. Available from: Addison Ross (£35) Our Place Mini Always Pan and Mini Perfect Pot Available from Our Place, Mini Always Pan (£100), Mini Perfect Pot (£110) Following on from their ever popular Always collection and the Instagram-famous Always Pan, Our Place launched the multifunctional Mini Pot and Mini Pan for cooking smaller quantities, reheating leftovers and simmering sauces. They have a non-stick, non-toxic coating and are compatible with all hob types. Available from: Our Place, Mini Always Pan (£100), Mini Perfect Pot (£110) Kuhn Rikon Black Star iron skillet pan Available from Kuhn Rikon (£139.97) Chosen as our ‘best lightweight skillet pan’ in testing, this innovative spun iron skillet can go straight from hob to oven. A versatile investment built to last. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£139.97) MEATER Pro thermometer Available from John Lewis (£129), Amazon (£103) Help someone take their Sunday roast up a notch with this sleek wireless thermometer for perfect results every time. Available from: John Lewis (£129) Amazon (£103) Cuisinart ice cream and gelato professional ICE100 Latest Deals Earning a five-star rating from our reviews team, this is the ultimate gift for ice cream fans, producing silky smooth gelato, ice cream and sorbet at the push of a button. Read more in our test of the best ice cream makers review. Available from: Lakeland (£299.99) Uashmama beverage chiller Available from Uashmama (from £30) Made of innovative and sustainable washable paper, this wine chiller stores flat in the freezer and comes in 10 colours. Available from: Uashmama (from £30) Smeg non-stick frying pan Latest Deals Choose between red, cream or black finishes on this non-stick frying pan, available in three sizes and ovenproof for versatility. Latest Deals Netherton Foundry spun iron focaccia pan Available from Sous Chef (£79) Focaccia has been all over our social feeds this year. This pan-for-life will be well received by a home baker and is also great for roast potatoes. Available from: Sous Chef (£79) Falcon Enamelware decorative cake tin Available from Falcon Enamelware (£34) Bake impressive cakes to share or set grand jellies in this chic white enamel tin. Available from: Falcon Enamelware (£34) Best home and kitchen gifts for Christmas Eleanor Bowmer star glass tumblers Available from La Redoute (£34, set of 4) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/10/Pure-Table-Top-ELEANOR-BOWMER-FOR-PURE-TABLE-TOP-FABULOUSLY-FESTIVE-SET-OF-4-GLASS-TUMBLERS-40-8817296-copy-2261725.jpg" width="3898" height="2599" alt="Pure Table Top, ELEANOR BOWMER FOR PURE TABLE TOP FABULOUSLY FESTIVE SET OF 4 GLASS TUMBLERS, £40, 8817296 copy" title="Pure Table Top, ELEANOR BOWMER FOR PURE TABLE TOP FABULOUSLY FESTIVE SET OF 4 GLASS TUMBLERS, £40, 8817296 copy" /> A colourful quartet of glasses adorned with hand-painted stars to brighten up someone’s Christmas tablescape. Available from: La Redoute (£34, set of 4) Rolfe & Willis Sounds bone china mug collection Available from Not on the High Street (£50, set of 4) With patterns inspired by sounds, these colourful mugs will liven up any coffee morning. Available from: Not on the High Street (£50, set of 4) Neesh Home chilli crisp tea towel Available from Sous Chef (£14.99) A pop art tea towel for the person who adds chilli crisp to everything. Available from: Sous Chef (£14.99) Wick Guru buttery croissant candle Available from WickGuru (from £35), Not on the High Street (from £19) A friend will thank you for the scent of warm, fresh croissants with no baking required. This soy wax candle is handmade in the UK. Available from: WickGuru (from £35) Not on the High Street (from £19) LSA bowl set and paddle £50 Available from LSA International (£50) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/10/Paddle-Pop-Bowl-Set-Ash-Paddle-L40cm-White-Tarn-Blue50-www.lsa-international.com-2-copy-350b945.jpg" width="2000" height="1333" alt="Paddle Pop Bowl Set & Ash Paddle L40cm, White Tarn Blue,_50, www.lsa-international.com (2) copy" title="Paddle Pop Bowl Set & Ash Paddle L40cm, White Tarn Blue,_50, www.lsa-international.com (2) copy" /> Drinks and nibbles get an upgrade with this smart bowl trio and serving board, ready to fill with olives, crisps, nuts or whatever your heart desires. Available from: LSA International (£50) Le Creuset Stoneware Camembert baker Latest Deals Serve up a melting Camembert in style with this glossy stoneware dish that gives perfectly gooey cheese every time. Latest Deals ‘Make mine an espresso’ print Available from Lyonette Designs (from £12) Must-have kitchen art for anyone who considers an espresso martini their go-to cocktail, plus 10 per cent of all sales are donated to a children’s charity. Available from: Lyonette Designs (from £12) So’home speckled cake stand Available from La Redoute (£34.99) Chic monochrome speckles won’t steal the limelight from the cake or tart a keen baker chooses to display on this simple cake stand. Available from: La Redoute (£34.99) Meri Meri gold star taper candles Available from Meri Meri (£18) Here’s a great way for your favourite host to make every dinner party sparkle. Available from: Meri Meri (£18) More gift inspiration... Best gifts for bakers Best letterbox gifts Best gifts for coffee lovers Best gins to give as gifts Best advent calendars Best sweet subscriptions and deliveries Best letterbox-friendly gifts by post Best gluten-free hampers to buy Best chocolate hampers to give Best cheese gifts 30 best gifts for coffee lovers Best jelly moulds Homemade Christmas drinks gifts If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Best Advent calendars 2025: chocolate, coffee, alcohol and more
Read our round-up of the best Advent calendars, including gin, coffee and beer, plus the best chocolate Advent calendars for traditionalists
The countdown to Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an Advent calendar, and this year’s offerings are more exciting than ever. There are plenty of options available to suit any taste, whether it’s a classic chocolate indulgence or something a little more unexpected. While traditional chocolate calendars never go out of style, Advent calendars have evolved into a playground of innovation, offering a wealth of alternatives that are as delicious as they are surprising. We’ve tested over 70 Advent calendars this year, with categories ranging from rich truffles and luxury chocolate to more unusual options like matcha tea, jams or chutneys and even hot sauces. Our selection is based on taste, creativity, presentation, practicality and value, ensuring there's something for every kind of festive celebration. Whether you're in search of budget-friendly delights or high-end treats, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we'll be continually adding to the round-up all month as new calendars launch. Our picks are divided into easy to navigate sections, so you can browse everything from tea and coffee calendars to savoury bites, vegan options and splurge-worthy luxury calendars worth over £300. And, with prices starting under £10, there’s no need to break the bank for a daily treat. Advent calendars are available from now and can sell out fast – with sales events and Black Friday on the horizon, don’t miss your chance to snap up the perfect countdown to Christmas. For more than 400 buyers' guides, visit our reviews section to find the ultimate foodie gift guide and our 40 budget Christmas gifts. Discover more Christmas gifting inspiration with our best hampers, gin gifts or best baking gifts. We've also been taste testing the best Christmas sandwiches and the best panettone to buy. Best Advent calendars 2025 Jump to: Best Advent calendars under £10 Best luxury Advent calendars Best tea, hot chocolate and coffee Advent calendars Best sweet alternative Advent calendars Best savoury alternative Advent calendars Best chocolate Advent calendars Best vegan Advent calendars Best alcohol Advent calendars Best Advent calendars