Best unusual Advent calendars for foodies 2023: chocolate, coffee, alcohol and more

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Best alternative and unusual Advent calendars for foodies 2023

Jump to:

• Advent calendars under £10
• Luxury Advent calendars
• Tea, coffee and hot chocolate Advent calendars
• Sweet alternative Advent calendars
• Savoury alternative Advent calendars
• Alcohol Advent calendars
• Chocolate Advent calendars

Advent calendars under £10

Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar

• Available from Cadbury Gifts Direct (£2.74), Ocado (£2.50)

Kicking off with a classic, this simple Cadbury's calendar is surely what comes to mind when you think back to being a child at Christmas? It's a bargain, it's simple and it's a challenge to not tear open more than one window at a time. This year Cadbury have also launched a wider range of calendars including a Heroes calendar and Chunk Calendar for a bit more variety.

Available from:
Cadbury Gifts Direct (£2.74)
Ocado (£2.50)

Candy Kittens Advent Calendar

• Available from Ocado (£10), WHSmith (£10), Sainsbury's (£10)

Swap chocolate for sweets in this new calendar from Candy Kittens. Each door contains two, so there's the possibility to share, plus on Christmas Eve there is a full-size bag to pass around. Flavours include Wild Strawberry, Eton Mess and the new sour Shox range.

Available from:
Ocado (£10)
WHSmith (£10)
Sainsbury's (£10)

M&S Colin the Caterpillar Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£6), M&S in-store

The iconic Colin the Caterpillar has been transformed into an Advent calendar that's sure to be a hit with the kids. Open a Colin chocolate each day with a whole bag for Christmas Day. Plus, there are games on the back to keep them occupied.

Available from:
Ocado (£6)
M&S in-store

Reese's Gravity Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£8)

One of our favourite Advent calendar designs of 2023, this fun calendar has a built in wheel you spin each day to release your peanut butter cup down the slide and pop out at the bottom. There are two flavours inside.

Available from:
Ocado (£8)

Haribo Advent tree sweets calendar

• Available from Ocado (£6)

A calendar and rainy afternoon crafting activity in one, this Haribo calendar requires some set up. Build the cardboard tree and miniature boxes to hide each mini packet of sweets in, including Tangfastics, Strawberries and Starmix.

Available from:
Ocado (£6)

M&S Choc Corn Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£9), M&S in-store

This chunky calendar has a unique offering of chocolate popcorn clusters behind each door – they're pretty moreish so opening one door at a time is a struggle! On the final day, you'll open a generous chocolate popcorn slab.

Available from:
Ocado (£9)
M&S in-store

Milkybar white chocolate Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£2.50), Sainsbury's (£2.50), Iceland (£2)

Keep it simple with this bargain white chocolate calendar. Open a creamy square of white chocolate each day and make a Santa decoration using the cut-out on the back.

Available from:
Ocado (£2.50)
Sainsbury's (£2.50)
Iceland (£2)

Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£6), Iceland (£6)

Most chocolate Advent calendars reveal the same behind every door, but this Hershey's calendar has three different styles of cookies 'n' creme chocolate to open, including a mini bar for Christmas Eve.

Available from:
Ocado (£6)
Iceland (£6)

Luxury Advent calendars

The Cartwright and Butler Advent calendar

• Available from Cartwright and Butler (£210)

Instead of a Christmas hamper, splash out on this truly decadent Advent calendar to make all of December feel special. You’ll need plenty of space for this extra-large festive red box (54 x 43 x 23cm), with double doors opening to reveal 24 sliding drawers filled with indulgent full-size treats from across the Cartwright & Butler range. There are plenty of biscuits – including cranberry crumbles and demerara shortbread – but there’s lots more to discover, with hot chocolate, sweets, jam, cheesy crackers, prosecco and fudge all involved. An exceptional gift for someone who deserves a treat, or just enjoy with your family all month long. The struggle will be resisting opening all the drawers on day one.

