14 of the best foodie advent calendars to brighten up Christmas 2020

There are tonnes of weird and wonderful food and drink advent calendars out this year, from traditional chocolate with a twist to cheese! Here Ellen Jenne hand picks some of the best in the shops this year

So Wrong It’s Nom Cheese Advent Calendar, £8

Cheese doesn’t have to be just for after Christmas dinner! This calendar can be the perfect alternative to the classic chocolate ones. It contains 24 individually wrapped portions of delicious cheese, where you’ll find the likes of Applewood Vintage and Ilchester Double Gloucester. Available from Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Waitrose, Morrisons, Ocado, Booths, and Amazon UK.

Fortnum’s Feasting Advent Calendar, £200

If you’re looking to pull out all the stops this advent, look no further. Featuring a choice of foodie favourites, including preserves, tipples, confectionary from Fortnum & Mason, you will be left wanting more. Available in-store and online at Fortnum & Mason

Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar, £14.99

Featuring a sleek new design and delicious products behind every window, this limited-edition launch is the perfect gift for any Walker’s Shortbread fan.The calendar features the likes of Pure Butter Shortbread Fingers and Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbread. Exclusively sold on the Walker’s Shortbread website at walkersshortbread.com

Snaffling Pig’s Pork Crackling Advent Calendar 192g, £16.95

If you’re missing the pub and its snacks – we don’t blame you. So why not swap your traditional choccy calendar in favour of this quirky calendar, which is the perfect way to soak up those festive drinks! Available online at snafflingpig.co.uk, amazon.co.uk, menkind.co.uk and harveynichols.com

Joe & Seph’s Tipsy Popcorn Advent Calendar, £24.99

Inside you’ll find 24 mini bags of delicious artisan popcorn in a range of boozy flavours, including Espresso Martini, Eggnog and Lemoncello. Available online at amazon.co.uk and joeandsephs.co.uk, and in-store at Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Harrods, Ocado and Boots

John Lewis’ Fizz Advent Calendar, £130.00

Everybody loves a glass of bubbly at Christmas – especially now as we’ll all be having our office Christmas parties via Zoom. John Lewis have packed 24 bottles of sparkling white and rosé wine into this calendar. Bottom’s up! Available in-store and online at johnlewis.com

Drinks by the Dram Vodka Explorer Advent Calendar, £99.95

Discover some of the finest and most exciting vodkas from around the world as you countdown to Christmas, one tipple at a time. Available from masterofmalt.com

Whittard Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two, 960g, £60.00.

24 days dedicated to all things hot chocolate. Indulge in 12 delectable flavours, from signature classics to creative, cutting-edge concoctions, with double servings nestled in each drawer. Highlights include sticky toffee pudding and peanut butter flavours. Available at John Lewis and whittard.co.uk

Teapigs’ 24 Days of Teapigs Tea Advent Calendar, £39.95.

Teapigs are offering a range of teas to brighten up your December mornings. From everyday classics to the highly experimental, there’s everything from a Spiced Winter Red made with rooibos to a caffeine-free Peach and Mango Cold Brew. Available online at Teapigs and Amazon, and in-store at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar, £49.95

That Boutique-y Gin Company and Drinks by The Dram join festive forces to bring you 24 drams of delicious gin discovery! They’ve added their award-winning Moonshot Gin to this calendar, which they describe as having flavours that “have been to the stratosphere and back!” Available at masterofmalt.com

Montezuma’s Chocolate Advent Calendar (various)

Montezuma’s intense chocolate flavours are here to satisfy all your chocolate needs. With several types of advent calendars to choose from, the only problem is deciding which one to have! Choose from the Truffle Advent Calendar (£24.99), Milk Chocolate Organic Calendar (£9.99), or the Dark Chocolate Vegan & Organic (RRP £9.99), to name but a few. montezumas.co.uk

Hotel Chocolat’s The Everything Advent Calendar, £26.

Featuring some of Hotel Chocolat’s best sellers, this calendar has something for everyone. Inside you’ll fine one decadent chocolate each day, including some of our most-loved puds reimagined in chocolate form, including Eton mess, apple strudel and caramel cheesecake. Find it in-stores and online at Hotel Chocolat

Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly Chocolate Advent Calendar, £22.

Designed to emulate Fortnum’s iconic Piccadilly store, this calendar hides perfect festive-shaped chocolates. Produced with high-grade 35% Columbian milk chocolate solids, you’ll be craving more – but you’ll just have to wait one more day to tuck into the next one. Sold in-store and online at Fortnum & Mason

Tiptree English Spirits Advent Calendar, £80

This tasty calendar contains mini bottles of Tiptree’s delectable small-batch fruit rum, vodka and gin liqueurs. Highlights include Tawny Marmalade and Chocolate Orange Vodka Liqueurs. tiptree.com