under £10 Milky Way Advent calendar Available from ASDA (£2.98) A great new option for kids, but adults with a sweet tooth will enjoy this as well. For a budget calendar, this has a fun, unique design tying to the ‘Milky Way’ theme. You'll get a square of chocolate every day, plus two Milky Way chocolates (like those from a selection box) on Christmas Eve. Available from: ASDA (£2.98) Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff Advent calendar Available from Cadbury Gifts (£7.79), Morrisons (£7.50), Ocado (£7.50) Who can resist a Cadbury Advent calendar? It's a Christmas classic for a reason, but this year, a new option joins the line-up: Cadbury launched its Biscoff bar earlier this year and has transformed it into an Advent edition. Biscoff is a permanently trending flavour, so this will likely be a popular launch. The 24 doors alternate between classic Dairy Milk squares and squares studded with crunchy Biscoff pieces and spread. If you buy one now, it might be a struggle to resist opening it until December – but priced at under £8, you could always buy a second one as a back-up. Available from: Cadbury Gifts (£7.79) Morrisons (£7.50) Reese's Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£7) Reese's chocolate can be divisive, but if you're a fan, you'll enjoy this calendar. It's also a good one if you don't like traditional festive designs, as it's bright orange and features a DJ-ing Father Christmas instead. Inside, you'll find a mixture of milk and white chocolate mini peanut butter cups, plus a full-sized milk choc duo for Christmas Eve. Available from: Ocado (£7) Kinder Bueno Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£7.98), Ocado (£7) Kinder Bueno fans rejoice – this new calendar is filled with all the Kinder variations you can think of. There are mini bites in milk and white chocolate, Kinder Bueno mini eggs and a full size bar. Available from: Amazon (£7.98) Ocado (£7) Hershey's Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£6.80) Hershey's chocolate can illicit quite Marmite-like opinions, but if you like white chocolate, this is a budget pick worth trying. Behind each door, you'll find a mixture of mini white chocolate and cookie kisses, snack-sized bars, and one larger bar for Christmas Eve. Available from: Amazon (£6.80) Galaxy Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£4), Sainsbury's (£3.75) While the Galaxy Advent calendar isn't groundbreaking, it is crowd-pleasing. Included behind every door is a creamy Galaxy shape to enjoy every day up to Christmas Eve. Available from: Ocado (£4) Sainsbury's (£3.75) Maltesers reindeer Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£4), Sainsbury's (£3.75) It’s festive red and depicts Santa’s sleigh, but the design could be a little more fun. But, for under a fiver, you can’t go too wrong. There’s a milk chocolate shape for each day up to 24 December, then a chocolate Maltesers reindeer on Christmas Eve. Available from: Ocado (£4) Sainsbury's (£3.75) Divine smooth dark chocolate Advent calendar Available from Divine (£7.50) Bored of super-sweet milk chocolate calendars? Grab a bargain with the Divine dark chocolate calendar, which is filled with 70% dark chocolate shapes. It’s also vegan friendly, free of palm oil and made using Fairtrade cocoa. Available from: Divine (£7.50) Maltesers assorted truffles Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£9.50), Sainsbury's (£10) Behind every door of this Advent calendar, you'll find either a milk, dark or white chocolate Maltesers truffle. It’s a nice upgrade on a budget chocolate calendar, especially if you’re the person who always fishes the Maltesers out of a selection tub. Note that they're individually wrapped – important if you’re trying to avoid plastic packaging. Available from: Ocado (£9.50) Sainsbury's (£10) Best luxury Advent calendars Hotel Chocolat The Grand Advent calendar Available from Hotel Chocolat (£80) If you want to go all-out on a chocolate Advent calendar this year, the Hotel Chocolat Grand Advent calendar is a crowd-pleasing choice for anyone with a sweet tooth. Hotel Chocolat is consistent in its range of calendars every year, but this one is the most generously filled for a luxury option. It may seem a lot to spend on a chocolate Advent calendar, there's a lot more than just a single square behind each of the large doors. The contents highlight the variety that Hotel Chocolat offers – you may discover multiple chocolates per day or chocolate-filled Christmas crackers, hot chocolate sachets or even mini bottles of its Velvetised Cream liqueur in several flavours. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£80) Daylesford Organic Farm Shop Advent calendar Available from Daylesford (£275) This beautifully designed advent calendar showcases Daylesford’s flagship farm shop, reimagined by artist Hugo Guinness – it would be a gorgeous one to display all month. With 25 numbered drawers, it offers a surprise treat each day from their farm shop, spanning artisan food and drink, home décor and more – ideal for anyone looking for a luxury calendar that offers more than just food. Every detail is luxurious, from the reusable design to the high-quality contents like embroidered napkins, a bottled negroni, iced gingerbread biscuits and other elegant home and pantry items. Handmade in limited quantities, this luxe calendar brings a rustic charm to Christmas, perfect for lovers of organic living and anyone seeking a high-end alternative to typical advent treats. Available from: Daylesford (£275) Cartwright & Butler Advent calendar Available from Cartwright & Butler (£200) Who needs a Christmas hamper when you have the Cartwright & Butler Advent calendar? They've stuck to a winning design for a few years now, but we're still impressed by it when it arrives every year. Each drawer is generously filled with full-sized festive treats – no mini versions here. Expect boxes of crackers and biscuits, hot chocolate stirrers, tea and coffee, fudge, sweets and even a Christmas pudding for one. Available from: Cartwright & Butler (£200) Fortnum & Mason Feasting Advent calendar Available from Fortnum & Mason (£250) This gorgeous colourful advent calendar makes a stunning centrepiece to display all month – we love the double door design and bright pink interior illustrated to look like the inside of Fortnum’s. Each drawer showcases the best of the Fortnum & Mason food hall, with a mixture of sweet, savoury and drinks, all elegantly packaged. Highlights include the Christmas merrilossus biscuits, garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil and a mini bottle of Champagne for Christmas Eve. Quantities are generous, with whole jars of passion fruit curd and Boxing Day pickle, and a big box of cheese sablés that is perfect for Christmas nibbles. