Pre-Order These Popular Food and Drink Advent Calendars Now, Before They Sell Out

With a new treat every day, an Advent calendar turns the holidays into a whole month of surprises. The tradition of counting down to Christmas dates back to the 1800s, but the Advent calendar remains popular as a holiday gift today. And it’s not just for kids, thanks to food- and drink-focused advent calendars like whiskey Advent calendars and chocolate Advent calendars from world-renowned makers.

The holidays are still months away, but many of the best Advent calendars sell out well in advance every year, and that means it’s time to start thinking about your Christmas gifts for 2024. These are some of our favorites, which you can pre-order today (or very soon) and get your holiday gifting squared away before it’s even fall.

In Good Taste Wine Advent Calendars

In Good Taste specializes in mini-bottles of wine that let you try a wide assortment of regions and varietals from around the world. Each 187-milliliter sample is enough for one large glass or for two people to share. Each Advent calendar includes two dozen minis, with options for all reds, a mix of reds, whites, and rosés, or the extra-special Boisset Collection, with high-end wines from Napa and Sonoma only. All three are $20 off for a limited time for pre-order. They’ll be ready to ship at the beginning of November, and they typically sell out before the end of that month.

Bonne Maman Limited Edition Advent Calendar

You can find Bonne Maman’s delicious jams, jellies, and other spreads in supermarkets just about anywhere, but the brand’s Advent calendar is the only place to get seasonal special editions. It sells out before Thanksgiving nearly every year thanks to these creative combos, including caramel with coffee, apricot with orange blossom, and guava-raspberry-rose this year.

Lebkuchen-Schmidt Advent Calendar

The Advent calendar tradition originated in Germany, and Europeandeli.com sells a lot of German calendars full of chocolates, marzipan, nougat, and other treats. This one, from Nuremberg bakery Lebkuchen-Schmidt, is one of our favorites. Besides the bakery’s famous gingerbread, its treats include assorted cookies and pastries that will bring you straight to the Christkindlesmarkt. This year’s calendar is decorated with images from “Sendung mit der Maus,” a children’s TV show that has been on air since 1971.

David’s Tea 24 Trips With Tea

Fire up the electric kettle for this around-the-world tea journey. The Advent calendar from David’s Tea includes two servings each of 24 varieties, including traditional black, white, and green teas from China, Japan, Nepal, Korea, and India, along with herbal blends and lots more. You’ll try yerba maté from Brazil, North African mint tea, two types of Earl Grey, three different chai blends, hibiscus, chamomile — it’s all here.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent

Chicago’s Vosges Haut-Chocolat is no mere candymaker. Its house-made chocolates and truffles are as beautiful as they are delicious and are one of our favorite chocolate gifts for any season. The Vosges Calendar of Advent is an indulgent splurge that’s a work of art, as well as 25 tasty treats. The 2024 edition is Nordic chalet–themed, complete with chocolate gnomes and a box that lights up and plays carols. The calendar itself is meant to be a keepsake; you can buy a refill set of chocolates and use it year after year. Pre-orders open on September 10, and the boxes will ship on November 19.

Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar

Flaviar’s advent calendar is perhaps the most sought-after whiskey Advent calendar out there. It’s pretty much guaranteed to sell out by November, so you should get on it now. This calendar is all about variety, with two dozen 50-milliliter samples of bourbon, rye, single malt, and more from the US, Ireland, Japan, and even Australia. Many of these small-production spirits are hard to find and will make any whiskey geek’s year. The Flaviar calendar also comes with a pair of Glencairn glasses (our favorite for tasting whiskey), full tasting notes, and a special “hotel keycard” that gives you exclusive access and discounts on full bottles for the next year.

Drinks by the Dram Whisky Advent Calendars

For the whisk(e)y lover with more specific tastes, Drinks by the Dram’s astounding 15 Advent calendar options have you covered. Each one includes 25 sample vials, with worldwide assortments available alongside country-focused ones for Scotland, America, and Japan — and even more specific categories like sherry cask–aged whiskey and single-cask bottlings. For the ultimate indulgence, go for the Old & Rare calendar, whose extra-special spirits are all aged at least 21 years. (And for fans of other spirits, there are similar Advent calendars for rum, gin, and vodka, too.)