![The Best Advent Calendars for Adults in 2025 [Tested and Reviewed]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Best-Advent-Calendars-for-Adults_Taste-of-Home_01_YVedit.jpg?resize=72,72)
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You may remember Advent calendars from your childhood. Yup—those flimsy countdowns containing a singular chocolate behind a cardboard door. However, food Advent calendars have become incredibly popular in recent years—and feature more than mere children’s candies.
From boozy options to those filled with coffee and tea, there’s no shortage of fun, themed countdowns. We tested the most popular food Advent calendars for home cooks and foodies. Featuring cookies, jam and even savory Szechuan spices, these are the ones that impressed our taste buds in 2025.
Best Overall
Oliviers & Co. Advent Calendar
Pros:
- Wide array of sweet and savory treats
- Beautiful packaging
- Gourmet selections for the home cook
- Full-size products are available on the Oliviers & Co's website
Cons:
- Samples are quite small
The best food Advent calendars that truly cater to foodies go above and beyond when it comes to sourcing their inclusions. Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski didn’t quite know what to expect with the Oliviers & Co countdown, but it ended up being one of her favorites. Apart from the beautiful French-inspired packaging, the contents are ideal for home cooks.
The calendar itself unfolds into a beautiful wintery landscape that feels festive without looking overly Christmas-y. Each day offers a different sample size of one of Oliviers & Co.’s gourmet ingredients and treats, spanning vinegars, olive oils, meat salts and more. There are even a few sweet treats tossed in for a traditional feel, though these are definitely grown-up candies rather than that dusty old chocolate of yore.
“Truffles! Olive oil! Vinegar! Herbs,” says Katie. “Many of the items are available at Oliviers & Co’s website. This allows you to try a bunch of product samples but still be able to buy any that you fall in love with full-size.” Inclusions range from savory tapenades to sweeter samples like lemon curd and truffles. The calendar boasts a full spread of 24 treats, which is plenty of variety for foodies.
“There’s never a lack of sweets around the holidays, so I love that this calendar also includes savory (and gourmet) ingredients like olive oil and vinegar,” says Katie. “It’s a great way to try the products before committing to a full-size bottle.” Pair with a whiskey Advent calendar for a fun and flavorful holiday food journey!
Best Snacks
24 Days of Gourmet Nuts and Snacks
Pros:
- 24 snacks included
- Covers salty, savory, spicy and sweet
- Some nontraditional flavors included
- Portions are a generous size for satisfied snacking
Cons:
- Individual packages not labeled
- A few snacks weren't winners
If you can’t get through the day without a few snack breaks, the 24 Days of Gourmet Nuts and Snacks calendar is for you. From sweet to savory, salty to spicy, it covers every snacking angle. Behind each door is a unique flavor experience. Chow down on Smoky BBQ Crunch one day, then enjoy a bag of Buttery Bliss Bites the next. There’s truly something in this Advent calendar for everyone!
Apart from its delicious contents, the design of the calendar is incredibly fun and giftworthy. While the outside presents an understated Christmas flair with its cute wreath, the interior print boasts a bevy of familiar holiday favorites, include presents, ornaments and pine needles. Both kids and adults can indulge in these snacks, though some of the spicier options may not appeal to little ones.
Each generous portion of snacks comes in its own little pouch for freshness. There’s just enough to indulge alone or with a friend. Some of my favorite bites include the spicy Pineapple Heatwave Chips and Truffle Umami Pretzel Pops. While I loved most of the snacks, a few weren’t quite to my taste. However, I appreciate the sheer variety and loved the experience of trying new flavors with my husband each day.
Best Chocolate
Compartes Winter Fox Chocolate Advent Calendar
Pros:
- 24 days of gourmet chocolate
- Stunning packaging
- Rich, holiday-themed flavors
- “No-melt” guarantee holds up
Cons:
- On the pricey side
- Some repeats
Modern chocolate Advent calendars are a far cry from those old, flimsy options from childhood. There are tons of chocolate Advent calendars worth trying, but our favorite is definitely the Compartes Winter Fox Chocolate Advent calendar. I tested it back in 2024 and was so excited to see a revival for 2025—it’s definitely on this year’s holiday gift list for friends and family!
