A Foodie Countdown to Christmas: Four Advent Calendars to Savour – Advent calendars have come a long way from the little chocolate squares we used to look forward to opening each morning. These days, there is something to suit almost every taste, from beauty and fragrance to toys, drinks and, of course, plenty of delicious foodie treats.
If you enjoy discovering new flavours, indulging in something sweet or simply having a little treat to look forward to each day in December, I’ve found four foodie advent calendars that are worth adding to your Christmas wish list. Whether you’re shopping for a foodie friend or fancy treating yourself, these bring a little extra flavour to the countdown.
Bird & Blend Tea Co. Matcha Advent Calendar – £55
For anyone who loves matcha, or has been tempted to give it a try, Bird & Blend Tea Co. has created something rather different with its Matcha Advent Calendar. In fact, it describes it as the only matcha advent calendar, making it an interesting alternative to the usual festive offerings.
Hand-packed with love, this calendar contains 24 unique flavours, bringing together new and limited-edition creations alongside some firm favourites. Each day reveals a mini resealable tin containing enough matcha for two cups, giving you an impressive 48 cups of matcha and hojicha to enjoy throughout the festive countdown.
There are some particularly tempting flavours to discover, including Snow Angel, Moomins Berry Basket, Jam Jar Hojicha and Twixmas, alongside Toasted Marshmallow, Maple Pecan Pancakes and Pistachio Gelato. It’s a lovely opportunity to experiment with flavours you might not ordinarily choose and perhaps find a new favourite along the way.
The matcha is ceremonial grade, sugar-free and naturally flavoured, while its antioxidant content and slow-release caffeine make it an appealing alternative to reaching for another coffee during the busy festive season.
I also like the attention to packaging, with the calendar being 100% plastic-free and recyclable. With £80 worth of matcha inside, it offers a generous selection for anyone keen to explore the world of matcha.
Priced at £55, it’s available online and in Bird & Blend Tea Co. stores.
Find out more: Bird & Blend Tea Co.
Popcorn Kitchen Christmas Gift House – 12 Days of Popcorn – £30
If you prefer something a little more unusual, Popcorn Kitchen has come up with a rather fun alternative to the traditional advent calendar. Its Christmas Gift House is filled with 12 windows, each hiding a full-sized 30g bag of gourmet popcorn. It’s a lovely gift idea for anyone who enjoys a little something sweet or savoury and certainly offers plenty of variety.
Hand-popped in the UK using carefully selected ingredients, the collection brings together some of Popcorn Kitchen’s most indulgent recipes, with ten different flavours to discover.
There are two bags each of Salted Caramel and White Chocolate & Raspberry, alongside individual bags of Chocolate Orange, Gingerbread, Lemon Drizzle, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Brownie, Cheddar Cheese, Cherry Bakewell and Blueberry Muffin.
It’s quite an eclectic mix, moving from familiar favourites to some more adventurous combinations. The Salted Caramel is made with butter, double cream and a sprinkling of sea salt, while the White Chocolate & Raspberry combines Belgian white chocolate with freeze-dried raspberries.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Chocolate Orange is a classic combination, while the Lemon Drizzle and Gingerbread flavours bring a little festive bakery inspiration to the mix. There’s even a Chocolate Mint variety, a newer addition to the range, combining dark Belgian chocolate with mint.
And it’s not all about sweet treats. The Cheddar Cheese popcorn offers something savoury, using British cheddar cheese powder, while the Chocolate Brownie flavour is particularly interesting as it’s vegan accredited.
The collection is vegetarian, gluten-free, wholegrain and GM-free, making it a versatile choice for sharing.
I rather like the idea of having a little bag of popcorn to enjoy each day, whether it’s an afternoon treat, something to share during a Christmas film or a snack to put out when friends and family visit. With 12 different bags, there’s certainly plenty to keep everyone happy.
Priced at £30, the Christmas Gift House is available from Popcorn Kitchen.
Find out more: Popcorn Kitchen Christmas Gift House
Pierre Marcolini Christmas in the Kitchen Advent Calendar – From £55
For those who enjoy really good chocolate, Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini has created a rather indulgent way to count down to Christmas with his Christmas in the Kitchen Advent Calendar.
This is not your usual chocolate calendar. Behind its 25 doors is a carefully curated selection of chocolates, offering something different to discover each day throughout December, including an extra treat for Christmas Day.
The collection includes nut and dried fruit pralines, cocoa truffles, soft fruit-filled chocolate hearts and marshmallow treats. There are some interesting flavour combinations to look forward to, too, with everything from familiar chocolate favourites to more adventurous pairings featuring yuzu, Sichuan pepper and cinnamon.
The calendar also comes with a selection of recipe cards, offering inspiration to take your enjoyment of chocolate beyond the daily treat and into the kitchen.
For an extra-special gift, there is a second version which includes a limited-edition Moleskine recipe notebook. Created in collaboration with Moleskine, the notebook features eight indulgent recipes from Pierre Marcolini, alongside plenty of blank pages for jotting down your own favourite recipes, kitchen secrets and culinary ideas. It’s a lovely addition for anyone who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen or wants to build their own collection of recipes.
The standard Advent Calendar is priced at £55, while the version with the Moleskine notebook is £79 (the notebook is also available separately for £24.50).
A lovely choice for chocolate lovers, with a little culinary inspiration thrown in for good measure.
Find out more: Christmas in the Kitchen Advent Calendar | Advent Calendar with Moleskine Recipe Notebook
Bettys Chocolate Advent Calendar – £25
Sometimes you simply can’t beat a traditional chocolate advent calendar, and Bettys has given this festive favourite a rather lovely makeover for 2026.
The Limited Edition Bettys Chocolate Advent Calendar features charming illustrations by renowned Yorkshire artist Emily Sutton, whose distinctive artwork brings the calendar to life with plenty of festive detail and storytelling.
Behind each of its 24 little windows is a delicious Swiss milk or white chocolate coin, each one crafted from smooth, creamy chocolate and embossed with the iconic Bettys ‘B’.
It’s a lovely combination of thoughtful design and a little everyday indulgence, making it a charming addition to the Christmas countdown. Whether you’re buying it as an early Christmas gift or making it part of a family tradition, there’s something rather special about opening a little window each morning and discovering a chocolate treat waiting inside.
For anyone who appreciates beautiful illustrations as much as good chocolate, this is a lovely way to bring a touch of Yorkshire charm into the festive season.
Priced at £25, it’s a lovely option for anyone looking for a traditional chocolate advent calendar with a little extra character.
Find out more: Bettys Chocolate Advent Calendar
Making December a little more delicious
I rather like the idea of looking beyond the traditional chocolate calendar and choosing something that introduces a new flavour or little surprise each day.
After all, the run-up to Christmas can be hectic, so having a small treat to look forward to each morning is a lovely way to slow things down and enjoy the festive season.
Poppy Watt