Forget the standard chocolate calendar - this year's food and drink advents are bursting with everything from luxury Champagne and craft beer to artisan fudge, gourmet sauces and classic chocolate treats.
Whether you're shopping for a foodie friend, a wine enthusiast or simply want to treat yourself, there's something for every budget and taste.
We've rounded up the best buys, from bargain £2.50 treats to premium indulgences, plus tips on pre-order offers and early-bird savings to help make your money go further.
M&S’s luxury food advent calendar
This is a foodie’s dream – with Champagne, cocktails and chocolate galore
Forget a tiny chocolate behind every door – the M&S Foodhall Advent Calendar goes all-out for Christmas with 25 days of seriously tempting treats. The bumper festive hamper brings together sweet and savoury favourites, from pistachio crème and Belgian chocolate malt balls to sticky fig and hot honey chutney.
There are warming drinking chocolates, indulgent truffles and a mini cranberry and orange panettone, while grown-ups can look forward to a Marksologist Espresso Martini cocktail, a spicy mezcal margarita and a 200ml bottle of Champagne Delacourt Brut. There’s even a 12-month matured Christmas pudding for an extra festive flourish.
The catch? The calendar has flown out of stock, so eager shoppers may have to wait for its return. But, lots of the treasures inside are still available at M&S, so while you're stocking up, keep an eye out to see if it returns,
Best for: Foodie gift hunters and anyone who loves luxury festive treats with a boozy twist.
Price: £100
Details: 25 days of sweet and savoury treats, including chocolates, chutney, cocktails and Champagne, plus lots of M&S finds.
How to get even more money off your advent calendars
Advent calendars often offer great value, compared to buying a single product. But you can get an even better deal. Top cashback has an offer with several advent calendar retailers where you can get cashback on your purchases.
- Sign up using this bonus link
- Search for your chosen calendar
- Click get cashback
- Shop as you normally would
Virgin Gin Advent Calendar 2026 is a dream for gin lovers – with 24 days of boozy surprises
Who needs chocolate when you can count down to Christmas with gin? The Virgin Gin Advent Calendar 2026 is bringing a spirited twist to December, with a tempting line-up of bottles designed to help you discover new favourites and revisit classic tipples.
Expect a colourful mix of flavours, including Boë Peach & Hibiscus Gin, Masons Yorkshire Tea Gin and Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin. Fancy something with a smoky edge? Rock Rose Smoked Orange Gin brings citrus notes with a warming twist, while Edinburgh Elderflower Gin Liqueur, 1606 Gin and Warner’s Harrington Dry Gin offer even more variety.
Presented in a beautifully decorated box, it’s a standout gift for anyone who takes their festive tipples seriously. You can reserve yours with a £10 upfront payment, with the remaining balance collected when the calendar ships in November.
There's also a choice of wine advent calendar, stuffed with 24 mini bottles plus a full-size showstopper to savour on Christmas Day.
Best for: Gin or wine enthusiasts, adventurous drinkers and anyone searching for a premium Christmas gift.
Price: £99.99, plus delivery
Payment: £10 deposit, with £89.99 plus delivery charged when dispatched
Details: A selection of gins and gin liqueurs, including fruity, floral, botanical and smoky varieties.
The Whisky World American Whiskey Advent Calendar – 25 days of all-American whisky discoveries
Whisky lovers can count down to Christmas in style with The Whisky World’s specially curated American Whiskey Advent Calendar. New for 2026, this premium calendar features 25 different windows, each offering a chance to discover a dram from a variety of renowned US distilleries.
Beautifully presented in an eye-catching gift box, it also comes with a bonus tasting glass, making it a particularly lovely treat for anyone who enjoys exploring new whiskies. Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or simply keen to expand your whisky horizons, it's a brilliant way to add a little spirit to the festive countdown.
Best for: American whiskey fans, adventurous whisky drinkers and premium Christmas gift hunters.
Price: From £129.90, here.
Details: 25 different American whiskey drams from renowned US distilleries, plus a bonus tasting glass.
Chilli No. 5 Hot Sauce Advent Calendar – 24 days of fiery flavours from around the world
Forget chocolate – this advent calendar is guaranteed to bring the heat to your Christmas countdown. The Chilli No. 5 Hot Sauce & Spice Advent Calendar takes adventurous foodies on a spicy journey across the globe, starting in England and finishing in Africa, with the heat building behind every door.
