With the countdown to the countdown of Christmas now starting, you only have a month to get your hands on your favourite treats to countdown to the big day. If you’re wondering how many times we can say countdown in one article, you’ll be surprised. There may even be 24 countdowns’, who knows… But regardless of our poor humour, we have found some of the best advent calendars to countdown in the best way possible: from starting your day the right way with tea and jam, to finishing it with your favourite tipple and a nibble of cheese. Advent calendars have really come a long way from the standard plain chocolate; there is now something for every one and every taste and for all price points. So if you are looking for the best way to countdown to Christmas with a unique twist on the classic, or looking for a gift in itself for friends or family take a look at one of these fantastic foodie inspired calendars; get ready to get your countdown on.

Bonne Maman

Known for their delectable and delightful conserves, this jam-packed calendar, (£25.99, Bonne Maman) which is beautifully designed with a playfully festive carousel theme, including a fold out pop up ‘tent’ to complete the look has 23 incredible spreads to start your day off… the right way. Utilising unique fruits and flavour combinations, each jar has been specially created for Christmas 2022; some of our favourite flavours include the Apple, Caramel and Cinnamon Spread, Cherry and Spices Extra Jam and the Sweet Orange and Mandarin Marmalade. And if all of that wasn’t enough - there are two extra special products hidden behind doors number 1 and 24 to start and finish you off in the best way possible. Perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea lovers, or even as a joint family calendar. We are also huge fans of Bonne Maman’s recommendation of re-purposing the mini jars into little Christmas decorations or to fill with your favourite treats and pop in to someones stocking.

LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW

The marmite of the confectionary company, LAKRIDS liquorice. (£49, lakridsbybulow), have come out with their best (IMO) calendar for this year. With 24 doors all beautifully packaged in a sleek and chic black block design, this one looks as amazing as it tastes and you won’t be able to wait each day to uncover the delicious treats behind each door. Combining their Classics, Originals, Lakrid’s Lovers and Christmas flavours with unique and exciting flavour combinations they are aptly labelling as Frozen, Slow Crafted and Golden - there is something for everyone. Each day you get two deliciously flavoured chocolate coated liquorice bites to either share, or savour to yourself. There’s a mixture of fruity, nostalgia, festive and more hidden in this must-buy calendar. Our favourite - the Crispy Mint. Refreshing yet earthy, crunchy yet squidgy - a true delight and one we can’t wait for you to unbox.

VAHDAM India

This festive luxe calendar is the perfect gift for any tea lover. Containing 24 best-selling; different loose leaf teas (equalling a whopping 250 cups of tea per calendar), VAHDAM (£112, vahdam.global) has created the ultimate gift for friends or family (and its loved by Oprah) Beautifully designed in a red and gold design, each tea comes in its own sleek tin, which can be refilled, making this a great eco gift that will last forever. Explore a new tea blend everyday while you count down to the big day, with blends such as a Sweet Cinnamon Masala Chai Tea, Lemon Ginger Green Tea and Chocolate Vanilla Herbal Tea Tisane

The Whisky Tour of Scotland

Taking inspiration from five Scotch whisky regions, and their finest distilleries including Tullibardine, Linkwood and Inchgower this beautifully designed calendar features 24, wax sealed 50ml drams of only the best aged single cask and blended expressions with a few rare bottles and 2 spirits nosing glasses thrown in to really lift your spirits. Presented in a handmade wooden cabinet (£160, Amazon) finished in the same way as traditional one would, and doubling as a great place to store miniatures long after Christmas this is the perfect gift for any whisky lover.

12 Days of Discovery, Chimney Fire Coffee

Sustainable and responsible coffee roasters, Chimney Fire Coffee have launched their incredible new calendar for 2022. Their 12 Days of Discovery (£45, Chimney Fire Coffee) introduces a brand-new coffee region, process or flavour profile each morning. From Malawi to India there are 12 different coffees to discover including a sweet blend with marmalade notes from Zambia, perfect for your morning brew - through to a playful bubblegum with lavender and blueberry coffee from Ethiopia and finishing strong with a dark chocolate and clove Indian variety. The beautiful box is designed to showcase what goes on in their local roasters in Surrey through their intimate team of 6 and contains 12 bags of 70g coffee in either whole bean or coarse, medium or fine grind - suited to your preference and roasted fresh before delivering at the end of November ready for the 1st of December.

