Every year, the debate about experience gifts versus physical presents resurfaces. While experiences have their merits, there’s something undeniably delightful about unwrapping a tangible gift, especially when it’s a daily surprise leading up to the holidays. For food lovers, this is where the magic of the Food Advent Calendar truly shines. Imagine a gift that unfolds day after day, throughout December, each reveal offering a new culinary treat. For enthusiasts like myself, food advent calendars are irresistible. The anticipation of discovering a new gourmet item each day for an entire month? Consider it money well spent!
While I’ve sampled my fair share of these festive calendars over the years, it wasn’t until recently that I truly immersed myself in the world of food advent calendars. This year, alongside my fellow food editors, Grace Kelly and Rochelle Bilow, at foods.edu.vn, I embarked on a delicious mission: to rigorously test a wide array of food advent calendars to pinpoint the absolute best for your holiday indulgence. After weeks of tasting, evaluating, and comparing, we’re thrilled to present our top 19 food advent calendar picks, guaranteed to elevate your countdown to Christmas.
Top Food Advent Calendar Picks: A Sneak Peek
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Onyx Coffee Lab Advent Calendar
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Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar
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Bokksu Premium Advent Calendars
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Behind the Doors: Our Food Advent Calendar Testing Process
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
To bring you the most reliable recommendations for your food advent calendar purchase, we conducted thorough testing. Our methodology focused on three key areas:
- Unboxing Experience: The first impression matters. We evaluated the packaging of each advent calendar, noting its aesthetic appeal and ensuring products arrived in perfect condition, free from damage.
- Design and Functionality: A great food advent calendar is easy to use. We assessed how smoothly each day’s product could be accessed and if any helpful instructions or guides were included to enhance the experience.
- Quality and Variety of Contents: Ultimately, the taste and quality of the food items are paramount. We sampled every offering within each advent calendar, judging the flavor, variety, and overall quality to ensure each calendar delivered a truly delightful experience.
Key Takeaways from Our Food Advent Calendar Deep Dive
Food Advent Calendars: Expect to Invest in Quality
Let’s address the elephant in the room: food advent calendars often come with a higher price tag. Simply adding “Advent” to “calendar” seems to justify a price increase. While we believe the experience is often worth it, especially for a once-a-year treat designed to be enjoyed throughout the holiday season, it’s important to be aware of this. These aren’t your childhood chocolate calendars! However, breaking down the cost per day can make it feel more palatable. For instance, our most budget-friendly recommended food advent calendar from Bonne Maman, while around $45, averages out to less than $2 per day of delicious jam.
Guidance Enhances the Food Advent Calendar Experience
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
A standout feature of the best food advent calendars was the inclusion of guidance materials. Some calendars thoughtfully provided printouts detailing each item and offering tasting notes to guide the experience. The Flaviar whiskey advent calendar, for example, impressed us with a booklet containing tasting notes, information about each bottle and maker, and even space to jot down personal reflections. Similarly, the Compartes chocolate advent calendar included a flavor guide on the box, while the Bokksu calendar used a QR code linking to detailed descriptions of each Japanese treat. This instructional element significantly enriched the overall enjoyment of the food advent calendar.
12 Days or 24 Days? Choose Your Food Advent Calendar Duration
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Food advent calendars come in varying lengths, typically 12 or 24 days. The ideal duration is truly a matter of personal preference, as is the type of food inside. For chocolate advent calendars, 24 chocolates felt appropriate, while 12 days of cocktails or intensely flavored spices, like those in the Fly by Jing food advent calendar, proved to be a satisfying amount. Consider your consumption habits and the richness of the daily treat when choosing between a 12-day or 24-day food advent calendar.
What Makes a Great Food Advent Calendar? Our Criteria
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
With a vast landscape of food advent calendars available, we established key criteria to identify the best. While our recommendations span diverse food categories, the top contenders generally excel in these areas:
- Thoughtful Packaging: The advent calendar should be well-packaged, both aesthetically pleasing and protective of its contents.
- Instructional Materials: Inclusion of tasting notes, flavor guides, or usage suggestions enhances the user experience and is highly desirable.
- Delightful Variety: A good food advent calendar offers a diverse selection of items within its theme, ensuring daily surprises and preventing monotony.
