Advent calendars were once considered the domain of the children in the run-up to Christmas, but that’s not the case any longer. Whether it’s just wanting to hang on to our youth or to inspire that magical Christmas feeling, we adults can’t get enough of them either.
The calendars have been around, in one guise or another, since the 19th century. Back then, they weren’t intended as a countdown to the big day but, over the generations, the purpose changed. By the early 1950s, advent calendars had become a commercial success, and have been evolving ever since.
After decades of opening the doors to reveal a seasonal picture, there was a gradual move to the addition of chocolate and sweet treats. Over the last few years have seen an explosion of more lavish options, with everything from beauty products to socks inside. There are options to suit just about every pocket too, from less than £10 to hundreds of pounds, but we’ve picked a few of our favourites for under £40.
Montezuma’s Chocolate
Founded by Helen and Simon Pattinson in 2000 after an eye-opening trip to South America the previous year, Montezuma’s opened in West Sussex offering handmade chocolates from the lawyers-cum-self-taught chocolatiers. As well as wanting to produce the best tasting chocolate possible, Montezuma’s is committed to ensuring that the ingredients used in its products are ethically sourced and sustainable, only buying from suppliers who meet the requirements set out in the company’s supplier code.
The environmental credentials extend to the packaging; since 2020 every piece of packaging used for Montezuma’s chocolate products are 100% recyclable, biodegradable or compostable.
Palm oil isn’t part of the ingredient list at Montezuma’s, and all new products developed don’t include any artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives. It is also working to remove any that are included in its pre-existing product range, replacing them with more friendly alternatives.
The Advent calendars on offer at Montezuma’s are of the more traditional variety, with 25 numbered doors on the Organic Milk Chocolate and Christmas Truffle versions, but the Kids Like No Udder vegan version has just 24 doors.
Both the chocolate and vegan calendars contain a single delightful, quality chocolate behind each door, while the truffle calendar includes five different types of truffles behind its doors; sweet summertime, milking maid, American idol, eclipse and secret squirrel truffles. Each has a different flavour profile, from raspberry and through salted caramel and hazelnuts, to the eclipse truffle with its dark chocolate hit. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
What: Montezuma’s Advent Calendar
How much: £10 for Vean and Organic Milk Chocolate calendars, £30 for Truffles
Where from: Montezumas.co.uk
12 Days of Sriracha
If you like a hot sauce, you’re going to love the new advent calendar from Flying Goose, exclusively available from Sous Chef. Inside you’ll find 12 different sriracha hot sauces, giving you a chance to taste a few flavours you’ve perhaps not tried before.
Alongside the classic Original and Super Hot, there are some more unusual flavours like Yuzu, Tikka and Smokey Sriracha. With 12 doors to open over the festive season, you’ll be able to pep up those turkey leftovers well into the New Year!
Flying Goose is one of Thailand’s favourite brands and has earned a cult following across the globe. Its classic sriracha is loved for its hot tangy kick. It uses a traditional recipe from the Si Racha district in Thailand, with carefully selected ingredients fresh from Thai chilli farms.
What: 12 Days of Sriracha
How much: £40
Where from: SousChef.co.uk
Chococo Chocolates
Since December 2002 Andy and Claire Burnet have been producing their handmade chocolates from their home town on the beautiful Dorset coast. With an emphasis on using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, blended with the finest ethically sourced cocoa, Chococo wants to create chocolates that excite the palate but without additives or preservatives.
Protecting the planet is a large part of the company ethos too, only using fully recyclable packaging. Since 2018 it’s been working in collaboration with Orangutan SOS to help protect rainforest areas in Sumatra that are being destroyed by farming, logging and palm oil production. The efforts don’t stop there – since summer 2021, Chococo have partnered with two other environmental projects, the Ocean Giants Programme and the UK-based Project Seagrass, with donations being made to each cause with each sale of the project-dedicated products.
There are two versions of the Chococo Advent calendar available to order now, for delivery in late November; choose between the Classic Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Vegan versions. There are 25 different flavours in the classic selection, including caramels, boozy fruits and spiced pralines. The range is a little more limited for the vegan version, with 14 different flavours, but the mix still contains some fabulous flavours and textures.
Unlike a traditional style advent calendar with doors, there’s simply a frosted sleeve covering the chocolates in the box marking the number for each chocolate for each day, including Christmas Day.
Overall, it’s a sophisticated looking advent calendar containing some great chocolates. Beware, however, if you lack chocolate-based self-control as, with no doors to stop you, it’ll be all too easy to polish off the lot before the end of Advent.
What: Chococo Classic Chocolate Advent Selection Box
How much: £25
Where from: Chococo.co.uk
The Snaffling Pig Co. Pork Crackling
The Snaffling Pig Co. first launched in 2015, as founder Nick Coleman threw caution, and £500 seed money, to the wind believing he could bring the humble pork scratching up to date. The much-loved snack had remained pretty much unchanged for the best part of 250 years, but with some imagination and ingenuity, Snaffling Pig put a whole new spin on the bar-based snack.
Introducing a variety of flavours to tempt us, the transformation seems to have gone well and in 2021 Snaffling Pig was recognised as the UK’s fastest-growing meat snack brand.
The success of the company has made it possible for Coleman to give a little back too, developing active partnerships with colleges in their local area, providing work placements and apprenticeships for young people. On a wider scale, the company also works alongside Action Against Hunger, which works to tackle the issues of malnutrition in children globally. The company intends to continue to support this effort and is also hoping to be able to give greater levels of support as it grows.
This year, Snaffling Pig has again released its much-awaited advent calendar. It’s been a sell-out in previous years, and we can see why. With six different flavours behind 24 doors, you can enjoy a flavoursome snack all the way up until Christmas. If you’re a fan of the pork scratching, this is a sure-fire winner, but you’ll need to buy in good time to avoid disappointment!
What: The Snaffling Pig Co. Pork Crackling Advent Calendar
How much: £20
Where from: SnafflingPig.co.uk
Electronic Games Advent Calendar
If you want something a little different from your advent calendar this year, then the Electronic Games Advent Calendar is for you. Behind the 24 doors of the calendar, you’ll find the parts and a comprehensive instruction manual to build and play 24 different electronic games.
Ok, it’s not going to rival your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, but it will frustrate and delight you in equal measure, as well as give you a bit of a blast from the past with titles like Whack a Mole and Simon Says in the line-up.
It’ll also save you from 24 more chocolates that you’ll need to walk off in the cold December weather.
It’s a nice distraction for a few hours, but beware if there are small people or eat-anything animals around, as there are lots of small components that can be easily swallowed.
What: Electronic Games Advent Clendar
How much: £20
Where from: Amazon.co.uk
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