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With the countdown to Christmas on the horizon, the countdown to the countdown is also on - yes, we mean we are counting down the days until we can break open that door on the very first day and see what delicious delights lurk behind; we have searched up and down the country looking for the best food and drink advent calendars to get you in the festive spirit with a selection of alcoholic calendars, get you poppin’ with a range of popcorn style calendars and to treat yourself with our favourite collection of high-end, luxury and oh-so-fancy advents. 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 for friends or family take a look at one of these fantastic foodie-inspired calendars; get ready to get your countdown on.

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar

For Gin-Lovers, we have just the thing for you to be-gin your Christmas celebrations in the right spirits. This unique advent calendar by The Boutique-y Gin Company (£64.95, Master of Malt) is packed with an eclectic mix of expertly selected gins, including Festive Favourite Flavours: Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Tree and Spiced Clementine, as well as unique flavour explosions such as Spit-Roasted Pineapple, Cherry Bakewell, Cucamelon and Pink Grapefruit Brulee. Not only are the flavours absolutely delicious, with no repeats, but each bottle is also beautifully wax sealed, and you know each one is small-batch and crafted in-house, creating an estra-special calendar, perfect for 2024.

Läderach Premium Advent Calendar

Our favourite Swiss chocolate brand, Läderach has released an advent calendar this year that has completely stolen the show and our hearts (and bellies) - big enough for the whole family to share, this Premium Advent Calendar (£265, Läderach) is a must-have for any fine chocolate fans. A little eye-watering on the price tag, but the amount and quality you get inside makes it worth the big bucks. Containing hand-crafted full-sized products - enough to share with your loved ones, including multiple of their tablets, all in different flavours - our favourite: Blond Caramel (and priced at £7 a pop on the website), large figurines and praline boxes, including their Advent Exclusive: luxe Grand Cru Noir (worth £26) - a selection of single origin dark chocolate from across the world. You can also find snacking chocolate-covered nut and fruit pouches (from £12.50 each) - the incredible 54-cm-XL calendar contains 1600g worth of chocolate goodies; each dated box is packed full of delicious chocolate treats that melt in the mouth with exquisite craft, quality and flavour. You can’t beat it.

Micro Bar Box’s Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar

Sip your way through the season with Micro Bar Box’s Spirit & Liqueurs Advent Calendar (£115, MicroBarBox), with each day revealing a new miniature bottle of your favourite spirits, including rum, tequila, vodka, whisky and speciality liqueurs. Each bottle contains a double shot and is sure to get you in the festive spirit as you countdown to the big day. You can expect to find some of the original best-sellers such as Captain Morgan, Jack Daniels, Disaronno, Bacardi, and Absolut Vodka, to flavoured favourites - Gordon’s Pink Gin, J.J Whitley Vanilla Russian Vodka and Disaronno Velvet to some unique and extra-special surprises such as Edinburgh Gin Distillery’s Mulled Gin - Beefeaters Pink Strawberry and Melonade. So whether you enjoy them on the rocks, share them with friends, or add to some festive cocktails - Micro Bar Box’s Advent is a fantastic way to end each day on the leadup to Christmas.

BrewDog’s Distilling Co.’s 12 Cocktails of Christmas

An advent unlike any other - BrewDog’s 12 Cocktails of Christmas (£40, BrewDog) has everything you need this Christmas, all wrapped up in 12 delicious cans. Their 12 Days of Christmas pack includes 12 Wonderland Cocktails (BrewDog’s new ready-to-drink cocktail company) that guarantee bar-quality cocktails straight from the tin. Featuring a range of drinks for every taste - including our favourite: The Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini - you can expect unique fruity flavours such as their Watermelon Margarita and some more classic cocktails including Whisky Sour, Cosmo and an Old Fashioned. The perfect countdown to Christmas for the curious cocktail connoisseur.

Cox & Co. Christmas Luxury Dark Chocolate Vegan Advent Calendar

Brand new for this year, Cox & Co. have released a decadent advent that is perfect for any dark chocolate lovers. For those who like a little luxury ‘me-time’ moment, Cox & Co. Christmas Luxury Dark Chocolate Vegan Advent Calendar (£15, coxandcocacao) is for you. Behind each door, you will find a beautifully rich Single Origin 60% Colombian Cacao Dark Chocolate that has a beautiful snap but melts in the mouth and delivers a complex flavour of sweet caramel and bitter coffee that lingers on the palate. And not only does it taste good - but it does good - Cox & Co. only use 100% sustainably farmed cacao from farm to bar and 100% paper packaging. That’s sure to put you on Santa’s nice list.