Our Top Food Advent Calendar Recommendations by Category
Best Jam Food Advent Calendar
Bonne Maman 2024 Limited Edition Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Loved: The Bonne Maman jam food advent calendar is a consistent winner. Filled with 24 miniature jars of Bonne Maman’s signature spreads, each with their iconic checkered lids, this calendar is pure joy. The festive fold-out design features charming illustrations, and the paper doors are easy to open, revealing unique and exciting jam flavors not typically found on grocery shelves. Think guava, mango-raspberry-lime, raspberry-rose, pineapple-yuzu, pear-cocoa nibs, “Four Fruits,” and caramel coffee – a delightful assortment to brighten your morning toast.
Drawbacks: Prepare for a jam abundance! It’s unlikely you’ll consume all 24 jars within 24 days, leaving you with a delightful surplus – hardly a complaint!
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 mini jars of jam
- Bonus: A 12-day version is also available for a shorter food advent calendar experience: Bonne Maman 12-day Advent Calendar
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Coffee Food Advent Calendar
Onyx Coffee Lab Advent Calendar
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PHOTO: Food52
What We Loved: The Onyx Coffee Lab food advent calendar boasts a unique accordion-style design. Each section contains two pouches of coffee (approximately 80 grams each), ample for any brewing method, from drip to pour-over. A detailed printout accompanies the calendar, outlining each bean’s variety, process, and origin. Coffee aficionados will appreciate the sheer quantity and quality of coffee provided in this advent calendar, ensuring a month of delightful brews and beyond.
Drawbacks: Given the price point, we felt even more detailed information about each coffee, perhaps with QR codes for purchasing full-size bags, would have been a welcome addition.
Key Specs
- Contents: 48 bags of coffee (24 slots with 2 bags each)
- Need to Know: Includes a detailed printout guide; note the box is quite substantial in size.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Splurge-Worthy Chocolate Food Advent Calendar
Compartés Luxury Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Compartés
What We Loved: The Compartés food advent calendar is a visual masterpiece. The “winter forest” version we tested featured a stunning box depicting a festive winter scene. The chocolates themselves are equally exquisite, each adorned with charming images. The cookies and cream chocolate stood out with its crunchy cookie pieces and creamy center. This advent calendar delivers a truly luxurious chocolate experience.
Drawbacks: Our calendar didn’t include the full range of flavor options advertised on the box, which was a slight disappointment.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 gourmet chocolates
- Good to Know: Compartés offers multiple food advent calendar designs and varieties.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Another Luxurious Chocolate Food Advent Calendar Option
Dandelion Chocolate Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Dandelion Chocolate
View on Dandelionchocolate.com
What We Loved: “I audibly gasped when I pulled it out of the package,” remarked Rochelle. The Dandelion Chocolate food advent calendar truly impresses with its night sky theme, where each chocolate treat is marked by a constellation instead of a number. The exquisite confections include candied orange peel, chai toffee brittle, and an ube bonbon that Rochelle declared “may be the most delicious piece of candy I’ve ever eaten.” This advent calendar is a journey through exceptional chocolate craftsmanship.
Drawbacks: This is the priciest chocolate food advent calendar in our recommendations.
Key Specs
- Contents: 25 artisanal chocolates
- Good to Know: Chocolates are crafted by various chocolatiers using Dandelion’s single-origin chocolate; single and double calendars are available.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
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Best Budget-Friendly Chocolate Food Advent Calendar
Godiva 2024 Holiday Classic Chocolate Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Godiva
What We Loved: Godiva is a classic for a reason. The Godiva Holiday Classic Chocolate food advent calendar offers 24 chocolates, each delivering satisfying flavor. The salted caramel bursts with caramel notes, the praline heart offers a delightful fudgy texture, and the mint medallion provides a creamy, mild mint filling. An approachable price point makes this advent calendar an excellent choice for daily chocolate enjoyment.
Drawbacks: Compared to higher-end options, the chocolate is waxier and less complex, but this is expected at this price.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 Godiva chocolates
- Good to Know: A chocolate guide is printed on the back of the box for easy identification.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Japanese Food Advent Calendar
Bokksu Premium Advent Calendars
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PHOTO: Bokksu
What We Loved: Imported directly from Japan, the Bokksu Premium food advent calendar is a stunning experience from start to finish. The packaging, adorned with gold detailing, cranes, and cherry blossoms, features a sophisticated magnetic closure. Inside, 24 boxes in varying blue and tan hues house a mix of Japanese snacks and handcrafted collectibles. A QR code provides in-depth information about each day’s surprise. Offerings range from mochi and mille-feuille cookies to porcelain chopsticks and a fortune fox, making each drawer a delight to open.
