12 of the most delicious advent calendars for adults 2021

We don't need any extra incentive to go full-on holiday this year, but we're still very excited to check off each day of December in style. Enter: advent calendars for adults that say goodbye to teeny, tiny chocolates and hello to natural wine, matcha tea treats and countdown coffee pods. 

Whether you're gifting a friend (get the same one as your bestie and compare notes, or a different one for your partner that you can, ahem, sample?) or treating yourself, there's never been a better time to countdown to Christmas with whisky and cheese. Start getting hyped for the holidays today — or December 1 if you want to make it onto the Nice List. Who says kids get to have all the fun? 

We're starting early because the popular advent calendars for adults will sell out quickly, but never fear. You can always create your own locally-sourced advent calendar and support a Toronto business. Pick up some local cans from one of Toronto's best breweries (like Bloor Street's Burdock Brewery), or wrangle a few bottles of your favourite local cider (like Queen Street East's Brickworks Ciderhouse) and resolve to open one a day from now until Christmas: 24-pack, but make it festive. 

Boozy Advent Calendars for Adults

1. Grape Witches Natural Wine Advent

Back by popular demand, the Grape Witches Natural Wine Advent calendar promises to feed your vino obsession just in time for the holidays. This year, there are two levels: the classic ($500) and an even fancier advent ($750), both of which include 12 full bottles (with a cider thrown in for good measure in the cheaper of the two). None of the bottles can be found in the LCBO, with Grape Witches sourcing many custom collabs and wines just for this seasonal calendar. Both options feature wine from around the world and incredible Canadian producers from coast to coast.

The Grape Witches Natural Wine Advent calendar goes on sale Nov 15 and ships across Ontario from Dec 1.

$500-750,grapewitches.com

2. Small Batch Dispatch Beer Advent 

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You're probably well-versed in Toronto's best breweries by now, but did you know that the entire province is also brewing up some very exciting beer? If you can't get there yourself, do the next best thing and check out Small Batch Dispatch. In addition to monthly subscription boxes which curate an exclusive can't-be-found-at-the-LCBO selection of Ontario beer, they will also be selling 24 unique beers to hopheads this December. Cheers!

Boxes will be shipped out to arrive before December 2021.

$155, smallbatchdispatch.com, 

3. Making Spirits Bright

Sure, we all got pretty good at whipping up cocktails last year. But now that we've tasted a craft cocktail made by the masters, it's hard to go back again. Let the experts take it away this holiday with a boozy advent calendar from Bar From Afar, a cocktail kit company created by Ottawa couple Greg and Sarah O'Brien. The kits include locally produced spirits, house-made mixers and garnishes, all of which are great for holiday entertaining, gift-giving or, ahem, personal enjoyment?

Available for pickup on November 30th or December 1st.

$220, barfromafar.com

4. That Boutique-Y Whisky Company Advent Calendar

Adult advent calendars have been quickly gaining popularity in Canada, and this UK export is one of our faves. Drinks by the Dram makes the build-up to the big day just as exciting for big kids with a selection of calendars that reveal a unique 30ml bottle of booze. The bottles feature hand-illustrated labels and are designed with a bit of holiday whimsy as well as a wax-sealed top for a luxe touch. We'll certainly drink to that.

$249.95, lcbo.com

Cheese, Jam and Candy Advent Calendars for Adults

5. So Wrong It's Nom Cheese Calendar

It's a good day to have a gouda day — and most days in December, come to think of it, thanks to this cheesy calendar. Unwrap 24 mini cheese packages during the lead up to the 25th and discover everything from Red Leicester to mature cheddar. Save for your lunch — or treat yourself to the gooey stuff the second after your alarm goes off — look, it's been a rough year, you do you.

From $20, sobeys.ca

6. Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

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If you're anything like us, Bonne Maman's little pots of preserves will bring you instant holiday joy the moment you open their cute checkered lids. Their advent calendar is filled with 24 homemade jams in unique flavours like White Nectarine & Peach, Apricot & Mango, and Raspberry & Lychee, so you can get creative in the kitchen — or in your PB&J sandwiches — all through December. 

$40, bonnemaman.ca

7. Sugarfina 24 Tastes of Christmas Advent Calendar

If the holidays are your favourite time of year because the host usually has bowls filled with candies, the Sugarfina calendar is for you. Sate sweet tooths with this delicious calendar filled with fun flavours like Christmas Trees, Merry Berries, Pumpkin Spice Almonds, Sugar Cookies and Snowman Gummies. Warning: sugar high may last until the new year. 

USD $60, sugarfina.com

8. Squish 24-Days of Candy

We've been a fan of Squish, a Montreal-founded gourmet gummy company, for as long as we can remember. This year, their candy elves have been working overtime to put together one of the cutest calendars we ever did see. Countdown this holiday with a selection of gummies including Cola bottles, gummy bears and an almost entirely vegan range of colourful and delicious treats.

$44.50, squishcandies.ca

Tea and Coffee Advent Calendars for Adults

9. 24 Days of Matcha 

David's Tea has always been a fan of the advent (their 24 Days of Tea is an annual bestseller), but we love that their new-for-2020 matcha iteration is making a return this year. The calendar is stuffed with 24 matcha-themed goodies, like high-quality classic and festive green tea blends, plus (spoiler alert) a cute little matcha spoon. Because you can never have too matcha a good thing.

$65, davidstea.com

10. Revolver Coffee Advent Calendar

We love advent calendars, but with our busy lives and schedules, we often end up playing catchup (see: eating six chocolates in one go). So what could be more practical than a coffee calendar, with a surprise java for 24 days straight? Every window will reveal a pre-portioned coffee from a different global roaster, personally vetted by Revolver Coffee, naturally. Truly, the most wonderful time of the year.

$125, revolvercoffee.ca

Chocolate Advent Calendars for Adults

11. Purdy's Vegan Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar

If you love the dark stuff but not the dairy, Purdy's has you covered this season. Behind every window is a piece of their bestselling 60 per cent dark chocolate, made with sustainable cocoa for a smooth, rich flavour.

$25, purdys.com

12. Lindt LINDOR Advent Calendar

Okay, so we had to sneak an elevated classic into the mix. If you're going to go the traditional chocolate route, make sure you pick a calendar that doesn't taste like it came from the discount shelf at a gas station. Lindt has a divine range of advent calendars, like this lush LINDOR option, which includes an assortment of full-size and mini milk, dark and white chocolate Swiss truffles.

$14.99, lindt.ca