'Tis the season to be jolly, so why the long face? Oh, that's right. You're an "adult" now and apparently you're "too old" for your parents to buy you a milk chocolate Advent calendar. And as an "adult" the very idea of letting 24 little cardboard doors dictate your chocolate intake seems ridiculous. We're fairly guilty of tucking in too early to a milk chocolate Advent and spending the rest of the month fuming at your own lack of self control.
To remedy that lack of festive fun this Advent, we've collated a handy little guide to help you find the best Advent calendar 2019 that's just perfect for the food and drink lovers out there. Want to find the perfect edible gift for the hungriest people in your life who deserve a daily pick-me-up capable of brightening up even the darkest of days? We can guarantee there's at least one handsome calendar on this list that'll be right up your street.
From edible offerings from the likes of Bonne Maman and Pophams to ethical goodness from Advent for Change, there's a plenty of excellent Advent calendars out there that should satisfy your every whim and desire every day of December. Because counting down the days till Christmas doesn't have to be less exciting now you're an adult, y'know.
15 of our favourite food and drink Advent calendars
1. St Austell beer Advent calendar 2019
£73
If you're in the mood for a calendar that's very adult – and very boozy – it's hard to go wrong with this handsome beer Advent calendar from St Austell. The perfect gift for the beer lovers out there, this Advent calendar includes a St Austell Brewery beer behind each of its doors, giving you a decent brew to enjoy everyday throughout the countdown to Christmas Day. Featuring a variety of award-winning brews – from chocolatey stouts to light hoppy ales and everything in between, this limited-edition Advent calendar 2019 will give you a proper hop education this festive season.
2. Sophie Conran for Biscuiteers Advent calendar 2019
£125
This Biscuiteers Advent calendar, designed in collaboration with the very talented Sophie Conran, is a real sight for sore eyes. Far from your bog standard cardboard jobby, it's a Scandi-style cloth calendar that we'd happily hang up in every room of the home no matter what time of the year. Yep, this one's a keeper – and an Advent calendar you'll want to pass down to future generations so that they, too, can show off their impeccable taste while counting down to Christmas. It doesn't come stocked with any treats, mind, so Biscuiteers recommends filling it with its Advent 24 luxe biscuit tin for the ultimate Christmas countdown.
3. Jack Daniel's Whiskey Advent calendar 2019
£59.90
Containing a different miniature 50ml bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey behind every door, this is the perfect Advent for the bourbon lover in your life who's looking for something a little stronger and stiffer than your company to warm them up on a frosty winter night. Stocked with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye,Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select and Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire, it's also the ideal gift for a whiskey novice who wants a user-friendly way to introduce them to the dark and dangerously delicious spirit. As always, Advent responsibly.
4. Lakrids Liquorice Advent calendar 2019
£34.95
Liquorice: you either love it or loathe it. Personally, we love the stuff, and there's no better way we can think of than ringing in December with a daily dose of high-quality aniseed-heavy goodness. This calendar has 24 windows filled for your pleasure, and comes from Lakrids – one of the finest liquorice producers in Denmark, the home of liquorice. Each day you'll discover chocolate, coffee, raspberry and other ingredients expertly married with that recognisably spicy and sweet flavour. Behind each window you'll find two dainty pieces of liquorice: two for you, or – if you're feeling proper generous this festive season – one for a mate, too. Not only that but all the card and plastic in the Advent calendar are made from recycled materials, and the whole calendar is 100% recyclable. Lovely.
5. The Drinks by the Dram Gin Explorers Advent Calendar 2019
£99.95
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: a whole lot of gin. This 24-window Advent calendar, which comes with 24 different 30ml wax-sealed drams, is a fantastic way to explore some rather diverse and exciting gin from boutique producers to world-famous big hitters. You'll get to enjoy gins packed with fruity flavours, sample some fairly out-there expressions and even have the chance to sip on a very festive Christmas spirit made with frankincense and myrrh. Not really one for surprises? Well, just know that you can expect to find the following: Chapel Down Pinot Noir Gin, Hernö Old Tom Gin, Strawberry & Balsamico Gin, and many, many more tantalising spirits. Let the merry times be-gin.
6. Advent of Change charity Advent calendar 2019
£16.95
Eco-friendly, plastic-free, sustainable, and recyclable, we're really not kidding when we say that is kindest Advent calendar we've come across. Advent of Change is set to change the way that all of us think about the festive period and are giving you the chance to start every day in December leading up to Christmas to fill yourself with the ultimate joy of giving. Yep, with just one purchase of this calendar you'll be making a donation to 24 different charities as each door reveals a different 50p donation. From feeding the homeless to protecting our oceans and protecting endangered animals, all of those causes sound a lot more deserving than a personal cause of filling your mouth with as much chocolate as humanly possible, right? Over 70% of the sale price also goes directly to charity. Ensure your spot on the nice list this year by purchasing this lovely, lovely calendar.
7. Joe and Seph's Gourmet Popcorn Advent calendar 2019
£25
You know how in America they make those popcorn garlands and put them up all over their Christmas trees? Yeah, that's weird, isn't it? We'd recommend actually eating popcorn this Christmas instead with this gourmet popcorn Advent calendar from the good folks at Joe and Seph's. Designed in the style of a Victorian shop-front, the calendar opens up like a giant Christmas storybook. The best of the story, of course, being that you get to eat a snack-sized portion of popcorn everyday in the build-up to the big day. Behind each of the 24 doors you'll find a dinky package of artisan popcorn in 12 unique flavours including salted caramel, speculoos chocolate orange, banoffee pie, toffee apple and cinnamon, and more.