Drawbacks: While tech-savvy users will appreciate the QR code, a detailed printout explaining the contents would be helpful for those less comfortable with technology.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 days of Japanese snacks and handcrafted collectibles
- Good to Know: A more luxurious “luxe” version of this food advent calendar is also available.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Best Whiskey Food Advent Calendar
Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2024
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PHOTO: Flaviar
What We Loved: The Flaviar Whiskey food advent calendar stands out with its exceptional “hotel” themed design, complete with a key card and tasting itinerary. Detailed tasting notes accompany each of the 24 whiskey vials (each containing a generous tasting pour), and QR codes enable easy purchase of full-size bottles of your favorites. The inclusion of two Glencairn tasting glasses further elevates this sophisticated advent calendar experience. One standout whiskey offered strong caramel and vanilla notes.
Drawbacks: We have no complaints – this is a top-tier whiskey food advent calendar and a worthwhile splurge for whiskey enthusiasts.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 whiskey vials, tasting guide, two Glencairn tasting glasses
- Good to Know: The “hotel keycard” unlocks perks on Flaviar, such as free shipping and discounts.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Cocktail Food Advent Calendar
Straightaway Cocktails 12 Nights of Cocktails
PHOTO: Straightaway Cocktails
View on Straightawaycocktails.com
What We Loved: Straightaway Cocktails’ 12 Nights of Cocktails food advent calendar made us instant fans. The beautifully designed calendar includes a helpful and charming table of cocktails. The selection of miniature canned cocktails, including a maple old fashioned, mai tai, and Thai gimlet, are exceptionally well-crafted. Perfect for on-the-go enjoyment, these cocktails were a hit on a family trip, sipped straight from the can or poured over ice.
Drawbacks: Absolutely none! This is a fun and inventive food advent calendar that we wholeheartedly recommend.
Key Specs
- Contents: 12 canned cocktails
- Good to Know: The price breaks down to approximately $5 per can of cocktail.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Large-Format Wine Food Advent Calendar
World of Wine Advent Calendar NV
PHOTO: Laithwaites
What We Loved: The World of Wine food advent calendar is impressively large, shaped like a house and packed with wine. Featuring 24 generously sized bottles (187ml each), it offers excellent variety, including reds, whites, prosecco, and rosé. This advent calendar provides more wine than one could easily consume in a month, ensuring you’ll have bottles to enjoy well into the new year.
Drawbacks: Excessive bubble wrap between bottles requires some unpacking effort. A tasting guide would also enhance the wine exploration experience.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 x 187ml bottles of wine
- Good to Know: This food advent calendar is large and heavy, so plan accordingly.
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Best Cheese Food Advent Calendar
Murray’s Cheese 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese
PHOTO: Murray’s Cheese
What We Loved: “If cheese is to you what it is to Wallace in Wallace and Gromit, then this is the food advent calendar to buy,” Grace declared. Murray’s Cheese, renowned for its quality, delivers an impressive array of cheese wedges in this 12-day calendar. From aged Gouda to Irish cheddar, Manchego, and Mimolette, the selection is a cheese lover’s dream. The inclusion of snacks to pair with the cheese further enhances this exceptional advent calendar.
Drawbacks: None to mention! This cheese advent calendar is truly outstanding.
Key Specs
- Contents: 9 cheeses, 4 jams, crackers
- Good to Know: Cheeses are generously sized, ranging from 3 to 5 ounces each.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
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Best Tea Food Advent Calendar
VAHDAM Advent Calendar 2024
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PHOTO: VAHDAM
What We Loved: The VAHDAM Tea food advent calendar is visually striking and generously packed with tea. Each slide-out box contains five individually wrapped tea sachets, offering a mix of classics like Earl Grey and English Breakfast alongside newer blends like Pumpkin Spiced and Sweet Cinnamon. The quality and quantity of tea for the price are exceptional, making this advent calendar a fantastic value.
Drawbacks: A few slots contained slightly fewer tea bags than expected (three or four instead of five), but the overall quantity remains substantial.
