The great thing about a chocolate Advent calendar is it’s a gift that keeps on giving throughout the holiday season. They offer up a mini Christmas morning each day in the 25-day countdown leading up to the main event. And each time you can wake up with the exciting knowledge that you get to crack open another little tab to discover a decadent Christmas chocolate inside. If you’re looking to indulge this holiday season (or share the indulgence with someone else), then keep reading to hear about some of our favorite Advent calendar releases this year. Make sure to also shop our food advent calendar round-up if you’re in the mood for more than just chocolate.
- A calendar from a heritage Italian chocolate-maker: Venchi Italian Chocolate Advent Calendar, $99 on Food52
- A calendar from one of our favorite chocolatiers: Compartés Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar Gift, $110 on Compartés
- If you want a calendar that also doubles as an ornament: La Maison du Chocolat, $95 on Food52
- For licorice-lovers: Lakrids by Bülow Danish Licorice Advent Calendar, $60 on Amazon
- A super affordable calendar: Tony’s Chocolonely Countdown Calendar, $25 on World Market
- A splurgey (and whimsical) advent calendar: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent, $325 Vosges Haut-Chocolat
- A calendar for kids: Madelaine Chocolate Village Toy Shop Countdown Advent Calendar, $17 on Amazon
Venchi
Established in 1878, Venchi is the type of business that uses the same chocolate recipes for literal centuries. Just look at the brand’s famed hazelnut gianduiotti chocolate—which includes cocoa mass (what’s left of a cocoa bean when you extract cocoa butter), hazelnut paste, and sugar and which BA contributor Lauren Corona describes as solid Nutella. Interested in trying? Venchi’s Prestige Advent Calendar allows you to sample 24 different handcrafted milk and dark chocolates from this 140-year-old heritage brand (and you might just find some of those hazelnut chocolates).
Compartés Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar Gift
Rich, velvety Compartés chocolates already hold our hearts when it comes to chocolate gifts, so the brand’s calendar easily tops our Christmas wish list. Each day you get to open a new box and reveal a brightly patterned bar inside. The calendar even includes a few special holiday themed flavors like apple pie, cocoa and marshmallows, pumpkin spice, cinnamon latte, cookie butter, maple walnut, holiday gingerbread, and pecan pie. Preorder it now, and it’ll arrive on November 1.
La Maison du Chocolat
Commerce editor Carina Finn’s all-time favorite chocolate Advent calendar comes from La Maison du Chocolat, a storied French chocolatier that specializes in pralines. The 2023 limited edition calendar was shaped like a snowflake, and the 2024 calendar is no different. Though, instead of the classic white silhouette from last year, La Maison hot stamped their snowflake with foil this year—which means the snowflake will change from navy blue to a sleek, shiny black when you hold it at an angle. It even comes with a ribbon loop, so you can hang it on your wall (or a very sturdy Christmas tree).
Lakrids by Bülow
Okay, yes—this is technically a licorice Advent calendar, but it comes with a lot of chocolate-covered licorice, and it’s some of the best our team has ever had. Even self-avowed licorice haters will probably find something to love in this elegant black-and-gold Advent calendar, which comes with a wide variety of chocolate-coated licorice confections, as well as a few classic sweet and salty licorice flavors.
Lindt Bear & Friends
An animal-shaped Lindt chocolate would make anyone happy—but 24 animal-shaped Lindt chocolates? Guess Christmas came early. The Bear & Friends Advent calendar comes with tiny hollow reindeers and teddy bears, Lindt truffles, and a full-size hollow bear on Christmas Eve.
Cadbury Heroes Christmas Adventure
If you grew up across the pond or simply have an Anglophilic streak, you’ll love this fun Cadbury Advent calendar. It comes with an assortment of mini chocolate bars that can be hard to find in the US, like Wispas and Twirls.
Godiva Advent Calendar
For some people Godiva was probably their gateway into gourmet chocolate (for the record, the brand’s decadent chocolate pralines and truffles are also top-notch). This year’s calendar has a simple snow globe design and comes with an assortment of 12 different confections—so you’ll have two chances to open your favorite. At $50, it’s a good midpoint between luxe and affordable.
Tony’s Chocolonely Countdown Calendar
Tony’s delivers plenty of retro whimsy with its colorful chocolate bars, all emblazoned with the classic blocky Tony’s Chocolonely script—and the brand’s Advent calendar is no different. The featured flavors include milk chocolate pretzel toffee, dark chocolate almond sea salt, white chocolate, hazelnut, and more. Plus, each new day includes a holiday or chocolate-themed challenge or fun fact for an extra surprise. Tony’s only includes 24 days of chocolates, leaving one empty to highlight the inequities in the chocolate industry.
Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Advent Calendar
Truffle-lovers will appreciate the decadent delicacies hidden inside the Charbonnel et Walker Advent calendar. Inside you’ll find confections like truffles, brownies, and even a few caramel balls.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent
For an especially fancy and splurgy gift, we give you the Vosges Haut-Chocolate calendar. This isn’t just a chocolate advent calendar—it’s a Nordic forest cottage full of furry musicians that lights up and bumps your favorite Christmas carols. Each drawer includes fancy chocolates or sweet treats like peppermint candy cane gnomes and peanut butter bonbons. Turn around each drawer once you’ve opened them and you’ll discover a fun holiday message.
Ladurée Advent Calendar
You might recognize Ladurée for their famous macarons, but the French brand also makes all manner of confections—many of which they’re showcasing in their 2024 advent calendar. Open up and you’ll find flavored chocolates and nougats, as well as jam, calissons, and more.
Madelaine Chocolate Village Toy Shop Countdown Advent Calendar
Opt for one of Madelaine’s advent calendars if you want something a little more kid-specific. Madelaine’s sells a variety of themed advent calendars with boxes depicting Santa’s workshop, a Christmas tree, a Christmas pageant, and a toy shop. Regardless of the box you choose, each includes 24 pieces of chocolate foil wrapped to look like a present sitting under your Christmas tree.