24 Days of Rum

Said to be able to whisk you off on a rum-fuelled adventure, hopping from Barbados to India then across to Thailand, this 24 Days of Rum (£79.75, Amazon) calendar is definitely one for the more high-spirited adventurer, or those just seeking a tasting experience unlike no other. Hidden behind each door are 20ml glass bottles of deliciously selected premium rums, from a 5 Year Old by Savanna, to an Isle of Fiji by Plantation, each bottle, along with two glasses and a tasting sheet will have you becoming a rum-connoisseur by the time Christmas arrives.

Mochi - Little Moons

The best-selling mochi calendar that took the world by storm last year, Little Moons is back, and bigger for 2022. Available to purchase from November (we recommend purchasing before it’s too late - this will definitely sell out quick), this hotly anticipated edition for ‘22 (£35, Little Moons pop-up stores in Selfridges or nationwide through Getir) contains the biggest surprise yet. With each lucky person finding 24 days of delicious ice-cream filled mochi packed with exiting and irresistible flavours, including their latest launch: Golden Blond Chocolate, a few extra special people will be able to win a year’s supply of mochi by getting their hands on a golden ticket, which are hidden in a number of these beautifully designed and eye-popping design calendars. Better grab yours quick.

The 12 Gins of Christmas Calendar

You’ll definitely in high spirits and gin-gling all the way to Christmas with this gorgeous 12 Gins of Christmas Calendar by Eden Mill (£75, Eden Mill). Using locally sourced Scottish Botanicals and expertly mixed with far-flung exotic ingredients, Eden Mill has Christmas all wrapped up. The beautiful black and copper box houses 12 miniature bottles of their iconic core range and new release gins including their Forbidden, Red Snapper, Love and Candy Cane creations as well as two bespoke tulip glasses.

Walker’s Shortbread

Christmas isn’t Christmas without some of our best-loved and classic treats, Walker’s Shortbread (£17.99, Walker’s Shortbread) is one that is always a tradition in our household and with the release of this years advent calendar, we can start the celebrations even earlier as we count down to the big day through and assortment of Walker’s Shortbread hero ranges: all-Butter Chocolate Chip, Shortbread Rounds, Shortbread Thistle Rounds, Salted Caramel Shortbread Squares, Shortbread Fingers, Shortbread Hearts and Shortbread Stars. A must-have festive fave… but only until stock lasts, so grab one before they are all gone.

Carluccio’s

Immerse yourself into a world of artisanal, luxurious produce this Christmas with Carluccio’s 2022 Advent Calendar (£95, Carluccio’s), behind each door (or in each drawer) is a delicious Italian product that has been sourced from their staple range, with some added party treats thrown in for the festivities. You can expect to unwrap their hero cupboard staples such as extra virgin olive oil, Italianavera tomatoes and Sugo alle Arrabbiata pasta sauce through to some authentic sweet treats: gianduiotti chocolates, Torta di Siena cake and Carluccio’s classic Amaretti Tradizionale. The perfect gift for any food lover.

SOKO Patisserie

Birmingham-based chocolaterie and patisserie, SOKO have released the perfect advent calendar (£24 Soko Patisserie) for any fine food lover. Created with a range of enrobed chocolates, magical golden rochers and their core Christmas range you can start or end each day the right way. Each mouthwatering bite takes three days to make and is inspired by seasonal favourites such as Strawberry Cheesecake, Almond and Hazelnut Praline and Mandarin Caramel. Let them melt in the mouth before they release a variety of rich flavours and aromas in their infamous sensory explosions. This calendar is a must-have this Christmas and is a steal of a price for the quality you receive.

Candy Kittens

Not only does this incredible calendar contain the best (IMO) sweets for Christmas but the contemporary design takes the award for best style this year. Really playing to the childish tendencies, the brand is known and loved for, this pop-up calendar hits all the right marks. This 3D Pop Up Advent Tree (£12.49, Whole Foods Market or on Candy Kittens) includes their updated fresh design and flavours to give you the sweetest countdown to Christmas yet. And the best part - you get two Candy Kittens per day, so you can share with your bestie, or scoff to yourself. We know which one we would prefer!

waterdrop

Hydration might not be at the top of your Christmas list, but it should, especially if you’re anything like us and have at least three too many mince pies and brandy. And it’s even easier to stay on track on the lead up to Christmas with waterdrop’s beautiful, sustainable and refreshing advent calendar (£19.90, waterdrop) for 2022. Behind each door you will find their infamous hydration microcubes that not only taste great, but do great too, and always made with natural ingredients. You can find their classic flavours such as LOVE, GLOW and BOOST nestled behind certain doors with some limited edition flavours hidden in the others.

