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13 best chocolate Advent calendars
With two weeks to go until the start of Advent, the IndyBest finds festive cocoa treats for all the family
{1} Montezuma’s Organic Milk and White Chocolate Advent Calendar: £10, johnlewis
There are Christmas pictures behind Montezuma’s organic snowflake-stamped milk and white chocolates, and the packaging is bright and colourful. Containing 240g of chocolate, It’s excellent value, too.
{2} Thorntons The Snowman and the Snowdog: £4, waitrose
Sweet milk chocolates count down the days to Christmas, plus there are three bonus large white chocolate snowmen, and a milk chocolate plaque at the bottom to be personalised. The Snakes and Ladders-esque game on the back will keep children busy.
{3} Divine Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendar: £4, ocado
Divine’s creamy milk chocolate hearts don’t just taste good because they’ve been produced ethically. Find them behind windows on a bright backdrop showing the Christmas story and working farmers on this option that carries an important message.
{4} Where’s Wally: £8, liberty
Kids will have fun finding Wally amid the Christmassy scene, and playing with the cut out glasses and hat on the back, while the milk chocolates are suitably sweet.
{5} Lindt Bear Adorable Advent house: £10, amazon
New this year, including milk chocolate Napolitains, snowdrops, mini bears and reindeer, and everyone’s favourite melt in the mouth Lindor balls. And there’s a giant chocolate bear to look forward to on the 24th.
{6} Ultimate Advent Calendar Artisan du Chocolat: £50, artisanduchocolat
24 tiny paper carrier bags hang from this characterful wooden moose, housing two delicious luxury chocolates. Expect their liquid salted caramels, biscuits, chocolate-coated fruit, nuts, and biscuits, nougat and pralines.
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{7} Free From Chocolate Advent Calendar: £5, waitrose
The gluten, wheat, lactose and dairy intolerant in the household don’t have to be excluded. Waitrose’s Free From calendar is a fun option for allergy sufferers.
{8} Fortnum & Mason Wooden Advent Calendar: £150, fortnumandmason
You might balk at the price, but this one will be reusable for decades. Made from sturdy wood, hidden behind the spacious doors are everything from chocolate coins to sugar mice. Buy the refills next year, or fill with your own treats.
{9} Hotel Chocolat Advent Calendar to Share: £26, hotelchocolat
Ideal for couples, each window contains two identical mini truffles. Their signature salted caramels are included alongside exotic seasonal flavours from gingerbread to mulled wine, cinnamon, and almond and nutmeg.
{10} Valrhona: £20, amazon
For the true chocolate connoisseur, the premium French brand unite their eight signature dark and milk Grands Crus in miniature squares. And there’s an indulgent 70g bar for Christmas Eve.
{11} Godiva Christmas Advent Calendar: £23, godivachocolates
The luxury Belgian brand contains a wide selection of chocolates including hazelnut pralines and caramel and raspberry, plus simple milk and white festive figurines. And with its image of a snowman, snow-topped cottage and Father Christmas riding his sleigh in the distance, it feels modern but traditional, too.
{12.} Carluccios Advent Calendar: £12, carluccios
Behind the beautiful, colourful art deco designed packaging are delicious foil-wrapped creamy pralines of different sizes and shapes from animals to festive characters.
{13} Prestat The Finest Truffles Advent Calendar: £30, prestat
Here’s an excuse to make your way through what is essentially a box of luxury chocolates in the run up to Christmas. There’s been no scrimping here; the selection includes 12 different truffles including their moreish sea salt caramel chocolates and innovative flavours like Earl Grey and orange and Frankinsense, among other very tasty treats. The chocs are packaged up in a sumptuous red box with a fireside scene.
Verdict: With its double rations of chocolates per day, Hotel du Chocolat’s calendar to share and Artisan du Chocolat’s Ultimate Advent Calendar are both ideal gifts for couples. Artisan du Chocolat’s wooden moose may seem extravagant, but its original design is irresistible and the handmade chocolates – different each day – are of the highest quality. If you’re environmentally conscious and are willing to invest, Fortnum and Mason’s iconic Piccadilly store façade is one for the family to treasure and refill every year. But for children, sweet taste and an element of fun or favourite characters wins, so Where’s Wally, the new Lindt Bear and Thornton’s Snowman and Snowdog will be winners.
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