Available from:
Cartwright and Butler (£210)

Paxton & Whitfield artisan cheese Advent calendar

• Available from Paxton & Whitfield (£150)

Blow the budget with the ultimate Advent calendar for cheese lovers. There's a 75g wedge of artisan cheese to enjoy each day, and it arrives in three separate deliveries throughout December for maximum freshness. The cheese is sent fully insulated via a carbon-neutral delivery service. From classic festive stilton and gruyère to unique British and European finds, make December the ultimate cheese discovery journey.

Available from:
Paxton & Whitfield (£150)

Hotel Chocolat The Grand Advent calendar

• Available from Hotel Chocolat (£75)

For the chocoholic wanting to go all-out this Christmas, Hotel Chocolat has you sorted. £75 may seem a lot to pay for a chocolate Advent calendar, but this huge one offers a lot more than just a daily truffle. From mini bottles of cacao gin and chocolate liqueur to plenty of different flavours of chocolate batons, truffles, mini chocolate crackers and even a lip balm, this is a tour de force of the entire Hotel Chocolat range, where everything has been supersized for festive decadence.

Available from:
Hotel Chocolat (£75)

Fortnum & Mason Feasting Advent Calendar

• Available from Fortnum & Mason (£200)

Fortnum & Mason instantly signals luxury, and this calendar is certainly that. We love the design that makes a colourful statement all December long, and enjoyed discovering each of the different-sized drawers. Inside you'll find a selection of chutneys, jams, biscuits, teas and more – including several doors hiding miniature alcohol, from English cassis to Christmas gin, and an extra-special treat for Christmas Eve.

Available from:
Fortnum & Mason (£200)

Daylesford Organic farmshop Advent calendar

• Available from Daylesford Organic (£250) sold out

The most expensive calendar on our list this year, this is definitely a luxury, but it's a memorable treat from the beginning. The large calendar will be a centrepiece in front of the mantelpiece all month, and it can easily be reused next year. What stood out to us was the generous size of the contents within each of the 25 drawers (no miniatures here), plus the variety – from jam and chutney to tea, coffee, chocolates and even homewares with a candle and Christmas decorations.

Available from:
Daylesford Organic (£250) sold out

Honeywell Biscuit Co jar of Advent biscuits

• Available from Honeywell Bakes (£42.50), Not on the High Street (£45)

A baked alternative to a classic Advent calendar, this jar is filled with buttery biscuits that are each intricately iced and numbered in festive designs, including penguins and baubles. Pricey, but it makes a lovely Christmas gift.

Available from:
Honeywell Bakes (£42.50)
Not on the High Street (£45)

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate Advent calendars

Bird & Blend tea Advent calendar

• Available from Bird & Blend (£38)

Make a tea break more interesting with this calendar packed with fun unusual teas. Every colourful drawer contains two teabags, so you can share the fun, too. We loved that there are a whopping 24 flavours of tea within the calendar, so no repeats, with quirky flavours ranging from chocolate digestives to strawberry lemonade. The calendar is 100% plastic-free and there’s a caffeine-free option, too.

Available from:
Bird & Blend (£38)

Volcano Coffee Works Coffee Advent calendar

• Available from Volcano Coffee Works (£54.95)

While not in traditional calendar form, this Advent gift box has a luxurious feel. Coffee connoisseurs will be in heaven as soon they open it with rich aromas filling the senses. It contains 12 generous 100g bags of Volcano coffee to enjoy (including limited edition festive blends), so plenty to keep you going all season. (You can choose between whole bean or ground coffee.)

Available from:
Volcano Coffee Works (£54.95)

Artisan Coffee Co. hanging coffee calendar

• Available from Artisan Coffee Co. (£28.99)

This coffee calendar has an unusual fold-out design that divided opinion – there are no doors to open, so no mystery. However, we love the quality of the coffee. There are six different styles to try, from The Genius, which was rich and fruity, to The Heroine, with notes of caramel and hazelnut.

