Is there anything more magical than the daily ritual of opening an advent calendar? That little moment of anticipation, the squeal of delight, the excuse to eat chocolate before 9am (we won’t tell).
This year, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite advent calendars for 2026 from playful toys for little ones to grown-up treats for the foodies in your life. Whether you’re counting down with the kids or treating yourself (and why shouldn’t you?), there’s something here for everyone.
For Little Hands: BRIO Advent Calendar 2026
£34.99
The perfect countdown for little BRIO lovers, this charming calendar contains 24 doors, each hiding a surprise gift behind it. This year comes with a unique dinosaur twist: expect a T-Rex, Velociraptors, a Pteranodon, and even a Santa Claus figure.
Each day reveals a BRIO World surprise, from exclusive pieces to seasonal content, all compatible with existing train sets. Made from high-quality plastics and FSC-certified European beech wood, it’s a wonderful addition to a growing collection or the perfect way to start a new one.
Why we love it: It’s not just a treat; it’s a gift that keeps on giving long after December has passed. The pieces become part of your child’s BRIO World, so the play continues all year round.
Best for: Ages 3+, little train enthusiasts, and families who want a countdown that’s more than just sugar.
For Chocolate Connoisseurs: Pierre Marcolini Advent Calendar
£55.00 (or £78.00 with limited edition Moleskine notebook)
If you’re looking for something truly special, Pierre Marcolini’s advent calendar is a work of art. Designed to look like a beautifully crafted recipe book, it invites you to open a new surprise each day until Christmas.
Inside are 25 gourmet creations, including silky pralinés, smooth chocolate hearts, delicate truffles, and Petits Bonheurs. This is chocolate elevated to an experience, the kind you savour slowly while hiding from the kids in the pantry.
The collection also includes the stunning Christmas Cacao Pods (from £27 for 12, £44 for 24), six exclusive ganaches encased in Grand Cru chocolate with a cacao pod-inspired finish. And for the table, there’s the Casserole Yule Log (£55, serves six), a chocolate casserole with a lid you lift to reveal layers of mousse, praliné and pure indulgence. Because who says Yule Log has to be traditional?
Why we love it: It’s the calendar you keep for yourself. The one you don’t share. We’re not judging.
Best for: Chocolate lovers, grown-ups who deserve a treat, and anyone who takes their Advent seriously.
Available from Pierre Marcolini boutiques in Marylebone, Regent Street, Notting Hill, Selfridges, Harrods, and Liberty, and online from 26 October.
For Ethical Chocolate Lovers: Divine Chocolate’s festive range 2026
From £3.20
If you want your Christmas chocolate to taste good and do good, Divine Chocolate should be top of your list. This Fairtrade and B Corp-certified brand is co-owned by cocoa farmers in Ghana meaning every delicious bite supports real livelihoods and long-term community development. And it’s all made with 100% pure cocoa butter, natural ingredients, and absolutely no palm oil.
Stocking fillers and budget-friendly finds:
The Giant Milk Chocolate Coin (£3.50) is a show-stopping stocking filler supersized, wrapped in Divine’s iconic gold foil, and generous enough to share (or not). The classic Milk and Dark Chocolate Coins (from £3.20) come in shimmering foil pouches and are available in both creamy milk and vegan 70% dark, perfect for little hands and big ones alike.
The Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar (£7.50) is a Christmas classic, with a nativity story unfolding behind each door to reveal a heart-shaped chocolate. There’s also a 70% Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar (£7.50) for dark chocolate devotees and vegan consumers, rich, smooth, and seriously satisfying.
Luxury, home, lifestyle and food & drink gifts:
The Chunky Chocolate Gift Set (from £9.99) is a chocolate lover’s dream, six chunky bars in flavours including milk chocolate with real orange oil, white chocolate cappuccino, and crunchy caramel with sea salt. It comes beautifully presented in an elegant box, ready to gift.