Key Specs
- Contents: 120 plant-based biodegradable pyramid tea bags
- Good to Know: VAHDAM offers smaller food advent calendar options as well: VAHDAM Smaller Advent Calendars
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Another Excellent Tea Food Advent Calendar
Tea Forte Warming Joy Tea Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Tea Forte
What We Loved: Tea Forte impressed us with their Warming Joy Tea food advent calendar. Shaped like a festive tree, it contains 24 tea bags, each as delightful as the last. The diverse flavor selection includes Peach Brûlée, Apricot Amaretto, Caramel Nougat, Black Currant, Cherry Marzipan, Blueberry Merlot, and classic Earl Grey and chai. The unique pyramid-shaped tea bags with leaf attachments add a touch of elegance to the tea-drinking experience.
Drawbacks: The packaging was less sturdy than other food advent calendars, and some doors felt delicate when opening.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 Tea Forte tea bags
- Good to Know: Tea Forte offers a range of food advent calendars to explore.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Loose-Leaf Tea Food Advent Calendar
David’s Tea 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar
PHOTO: David’s Tea
What We Loved: “I’m a casual tea drinker, but unwrapping the 24 Days of Tea food advent calendar made me wonder if my fling could become a long-term thing: This is one of the most fragrant packages I’ve ever received!” Rochelle exclaimed. This “tea shop” themed calendar opens to reveal 24 tins of loose-leaf teas and herbal blends. While tea purists might prefer unsweetened varieties, the flavored blends like Snickerdoodle and Jack Frost Mocha offer a nostalgic and fun twist. Even the Gin & Tonic tea, with its juniper and lemon verbena notes, proved surprisingly enjoyable.
Drawbacks: A diffuser or tea bags are not included, requiring users to have their own tea brewing equipment.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 tins of loose-leaf tea
- Good to Know: Each tin provides enough loose-leaf tea for two 8-ounce servings.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
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Best Variety Food Advent Calendar
Oliviers & Co Advent Calendar
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PHOTO: Williams Sonoma
What We Loved: The Oliviers & Co food advent calendar is designed like a charming tree-lined street with discreetly numbered windows and doors. “While there are a few truffles and jams, this calendar leans heavily savory,” Rochelle noted. Generously sized vinegars and oils, flavored with black truffle and Mandarin orange, are truly delicious. The inclusion of herbs and seasoning blends, especially the outstanding tomato powder, was a delightful surprise.
Drawbacks: The numbering on the calendar is less visible compared to other food advent calendars we tested.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 items including olive oils, vinegars, jams, salts, and chocolate truffles
- Good to Know: Offers a diverse range of gourmet food items beyond just sweets.
[:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sea-advent-calendars-oliviers-rochelle-bilow-3095020fee284cd88e61bb40ea940b01.jpg)](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/qVzvwqZ_OsPcqOcvrtl00Oefaco=/fit-in/1300×0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sea-advent-calendars-oliviers-rochelle-bilow-3095020fee284cd88e61bb40ea940b01.jpg)
PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
Best Caviar Food Advent Calendar (For a Real Splurge)
The Caviar Co. 12 Days of Caviar
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PHOTO: The Caviar Co.
What We Loved: Let’s be upfront: The Caviar Co. 12 Days of Caviar food advent calendar is a significant investment. However, Grace argues, “I actually don’t think it’s that ridiculous of a price considering how many tins of fancy fish eggs you get (plus, caviar ain’t cheap, and it shouldn’t be).” The elegant red box contains twelve shelves, each holding a different jar of caviar, including salmon and whitefish roe, Siberian and classic white sturgeon. This advent calendar also includes mother-of-pearl spoons and a caviar cookbook, making it a truly luxurious experience.
Drawbacks: The price is undeniably high, making this a very special occasion food advent calendar.
Key Specs
- Contents: 12 x 1-ounce tins of caviar, mother-of-pearl spoons, tin key, caviar cookbook
- Good to Know: An exceptional food advent calendar for serious caviar lovers.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
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Best Sichuan Food Advent Calendar
Fly By Jing Winter in Sichuan Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Fly By Jing
What We Loved: The Fly By Jing Winter in Sichuan food advent calendar is an aromatic delight from the moment you open the box. Familiar chili crisp, fragrant Sichuan peppercorns, and shallot sauce are just a few of the flavor-packed goodies inside. The beautiful box, adorned with silver snowflakes and bamboo, houses 12 substantial 2-ounce jars of Sichuan culinary treasures.