Available from:
Artisan Coffee Co. (£28.99)

English Tea Shop Christmas Night organic teabag Advent calendar

• Available from Amazon (£13.19)

A tea calendar doesn’t have to break the bank. This compact version has minimal packaging and is great value at under £15. We liked the sweet ribbon on the door. You get one teabag a day but there’s an impressive range of styles in here, from seasonal Gingerbread Treat to classic rooibos, fruit and mint teas.

Available from:
Amazon (£13.19)

Bird & Blend matcha tea Advent calendar

• Available from Bird & Blend (£52)

A twist on a classic tea calendar, this is dedicated to all things matcha. We love the vibrant green design (of course, it’s matcha) and the compact shape, containing over £60 worth of matcha. It’s not just plain matcha either – there’s peaches and cream matcha, toffee apple or Nordic berry. There’s enough for two cups in each mini tin and it’s all plastic-free.

Available from:
Bird & Blend (£52)

Blue Goose Coffee Pod Advent Calendar

• Available from Blue Goose (£24.99)
  

A brilliant coffee option for those with a coffee pod machine, this contains 24 Nespresso-compatible, compostable pods that are all ethically-sourced and organic-certified – it was even the winner of the Soil Association’s 'Best of New Organic Food & Drink Products’ at the 2023 BOOM Awards. Each of the seven unique coffees has a strong sustainability story.

Available from:
Blue Goose (£24.99)

Sweet alternative Advent calendars

Tiptree Jam Advent calendar

• Available from Amazon (£29.90)

Breakfast just got more interesting with this calendar. The affectionately named ‘Jam Bus’ has a fun design and contains eight different classic jams (including two marmalades). We love the Little Scarlet strawberry and sweet Morello cherry. The 42g jar sizes are also pleasingly bigger than we expected.

Available from:
Amazon (£29.90)

Pip & Nut Advent calendar

• Available from Ocado (£20), Amazon (£19.80)

This large calendar is covered in gold-embossed illustrations that are fun and chic. There are a mixture of individually wrapped peanut butter and almond cups behind each door, all coated in dark chocolate and all impressively large – no tiny doors here.

Available from:
Ocado (£20)
Amazon (£19.80)

Maoam Advent calendar

• Available from Amazon (£17.99)

For when 24 doors isn't enough (or even 25!), this sweets-filled calendar has a whopping 31 doors to open, taking you beyond Christmas and all the way up to New Year's Eve! There's a varied selection of Maoam sweets included inside, from the classic stripes, to chewy blocks and sour pinballs.

Available from:
Amazon (£17.99)

American sweets Advent calendar

• Available from Amazon (£27.99)

This interesting calendar is ideal for a sweet tooth looking to try something new. We love the quirky design, but inside is the true fun – each door hides a different American sweet that may usually be hard to track down in the UK. Enjoy sour Nerds or Toxic Waste, chewy Laffy Taffy and much more.

Available from:
Amazon (£27.99)

Naked Marshmallow boozy gourmet marshmallow Advent calendar

• Available from Naked Marshmallow (from £20)

For the person who can’t get enough of s’mores in summer, this calendar is sure to please. We tried both the classic and boozy versions, and the latter is our favourite. Each door opens with an explanation of the flavour behind it and we enjoyed all six, with a balanced level of booze that’s not too strong. The raspberry and prosecco is standout. For £3.95 extra, you can get either calendar complete with a mini marshmallow toaster so you can get building s’mores every day – and this little extra also makes it a great gift.

Available from:
Naked Marshmallow (from £20)

SugarSin 24 Days of Assorted Sugarsin Treats

• Available from SugarSin (from £30)

This compact sweets calendar was a surprise hit during our testing. The pretty double-door teal design has 24 drawers, altogether offering a wide variety of treats, including fudge, truffles and sweets, plus more unusual ones we hadn’t seen before from across the world. It is expensive but perfect for someone with a sweet tooth and a sense of adventure.

