Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Tastiest Advent Calendars

A peek at the interior of the Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent by Vosges

Courtesy of Vosges Haut-Chocolat

I’ve always loved the holiday season. One tradition that I’ve started to appreciate more as I’ve grown up is the Advent Calendar. This line from O Holy Night, one of my favorite carols, “a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,” encapsulates the anticipation and joy. Even as a kid I would get very excited for how festive and magical this time of year can be. Below is the Hungry Editor’s holiday gift guide for the tastiest Advent Calendars of 2023. I’ve included a few extra surprises for recipients who like to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, from December 25th to January 5th, and those who might be a little impatient and just want to open everything all at once.

Ladurée’s 2023 Advent Calendar

Courtesy of Ladurée

The history of luxury French pastry house Ladurée dates back to 1862 when it was a bakery in the Madeleine neighborhood of Paris. Since then, they’ve expanded to a salon on the Champs-Elysées, Harrods in London, as well as shops outside of Europe in Japan, Dubai, Brazil, and New York. The maison is known for their macarons, but they also have chocolates, jams, and other confectioneries. Eagle eye cinephiles might have recognized their delectable treats in the 2006 film Marie Antoinette directed by Sofia Coppola. This year’s advent calendar includes the new Eugénie, caramels, praline chocolates, rose marshmallows, and more.

Available at Ladurée.

Christmas Popcorn Advent Calendar

Courtesy of WILLIAMS SONOMA

This festive tree-shaped Advent Calendar is perfect for those with a sweet and savory tooth. Each day you’ll find exceptional non-GMO kernels, gourmet seasonings, and family recipes from Wabash Valley Farms in Indiana’s popcorn country. Enjoy three pounds of big & yellow kernels, purple kernels, red kernels, sweet baby blue kernels, mushroom kernels, hull-less kernels, salted caramel seasoning, French Toast seasoning, bacon Seasoning, white cheddar seasoning, buttery jalapeño seasoning, creamy ranch seasoning, dill pickle seasoning, and more.

Available at Williams Sonoma.

Tea Forté Winter & Joy Combo

Courtesy of Tea Forté

Tea lovers can rejoice with this limited edition Winter & Joy Combo from Tea Forté. It features the Winter Chalet 12 days of cozy teas Advent Calendar, which includes 12 pyramid tea infusers, and the Warming Joy presentation box of 20 pyramid tea infusers. All teas in this combo set are Kosher Certified.

Available at Tea Forté.

Santa’s Candy Shop 24-Piece Advent Calendar Tasting Collection by Sugarfina

Courtesy of Nordstrom

The countdown to Christmas will be a deliciously fun activity for the whole family with this Santa’s Candy Shop 24-piece Advent Calendar from Sugarfina. Everyone will love tasting gourmet gummies and chocolates from around the globe. Included in this festive set are: Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Bites, Holiday Gummy Presents, Candy Cane Caramels, Little Snowmen Gummies, Santa’s Trees Gummies, Cookies and Cream Chocolate Bites, Raspberry Eiffel Towers, Sparkling Star Gummies, Sprinkle Donuts Cookies, Rainbow Bears, Merry Berries Gummies, Holiday Hearts Gummies, Petite Strawberries Gummies, Baby Whales Gummies, and more.

Available at Nordstrom.

2023 Limited Edition Advent Calendar

Courtesy of Bonne Maman

Step inside Santa’s workshop as you count down to the sweetest day of the year with this Advent Calendar from Bonne Maman. 2023’s limited edition set features 23 unique limited edition spreads and one honey. Included will be delicious flavors such as Caramel with Cinnamon, Lemon Yuzu, and Raspberry Chocolate, which are only found during the holiday season.

Available at Bonne Maman.

Holiday Advent Calendar: 24 Days of Baking Cookies

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Have an aspiring baker in your life? This holiday baking Advent Calendar from Williams Sonoma is sure to please. Included are 24 days of baking surprises with goodies such as cookie cutters, piping bags, decorating tips, spatulas, and even gift bags to share your baked treats with loved ones. This is one calendar that is sure to inspire some creativity in the kitchen.

Available at Williams Sonoma.