Inside are 24 gourmet surprises, from Wicked Wasabi and Jamaican Jerk Spice Rub to White Truffle Sauce, Carolina Reaper Flakes and Sriracha. The grand finale is a limited-edition 100ml bottle of Pure, combining Ghost, Scorpion and Reaper chillies. With 30 Great Taste Stars awarded to its products, it's a seriously hot gift for spice lovers.
Best for: Chilli enthusiasts, adventurous foodies and anyone who likes their Christmas with a fiery kick.
Price: £125
Stockist: Selfridges
Details: 24 gourmet hot sauces, spice rubs, chilli flakes and drizzles from around the world, plus a limited-edition super-hot sauce.
Laithwaites Wine Advent Calendar 2026 – 24 bottles of festive cheer, including a Christmas Eve Prosecco
Wine lovers can make the countdown to Christmas extra special with this bumper Wine Advent Calendar, packed with a brilliant selection of bottles from across its range. New for 2026, this year's edition has been given an upgrade, with 23 mini bottles tucked behind the doors, including premium wines from top regions and a 200ml bottle of Port.
And there's an extra reason to celebrate: Christmas Eve brings a full-size bottle of Prosecco to share. Whether you're treating yourself or sending it as a gift, it's a lovely way to discover new favourites throughout December.
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, festive hosts and anyone who loves discovering new wines.
Price: £99.99 from Laithwaites.
Delivery: Free next-day delivery for Unlimited members; standard delivery £7.99.
Details: 23 mini bottles of wine and Port, plus a full bottle of Prosecco for Christmas Eve.
Roly’s Fudge Advent Calendar – 25 days of fudge
Forget chocolate – fudge fans are in for a real treat with Roly’s limited-edition Christmas Advent Calendar. Beautifully presented in a gold-foiled sleeve featuring a festive design by Devon illustrator Helen Leslie, it’s packed with 25 days of the brand’s signature handmade fudge.
Expect delicious flavours including Vanilla Clotted Cream, Sea Salt, Honeycomb, Chocolate, Salted Maple & Pecan and Christmas Pudding, with each individually wrapped 20g portion accompanied by a fun piece of brand trivia. Handcrafted in small batches, there's 500g of crumbly goodness in total.
Best for: Fudge lovers, sweet-toothed foodies and anyone after a handmade festive gift.
Price: £60, including free delivery.
Details: 25 individually wrapped fudge portions.
The Online Wine Tasting Club World Tour Advent Calendar – 24 wines from 23 countries
Fancy travelling the world without leaving the sofa? The Online Wine Tasting Club’s 2026 World Tour Advent Calendar takes wine lovers on a festive journey across the globe, with 24 generous 100ml glasses of wine from 23 different countries to discover throughout December.
Starting in the UK with a Chardonnay from Simpsons Wine Estate, the adventure takes in destinations including Portugal, Lebanon, Italy and India, before finishing with two Portuguese favourites: Vallado Superior Tinto and Barros White Port. Scan the QR code on each bottle for a handy three-minute video introducing the wine and its region. There's even the chance to win a 12-month subscription or £200 voucher!
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, curious drinkers and anyone who loves discovering new regions and varieties.
Details: 24 x 100ml wines from 23 countries, with tasting videos accessed via QR codes. It's £100 from their site.
BrewDog Advent Calendar 2026 – 24 days of craft beer and festive brews
Beer lovers can get Christmas started early with BrewDog’s 2026 Advent Calendar, packed with 24 days of craft beer favourites and limited-edition festive creations.
This year's line-up includes seasonal standouts Hoppy Christmas, bursting with citrus and tropical fruit flavours, and the new Jingle Juice, alongside the indulgent Cocoa Reserve chocolate and vanilla stout.
There's plenty more to discover, including Punk IPA, Hazy Jane and Elvis Juice, plus a brand-new exclusive BrewDog glass to keep long after the last beer is gone. Having sold out last year, it's one to snap up early.
Best for: Craft beer enthusiasts, BrewDog fans and anyone who loves discovering new brews.
Price: £51.99
Details: 24 beers in a mix of cans and bottles, plus an exclusive glass.
