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Chocolate Advent Calendar: A daily treat in the run-up to Christmas
For someone who enjoys chocolate, a calendar makes the countdown part of the present. Look beyond the festive design to the chocolate selection, portion sizes and information they need about ingredients.
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What is behind the doors?
A simple calendar of their favourite milk chocolate and an assortment of filled chocolates are quite different presents. Choose around what they actually like to eat. Dark, white and milk chocolate selections can have very different flavours, and fillings may introduce nuts, fruit or alcohol.
The design is part of the fun, but it should not do all the choosing. Familiar chocolate can be a thoughtful little treat; a varied selection is more useful for someone who likes trying new things.
Is the countdown just for them?
If two people will share it, check how many pieces are behind each door. Twenty-four doors does not mean twenty-four generous portions. Compare the total chocolate weight as well as the number of days; some calendars contain small moulded shapes, while others have wrapped bars or filled chocolates.
One calendar each may work better than dividing a tiny daily piece. For treats to put out when people visit, a chocolate gift box or biscuit gift tin gives you a selection without a timetable.
Three checks before wrapping
Read the ingredient list, allergen information and dietary labelling for the exact calendar, including the fillings.
Check its best-before date, especially if a listing still mentions an earlier year.
Follow the storage instructions and keep the chocolate away from unsuitable heat.
Dark chocolate is not necessarily dairy-free, and a mixed selection may contain several different recipes. For someone with an allergy, use the product information they need to make a safe choice; a general dietary label cannot settle every question.
Give it before their intended countdown starts. If the present will be opened on Christmas Day, an undated assortment avoids most of the doors already being overdue. You can find other presents for the day itself in our Christmas gift ideas.