She Grows Veg Heirloom Seed Advent Calendar

One of the more unique ones we have seen this year - She Grows Veg Heirloom Seed (£65, She Grows Veg) is the advent that keeps giving. Each day - beautifully hand-wrapped - you can uncover a world of new and unique seeds to explore and plant (when the time comes). She Grows Veg is known for housing over 160 different seed varieties; although we have been sworn to secrecy on the actual contents of the inside of the calendar - what we can tell you is that you will not be disappointed! You can expect an incredible range of edible plants and flower seeds each day - She Grows Veg has created the perfect gift for both experienced and beginner gardeners. With all the information and help you need to plant and grow as well as a few extra special surprises, this one is at the top of our list this year.

Laithwaites Mixed Wine Advent Calendar

One we look forward to each year, Laithwaites Wine Advent is back this year and better than ever before - so you will have nothing to wine about this festive season. Their Mixed Wine Advent (£99.99, Laithwaites) is packed to the brim with exciting and unique wines perfect for any vino lover. With a selection of delicious full-bodied and rich reds to wonderfully crisp whites and a full bottle of Alessandro Gallici Prosecco Il Casone to enjoy Christmas Eve - this calendar has everything you need to get through the countdown stresses or to pair with all your festive favourites.

Fattoria La Vialla Advent in the Farm Shop

This one is a foodie lover’s Christmas dream. Fattoria La Vialla, hailing from Tuscany, is a second-generation, family-run, organic-biodynamic farm and wine estate known for creating and producing incredible delicacies that you can’t find anywhere else. Only available via their website, Fattoria La Vialla ensures that each product you receive is of the highest and exclusive quality and their Advent in the Farm Shop (£156, lavialla) is a fantastic introduction to the brand. Containing 24 full-sized products; housed in a beautifully hand-painted replica of their farm shop (that doubles up as a fantastic play-house for little ones, complete with a printout of their products so you can play Farm Shop all year round!) you can expect to find a selection of their finest pastas, sauces, oils, sausages (including our favourite: the Tuscan Fennel Sausage) and cheese and confectionery. As well as five full bottles of wine, grown right on their estate. This is a true Italian feast and one that will feed the whole family well into the New Year. And once you taste Fattoria, you’ll never go back.

Wise Bartender Sweet and Tasty Advent Calendar

Known for being an expert online retailer specialising in alcohol-free drinks, Wise Bartender has a range of advent calendars for this year; our favourite... the Sweet and Tasty (£79.99, Wise Bartender). Containing 24 different and delicious drinks, all alcohol-free and ranging from cocktail, wine, beer and cider alternatives, there is something for every taste. We love the variety you get, with unique twists on the classics such as their Caramel Cream Cocktail and also the more traditional wines and beers' but all in vegan and alcohol-free versions.

Newby Teas’ Advent Calendar

Not only is this tea calendar (£85, Newby Teas) packed with delicious tea, but it comes in a stunning keepsake box. Created with a beautiful festive ice-skating scene on the front in chic white and muted colours, wrapped in a satin gold bow. As you open the calendar you are greeted with 24 drawers with cute tea-inspired illustrations and the signature gold handle. Inside you can expect to find a selection of Newby’s finest blends from classic British classics such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey to more unique fruity flavours such as Strawberry & Mango Black Tea and Rosehip & Hibiscus. Each day you get four individually wrapped tea bags so you can enjoy them throughout the day, share them with friends and family over a cuppa and a mince pie, or enjoy them well into the New Year.

Popcorn Shed Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar

Coming in two styles this year, Popcorn Shed has created two delicious calendars that are perfect for any popcorn fan. Their Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar - which contains their signature flavours such as Salted Caramel and Pecan Pie and our favourite: Cookies & Cream or their Vegan and Gluten Free Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar, which comes with a whole heap of new and festive flavours such as Cocoa Caramel and Christmas Pudding and our favourite: Gingerbread. Each day you can expect a small bag of their popcorn - each one packed with flavour and the perfect crunch. Both calendars are £25 and available at Popcorn Shed.

The Classic Christmas Countdown Advent Selection Box

We are huge fans of Chococo here at Consommé, and for good reason. Their award-winning artisan chocolates are oh-so-morish, elegant and packed with flavour, from boozy-filled fillings to fruity explosions. The Classic Christmas Countdown (£29, Chococo) is a great alternative to the standard chocolate advents. Presented as a gorgeous luxe Chocolate Gift Box, you can see the beauty that awaits you as you countdown to the big day - with each chocolate beautifully decorated and with a crisp, shiny tempered exterior. Not only can you see the high-quality craft of the chocolates, but you can taste it, too. With each day a different flavour, including a mixture of their award-winning flavours and new for this year, including our favourite - the Toffee Apple Caramel. Bonus: unlike a lot of advent calendars, this has something to enjoy on Christmas day, too!

The Best Food and Drink Advent Calendars for 2024