Available from:
SugarSin (from £30)

Joe & Seph's 'Find Joe & Seph' popcorn Advent calendar

• Available from Joe & Seph's (£30) out of stock, John Lewis (£30) out of stock

A great one for sharing, this fun calendar contains 14 different flavours of popcorn in mini bags. There are classic flavours (such as caramel and double chocolate) and festive spins, including candy cane and buck's fizz. You also have the bonus of an illustrated puzzle where you'll have most of December to try and spot the company founders among a Christmas crowd scene...

Available from:
Joe & Seph's (£30) out of stock
John Lewis (£30) out of stock

Savoury alternative Advent calendars

Abel & Cole The 12 Days of Organic Christmas calendar

• Available from Abel & Cole (£45)

This lifestyle calendar contains a wide range of food, drink and beauty products. We loved the vibrant yellow design, and despite the generously sized fillings, it still feels compact so won’t take over your whole kitchen. Contents include a Green People Intensive repair shampoo, chutney, teabags, shortbread and more. It is a more expensive option (for just 12 days, not 24) but it still felt good value for money, plus the price includes a £5 donation to charity.

Available from:
Abel & Cole (£45)

Just Spices large Advent calendar

• Available from Just Spices (£99.99)

Swap sweets for the joy of cooking over the Christmas period with this quirky calendar filled with unusual spice mixes. A full-size tin is hidden behind each door, including bolognese seasoning, pizza topping and banana bread seasoning, with a QR code on each door for recipe inspiration. Out of two options, the larger size comes with a cookbook. Admittedly, 24 new tins of spice mix will take up room in the storecupboard, but this is a fun way to inspire a novice cook or new homeowner, and there’s a smaller version, at £29.99, that contains sachets instead of tins.

Available from:
Just Spices (£99.99)

Alcohol Advent calendars

Freixenet and Friends Wine & Fizz Advent Calendar

• Available from Slurp (£94.95), Not on the High Street (£110)

Make the most of party season with this decadent calendar filled with bottles, a collaboration between Freixenet, I Heart Wines, Mionetto and Mouton Cadet. Discover 12 still wines (red, white and rosé) and 12 sparkling, including four non-alcoholic bottles.

Available from:
Slurp (£94.95)
Not on the High Street (£110)

Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic calendar

• Available from John Lewis (£65), Waitrose (£65), Ocado (£65)

A fun way to have a boozy Advent calendar without being overwhelmed with minis – this offering from tonic experts Fever Tree combines 12 miniature gins (from brands such as Sipsmith and Hayman's) with 12 miniature tonics in a range of flavours, so you can build your pairings across the 24 doors.

Available from:
John Lewis (£65)
Waitrose (£65)
Ocado (£65)

Laithwaites wine calendar

• Available from Laithwaites (£99.99)

This pretty calendar has one of the most festive designs we've seen on an alcohol advent calendar. Selling fast, take your pick of an all-red, all-white or mixed wine Advent calendar and open the doors each day to a mini bottle of wine. On Christmas Eve, you'll find a full size bottle of something special...

Available from:
Laithwaites (£99.99)

Virgin Wines Advent calendar

• Available from Virgin Wines (£89.99)

This is another one for the wine buff. Virgin Wines have three wine Advent calendars on offer – all-red, all-white or mixed – each containing 24 x 287ml bottles, with a full size bottle to open on Christmas Day. Discover new wines from across the world and learn more about your favourite styles.

Available from:
Virgin Wines (£89.99)

Craft Gin Advent Calendar

• Available from Craft Gin Club (£94.95)

A luxury calendar for the gin lover in your life, this offering from Craft Gin Club contains a generous 25 50ml gins, including seven that are exclusive to Craft Gin Club. Festive offerings include Mince Pie Gin and Stollen Gin along with plenty of other flavoured and classic gins. A great way to discover a new favourite tipple or distillery. There's also the option to purchase a pairings bundle of mixers and garnishes, too.