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£250) Baked by Steph personalised Christmas cookie Advent calendar Available from Baked by Steph (£59.95) This may feel pricey for an Advent calendar but we couldn't help but fall in love. Behind each door are 24 different vanilla biscuits, all intricately shaped and decorated with festive designs. The designs are adorable – from a mini penguin and gingerbread man to a Christmas jumper, bauble and candy cane. The biscuits are individually wrapped to stay fresh (and make them feel extra special on opening). It would definitely bring a little bit of joy to every day in December. It would also make a lovely gift, and you can personalise the biscuit on Christmas Day with their name as a sweet extra touch. Available from: Baked by Steph (£59.95) Wise Bartender alcohol-free calendar Available from Wise Bartender (£70) This alcohol-free calendar from Wise Bartender shows just how far the alcohol-free market has come in the last few years. We tested the 'Mixed Beer & Sweet' calendar which is a varied mixture of alcohol-free beers, wines, cocktails and a few soft drinks such as kombucha and a prebiotic lemonade. There are an impressive range of well-known brands such as Lucky Saint and Bero, but also lots of other finds to discover that might become new favourites. There are also versions of the calendar filled with just the alcohol-free beers, or the 'Sweet' calendar that replaces the beers with more mocktails and soft drinks. It would be a great calendar to save for next year and give a boost through Dry January. Available from: Wise Bartender (£70) Melt log cabin Advent calendar Available from Melt (£79.99) Surely this wins the prize for the cutest Advent calendar of all? We love the innovation shown in the adorable log cabin design (inspired by Ralph Lauren’s own cabin, for an extra nod to luxury), which opens up on both sides to reveal boxes filled with gourmet chocolate. A lot of calendars claim to be reusable, but this is one genuinely could be refilled. Every box feels special to open, and is labelled with the flavour of chocolate found inside, plus a fortune cookie-style motivational quote. The quality of chocolate is clear, and there’s real creativity in the flavours, from a speculoos praline delight to black sesame truffle. This is definitely a chocolate calendar for grown-ups. Available from: Melt (£79.99) The Simon Rogan Advent calendar Available from Simon Rogan (£380) This is the most expensive Advent calendar we reviewed, but the experience feels luxurious from the moment it arrives. The packaging is special, with each day's gift arriving in individual cream linen bags that are tied with ribbon and wooden number tags. You could even reuse these year after year. The contents are varied, from smartly designed jars of cranberry ketchup and red onion chutney, to unique homemade creations such as dried cranberry caramelised white chocolate (a highlight that tasted like a sweet, smoky fudge) or toasted white bean and sunflower seeds. There’s even an adorable mini cheeseboard, complete with three cheeses and two types of crackers. Products have personal meaning to the brand, too: the geranium and rosewood candle reflects Simon Rogan’s fondness for geranium, an ingredient often used in the menus and drinks in his restaurants. Many of the contents are also limited-edition, exclusive creations that you won't find anywhere else. It's more of a special Christmas hamper than just a calendar, especially at this price tag. Available from: Simon Rogan (£380) Fattoria La Vialla The Grand Advent Available from Fattoria La Vialla (£200) This falls firmly in the 'could be a Christmas hamper' style of Advent calendar. It's expensive, but the range of 28 products makes it great value – including three full-size bottles of wine. You'll also find gourmet Italian ingredients to transform your cooking – think several varieties of pasta, tomato sauces, preserves, chocolate truffles, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and more. Given the generous contents, it's understandably a huge calendar that weighs a ton, so make sure you have somewhere suitable to display it. Available from: Fattoria La Vialla (£200) Best tea, hot chocolate and coffee Advent calendars Grind coffee pod Advent calendar Available from Grind (£29.95), Selfridges (£33.99), Boots (£28) A popular one that sells out every year – we recommend buying it now if you like the look of it. It comes in signature Grind pink, but inside there's a Where’s Wally-style design depicting the inside of a roaster, complete with orange reindeer. It's super-fun to display and the go-to calendar for those with a coffee pod machine. Count down with 25 days of compostable pods in a range of flavours – from pistachio and Baileys to vanilla and pumpkin spice (plus the classic blends) – plus a bonus pod on Christmas Day, which includes two Christmas blends. At just under £30, it’s good value and would make a great gift for a coffee lover. Available from: Grind (£29.95) Selfridges (£33.99) Boots (£28) Rise Friendly Coffee Countdown Advent calendar Available from Rise (£40), John Lewis & Partners (£44), Not on the High Street (£44) This coffee lovers' calendar sells out every year. Each door (there are 25 in total, including Christmas Day) contains a different ground coffee, with impressive variety across the month – no repeats here. Also, if you've had it in previous years, there are new coffees this time around, so there's still plenty to discover. There's enough coffee each day for two smaller cups, so it's great for sharing, and the ground coffee works for cafetières, Aeropress, filters and moka pots. It's an ethical and sustainable Advent calendar, too: the packaging is plastic-free, the coffee is all ethically sourced and 1% of sales go to coffee-growing communities. Available from: Rise (£40) John Lewis & Partners (£44) Not on the High Street (£44) Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser drinking Advent calendar Available from Hotel Chocolat (£50) If you invested in a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser recently or know someone who did, this is the calendar you need. We were seriously impressed with the range of hot chocolate flavours available, from peanut butter and blood orange to chilli. There are 16 different flavours in the calendar, so plenty of variety to discover all month long. And, even if you don't have a Velvetiser, you could make these hot chocs using a regular milk frother. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£50) Bird & Blend tea Advent calendar Available from Bird & Blend (£39.50), Selfridges (£39.49) Can you get more festive than red, green, gold and gingerbread men? A charming design for the Bird & Blend tea calendar this year, now in its thirteenth year. It's always a great one for fans of flavoured teas, as there are 24 different flavours to try (no repeats), from Yule Log to Apple Strudel and much more in between. You get two tea bags per day – ideal for sharing – and there's a caffeine-free version available, too. Available from: Bird & Blend (£39.50) Selfridges (£39.49) Whittard Hot Chocolate Advent calendar Available from Whittard (£59.95) This calendar has an impressively luxurious design for a hot chocolate calendar, with double doors and individual drawers to pull open each day. There's no branding inside, so you could reuse these drawers for a future year. Inside each drawer, you'll find sachets of hot chocolate – our one gripe is there's only enough for one serving, and at this higher price point, it would be nice to be able to share it each day. There’s 12 different flavours inside, in a mix of white and milk chocolates. From ‘sticky toffee pudding white chocolate’ to 70% cocoa with sea salt, it's an indulgent December experience for the a chocolate fan. Available from: Whittard (£59.95) L'Or Coffee Capsule Advent calendar Available from L'Or (£12.99), Amazon (£12.99) Another coffee pod calendar option with 24 different blends, including two decaffeinated pods. There are only three flavoured pods – including caramel and vanilla – with the rest of the calendar focusing on different intensity blends instead, which is ideal if you’re not a fan of novelty flavours. The design is minimalist black and dark red, and the coffee-pod shaped doors are a nice touch. At under £15, it's by far the most affordable coffee Advent calendar we've tried. Available from: L'Or (£12.99) Amazon (£12.99) 24 Days of Twinings Available from Twinings (£25) This Twinings calendar has been around for a few years, but it was our first time trying it this year. As Advent calendars get larger each year, I appreciate the slim design, with a double-door style that opens up to a festive design. There’s no repeats all month, which means a huge range of herbal and green teas to discover, with lots of blends for different moods, such as Immune Support, Detox, Focus or Glow, with details on the back of the ingredients in each tea. I love that you get two teabags behind each door, so it's perfect for sharing. Another good value one for gifting too, at £25. New this year is also a smaller calendar with one teabag per day, for £13. Available from: Twinings (£25) Pukka tea Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£15.83), Ocado (£11.45) Presented in a cheerful envelope that you can hang up, this tea Advent calendar features 24 windows filled with Pukka’s finest tea bags. Although the contents are visible ahead of time, the festive presentation still makes it visually appealing. The variety offers a delightful selection for tea lovers. Available from: Amazon (£15.83) Ocado (£11.45) Pact coffee Advent calendar Available from Pact Coffee (£44.95) The unique design of this calendar makes it perfect for storing next to your coffee set up in the kitchen. The smart box opens up to reveal 25 sachets arranged in order. Choose between a calendar of ground or whole bean coffee – the ground feels more practical for the small daily quantities you’ll be making. There’s a brewing guide inside the box alongside plenty of information about the day's coffee, including who it’s grown by, the roast and space for you to rate it out of five. There’s great variety, with no repeats plus 10 new coffees for 2025. Available from: Pact Coffee (£44.95) Bird & Blend matcha Advent calendar Available from Bird & Blend (£55) The world of matcha is ever-expanding, and this popular Bird & Blend calendar highlights this. We love the mini tins behind each door, which make it feel extra-luxe – they contain enough for two cups a day, so it's another one that's great for sharing. There are 24 quirky flavours to discover all month, including limited-edition festive options, such as Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Toasted Marshmallow. Available from: Bird & Blend (£55) Nespresso Vertuo Advent calendar Available from Nespresso (£43) Stare at this calendar for a little too long and you might just get hypnotised. The unique cube design is covered in a bold pink and gold swirling design. Inside are 24 different pods that are compatible with a Nespresso Vertuo machine – proving that there is a coffee calendar for everyone. The supersize Vertuo pods inside cover a range of flavours (with no repeats) – from unusual cinnamon and candied tamarind to more classic roasts. Available from: Nespresso (£43) Mariage Freres tea Advent calendar Available from Mariage Freres (£49) I'm in love with the bright neon pink, inside and out, of this luxury tea calendar. Tied with a ribbon, the shimmering pink and gold doors pop open satisfyingly to reveal the cotton tea bags inside. There are a range of interesting flavours to discover, from Royal Purple to Milky Blue Caramel, and each label advises on the best infusion time. Available from: Mariage Freres (£49) Whittard tea Advent calendar Available from Whittard (£24.95) This is a classic tea Advent calendar option, good for a traditionalist tea lover. Inside the doors that you push open are 24 carefully curated black teas. There are two teabags per day, which makes this a lovely one for a couple or housemates to share each day. Flavours include Festive Breakfast, Earl Grey, Christmas Tea and several flavours of chai. Available from: Whittard (£24.95) English Tea Shop wellness tea calendar Available from Selfridges (£15.99) Create a moment of calm each day with this selection of organic teas. This calendar has a very sweet design that's tied with a bow, and the inside of each door is decorated with a golden teapot. There’s a list of the contents inside, with there’s no repeats on any of the 24 days. Flavours include Super Berries, Red Cherry Chai and Punchy Peppermint, with plenty of variety, from fruit to highly spiced and cocoa teas. Each day contains a loose leaf tea bag, and there are brewing instructions on the back of the calendar. A lovely budget pick for a curious tea lover. Available from: Selfridges (£15.99) Best sweet alternative Advent calendars Joe & Seph's Find Joe & Seph popcorn Advent calendar Available from Joe & Seph's (£35) You could spend a long time staring at the fun design of this calendar – quite literally, thanks to the Where's Wally-style challenge hidden the illustration. Design aside, a popcorn calendar is a great alternative to sweet calendars. You'll get one bag of popcorn each day in one of 14 different flavours – just enough variety to not feel too repetitive. Included are banoffee pie, gingerbread, toffee apple and candy cane flavours, plus more. Available from: Joe & Seph's (£35) Tiptree Jam Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£34.99) Jam on toast for breakfast every day? This sweet calendar would be a fun one for all the family to share. Each day you'll open one of eight different mini jars of jam or marmalade – all crowd pleasing favourites such as raspberry, strawberry, apricot and blackcurrant. It's tough to pick a favourite, but we do have a soft spot for the Morello cherry. The 42g jars are adorably dinky but still enough to share. Available from: Amazon (£34.99) Chupa Chups Advent calendar Available from Selfridges (£7.99) This oversized red calendar contains lollies, fizzy chews, sour sweets and more, so there’s fun variety throughout the month. You do tear the doors off to get to the contents each day, so by the end of the month it might not look so attractive. Kids will inevitably love it, if you can brave the sugar rush. Available from: Selfridges (£7.99) Walker's shortbread Advent calendar Available from Selfridges (£24.99), Amazon (£20), Ocado (£20) The design of this simple red-and-white calendar doesn't seem to change from year to year, so it could be more festive inside. But, it's a winner for minimalists. However, the buttery shortbread behind each door is a great excuse for a tea break each day in December, with a variety of shapes and a couple of different flavours included. Available from: Selfridges (£24.99) Amazon (£20) Ocado (£20) Bonne Maman Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£30.18), Ocado (£28), Selfridges (£34.99), Bonne Maman (£33) This beautifully designed Advent calendar opens out to reveal 24 windows, each containing an adorable mini jar of Bonne Maman jams and spreads – with no repeats and plenty of quirky flavours. There are also exclusive flavours in here that aren't usually available in the UK, such as Mango & Ginger jam or Madagascan vanilla caramel. With charming packaging and a small Christmas ornament on the final day, it’s a delightful choice for jam lovers. Available from: Amazon (£30.18) Ocado (£28) Selfridges (£34.99) Bonne Maman (£33) The Naked Marshmallow Advent Calendar Available from Not on the High Street (£23.95), The Naked Marshmallow Co. (£24) Take a dive into the world of gourmet marshmallows with this fun, alternative sweet calendar that returns every year. I love the wintery Christmas market style design on the front and compact, chunky size, which means it’s easy to display. Inside are 12 different flavours of marshmallow: starting with familiar vanilla bean and caramel, but also including inventive creations such as rhubarb and custard, cinnamon churro, or s’mores. There’s a joke on the inside of each door, too. Available from: Not on the High Street (£23.95) The Naked Marshmallow Co. (£24) Swizzels Advent calendar Available from ASDA (£5.98), Ocado (£6.50), Selfridges (£9.99) The 2024 design might be slightly preferred, but this festive house scene is still a fun, colourful one to display, especially for kids who aren't chocolate fans. Each day (note that the foil doors can be hard to open) hides a variety of classic sweets, including Parma Violets, Squashies and Refreshers, for a nostalgic sweet shop feel. It’s a generous size, which makes it feel like a great budget buy. Available from: ASDA (£5.98) Ocado (£6.50) Selfridges (£9.99) Lakrids By Bülow large Advent calendar Available from Lakrids by Bülow (£70), Selfridges (£69.99) This unusual giant black advent calendar has been designed to look like a jar of liquorice, but looks best opened up so you can display the festive designs inside. Behind each door is a wrapped mini bag of liquorice containing four pieces in