There are also 6 and 9 bar giftboxes with tissue paper for a truly gift-worthy finish, perfect for friends and family. And brand new for 2026, Divine has launched a flexible subscription service with free shipping and 10% off every order. It’s the gift that keeps on giving and you can skip, pause, or cancel anytime.
Why we love it: Every bar is Made to Matter. With Fairtrade cocoa from the Kuapa Kokoo farming co-operative, 40% board representation for farmers, and a business model that delivers wealth back to cocoa-growing communities, this is chocolate you can feel genuinely good about gifting.
Best for: Ethical shoppers, chocolate lovers, vegans (the dark range is dairy-free), and anyone who wants their festive treats to make a difference.
Available online at Divine Chocolate, Ocado, Oxfam, and Amazon.
For Tea Lovers: Bird & Blend Tea Advent Calendar
£39.50
Bird & Blend created the very first tea advent calendar in 2016, and it’s still the original and the best. Their iconic calendar is back for 2026, ten years after the first one and it’s achieved cult status for a reason.
Each of the 24 cubes contains two tea bags, giving you 48 teas in total. Expect a mix of Christmas blends and fan favourites, including Snowball, Mince Pie, Magical Christmas Market Tea, Buttermint, Moomin House Cosy Comforts, Limoncello, Pistachio Chocolate Truffle Tea, and Apple Strudel. There’s also a caffeine-free version for those who don’t want to be wired at bedtime.
It’s 100% plastic-free, biodegradable, and earth-friendly and for every calendar sold, a tree is planted.
Why we love it: It’s the gift that keeps on giving and discovering a new tea every morning feels like a proper ritual. Perfect for sharing with a partner or keeping all to yourself.
Best for: Tea drinkers, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a cosy cuppa.
Also available: Spiced Pumpkin Chai tin (£24), a limited-edition twist on the autumn classic. And matcha tins in Hazelnut Praline, Snow Angel, Spicy Marg, and Twixmas (£22 each), sugar-free and naturally flavoured, the perfect stocking filler for matcha lovers.
For Coffee Devotees: RISE Coffee Advent Calendar 2026
From £42
Twenty-four doors. Twenty-four different coffees. Each calendar is a daily adventure , pop a window, scan the QR code, and discover the story behind that day’s coffee.
For 2026, RISE is giving grind-it-yourself fans what they’ve been asking for: the Classic Ground Coffee Advent Calendar (the original that keeps selling out!) and a NEW Whole Bean Advent Calendar for purists who grind fresh every morning.
RISE is a B Corp certified specialty coffee subscription business, ranked the Guardian’s #1 specialty coffee subscription. They partner with independent UK roasters and donate 1% of sales to coffee-growing communities.
Why we love it: It’s coffee with a story. And the QR codes add a lovely interactive touch that makes your morning brew feel like a mini adventure.
Best for: Coffee lovers, anyone who takes their morning brew seriously, and the person in your life who’s impossible to buy for.
Also available: Coffee Cracker Gift Set (£35), a mid-range table gift that looks as good as it tastes.
For Snack Lovers: Popcorn Shed Advent Calendar & Christmas bundle
Advent Calendar with 12 flavours and 24 doors
Popcorn, but make it festive. The Popcorn Shed’s Signature Gourmet Popcorn Advent has 12 different flavours and 24 doors, a daily discovery of crunchy, munchy joy.
There’s also a Christmas Bundle featuring four 80g Christmas-flavoured sheds, perfect for sharing (or not).
Why we love it: It’s a fun, fuss-free alternative to chocolate and a great option for families who want something a little different.
Best for: Popcorn fans, families, and anyone who wants a savoury twist on the traditional advent.
The London Mums’ verdict
Whether you’re counting down with a toddler who can’t wait to open the next door or treating yourself to something a little more grown-up, this year’s advent calendars have something for everyone.
Our top picks? The BRIO Advent Calendar for little ones (because it lasts long after December), the Bird & Blend Tea Advent for cosy mornings, and the Pierre Marcolini for when you deserve a proper treat.
Happy counting down!
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