HAPPi Chocolate Advent Calendar – 24 days of plant-based chocolate
Chocoholics can enjoy a guilt-free festive countdown with HAPPi’s colourful, plastic-free advent calendar, packed with 24 delicious pieces of plant-based oat milk chocolate. There are three tempting flavours to discover behind the doors: Salted Caramel, Plain Milk and Orange, so there's plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, the smooth chocolate also contains less sugar than other leading brands. Each piece is individually foil-wrapped, while the bright, bold packaging makes it a fun choice for grown-ups and little ones alike. A lovely alternative for anyone looking for a more sustainable chocolate treat.
Best for: Vegan chocoholics, environmentally conscious shoppers and families.
Details: 24 pieces of oat milk chocolate in three flavours. Plastic-free packaging, vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
Website: happichoc.com
Cox&Co. Cacao Advent Calendar – 24 days of luxurious Colombian dark chocolate
Dark chocolate lovers can indulge their taste buds this Christmas with Cox&Co.'s beautifully designed advent calendar. Behind each of the 24 doors is a 5g morsel of the brand's signature 60% cacao dark chocolate, made using sustainably farmed, single-origin Colombian cacao.
Expect rich caramel notes and a subtle coffee bitterness, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. It's a deliciously grown-up alternative to traditional milk chocolate calendars, while also making a thoughtful gift for anyone following a plant-based diet. Even the packaging gets a sustainable makeover, with recycled Kraft card and distinctive handcrafted artwork.
Best for: Dark chocolate devotees, vegan foodies and anyone who appreciates sustainably sourced treats.
Details: 24 x 5g pieces of 60% cacao dark chocolate, made with sustainably farmed Colombian cacao. Recycled Kraft card packaging.
Website: coxandcocacao.com
Lindt Pick & Mix Advent Calendar – create your own chocolate-filled countdown
Why settle for the same chocolate every day when you can create your own dream festive selection? Lindt’s Pick & Mix Advent Calendar lets chocolate lovers personalise all 24 doors with their favourite treats, choosing from more than 30 varieties of delicious Lindt chocolate.
There are plenty of tempting options, including classic LINDOR Milk, Strawberries & Cream and the new Cinnamon Roll flavour. Prefer something a little different? Try Pistachio, Golden Caramel & Hazelnut White Chocolate or even Irish Cream and Marc de Champagne for a boozy twist. It's a lovely way to make your Christmas countdown truly personal.
Best for: Lindt lovers, chocolate fans and anyone who likes having a choice.
Price: £17.50
Details: 300g calendar, customisable with more than 30 Lindt chocolate varieties.
Stockists: Lindt.co.uk and Lindt stores.
Also available: An exclusive London-themed version at Lindt's flagship Piccadilly store.
Aldi’s Cocktail Advent Calendar – festive cocktails and chocolate for £12.99
Cocktail lovers can raise a glass to Christmas with Aldi’s first-ever Cocktail Advent Calendar, bringing a little party spirit to the festive countdown without breaking the bank. Priced at just £12.99, it combines cans of the supermarket’s Infusionist ready-to-drink cocktails with indulgent chocolate truffles.
Expect tempting tipples including Spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini and Passion Fruit Martini, each in handy 125ml cans. Prefer something creamier? Aldi’s popular Ballycastle Country Cream Advent Calendar also returns, featuring classic, white chocolate and chocolate, hazelnut and caramel flavours, plus chocolate truffles.
Best for: Cocktail fans, budget-friendly festive gifting and anyone who likes a little tipple with their chocolate.
Price: £12.99 each
Details: Both calendars available in Aldi stores now.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange Advent Calendar – a classic Christmas favourite for just £2.50
You can't beat a Terry’s Chocolate Orange at Christmas, and now fans can enjoy a little taste of the iconic treat every day in the run-up to the big day. The much-loved Terry’s Chocolate Orange Advent Calendar is back for 2026, offering an affordable way to add some chocolatey cheer to December.
Behind each window is a delicious Chocolate Orange treat, with an extra-special surprise waiting behind door 24: an extra-large 14g Chocolate Orange segment to enjoy on Christmas Eve. It's a simple but brilliant stocking-filler for chocolate lovers of all ages.
Best for: Chocolate Orange fans, families and anyone shopping on a budget.
Price: £2.50
Details: Daily Terry’s Chocolate Orange treats, with an extra-large 14g segment on Christmas Eve.
Stockists: Major retailers nationwide.
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