I had the pleasure of testing the countdown and can confirm the brand’s “no-melt guarantee” holds up. The calendar arrived carefully packaged inside a box packed with ice to keep the chocolates in perfect condition until opening. The 24 days of chocolate are an enchanting treasure to look forward to every evening (or morning—we won’t judge!).
The packaging is perfect for the holiday season, with adorable images of anthropomorphic animals wearing whimsical outfits, lush greenery and a fun storybook vibe. These hand-painted designs reappear in miniature on the chocolates themselves, making each day’s treat feel like indulging in a tiny piece of artwork. The chocolates are equally as beautiful as they are tasty, too. Flavors include Chocolate Orange, Cookies & Cream, Pecan Pie, Spiced Gingerbread and several other crowdpleasers.
“Not only did this countdown arrive in perfect condition with no melting in sight, but I was blown away by the rich flavors inside,” says Madi Koetting, who tested the Advent calendar in 2023. “I’ve tested just about every Advent calendar out there this year, and Compartes easily earns five stars for quality, packaging and experience. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!”
Best Jam
Bonne Maman 2025 Limited Edition Advent Calendar
Pros:
- Includes 24 mini spreads
- Stunning packaging
- Ideal for sharing
- Perfect gift for breakfast lovers, foodies and sweet tooths
Cons:
- Some flavors are underwhelming
Forget candies and chocolate, and bring on the best Advent calendar for breakfast lovers! The Bonne Maman jam Advent calendar is an incredibly popular option that sells out every year. The flavors are, as always, unique to the calendar, making it an extra special option for those who enjoy sweet spreads.
“I was instantly impressed with the scenic art. As a kid who spent way too much time reading every inch of the cereal box during breakfast, I appreciate the great detail. And that’s just on the paper sleeve! Once you take the sleeve off, you’re greeted by more art and a set of hinged doors that open to the calendar itself,” says Katie in her full review of the 2024 calendar.
“Each jar contains an ample serving of spread to put on toast, mix in a cocktail, make a few thumbprint cookies, etc,” says Katie. “Plus, each jar is totally reusable for seeds, buttons, propagating plants—whatever your creativity allows.”
This is Katie’s third year testing the Bonne Maman Advent calendar, and it’s one of the highlights of her holiday season. Inclusions range from traditional to gourmand, with a focus on holiday flavors. Some of our favorites include Apple with Caramel and Cinnamon, Milk Caramel with Coffee, Cherry with Pink Peppercorn and Pineapple with Rum and Vanilla.
“The 2025 calendar got a much-needed packaging refresh that, in my opinion, makes a good calendar great. Instead of perforated lines that need to be carefully peeled open, each jam now comes inside its own little box. The boxes are adorable and just as reusable as the little jars. You could totally reuse this calendar next year and fill each box with your own little treats.
Best Cookie
Walker's Shortbread Advent Calendar
Pros:
- Very fresh cookies
- Cute holiday packaging
- Cookies have relatively few ingredients for a homemade taste
Cons:
- Repeat flavors
- Some cookies broke in transit
A cookie Advent calendar is right up our alley, so we had to try the yearly Walker’s Shortbread Advent calendar. This is the perfect pick for fans of the brand’s light, buttery, gently sweet shortbread. While the variety is a bit underwhelming (there are only five different cookies that rotate, with the exception of the 24th day), the classic flavor is undeniably delicious.
“The thought of opening a Christmas cookie by yourself or with a loved one before Christmas is pretty sweet! Your morning cup of coffee or tea gets a lot more delicious when accompanied by this shortbread countdown,” says tester Mary Henn. All of the flavors can be purchased in different packages in case you identify a new favorite.
“This would be really fun for kids as a special holiday treat,” continues Mary. “It also makes a great gift for someone you’re unsure of how to shop for. I mean, who doesn’t love a Christmas cookie? And these aren’t too sweet—they’re light yet satisfying shortbread that can be enjoyed any time of day!”
Mary notes that a few of the shortbread fingers were broken down the middle upon arrival. Additionally, a couple of the rounds came cracked. Luckily, there was nothing major that impacted the taste, and they’re all individually wrapped, so no mess. Pick up a hot chocolate calendar for the perfect food Advent calendar pairing!
