**This post includes a brand who gifted me an advent calendar to give away over on Instagram**
Get ready to upgrade your festive countdown! Gone are the days of edible advent calendars offering a measly, stale-tasting chocolate behind a door. Of course, there are still plenty of chocolate advent calendars out there, but offering greater choice, a wider range of flavours, and grown-up editions that mean they’re not just for the kids.
It’s not just chocolate, either. Whether you’re a tea-lover, a cocktail connoisseur, a snack fanatic or prefer something savoury to something sweet, here are some great options for your 2025 advent calendar.
For chocolate lovers:
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a chocolate advent calendar, and there are some incredible options out there!
This year, Guylian has launched its first-ever advent calendar. Inside, you’ll find three flavours: Milk Truffle, Original Praliné and their brand-new Salted Caramel. A great choice for fans of these classic chocolates!
For Fairtrade fans, Divine has advent calendars in both milk and dark varieties, and I love the idea of the Lindt pick and mix advent calendar where you choose your own contents, too!
There are some great plant-based offerings as well, like this one from Chococo, this one from Cocoa Libre and this offering from Ombar.
Tip: When choosing a chocolate advent calendar, look at the total weight in grams to find a calendar that’s great value for money, as well as single versus mixed flavours if you don’t want the same chocolate each day.
Alcoholic and Mixed Drinks:
In 2025, drinks advent calendars seem to be more varied than ever before! There’s the Whitebox Cocktails advent calendar, with two each of 12 different cocktail cans, and this Fever Tree option, which offers a premium spirit on one day, and a perfectly paired mixer on the next.
Naked Wines have brought back their advent calendar for this year, and Laithwaites have a range to choose from, too!
Beer fan? Choose from brands like Beer52, BrewDog and more.
Of course, gin advent calendars remain popular, and you’ll find options from Craft Gin Club, Virgin Wines, Drinks by the Dram and plenty of others.
Tip: With alcohol-based advent calendars, check the size of each portion, any shipping restrictions to UK addresses, and the brands included to be sure you’re happy with every door.
Hot and Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
Flavoured coffee fans may like the Beanies advent calendar: two mystery jars plus 44 assorted stick sachets, so plenty of variety! (use code emilybean10 at checkout for a discount!) Prefer a classic coffee? Check out this offering from Caffe Nero.
There are loads of tea advent calendars out there too, from the likes of Bird & Blend, Pukka Herbs, Whittard and more.
Alternatively, opt for an alcohol-free advent calendar like this one, which includes everything from alcohol-free ciders to sodas.
Tip: As with alcohol advent calendars, flavours in hot and non-alcoholic drinks calendars can vary – it’s important to check the contents if there are flavours you don’t like!
Savoury Choices and Snacks:
Want an edible advent calendar but not a chocolate one? How about 12 days of Pringles, 24 days of popcorn or a variety of shortbread?
Alternatively, go for jams, noodles, hot sauces or even cheese! Mince pie fan? Selfridges have you covered. Pork crackling more your thing? Click here. There’s even a beef jerky advent calendar – and if you really want to push the boat out, why not spend £395 on 24 jars of caviar?
Tip: Savoury advent calendars are less common but rising in popularity – they’re a great option for those who don’t have a sweet tooth, or who want something more unusual for gifting.
No matter your preference or budget, there’s and food and drink advent calendar out there that’ll suit. Whether you stick with the classic chocolate, ramp it up with cocktails or go off-piste with one of the more unusual savoury options, let your countdown to Christmas be delicious!
Win a Guylian Advent Calendar!
The team at Guylian have given me one of their brand new advent calendars to give away to one lucky winner on Instagram. Click the link below to enter, but be quick – it closes on November 19th!