8. Hotel Chocolat's The Grand Advent Calendar 2019
£68
Chocolates, crackers, and alcohol? Oh my! This epic two-sided Advent calendar from chocolate masters Hotel Chocolat is a veritable festive feast in and of itself; fat with daily gifts and treats that'll make every day of December feel like a mini Christmas of its own. Spoiler warning: some of the surprises include salted caramel vodka liqueur, crackers filled with pecan praline, hazelnut bûche, cocoa gin, and enough decadent truffles to fell a full-sized reindeer. It's large, in charge, and one of the sexiest Advent calendars you'll find in 2019. Anyone for a caramel supernova?
9. Bonne Maman Advent calendar 2019
£23.99
If you're after a calendar with a certain je ne sais quoi this year, then Bonne Maman's jam-packed Advent packed with jam is the one for you. Treat yourself to a cracking breakfast every day of Advent by tucking into the adorable doors of this calendar. Each of the 23 doors contains an adorable mini 30g jar of jam or marmalade. Every diminutive jam jar is a different delicious flavour combination and a lot of them are even extra special limited edition flavours not usually available in the UK. Expect a range of flavours from mango, peach and lime to purple gig and cinnamon. Just wait until you see what the surprise gift on Christmas Eve is… you jammy thing, you.
10. teapigs Christmas Advent calendar 2019
£29.99
Pop the kettle on this Christmas with the teapigs Christmas Advent calendar. Each little door on each day of December will offer you the chance to discover a new blend to sample in the lead up to the big day. Which means by the time that 25 December comes around, you might have found the perfect replacement to your daily Earl Grey. From teas to calm you down after a tiring day power walking and panic shopping around Oxford Street to ones that will give you that boost of energy you need to, y'know, go power walking and panic shopping around Oxford Street, this calendar has got a little bit for everyone. Slurp your way into the new year with 24 different tea blends that'll warm your body and soul in equal measure.
11. Tiptree Fine English Spirits Advent calendar 2019
£100
A combination of small-batch craft English gin, vodka, and rum with Tiptree's Fruits and Spreads is what you can expect to find in this Tiptree Fine English Spirits Advent calendar. If the words tawny marmalade vodka liqueur, then there's truly no hope for a Grinch like you. All of Tiptree's medleys of fruit and alcohol is the perfect festive serve and makes an excellent drink when sipped over ice, added your favourite mixer, or used as the base for a cracking Christmas cocktails. If you're hot for the chance to trial Tiptree's entire range of Fine English Spirits, then this is the perfect Advent calendar for you.
12. Pophams Advent calendar 2019
£30
Give the gift of pastries this Christmas by buying a loved one (or yourself) this Advent calendar from Pophams. Illustrated by talented London based artist, Fee Greening, you can count down to Christmas with the bakery's first ever Advent calendar where behind each window you'll find a token to redeem a daily Pophams treat. That includes pastries, spiced chai lattes, mince pies, hot chocolate and LAND chocolate bars for a booty that's worth £80 overall. Which makes this a no-brainer, right? Redeemable at your local Pophams branch (be that Islington, Hackney and Arcade Food Theatre or New Oxford Street) this is the Advent calendar for those with a fervent passion for flaky pastry.
13. Poilâne Advent calendar 2019
£32
This super slick Advent calendar from the world-famous Poilâne Bakery is set to take you on a journey of sweet and delicious discovery through 24 specialities of biscuits, chocolates and sweets made by Houses that Apollonia Poilâne has been honoured to welcome at its side over the years. Expect a range of high-end goods and delicacies from the likes of Benoit Chocolats, Jacques Genin, Maison Ferber, Jean-Paul Hevin, and more as well as edible treats created by Poilâne's pastry chefs and bakers. The calendar itself depicts a drawing of the original Poilâne bakery by Alex Charrier. It looks so pretty you'll might even almost find yourself hesitating to tuck into its wonderful nougat and shortbread-stocked innards.
14. Borough Box Christmas snacking feast Advent calendar 2019
£79.99
Borough Box's Christmas Snacking Feast Advent Calendar provides a hell of food haul for the festive season. Rammed with everything from chocolate covered brazil nuts to moreish maple crackling and nut butter cookies, this Advent calendar has been carefully curated to ensure that it encompasses a varied, tasty range of independent producers and innovative products. 24 windows graced by products from brands such as Mighty Fine, Brindisa, Serious Pig, Cocoba, Drinks Bakery, Serious Pig, Holdsworth Chocolates and a host of others? Sounds pretty ideal to us.
15. BrewDog Premium Advent calendar 2019
£75
Mulled cider and mulled wine are.. Fine. But, let's be honest here, is there a drink you enjoy more during the festive period than an ice cold beer? BrewDog certainly don't think so which is why they've created this premium Advent calendar that's just right for the beer fanatics out there. This Premium pack contains both limited releases and fan favourites for those who are both familiar with BrewDog's range as well as those who might be a bit sceptical of the brand. Whether it's a light beer on the weekend or a darker beer after you've come home from work, there's a beer for every occasion in this bad boy.