Lebkuchen Schmidt Advent Calendar

Courtesy of European Deli

Fans of Lebkuchen-Schmidt’s gingerbread cookies and pastries are in for a sweet treat with this Advent Calendar. While Lebkuchen-Schmidt is rare to find in the United States, you can order them exclusively from European Deli. Each day you’ll find an individually wrapped Lebkuchen specialty or biscuit behind every window.

Available at European Deli.

Palais des Thés 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar

Courtesy of Nordstrom

French tea house, Palais des Thés, was founded over 30 years ago by François-Xavier Delmas. Delmas traveled the world to better understand how tea was produced in the best tea regions. In this Advent Calendar you’ll find a tea bag and an inspiring quote behind each door. Included teas are Le Thé Magnifique, which is a 2023 Limited Edition, Thé Du Hammam, Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope, Grand Yunnan Imperial, Chai Imperial, Scandinavian Detox, Thé Des Sables, Genmaicha Yama, Le Thé Merveilleux, Long Jing, and more.

Available at Nordstrom.

Woodford Reserve’s 8 Days Spirit Cocktail Advent Calendar

Courtesy of Woodford Reserve

Toast to the holiday season with this Woodford Reserve 8 Days of Spirit Advent Calendar. It comes with eight miniature cocktail mixers and ingredients that are made in partnership with Williams Sonoma. Home bartenders and bourbon cocktail lovers will especially appreciate this gift. Open each door to reveal individual portions of artisanal mixers and barrel-aged bitters from the mixology team at Woodford Reserve. For those looking to usher in this season of cheer with craft cocktails this set will help you make a classic Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Spiced Cherry Old Fashioned, and more.

Available at Williams Sonoma.

Haut-Chocolat Calendar of Advent 2023

Courtesy of Vosges

The ultimate Advent Calendar for chocolate connoisseurs is from Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, the creative team pulled out all of the stops for this 3D version of a chocolate shoppe. This elaborate Advent Calendar is not only filled with decadent chocolates, but it’s a stunning work of art to stare at during this holiday season. And it gets better at night when you can switch on the lights. Plus the music of “Dance of the Reed Flutes” from The Nutcracker adds the perfect mood to any holiday moment.

Available at Vosges.

Milk Chocolate, Holiday, Dark Chocolate sets from K+M Chocolate by Chef Thomas Keller and Armando … [+] Manni

Courtesy of K+M Chocolate

If you’re celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas, from December 25th to January 5th, I suggest these three gift sets: Milk Chocolate, Holiday, and Dark Chocolate. They will provide you with 12 bars of chocolate from K+M Chocolate by Michelin chef Thomas Keller and olive oil producer Armando Manni. Included will be K+M Chocolate’s new Dark Citrus, Milk Nicaragua, Milk Chocolate Coffee + Sea Salt, Dark Ecuador, Milk Chocolate Winter Spice, Dark Chocolate Peppermint, Dark Madagascar, Dark Peru, and more.

Available at K+M Chocolate.

12 Days of Noodles

Courtesy of A-Sha © 2021 ROCKSTONE NYC

For savory palates, the 12 Days of Noodles box from A-sha is sure to please. Founded in Tainan, Taiwan over 40 years ago with a 100-year-old recipe, A-sha’s humble beginnings has lead to international success. Instead of deep frying their ramen noodles, A-sha employs a proprietary air-drying process that takes over 18 hours. Add to that high quality ingredients and they are able to yield superior ramen noodles. Even David Chang’s Momofuku partnered with A-sha to produce their at-home ramen noodle collection. The 12 Days of Noodles variety pack contains four packs of Mandarin Noodles with Original Soy Sauce, Mandarin Noodles with Onion Sauce, and Mandarin Noodles with Spicy Soy Sauce, which can only be purchased through this set.

Available at A-sha.

The Breakfast Hamper from Fortnum & Mason

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

And for the impatient types that can’t wait 24 or even 12 days, these wicker hampers from iconic British purveyor Fortnum & Mason are always a hit. Founded in 1707 in London’s Piccadilly, their signature hampers were created back in the 1730s for well-to-do customers traveling to their countryside estates. These are a coveted holiday gift in many households. My current favorites are the Breakfast Hamper and the Christmas Express Hamper. Inside you’ll find a bevy of sweet and savory surprises fit for royalty.

Available at Williams Sonoma.

Christmas Express Hamper from Fortnum & Mason

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Find Benjamin Liong Setiawan on Instagram: @hungryeditor.