Available from:
Craft Gin Club (£94.95)

Gin in a Tin, Twelve Days of Gin in a Tin Advent calendar

• Available from Sous Chef (£49.99)

Now, it’s controversial whether this truly counts as an Advent calendar. The 12 miniature tins of gin are revealed at once within the cardboard box – no doors to open. We would have loved a little more mystery and excitement, but still, this calendar does deliver intrigue in new flavours of gin and we liked the smart stripy packaging. It would make a great gift for a gin connoisseur, although it is pricey.

Available from:
Sous Chef (£49.99)

Tapp'd Christmas cocktail countdown box

• Available from Tapp'd (£40), QVC (£45)

If you're dreaming of summer evenings in the park sipping a canned cocktail, this is the calendar for you. It only covers 12 days and the calendar itself is very large, but it would make a fun gift. Inside there's the ready-made cocktails you expect, along with some fun cocktail kit including a shaker and straw.

Available from:
Tapp'd (£40), QVC (£45)

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent calendar

• Available from Drinks by the Dram (£69.95)

The colourful house design of this calendar hides an exciting array of gins. There are 24 different flavours in 30ml wax-sealed drams. Our highlights were the novelty flavours that Boutique-y Gin Company is known for, with 13 new recipes this year including blood orange, bakewell tart and Christmas pudding gin. There are also plenty of plain gins from a variety of distilleries around the world, so there’s something for everyone.

Available from:
Drinks by the Dram (£69.95)

Brewdog beer advent calendar

• Available from Brewdog (£49.95) sold out

Alcohol advent calendars don't have to be all fine wine and fancy spirits. If beer is more your style, try this giant calendar from Brewdog, filled with 24 different beers and a little extra gift, too. There's no repeats in here, with a wide mix of Brewdog classics, fruit beers, festive limited-editions and unique collaborations.

Available from:
Brewdog (£49.95) sold out

Looking for more ideas? See more alcohol Advent calendars from our sister title, olive magazine.

The best chocolate Advent calendars for 2023

Tony's Chocolonely countdown calendar

• Available from Ocado (£13)

Feel good about your chocolate choice with this towering calendar. The ethical principles stack up quickly: Tony’s is committed to reducing slavery in chocolate production, the cocoa used is all Fairtrade, free from palm oil and has no plastic packaging. It’s filled with ‘Tiny Tonys’ in 10 signature flavours and the inside of each door bears a mission statement. You get an extra chocolate on one day, and another where it’s all about the mission.

Available from:
Ocado (£13)

Hotel Chocolat milk chocolate Advent calendar

• Available from Hotel Chocolat (£13)

Here’s a classic filled with mini chocolates in fun festive shapes, and Hotel Chocolat also offers variations for dark, white or even unique caramel chocolate or nutmilk (made with hazelnuts) for vegans.

Available from:
Hotel Chocolat (£13)

Chococo Countdown Advent calendar

• Available from Chococo (£27.50)

This luxury calendar is like no other. Looking like a chic box of chocolates, it offers milk, dark, gold and oat milk chocolates. The numbered box shows you the order to eat them in, with flavours getting progressively more boozy to get you in the party mood by Christmas. Flavours include festive spins as well as classics, such as fizzy pudding, chai spice, a rich molasses and brown butter caramel. A plant-based edition is also available.

Available from:
Chococo (£27.50)

Love Cocoa Luxury Chocolate Neapolitan Advent Calendar

• Available from Love Cocoa (£15)

For a chocolate Advent calendar that feels special but won't break the bank, look to Love Cocoa. Behind each door is a chocolate square in one of four flavours: salted caramel, sea salt dark chocolate, Colombian milk or dark gingerbread chocolate. Plus, it is completely plastic-free, the chocolate is ethically sourced and one tree is planted for every calendar bought.