Drawbacks: These potent, flavor-packed jars may last you well beyond the 12 days of Advent!
Key Specs
- Contents: 12 x 2-ounce jars of Sichuan sauces and spices
- Good to Know: An ideal food advent calendar for adventurous palates and lovers of Sichuan cuisine.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Cookie Food Advent Calendar
Williams Sonoma Vienna Cookie Company Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Williams Sonoma
What We Loved: In a world of large and elaborate food advent calendars, the Vienna Cookie Company offering is refreshingly petite and elegant. The slim box, tastefully wrapped with a gold ribbon, contains 24 bite-sized Austrian-inspired cookies. These buttery, subtly sweet cookies, sometimes with a hint of booze, are perfectly portioned and incredibly flavorful. Rochelle raved, “The Raspberry Husarenkrapferl was a revelation, and I would have been happy with one thousand more of them.”
Drawbacks: While perfectly sized, slightly larger cookies wouldn’t have been unwelcome. Also, avoid tilting the box, as the cookies can slip out of their slots.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 Austrian-inspired cookies (various rum ball flavors, vanilla cookies, gingerbread people, and Husarenkrapferl varieties)
- Good to Know: Cookies are packaged in plastic inside the box, requiring removal before opening advent doors.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
Best Chocolate Truffle Food Advent Calendar
Williams Sonoma Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Advent Calendar
PHOTO: Williams Sonoma
What We Loved: The Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate food advent calendar is a celebration of exquisite truffles. Containing 24 beautifully crafted truffles in eight varieties, including Strawberry Conserve and Caramelised Biscuit, these iconic chocolates from London’s Bond Street chocolatiers live up to their luxurious reputation. “Opening the calendar feels (almost) like opening the doors to a high-end chocolate store,” Rochelle described, praising the experience of enjoying Bond Street quality without leaving home.
Drawbacks: Opening the sealed calendar box inevitably resulted in some minor tearing of the decorative packaging.
Key Specs
- Contents: 24 chocolate truffles in assorted flavors
- Good to Know: Shipped with ice packs, prompt unpacking is recommended, especially in warmer climates.
[:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sea-advent-calendars-charbonnel-et-walker-rochelle-bilow-4eb2f5e260a34c71be9df88c37e2348c.jpg)](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Oj7KAS4oJGkpVsi26ftsl1tyiik=/fit-in/1500×3024/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sea-advent-calendars-charbonnel-et-walker-rochelle-bilow-4eb2f5e260a34c71be9df88c37e2348c.jpg)
PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
Best Savory Snack Food Advent Calendar
Sugar Plum 12 Days of Gourmet Nuts Winter Wonderland Selection
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Loved: “After getting up to my elbows in chocolate and sweet treats during this review, I loved getting to sample salted, savory, and spiced nuts,” Rochelle shared. The Sugar Plum 12 Days of Nuts food advent calendar provides a welcome savory contrast, featuring barroom snack classics like corn nuts and smoked almonds. “Ten extra points for the Cajun Cashews,” Rochelle added. The sturdy packaging arrived in excellent condition and is attractive enough to display throughout December.
Drawbacks: The calendar arrived in a branded box with the slogan “Snacks Guys Love,” which felt unexpectedly gendered and unnecessary. Also, the tins are unlabeled, so keep the included flavor printout handy.
Key Specs
- Contents: 12 tins of gourmet snack mixes and nuts
- Good to Know: Tins are unlabeled, so refer to the included flavor guide for identification.
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PHOTO: Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
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Food Advent Calendar FAQs
What is the purpose of a Food Advent Calendar?
A food advent calendar serves as a delightful countdown to Christmas, typically containing 24 items to be opened daily from December 1st to 24th. It’s a fun and delicious way to build anticipation for the holiday season.
Which Food Advent Calendars offer the best value?
All of our top picks offer excellent quality for their respective categories. Some, like the Bonne Maman jam food advent calendar, provide a generous amount of product that can be enjoyed beyond the month of December, offering continued value.
Why Trust Our Food Advent Calendar Expertise?
- Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the Associate Editorial Director at foods.edu.vn, bringing extensive experience in food and product testing since 2021 and over six years professionally.
- Riddley, along with the dedicated editors at foods.edu.vn, invested months in rigorously testing food advent calendars to bring you these informed and reliable recommendations.
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