Lakrids' unique flavours. There are over 100 pieces of liquorice included overall. If you’re not a fan of the giant design, there’s a smaller (and cheaper) version in a more traditional design. Available from: Lakrids by Bülow (£70) Selfridges (£69.99) Popcorn Shed gourmet popcorn Advent calendar Available from Popcorn Shed (£25), Not on the High Street (£27.99), Amazon (£27.99) This is one of our favourite Advent calendar designs this year, and it’s large without feeling like it’s going to take over your kitchen. Included flavours are a lot more varied than simply sweet or salty: there are 12 in total, from cinnamon roll and pumpkin spice, to Great Taste Award-winning ‘Berry Licious’ and salted caramel. There’s enough in here that you won’t get bored, with a mini bags and a joke inside every door. Available from: Popcorn Shed (£25) Not on the High Street (£27.99) Amazon (£27.99) Doughlicious Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£13) It's an unusual concept to have an Advent calendar that you have to keep in the freezer, but ice cream fanatics will find this one worth making space for. It's a 12-day calendar from Doughlicious, featuring its signature cookie dough and gelato bites. Chocolate fans will be happy: flavours include mint choc chip, white chocolate snowball and truffle, alongside varieties such as blueberry, cinnamon churro and popcorn. Available from: Ocado (£13) Grenade protein bar Advent calendar Available from Grenade (£55) A protein bar Advent calendar might not be everyone's idea of festive fun, but there's definitely an audience out there for them. Grenade is a popular brand that will appeal to those who want to power through their gym routine in December while still enjoying a sweet treat every day. The six flavours are all on the sweet side, including Oreo, caramel and cookie dough. Available from: Grenade (£55) Best savoury alternative Advent calendars Chilli No.5 hot sauce Advent calendar Available from Selfridges (£124.99), Chilli No.5 (£125) This hot sauce advent calendar is perfect for the person who has to spice up every meal. Inside the double-door design are 24 different hot sauces in a huge variety of styles, from chimichurri and harissa, to spicy ketchup and sriracha. They are presented in quirky test tubes or mini bottles, with a full-sized 100ml bottle behind the door on Christmas Eve. It’s an expensive calendar, but sampling all the contents will keep you going well into January. The only downside is the design isn't very festive – it's on brand for Chilli No 5, but overwhelmingly black and quite plain, considering what’s inside is so fun. Available from: Selfridges (£124.99) Chilli No.5 (£125) The 12 Days of Tracklements Available from Tracklements (£25.25) Savoury advent calendars are where the innovation is this year, and this Tracklements launch is another favourite for 2025. The colourful design is super-fun and festive, and while it’s only 12 days, it's packed with treats. Inside are mini jars of a range of condiments, from proper ketchup to caramelised onion marmalade and sticky fig relish. The glass jars feel luxe and there's a nice variety – you’ll have lots of options to add to your Christmas roast or festive cheeseboards. At £25, it's a great one for a gift. Available from: Tracklements (£25.25) She Grows Veg heirloom seed Advent calendar Available from She Grows Veg (£70) A unique twist on the traditional Advent calendar that I first discovered last year, this one offers seeds presented in a charming fabric drawstring bag. Each seed packet, hidden in a numbered envelope, includes growing instructions via a QR code and features a delightful selection of vegetables like tomatoes, kale and aubergines. The seeds all last between 2-6 years so will keep for many seasons ahead if you don't quite have space to plant them all at once. Available from: She Grows Veg (£70) Best chocolate Advent calendars for 2025 Chococo classic Advent calendar Available from Chococo (£37.50) Chococo's Advent calendar is popular every year, but this year, it's had a redesign to improve even more – instead of the old chocolate box-style presentation, it's been upgraded to a traditional calendar shape, complete with doors to open. Inside are 25 pretty truffles all handmade in Dorset, with a card inside guiding you through the flavours for each day. There's an impressive variety, from caramels and marzipan to nutty, boozy or fruity truffles, including several new flavours for this year. The glorious ginger, brown butter caramel and sticky toffee pudding ones are highlights. Available from: Chococo (£37.50) M&S Swiss mountain bar Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£12) A classy chocolate Advent calendar pick that's not a full budget buy, but still won't break the bank. A fun upgrade to the classic chocolate calendar, this has a mini version of M&S's signature Swiss mountain bars behind each door. There are four flavours of the crunchy almond nougat-studded bars included: milk, dark, white and blond chocolate. Available from: Ocado (£12) Venchi chocolate Advent calendar Available from Venchi (£58), Selfridges (£57.99), Amazon (£58) This compact column doesn't look like an Advent calendar at first, but unfurls into a satisfying, interlocking drawer design, which come in a pretty range of colourful patterns. With no branding on the inside, it's one you could actually reuse. Inside are a variety of Venchi's popular chocolates and pralines – there are even a couple of days where you get two. It's expensive, but the quality feels worth it, especially if you repurpose it later. Available from: Venchi (£58) Selfridges (£57.99) Amazon (£58) Rave coffee Advent calendar Available from Rave (£35.95) This was a calendar we were excited to try this year, and it did not disappoint. If you're a coffee lover but don't want to commit to a calendar full of beans, this is a delicious way to get your coffee fix. Behind each door is one of six different creative coffee-infused chocolates, combining extra flavours like crushed biscuit, peanuts or a rich coffee caramel. It's a luxe price for a chocolate calendar, but the contents are definitely worth it. We loved the snowy design, too. Available from: Rave (£35.95) Nutella Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£29.73) An exciting new calendar launch for 2025 from a major brand joining the Advent world. We all know someone who is obsessed with Nutella, and this calendar is filled with all sorts of unique Nutella treats – from mini sachets of the spread itself, to biscuits and dipping pots and quirky Nutella merch including socks, a Christmas bauble and even a Nutella card game to keep the fun going long after December. Available from: Amazon (£29.73) Lindt festive selection Advent calendar Available from Lindt (£16), Selfridges (£19.99) One for the dedicated Lindt fans, this has a lovely selection of different treats inside that makes it an upgrade from the basic chocolate calendars. There’s a good variety of different indulgent truffles, plus lesser-known Lindt items such as a milk chocolate coin, snowdrop truffle and rich dark chocolate sticks. Available from: Lindt (£16) Selfridges (£19.99) Tony's Chocolonely Countdown calendar Available from Waitrose (£15), Amazon (£15), John Lewis (£15) The supersize calendar from Tony's Chocolonely has returned again for 2025. Inside are mini versions of popular Tony's flavours – a generous mixture of milk, dark and white chocolate, studded with everything from pretzel and nougat to freeze-dried raspberries and popping candy. If you're giving the calendar to kids, make sure you're prepared to explain the empty door on the 10th December – it's a Tony's Chocolonely tradition to leave this one empty, to reflect the inequality of the chocolate industry. This year, there's also a new smaller size calendar with just the milk and milk chocolate sea salt bars inside. Available from: Waitrose (£15) Amazon (£15) John Lewis (£15) Montezuma's organic milk chocolate Advent calendar