Available from:
Love Cocoa (£15)

Hotel Chocolat The Advent Calendar For Two

• Available from Hotel Chocolat (£27.50)

One for the romantics: every door of this calendar contains two Hotel Chocolat truffles made for sharing. The double-door design opens up wide and contains a range of flavours to try, from festive gingerbread praline to salted caramel cream or fruity raspberry rush.

Available from:
Hotel Chocolat (£27.50)

Lindt Lindor pick & mix Advent calendar

• Available from Lindt (£15)

This is the only calendar we've seen that you can fully personalise – perfect if you know exactly what you want. For this pick & mix calendar from Lindt, you can choose from 24 truffle flavours (including some more unusual ones, such as mango white chocolate or popcorn milk chocolate) – meaning you can have no repeats if you'd like to try them all, or you can go big on your favourite flavours.

Available from:
Lindt (£15)

Salcombe Dairy butter caramel Advent calendar

• Available from Salcombe Dairy (£20)

If you want to support an independent business this Christmas, we love this adorable chocolate caramel calendar from Salcombe Dairy. It has a pretty vintage design, and behind each door is a smooth butter caramel truffle coated in a milk chocolate shell. One for fans of classic flavours.

Available from:
Salcombe Dairy (£20)

Venchi Prestige Advent calendar

• Available from Prestige (£42)

For a luxurious chocolate Advent calendar, treat yourself or a loved one to this Venchi version. We love the design with individual drawers revealing chocolate and there's plenty to discover in here – from creamy cremino chocolate stacks to caramelised hazelnut nougatine and crunchy-coated Chocoviar.

Available from:
Prestige (£42)

Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Advent calendar

• Available from Wickedly Welsh (£19.99)

This simple calendar feels more like a box of chocolates than a calendar. Each door tells you what chocolate is inside, with a wide variety of flavours to keep the intrigue going all month.

Available from:
Wickedly Welsh (£19.99)

PLAYin Choc 24-Day Advent calendar

• Available from PLAYin Choc (£49.95)

This charming calendar means no kid has to be left out: the chocolate inside is all dairy-, nut-, gluten- and soy-free, catering to allergies. Not only that, but the eco-friendly calendar has an extra-special design: the outer sleeve opens into a playmat, and every door contains a toy along with the chocolate, for hours of festive fun. A 12-day calendar is also available.

Available from:
PLAYin Choc (£49.95)

Melt London The 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

• Available from Melt London (£49.99), Harvey Nichols (£65)

We love the design of this open-book style calendar with pretty illustrated doors. Although there are only 12 doors inside, each one contains a 45g luxury bar so there's plenty to keep you going. Flavours include pistachio blonde chocolate, 70% chilli dark chocolate and gianduja chocolate, plus there's a vegan option.

Available from:
Melt London (£49.99)
Harvey Nichols (£65)

HAPPi Advent calendar

• Available from HAPPi (£15)

A great pick for vegans, this colourful calendar contains oat milk chocolate made from single-origin Colombian cocoa and is sure to please kids and adults alike. The calendar is plastic-free too.

Available from:
HAPPi (£15)

Ombar Advent calendar

• Available from Ombar (£14.99)

Another top vegan chocolate calendar pick. We love the tiny individually wrapped bars that lie behind each of the 25 doors of this colourful calendar, in five creative flavours including pistachio or raspberry and vanilla. The chocolate is organic and FairTrade, and the calendar is plastic-free.

Available from:
Ombar (£14.99)

More Christmas gift guides

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40 best budget gifts 2023
The best whisky to buy as a gift
The best gifts for bakers
The best chocolate subscriptions and clubs
The best letterbox gifts
The best gifts for coffee lovers
The best gins to give as gifts

This review was last updated in November 2023. 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