There’s no better way to kick off the festive season than with an advent calendar, particularly one showcasing something delightful to eat or drink each day
We’re all kids at heart when it comes to the excitement of advent calendars. With just about four weeks ahead of us until December 25th, there’s nothing better to escalate the festive fun than the anticipation of opening up a “door” or “window” each day in the countdown to Christmas, revealing a special surprise within.
Advent calendars used to be mainly dedicated to sweets and chocolate, but in recent years, the themes have become more and more inventive, from beauty, to beer, wine, and spirits, and even to calendars dedicated to our furry friends.
Here at Foodie, we’ve narrowed down our selection of the best advent calendars for food and drink lovers this year – either for spoiling yourself or gifting to a loved one. Get ‘em while they’re hot!
Hong Kong foodie advent calendars 2023
InterContinental Grand Stanford’s whisky calendar

Fancy a wee dram each day? The Whisky Advent Calendar (HKD1,788–6,588) by Tiffany’s New York Bar at InterContinental Grand Stanford – where this year’s Hong Kong Whisky Festival was held – is a tribute to the fine aged spirit. The calendar is filled with 24 whisky expressions from around the globe, along with a Glencairn whisky glass for your sipping pleasure. There are five calendar varieties to suit different tastes and price points: Around the World – Mystery Selection, Beginner’s Selection, Independent Bottler Selection, Japanese Craft Distilleries, and Premium Whisky Selection.
Fortnum & Mason’s tea calendar

This grocer to the Royals is paradise when it comes to upmarket advent calendars. The Tea Lovers Advent Calendar (HKD488) is a striking standout amongst the lot, offering a selection of Fortnum’s most-beloved brews. There are classic teas such as Royal Blend, Jade Oolong, and Earl Grey to please purists, as well as more unique teas and infusions to keep fans of tea on their toes. We wonder on which date we’ll discover the Gin & Tonic Tea, made with juniper berries and hand-picked botanicals including coriander, fennel, and lemon balm.
Purchase in-store – Shop 022, G/F, K11 ATELIER, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3916 8100
Venchi’s wooden chocolate calendar

Chocolate advent calendars don’t get much more luxurious than the Wooden Advent Calendar (HKD1,250) by Venchi. The price tag is on the steep side, but the beautiful wooden structure can be reused year after year for a DIY calendar approach. Inside, you’ll find 25 of the Italian chocolatier’s glorious chocolates, where Piedmontese hazelnut paste plays a starring role.
Selfridges’ coffee calendar

If coffee is your thing, we recommend this 12 Days of Coffee (HKD315) calendar curated by the good folk over at Selfridges. For just under two weeks, you can have a cuppa Joe made with a pouch containing aromatic Arabica ground coffee from around the world. The packaging of each pouch displays the coffee’s country of origin and tasting notes. Kaku coffee from Yunnan, China, even makes an appearance.
The Peninsula Boutique’s chocolate calendar

The Peninsula Boutique’s highly sought-after Chocolate Advent Calendar (HKD490) is a super-sweet countdown to Christmas, perfect for the chocolate connoisseur in your life, featuring treats ranging from dark chocolate carrés to chocolate bonbons. On the non-choccy side, the daily surprises include fruit candies and even a keepsake pin. Taking a different format, the Sweet Surprise Festive Gift Box (HKD1,280) ups the ante with grander and even more indulgent surprises each day like cookies and edible Santas; the drawers aren’t marked with specific dates, but there are enough goodies to keep you covered in the lead-up to the big day.
Wine Moments’ wine calendar

Another boozy advent calendar, check out the stylishly designed Wine Mini Advent Calendar (HKD1,090) by Wine Moments. Each of the 24 boxes contains a mini (100ml) bottle of wine by renowned winemakers from across Europe, from light whites to bold reds. Ideal for either an oenophile looking to discover a new favourite bottle or a newbie dipping his or her toes into the sea of vino.
Pâtisserie Jane’s dessert calendar

The sweet-toothed will delight in the Christmas Dessert Suitcase Advent Calendar (HKD328), the creation of Pâtisserie Jane. In this week-long countdown to Christmas, the adorably designed suitcase opens to reveal seven boxes packed with sweets inspired by festive treats from around the world. There are Danish cookies, a French chocolate bomb, biscuits flavoured with English tea, Italian biscotti, and more.
Order online (20% off if purchased by Nov. 30)