Gone are the days of advent calendars that offer little more than a picture behind each miniature cardboard door. With more and more novelty advent calendars hitting the shops every year, the countdown to Christmas day has never been a more thrilling, or rewarding, affair. There are calendars for gin-lovers, chocolate-fanatics, wine-connoisseurs and beer buffs, as well as ones filled with jam, popcorn and, yes, even hot sauce. But the ones we're crooning over right now are cheese advent calendars - and we've scoured the web for some of the best.
This year, we're pretty impressed by the brie-lliant (sorry) cheese-filled options out there. Who wouldn’t want to spend the 24 days leading up to Christmas nibbling on bitesize hunks of delicious dairy? While cheese advent calendars may not have ascertained the notoriety that, say, chocolate calendars have over the years, we predict they’re going to be a big hit in 2024 and beyond.
But we get it – not all cheeses are created equal in everyone’s eyes, with different varieties offering something totally unique. Whether you prefer your cheese smoky, tangy, dusty or salty, these cheese advent calendars all offer multiple types to ensure there’s something for everyone behind each little door. In some, you’ll even find a selection of mini chutneys and crackers to pair with your cheese bounty.
Check out our pick of the very best cheese advent calendars this year (and you could always choose suitable wines to match each one).
As for the important question: do you need to store your cheese calendar in the fridge? Yes, preferably in a cold environment at five degrees or less.
The Chuckling Cheese Company Cheese Advent Calendar
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What: This cheesy calendar offers the whole package. Alongside cheese flavours such as smoked, vintage, red onion, orange and whisky, and Sunday roast, you’ll also find six mini chutneys and six mini crackers to pair each of them with each day (if you can hold off eating the cheeses for that long!). This advent calendar would make a great early Christmas present for a cheese-loving friend.
How much: £44.99
Buy now: Chuckling Cheese Company Cheese Advent Calendar
The Cheese Advent Calendar
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What: Designed and produced by Annem Hobson of blog So Wrong It’s Nom, this book-style cheese calendar is crammed with nine different types of cheese, including Applewood Vintage, Mature Cheddar, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, and a apple, onion and sage Cheddar. All the cheeses are wrapped in recyclable packaging - and it’s practical too. Once you’ve finished the first 12 cheeses, simply tear off one half of the calendar to save you some extra fridge space.
How much: £8
Buy now: Available at Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Ocado (from November 2024)
Paxton & Whitfield Advent Calendar
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What: Paxton & Whitfield is the UK's oldest cheesemonger don't you know, so where better to get your festive fromage? This year's calendar includes a mixture of latest and greatest cheeses and some historical favourites too. Sign up and you'll get three fresh deliveries of eight cheeses each, including Village Maid, Mrs Kirkhams Lancashire Cheese and Montgomery’s Cheddar.
How much: £150
Buy now: Paxton & Whitfield Cheese Advent Calendar
Giant Welsh Cheese Advent Calendar
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What: Measuring more than a metre wide and containing a whopping 4.2 kilos of artisan cheese, this calendar is a cheese lover's dream come true. Inside, you can find 24 different kinds of Welsh cheese, ranging from creamy soft varieties to punchy Cheddars and blues. Maybe just avoid any mistletoe after feasting on this one.
How much: £189
Buy now: Giant Welsh Cheese Advent Calendar
Cheesegeek Advent Calendar
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What: Cheesegeek's luxury offering comes with a hefty price tag, but it would make an excellent gift for a cheese-loving family if you're on the hunt for a shared prezzie. The whole thing houses just under 2kg of cheese, with each window hiding a new artisan selection. Cheesegeek is keeping its contents a secret though, to make every day that much more exciting!
How much: £150
Buy now: Cheesegeek advent calendar
All cheesed out? Check out our favourite Christmas food hampers, or take a look at something more traditional with our pick of the best chocolate advent calendars.