Available from Abel & Cole (£15.75), Ocado (£18), Montezuma's (£18) The Montezuma’s calendar hasn’t changed design since 2024, but it's a great option if you want slightly better-quality chocolate without breaking the bank. It’s a simple festive calendar, with 25 doors of plain milk chocolate – no variety, but the creamy, organic chocolate is a joy each day. Available from: Abel & Cole (£15.75) Ocado (£18) Montezuma's (£18) M&S 25 Days of Treats Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£12) You'll probably have spotted this calendar all over social media already – it's a popular one that's returning for another year, and combines several of M&S's well-known treats from the sweets aisle. Find peanut butter and caramel chunks, mini chocolate whips, caramel-filled buttons and blond fudge bites inside, plus a supersized treat on Christmas Day. We like that it mixes things up with a long landscape design instead of the usual vertical layout, too. Available from: Ocado (£12) Guylian Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£15) A box of Guylian is a staple of the festive season for many, but now you can enjoy it every day of December. There are three flavours inside, so just enough variety to not get bored: milk truffle, praline and salted caramel are included. Available from: Ocado (£15) Lindt Chocolate Factory Advent calendar Available from John Lewis (£25), Lindt (£22) Another calendar with a gorgeous winning design, folding out to act as a window into the Lindt chocolate factory, complete with a Christmas choir and sparkling Christmas tree. It would be a lovely addition to Christmas decor in December, as well as of course being filled with delicious chocolates. Inside are a variety of Lindor truffles (including caramel, white and hazelnut) as well as Lindt figurines. Available from: John Lewis (£25) Lindt (£22) Best of Thorntons Advent calendar Available from Thorntons (£14) Thorntons holds a certain nostalgic feel in the world of chocolate Advent calendars. This simple calendar is filled with 12 of their most loved chocolates so you can expect to find toffees, caramels and fudge alongside truffles and pralines. Available from: Thorntons (£14) Ferrero Rocher Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£17.50) A shimmering gold box of Ferrero Rocher is a staple of many Christmas supermarket hauls. Now, you can supersize that moment with this giant Ferrero Rocher Advent calendar – filled with the classic pralines, but also a selection of milk, dark and white 'golden moments' which have an extra creamy hazelnut filling. Available from: Amazon (£17.50) Kinder chalet Advent calendar Available from Sainsbury's (£11) Fans of Kinder chocolate will surely love the fun chalet-inspired design of this chocolate Advent calendar. It's got a range of different Kinder treats all month – from hazelnut mini eggs to mini figures and even a Kinder surprise toy. Available from: Sainsbury's (£11) Pierre Marcolini Advent calendar Available from Pierre Marcolini (£54) If you're looking for a grown-up take on a chocolate Advent calendar, this could be the pick for you. The art deco-inspired calendar has a chic green and gold colour scheme and is hidden behind double doors. Inside are a range of chocolates, pralines, caramels and fruity chocolates, none of which err too sweet. Available from: Pierre Marcolini (£54) Best vegan Advent calendars 2025 Popcorn Shed vegan gourmet popcorn Advent calendar Available from Popcorn Shed (£25), Amazon (£27.99), Not on the High Street (£27.99) Although the design isn’t quite as Christmassy as the non-vegan version, it’s still plenty festive, in dark green with a Christmas tree motif. There are six different popcorn flavours, including Christmas pudding, cherry pie and gingerbread. The bags feel generous, and there’s a joke inside every door. Available from: Popcorn Shed (£25) Amazon (£27.99) Not on the High Street (£27.99) Monty Bojangles Curiously Moreish vegan truffle Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£11) Perfect for those seeking indulgence with a plant-based twist, this Monty Bojangles calendar offers 23 vegan truffles across three rich and exciting flavours: Cocoa Nib Nights, Cocoberry Blush and Caramel Haze. As a special treat, day 24 delivers an extra trio of truffles to enjoy or share, making this a delightful option for anyone craving a luxurious, vegan-friendly countdown to Christmas. Available from: Ocado (£11) PLAYin Choc 12-day Advent calendar Available from PLAYin (£27.50) PLAYin Choc brings a delightful 12-day countdown with a sustainable twist. The charming Advent calendar offers 12 organic, dairy-free chocolates, plus eco-friendly surprise toys, waiting behind hand-drawn doors. There's a larger 24-day calendar available if it's tricky to explain to a child why there's only half the month covered. Each treat is free of nuts and gluten, making it a great choice for children with dietary needs, and there's no use of plastic. Every day includes a delicious chocolate, a festive cardboard toy to assemble and a fun fact card to learn something new, which means there are three treats every day. Available from: PLAYin (£27.50) Cox & Co. Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£15.50) Made from 60% single-origin Colombian cacao, this dark chocolate calendar is vegan-friendly. It's not got the most festive design (quite a lot of brown cardboard), although the painted-style illustrations on the front are cute. Each day, you'll get a square of good-quality dark chocolate wrapped in a mini foil parcel. Available from: Amazon (£15.50) Happi oat milk chocolate Advent calendar Available from Amazon (£15) Happi is a staple of the vegan chocolate world, and this calendar is always popular. The fun design hasn't changed since last year, but the packaging is fully recyclable cardboard. There are three different flavours inside, with salted caramel, plain milk and orange oat milk chocolates behind each door. Though it’s on the slightly pricier side for a simple chocolate calendar, it was a hit with our team, especially among the vegans who appreciated the creamy texture and rich flavours. Available from: Amazon (£15) Best alcohol Advent calendars 2025 MOTH: cocktail Advent calendar Available from MOTH (£79) Who says canned cocktails are just for summer? This cocktail calendar from MOTH is perfect for Christmas party season, with a can behind each door. There are nine different flavours to try across the month, so just enough that you won't get bored of repeats. There's a tipple for all tastes inside, from espresso martinis to palomas, with spicy margaritas and passion fruit martinis joining the line-up for 2025. It's a great choice for students, with no bartending skills required. Available from: MOTH (£79) Laithwaites wine Advent calendar Available from Laithwaites (£89.99) This is a classy alcohol Advent calendar pick. The festive design has it all: Father Christmas and reindeer, snow and wreaths. It's selling fast as always. Take your pick of an all-red, all-white or mixed wine Advent calendar, and open the doors each day to reveal a mini bottle of wine. It's a great way to build up a mini wine collection for the season (also very handy for adding a splash of wine to ragus and risottos). On Christmas Eve, you'll find a full size bottle of something special to crack open. Available from: Laithwaites (£89.99) Craft Gin Club Advent calendar Available from Craft Gin Club (£95) If you want to try new gins but aren't interested in novelty flavours, this is a great luxury calendar for you. It's quite a simple design, but it's impressively compact – once the hinged calendar is open, each mini drawer hides a miniature bottle of gin. There's no branding on the inside, so you could keep it and refill the boxes with anything you like next year. Inside are 24 different craft gins, with just a few seasonal flavoured specials, but nothing too wacky. A great way to discover new brands. Available from: Craft Gin Club (£95) Drinks