The 14 Best Food Advent Calendars That Are Sweet, Spicy, Boozy And Fun

Bonne Maman’s highly-anticipated advent calendar launches long before the weather starts to skew cold and it typically sells out quickly. The 24-day calendar comes with 23 pint-sized jars of jam and preserves—plus one honey—to help sweeten chilly December mornings. The festive 2023 edition was designed to resemble Santa’s workshop with doors that open up to reveal elves stirring and loading up jars of Bonne Maman jams. New limited-edition flavors have been added annually since the calendar first launched in 2016—this year’s seasonal offerings include caramel with cinnamon and pineapple ginger.

Count down to Santa’s arrival with Compartés’ limited-edition advent calendar. For 2023, the Los Angeles chocolatier presents a stunning garden-themed collection inspired by California’s bountiful harvest. The exquisite box features detailed drawings of plants, flowers and birds, and houses chocolates in exclusive flavors such as raspberry rose, passionfruit and honey lavender. True to Compartés’ signature style, the bonbons are as beautiful as they are delicious—each one has an intricate design emblazoned on top.

Walker’s beloved shortbread recipe hasn’t changed since the family patriarch Joseph Walker started making them at his Scottish bakery in 1898. These delightful treats still start with four simple ingredients: butter, flour, sugar and salt. The annual advent calendar boasts an assortment of six cookies hidden behind a black, white and red illustration of Aberlour, where all the biscuits are still baked. Pop open one of the 24 doors and savor a piece of shortbread in various shapes.

Unwind with a dozen day’s worth of new vinos from Vinebox’s annual Christmas sampler. There are two collections to choose from: the Cozy, featuring 100 milliliter pours of wintry reds, and the Chill, a mix of whites, rosés and chillable reds. The wines all come from celebrated wine regions (think Sonoma and Piemonte) and even have virtual tastings led by professional sommeliers. Each advent calendar arrives in a dazzling box with a frame-worthy art print.

For the frequent flyers in your life, consider this advent calendar from Japanese subscription snack company Bokksu. It comes with 41 snack items spread across 24 days, including four unique holiday collectibles. Everything is produced by traditional Japanese makers and comes packaged in a stylish navy blue box with scenes of a snow-capped Mt. Fuji and a temple surrounded by white pine trees.

This next-level gift from Sugarfina is part-advent calendar, part-keepsake. A spinning, light-up carousel sits on top of 24 drawers, each containing four pieces of gummy or chocolate. There’s a mix of classic sweets and the brand’s signature boozy candies, such as dark chocolate sea salt caramels, strawberry champagne bears and tequila grapefruit sours. You can continue to enjoy the calendar long after the sweets have been devoured—it comes with a USB charger to keep the LED lights glowing all year round.

Those who typically prefer savory to sweet will get a kick from A-Sha’s 12 Days of Noodles gift box. While it’s certainly not your traditional advent calendar, the limited-edition variety pack is just as fun and appealing. It features four of the AAPI-owned company’s flavors, all packaged in a colorful box. Using a 100-year-old technique originally developed in Taiwan, A-Sha air-dries its instant noodles instead of frying them, making them a healthier alternative to regular ramen and a perfect quick meal during the endlessly busy holiday season. 

This delicious advent calendar from Williams-Sonoma features just one item: the brand’s iconic peppermint bark. Those who eagerly await its return will appreciate the 24-day supply of the seasonal treat. Each flap hides one of four shapes—a snowman, soldier, Santa or Christmas tree. All are crafted from semisweet chocolate that’s topped with peppermint candy-studded white chocolate.

There’s no need to choose between candy, chocolate or cookies with this stunning advent calendar from crepe cake specialist Lady M. Each of the 24 boxes is filled with a sugary confection, ranging from fruity jellies to chocolate pearls to buttery biscuits. The elegantly-designed boxes are meant to double as ornaments so you can hang them on your tree after its sweet treat has been consumed.

Bring on the holiday cheer plus a dash of heat. Behind each door of this advent calendar with a kick, you’ll find one of 12 hot sauces. Per Uncommon Goods, the flavors range from “savory to mouth-melting” and have names like Oh My Garlic, Zombie Apocalypse and Habanero Evil. A glass of heat-quelling milk, however, is not included.

Vahdam’s teas are Oprah-approved and while it offers several gifts featuring its signature sips, the one-of-a-kind Spices of Christmas advent calendar is not to be missed. Home cooks will especially love pulling open the 24 doors to reveal a different single-origin spice. Ground ginger and whole cloves are perfect for all of their holiday baking, while black cumin and fenugreek will help amp up savory dishes. Each box comes with a booklet of recommended dishes to make, plus 1 percent of revenue goes into education funds for the spice farmers’ children.

London’s iconic department store Fortnum & Mason has been spreading holiday joy for more than three centuries and continues to delight with its annual gift collection. This tea lover’s advent calendar is equipped with 24 doors that unveil one of its signature tea blends. Those who enjoy relaxing with a warm cuppa will love brewing up a different tea bag every day leading up to Christmas. Flavors include classics such as Earl Grey and jade oolong and unique infusions like chamomile-bee pollen and elderberry with strawberry and rose.

Harry & David fans wait all year for the release of its beloved holiday treats. This 24-day advent calendar bundles together the gift basket purveyor’s most popular products inside a vibrant red box decorated with wreaths, candy canes and other Christmas emblems. A variety of sweet and savory treats are tucked inside, including its signature gold-foiled wrapped Royal Riviera pear, holiday Moose Munch, a pepper and onion relish and more.

Having a hard time settling on a single theme? Let your giftee create their own personalized advent calendar with Sugarwish. The concept is simple: Select a box size—they go from a mini (1 to 2 slots) to party (24 slots)—and product categories ranging from cookies and candies to wine and cocktail mixers. Then, send a special code by email or printable card. They can fill the box up with their favorite snacks and get it shipped straight to their door. Items include giant stuffed cookies, small-batch coffees and even treats for the family dog.