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If you, too, are drawn each year to Food52’s Advent calendars like a moth to a nostalgic holiday flame, then buckle up: We noticed the premium purveyor of gourmet giftables has slowly started dropping its collection of countdowns. So far, we’ve spotted a few tried-and-true favorites from years past (think: McCrea’s decadent handcrafted caramels), but a couple of exclusives, too, including a one-of-a-kind repeat collaboration with Maison Boissier.
While it may seem a little on the early side to be buying into the holiday staple, Food52’s A-list offerings are notorious for selling out quickly. We heartily advise you to preorder your chosen treats now in time for most November 15 shipments. Still mulling over which fabulous boxes to bite the bullet on? Read on for our alphabetized recommendations, below, all of which will make counting down every day to Christmas feel like a treat.
Food52 x Maison Boissier Parisian Advent Calendar
Maison Boissier Parisian Advent Calendar, Food52
Following suit from last year, Food52 has once again teamed up with the iconic French confectioner Maison Boissier to put together an exclusive assortment of sweets. This year’s box is decorated in blue and gold, with chocolate-covered nuts and gummy candies hiding beneath different-sized punch holes reminiscent of holly berries.
Lakrids by Bülow Danish Licorice Advent Calendar
Danish Licorice Advent Calendar, Lakrids by Bülow
Perhaps one of the best-known makers of sweet and salty Danish licorice is Lakrids by Bülow. The brand’s candy-coated delights (a pack of two each day) are flavorful and fun to snack on, whether as a nighttime treat or next to your morning coffee. This calendar comes with a selection of classic flavors like salted caramel and milk chocolate, as well as some other sweet and salty surprises along the way. Whomever you gift one to might find they need more of the chocolate-covered licorice immediately, and we would agree wholeheartedly. (The brand sits squarely at the top of our best food gifts list.)
La Maison du Chocolat Advent Calendar
Snowflake Advent Calendar, La Maison du Chocolat
This snowflake-shaped box from renowned maker Maison du Chocolat comes equipped with a ribbon to hang as decor for your walls. Handmade sweet bars, pralines, truffles, and more are housed inside each of the 24 doors stretching out to each sprinkled cutout reminiscent of a real crystalline dendrite.
McCrea’s Candies Caramel Advent Calendar
Handcrafted Caramel Advent Calendar, McCrea’s Candies
Boston-based McCrea’s selection of caramels is always a bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. Inside this snow-flecked Advent calendar are 12 delicious flavors, featuring unexpected ingredients such as rosemary, anisette, and black lava sea salt. The card-stock box’s interior showcases yet another charming illustration of woodland animals—bears, foxes, rabbits, and more—ice-skating over a frozen stream.
Mirzam Chocolate Spice Route Advent Calendar
Mirzam Chocolate Spice Route Advent Calendar, A Priori
From Dubai-based maker Mirzam, this 24-day Advent calendar is designed to feel like a journey to where cocoa beans are sourced from—Madagascar, India, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and more. Last year’s box included artwork by illustrator and writer Rawaan Alkhatib inspired by a Rainer Maria Rilke poem; needless to say, we’re excited to break into this equally illustrious one, too.
Onyx Coffee Lab Advent Calendar
Advent Calendar, Onyx Coffee Lab
Coffee aficionados, take note. Onyx Coffee Lab’s Advent calendar has returned to Food52’s virtual shelves. Once again offering 24 two-ounce bags of single-origin beans that will brew the perfect pot (or fill an entire Chemex) each day, this year’s edition includes online videos walking shoppers through the background and tastes of the day’s brew. Included in the accordion-style pockets are best-selling blends from the award-winning roaster plus rare, one-of-a-kind beans that make the steep price tag more than worth it.
Sugarfina Santa’s Candy Shop
Santa’s Candy Shop Advent Calendar, Sugarfina
We’re hoping Los Angeles–based maker Sugarfina packed its Advent calendar, disguised as Santa’s workshop, full of the same cold-brew cordials, toffee almonds, and caramels we enjoyed in last year’s box. The maker notes its range of artisanal sweets is more than just sour gummy candies and chocolates.
Whittard of Chelsea Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two
Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two, Whittard of Chelsea
Skip the Swiss Miss and try Whittard of Chelsea’s take on powdered chocolate packets. While famous for its teas (this box right here), this Advent calendar dishes out 24 nights’ worth of hot cocoa for two. Discover 12 different gourmet flavors in each of the drawers, from crème brûlée to raspberry ripple, and mix with milk for a particularly creamy, cozy cup. Consider it a gift for the sweetest tooth in your life.