by the Dram rum Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£124.95) This smart, deep green calendar is a classy affair. We love the gold and green doors, and inside you’ll find 25 wax-sealed 30ml bottles to try. It’s impressive that there is no repetition throughout the month, with different rums sourced from top producers around the world – as the inside of the calendar says, you’ve got "25 potential new double favourite best ever drinks" to sample. There’s also a dedicated spiced rum calendar (which is only £74.95 in comparison) if that is your favourite style. Available from: Master of Malt (£124.95) That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£59.95) A fun alcohol Advent calendar for the person that doesn’t take their booze too seriously. That Boutique-y Gin Company is known for creative flavours, and this calendar offers 24 unique expressions, so no repeats all month. Some are slightly more gimmicky (moonshot gin, anyone?) but they all deliver on flavour – the spit-roasted pineapple is a favourite, with a deep caramelised flavour. It's great value, too: at just under £60, it's one of the cheaper alcohol advent calendars we tried. Bonus points for the doors being extremely satisfying to pop open. Available from: Master of Malt (£59.95) Brewdog Advent calendar Available from Brewdog (£64.99) This beer-filled calendar boasts 24 full-sized cans in a unique slide-out drawer design. Featuring Brewdog favourites like Hazy Jane and Punk IPA, it’s well-priced and perfect for the beer enthusiast who wants to explore a range of styles, from IPAs to rich porters. If you order before 8 October, you'll also get a £10 voucher to use on your next Brewdog purchase. Available from: Brewdog (£64.99) Whitebox cocktails Available from Selfridges (£110) Another new calendar for 2025, cocktail in a can creators Whitebox have launched their debut calendar this year. It's fairly minimalist on the outside, but we love the design of the cocktail cans themselves. Flavours include a negroni, old fashioned and cosmo. These dinky cans pack a punch in ABV, so beware. Available from: Selfridges (£110) Drinks by the Dram scotch whisky Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£134.95) Another very classy looking calendar that a whisky lover would be proud to display on their mantelpiece all month. The navy and gold design looks attractive and the doors are satisfying to tear open. There are no repeats throughout the entire calendar and it goes right up to Christmas Day, so you’ve got 25 different whiskies from across Scotland to discover, in tiny wax-sealed 30ml drams. It’s an investment, but one you can easily stretch out and enjoy the drinks for a while to come. Available from: Master of Malt (£134.95) Fever-Tree gin and tonic Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£70), John Lewis (£70) If a calendar completely full of gin sounds a bit overwhelming (what to do with 24 miniatures?), then this Fever-Tree calendar makes a great option for a gin and tonic lover and tends to sell out every year – we recommend getting in early if you have your eye on it. You’ll alternate between opening a mini can of Fever-Tree tonic (including ginger ale) or a mini gin, meaning that by the end of the month you’ll have 12 different gin and tonic pairings to create. The design is smart floral, and each day is a different box, which makes them feel extra-special to open instead of just pushing a door. The gin brands included are impressive quality as well, such as Chase, Edinburgh Gin and Silent Pool. Available from: Ocado (£70) John Lewis & Partners (£70) More Christmas gift guides Our ultimate Christmas gift guide 40 best budget gifts Best whisky to buy as a gift Best gifts for bakers Best chocolate subscriptions and clubs Best letterbox gifts Best gifts for coffee lovers Best gins to give as gifts If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk
Experts reveal the best Christmas sandwiches for 2025 - Winners revealed from M&S, Aldi, Co-op and more
We’ve tested the best festive sandwiches on the high street and rounded up our favourites below, so you don’t need to wait till 25 December to enjoy all the flavours of a Christmas dinner
Just like advent calendars and mince pies, the arrival of Christmas sandwiches on the shelves is becoming an annual cultural moment. From turkey toasties to super-sized subs, the task of fitting a whole Christmas dinner in between two (or more) slices of bread is an art being explored in supermarkets, coffee shops and bakeries on high streets across the country from now until the big day itself. This gives you a solid six weeks to replace your usual lunch break prawn mayo or egg & cress with sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, camembert and many more festive flavours. We’ve done the hard work for you and tested Christmas sandwiches from all the big supermarkets to find the best to buy this year. Plus, we've been scouring the high street to try Christmas sandwiches from PAUL, Ole & Steen and more. What did we look for in our search for the the best Christmas sandwich? As well as undeniable festive flavours, we wanted these to be balanced and not too sweet, with complementary elements that allowed you to taste each flavour without competing. Sandwiches should hold together well and not be too messy, and we loved to see interesting innovation, good-quality ingredients and impressive breads. From returning classics to delicious new twists, these are the best Christmas sandwiches to buy this year. For more Christmas inspiration, check out the results of our Good Food Christmas Supermarket Awards (for everything from turkey to Christmas pud) and our picks of the best panettone to buy. Best Christmas sandwiches to eat in 2025 M&S Turkey Feast Available from M&S (£4) Rating: 5/5 A popular choice every year, the M&S turkey feast returns again for 2025. This is a classic Christmas sandwich done well and stood out amongst all the sandwiches we tested. It has clear layers of turkey, stuffing, bacon and a generous level of cranberry sauce that is not overwhelmingly sweet. The bread tastes fresh and soft, and the large chunks of stuffing are a highlight with a good amount of pepper and sage to season. Ole & Steen Festive Mushroom Melt Available from Ole & Steen (£7.95) Rating: 5/5 Ole & Steen's new sandwich this year is our top performing plant-based sandwich for 2025. It has a great selection of textures: it's soft, crispy, melty and cheesy all at once. The vegan cheese is impressive and the bread does not go soggy – it makes a great change from the more traditional festive sandwiches on offer. At £7.95, it's the most expensive sandwich we tried, but will keep you going all afternoon. Booths Festive Feast Sandwich Available from Booths (£4) Rating: 4.5/5 Another good option for a classic Christmas sandwich. The turkey has good flavour, plus there's plenty going on with spinach, bacon and chutney too. The rations are well balanced with a good variety of textures and no overwhelming sweetness from the sauce. M&S Fa La La La Fel wrap Available from M&S (£4) Rating: 4.5/5 This is another popular vegan- and vegetarian-friendly choice for a Christmas sandwich, The flavours aren't overly Christmassy, but it's still a colourful and tasty option. The vibrant fillings look great: purple cabbage, herby green falafel, red cranberry chutney. The cabbage adds lots of crunch and the spiced apricot harissa adds a tiny bit of heat against the herby falafel. PAUL brie & cranberry baguette Available from PAUL (£6.45) Rating: 4.5/5 Add PAUL to your lunch break rota for generous Christmas sandwiches. This baguette has PAUL's signature great bread, definitely on the chewier side. The creamy brie is delicious and its richness is balanced by plenty of veg: a veggie stuffing, crunchy shredded sprouts and a good element of sweetness from both grilled carrots and a juicy cranberry sauce. Aldi Eat & Go Turkey Feast Available from Aldi Rating: 4/5 A very classic Christmas