Cheese Calendar, So Wrong It’s Nom

You cheddar believe it, So Wrong It’s Nom’s Cheese Advent Calendar (£9, Ocado) is back for its sixth year and its quite possibly one of our most favourite product to exist… like ever. Containing 24 individually wrapped mini cheese wheels, they like to call ‘chuckles’ you can expect to sample nine mouth-watering different types of cheese from award-winning British cheese producer, Norsland - the brains behind the incredible Jarlsberg®, Applewood®, Mexicana® and Ilchester® brands. You can expect your OG classics here, suitable for any cheeseboards, but there are a few wildcards thrown in for good measure. Our favourite: the Ilchester Apple, Onion and sage.

Matcha Advent Calendar

We absolutely adore Bird & Blend; their indie take on tea gives us that warm fuzzy feeling inside, even when we aren’t drinking their delicious brews. And we fell head over heels for their Matcha Calendar for 2022 (£52, Bird and Blend). Containing both traditional and limited edition flavours this calendar is great for hard core matcha fans, or those just starting out on their journey. Our favourites: either the Spiced Pumpkin Pie or the Mermaid. Each tin holds enough for 2 cups and is resealable, meaning you can mix and match with your matcha long into the New Year.

Niederegger

Christmas is a time for nostalgia and this calendar always brings back fond childhood memories. Redesigned for 2022 in this gorgeous café scene, Niederegger (£36, John Lewis) are really pulling out all the stops. Behind each beautifully illustrated door hides an assortment of dark and milk pralines, croquant (a cream and butter-free confectionary made of caramelised sugar and nuts) with milk chocolate, truffles, flambeed marzipan and their original marzipan (which dates back to 1806) - and behind some doors, you may even find more than one treat!

Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies, Smith and Sinclair

Not sure whether you want your non-traditional advent to be something you can eat or drink - why not combine both for the ultimate Christmas countdown? Smith and Sinclair’s Naughty or Nice Calendar (£49.99, Smith and Sinclair) is the ultimate festive treat. But don’t worry… even if you are on Santa’s naughty list… every day you are in for a treat. Their 5% ABV Gummies can be found in such exotic and classic flavours such as Passionfruit Mojito, Pineapple Bellini, Bourbon Old Fashioned, Gin & Tonic and a whole variety of their best selling ranges. Just make sure to eat and open safely.

Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar For Two

Is there anything more Christmassy than a hot chocolate (especially with marshmallows on top), and the OG indulgent hot chocolate brand, Whittard of Chelsea have the perfect calendar (£70, Whittard of Chelsea), made for two - but we won’t tell if you don’t share. Made up of 24 days with delectable delights, each numbered box hidden within a glamorous star themed patterned box houses two luxurious sachets from one of 12 classic and creative flavours, including our favourite: Rocky Road and Luxury White. As they say, Tis’ the season for chocolate-filled merriment.

The Original Cake Co Advent Calendar

What better way to count down the day to eating your body weight in roast potatoes, turkey and Christmas cake than with… even more cake. The Original Cake Co - an artisan bakery based in Lincoln have the perfect advent for this year (£39.95, Original Cake). Beautifully decorated, both outside and inside each window - the perfect mini cakes are decorated with all the festive must-have items - candy canes, holly and even little gingerbread men all on top of either marzipan or traditional icing with a Belgian chocolate drizzle for some extra pizzaz. The cakes are a combination two - their Chocolate Truffle Cake (our favourite) which is perfectly fudgy and moist with just the right amount of crumb and their decadent Fruit Cake (I mean it wouldn’t be Christmas without it!) and this one is rich and with a 50% fruit content. Each individually wrapped cake is sealed in food safe cello keeping it fresh for up to 3 months. But trust us when we say, it definitely won’t last for that long.

The Best Food & Drink Advent Calendars for 2022