Best Spicy
Fly By Jing Advent Calendar
Pros:
- Great way to try the brand's offerings
- Several limited-edition items included
- Each product is full-sized
- Incredible variety
- 100% vegan
Cons:
- A little pricey, but totally worth it
If you’re a fan of spicy food, the Fly By Jing Advent calendar is the calendar for you. Not only do you get to try Fly By Jing’s famous flavors (hello, chili crisp), but there are inclusions here that you literally can’t find anywhere else. Talk about an exclusive food Advent calendar! While last year’s Winter in Szechuan calendar impressed, the new 2025 edition is even better.
Some of the highlights of this calendar span spicy instant noodles, Fly by Jing’s original chili crisp and the brand’s signature Sweet & Spicy Zhong sauce. Even if you live with someone who can’t handle spice, several seasonings are milder in flavor. These include the brand’s sweet shallot sauce and BBQ spice rub. Both limited edition flavors are not available for separate purchase.
While I wish there were more than 12 days, the full-sized jars and overall quality make it well worth the $100 price point. I love Fly By Jing’s products (most notably their hot pot broths), and the quality is just as I expect from them. And, considering you get nearly double the products you’d get in one of their gift sets at a similar price point, it’s kind of a steal!
Best Cheese
12 Days of Murray's Cheese
Pros:
- Two pounds of cheese included
- Bestsellers and crowd pleasers
- A joy to share
- Spreads and crackers add a fun tasting element
Cons:
- Some days have no cheese, so you have to wait if you want to pair flavors
As a hostess, nothing channels the holidays for me quite like charcuterie. And when it comes to high-quality charcuterie, there’s no better cheese than that from Murray’s. The Murray’s Advent calendar is a staple in my home year after year, and this year’s spread didn’t disappoint. Bursting with two pounds (!!!) of cheese and a number of delicious accompaniments, Murray’s countdown is delightful both alone and partnered with a wine Advent calendar.
There’s a number of different cheeses inside, from mild Manchego to 12-month aged Gouda. Each one arrives in a generous serving, making it a fun experience to share with others. The calendar also comes with a cute cheese-centric Christmas print that makes it highly giftable. It’s packed and shipped carefully with ice packs and insulation, arriving at my door cold and fresh each year.
While the cheese itself is amazing, some days only have crackers or other pairings. Because of this, I highly recommend you save some of the previous day’s cheese or wait until the next day to enjoy a pairing. Other offerings include Effie’s oat cakes and four sweet and spiced jellies that pair gorgeously with the included cheeses. The days with cheese were arguably the best, but finding other delicious accompaniments like jams and crackers broke up the monotony and added a fun pairing element.
How We Tested Food Avent Calendars
Unlike the old days of basic waxy chocolate Advent calendars, today’s Advent calendars come in an abundance of options. In order to find the best, we’ve tested over 100 Advent calendars over the past three years. Contents range from mini artisan jams to bold licorice, shortbread and more.
Before the holidays each year, we thoroughly research the best Advent calendars across food, beverage, lifestyle and home categories. Then, we acquire our top picks ranging from $15-$300 to narrow down the absolute best Christmas countdowns for every budget. From there, we open the Advent calendars and take notes on the goodies inside, the overall presentation and the value of each. We tested each of the calendars listed in 2025.
We aim to only include high-quality calendars that offer big bang for your buck, with a heavy emphasis on experience.
FAQ
What’s the best chocolate Advent calendar?
There are many amazing chocolate Advent calendars, but our favorite is the Compartes Winter Fox Chocolate Advent calendar.
What’s the best cheese Advent calendar?
Our favorite cheese Advent calendar for two years running is the 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese Advent calendar.
Why You Should Trust Us
Since 2022, I’ve written and edited content for national print and digital publications. My bylines include Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest and more. I’m well-versed in curating the internet to help readers find the absolute best buys worthy of their wallets. Since 2024’s holiday season, I’m also Taste of Home’s resident Advent calendar expert. I’ve researched and tested dozens of holiday countdowns across every category to find the absolute best ones for 2025.