sandwich – turkey, bacon, cranberry. The layers look good and balanced, with a generous amount of the cranberry sauce. We like the wholemeal bread, overall herby flavour and crunchy bacon, although some of the other textures could be improved. PAUL Turkey & Bacon Christmas Club Available from PAUL (£6.50) Rating: 4/5 This rustic baguette looks tasty and nicely filled. The unique sage and onion bread has great flavour and good chew: it is what makes this sandwich standout. The turkey has a pleasant smoky flavour, with a hint of heat from the horseradish mayo. There is a lot of salad in here to fill it out, with shredded sprouts, red cabbage and salad leaves. Co-op Irresistible Turkey Double Dip n Dunk wrap Available from Co-op (£4.50) Rating: 4/5 We do like to see some innovation around Christmas sandwiches. Although this dunk idea might be love it or hate it, and does require you to be sat and able to take time eating it, rather than on the go. The appearance looks nice and colourful. The ratio of spinach is a touch too high, but we like the different textures and ingredients going on with some shredded carrot and well seasoned, peppery meat. The gravy on the side is slightly spiced and smoky. Related reviews and news Best advent calendars Best hampers to buy this Christmas Good Food Christmas Taste Awards Best chocolate hampers Best sweets subscriptions
We tried 25 panettones so you don’t have to – the best Christmas picks from M&S and Aldi to GAIL’s and Carluccio’s
Our foodie experts taste tested over 25 panettones to find the best ones to buy this Christmas, from classic to quirky twists
Panettone is making a comeback – it is everywhere this Christmas. From supermarkets to bakeries, there has never been so much variety in the world of this traditional Italian festive treat. Panettone is a traditional Italian cake with a sourdough base (referred to as the mother yeast), and an open, light, yielding texture. Traditionally risen slowly over a few days, panettone is baked in a tubular mould that results in a dome-shaped top and good height. Classic panettone contains candied citrus and raisins (in Italy this is taken as seriously as any classic recipe), but nowadays bakers are risking the wrath of traditionalists to get creative with flavours. From adding chocolate to booze, there's a growing world of unusual panettone flavours to try, while still trying to stay true to the bread base. We taste tested over 25 panettones to find the best ones to buy this year – here is our verdict of the ones to get this Christmas. For more Christmas inspiration, check out the results of our Good Food Christmas Supermarket Awards (for everything from turkey to Christmas pud) and the best Christmas sandwiches to buy. Find inspiration for using up any leftover panettone with our panettone recipes including panettone pudding and French toast. Lina Stores traditional panettone Available from Lina Stores (£27.95) Rating: 5/5 Of course, you can rely on the Italians to make a good panettone. This is a perfect example of a traditional panettone – studded with raisins and large juicy chunks of orange peel. It has a soft, buttery texture and attractive domed appearance. It's also an excellent option for a Christmas gift, coming in the signature Lina Stores pretty green and white striped box. GAIL's mandarin & white chocolate panettone Available from GAIL's (£35) Rating: 5/5 This panettone seriously impressed us – we couldn't stop going back for more! It was one of the most moist that we tried – almost more on the cake side than bread. The dough has a butteriness which is perfectly balanced by the mild citrussy flavour from mandarin throughout that isn't sickly or fake. The white chocolate also gives a sense of extra creamy indulgence, although we couldn't really find any big chunks. All round delicious. It comes in a smart gift box too, if you want to give as a present. Aldi Specially Selected panettone Available from Aldi (£5.99) Rating: 4.5/5 This was our top scoring traditional panettone from the supermarkets. It is a very good example of a classic panettone with a good fluffy texture. It has a plain appearance on the outside but lots of juicy, chunky fruit inside with large sultanas and chunks of orange peel. It has a pleasant vanilla taste coming through too – we'd happily go back for more of this. M&S Collection chocolate & cherry panettone Available from M&S (£22) Rating: 4.5/5 This is one attractive panettone – tall and rounded with a great dome (plus, it comes in a colourful keepsake tin). The panettone has a light texture, the chocolate is rich and very dark (definitely not too sweet) and it's studded throughout with generous pieces of cherry. Waitrose No.1 Sicilian orange nocciolato panettone Available from Waitrose (£16) Rating: 4.5/5 This was an extremely popular panettone during our taste test, with judges repeatedly going back for more. It has a softer texture than traditionalists may expect, but this means it is pleasingly light. This softness is balanced by the unique crunchy meringue-style topping and whole almonds that give it an attractive appearance. The panettone has really big juicy pieces of candied orange peel inside for a citrus-forward option. GAIL's chocolate sourdough panettone Available from GAIL's (£35) Rating: 4/5 The generous amount of chocolate chips inside give this sourdough panettone a really indulgent quality – any leftovers would be perfect made into a bread and butter pudding. It has a crunchy, sugary crust with hazelnuts adding extra crunch. It is less squidgy than the mandarin GAIL's option, but the slightly drier texture works well with the rich chocolate. Again, it comes in a smart box for gifting. Carluccio's Panettone Tradizionale Available from Carluccio's (£28.95) Rating: 4/5 Another example of an Italian brand nailing a traditional panettone. It has a classic aroma as soon as you open the smart box (great for gifting). It has a good texture and flavour, with a generous amount of candied citron but not so much that it weighs down the dough, ensuring a light result. The crisp coating on top adds a touch of extra sweetness. Tesco Finest limoncello panettone Available from Tesco (£12) Rating: 4/5 This is super soft and fluffy, almost on the doughier side. It's really zingy, with lots of pieces of candied lemon alongside the familiar orange peel, for a double hit of citrus. In blind testing, we enjoyed the overall citrussy flavour but did not specifically taste limoncello. Lidl Deluxe tiramisu-style panettone Available from Lidl (£8.99) Rating: 4/5 Traditionalists, look away now! However, if you want to try something new, this may be the one. Beneath a generous coating of chocolate icing and chocolate sprinkles, the plain bread has a firmer texture. At the bottom there's a slightly confusing golden layer – despite it's deceiving golden colour, it actually has a strong coffee flavour, almost like a coffee caramel. This, together with the chocolate icing, completes the 'tiramisu' idea. It would be a good one for dunking in an espresso too. Co-op Irresistible classic panettone Available from Co-op (£6) Rating: 4/5 This classic panettone is on the firmer side, which will please traditionalists who prefer their panettone closer to bread than cake. It is well filled with fruits including generous chunks of citrus and unusual green glacé fruit, with some sweetness from the dough, too. Exceptional By Asda classic panettone Available from ASDA (£5.98) Rating: 4/5 If you don't like the overwhelming sweetness of dried fruit, this classic panettone could be for you. It is on the drier side overall, with small and subtle raisins and pieces of candied peel. More reviews and guides Best hampers to buy Best coffee gifts Best chocolate hampers Best hot chocolate Best gifts for hot chocolate lovers Best gifts for chocolate lovers Best cheese subscriptions Best beer subscriptions Best whisky subscriptions and clubs Best cocktail subscriptions and clubs Best tea subscriptions and deliveries