As we approach 2024's grand finale, preparations are underway to secure everything from the essentials to the little luxuries with prudent preppers spreading the cost over the months leading up to Christmas Day.
While it may be too early to get the turkey and all the trimmings for now, securing items like advent calendars can be ticked off now.
Nostalgic chocolate-filled boxes will always have a special place in our hearts (and on our mantelpiece), but it’s the modern advents that have us turning our heads. The contents jostle with thrilling little surprises to build festive excitement to fever-pitch levels.
They span every taste and topic imaginable: think beauty boxes (often with full-size products), diamond jewellery, marshmallows, DIY tools and socks tucked behind the festively festooned cubby holes. For adults who are partial to a tipple or two, the most popular category of calendar are ones stuffed with booze.
Whatever your poison, there's something to suit: think sparkling wine and prosecco advent calendars to whisky, rum, tequila and gin odysseys from both craft and long-established producers.
They’re a great way to try something new without forking out for a whole bottle. The measures are modest - usually around 5cl - designed to deepen your knowledge rather than indulge in a session (we find it best to open advent windows in the evening rather than the morning to avoid awkward chats in the office).
Some brands include festive cocktail recipes, garnish ideas and tasting notes to help you better understand the complex character of the spirit you’re imbibing.
Gin advent calendars continue to be the most sought-after, and although we’re a fair few weeks away from December 25, many are available to buy now or secure on pre-order. Who knows, you may discover your new favourite in this year's selection of advent calendars.
Find the best gin advent calendars below
Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar - Premium (2024 Edition)
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Shopping with someone who really knows their gin? Drinks by the Dram offers this premium gin calendar, a glamorous alternative to the usual Christmassy fare.
Perfect for an elegant gin fan, you’ll find some familiar names inside the 24 windows - plus a few curveballs too to keep you on your toes.
Pre-orders are open now with delivery expected from October 1.
Buy now £99.95, Master of Malt
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar (2024 Edition)
Fans of the juniper-spiked spirit will adore this advent calendar from booze specialist That Boutique-y Gin Company made in partnership with Drinks by the Dram.
Now a festive fixture on all boozy advent calendar line-ups, the 2024 edition serves up 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures of the good stuff. Last year shoppers enjoyed flavours like smoked rosemary, a curious neroli and a squeezed yuzu, and all signs point to the same again this year.
Pre-orders are open now. Bottoms up!
Buy now £64.95, Master of Malt
Craft Gin Club Advent Calendar 2024
Craft Gin Club is back to make this festive season your merriest yet with its stupendously popular advent calendar featuring a jolly line-up of 25 mini gins, each measuring a better-than-average 50ml.
Picked from master distilleries across the UK and beyond, expect classic London Dry and flavoured varieties alongside recipe and garnish ideas.
One of the most popular gin calendars around, this compilation sells out every year. The good news? Pre-orders are open now, so there’s not a moment to lose.
Buy now £89.99, Craft Gin Club
John Lewis The Great British Exchange Advent Calendar
This alcohol-inclusive advent offers gin and so much more. Filled with proudly independent brands, the miniatures span everything from cask whisky and honey-infused tequila to vodka and flavoured gins.
Fan of the Isle of Wight's Mermaid Gin? This calendar contains four miniatures housed in their distinctive scaled glass bottles shrunken down to an adorable pocket size. Just the thing to warm your cockles when Jack Frost comes calling.
Buy now £112.00, John Lewis
Fever-Tree Gin and Tonic Advent Calendar
Here to prove that the mixer shouldn’t ever be an afterthought is leading brand Fever-Tree. Its advent calendar offers 24 bottles and cans of its finest varieties, from low-cal Light to Elderflower Tonic Water made with handpicked English elderflower. If you’re looking to shake things up with your favourite bottle of gin, this is a marvellous way to do it.
Buy now £70.00, Waitrose
Craft Gin Club Countdown Gift Set
Advent calendars may be inextricably linked to Christmas, but that doesn't mean you can't use them to countdown to another special occasion.
For big events like birthdays, graduations, anniversaries or a major holiday, this seven-day surprise box of gin from Craft Gin Club is packed with an expertly curated selection designed to spark joy. As well as bottles of gin, expect to find mixology tools, a gin-scented candle and even boozy gummies.
Buy now £34.95, John Lewis
The Bottle Club Premium Pink Gin Advent Calendar
If the answer to the question “what’s better than gin?” is “pink gin”, That’s The Spirit’s advent calendar is the one to tickle you this Christmas. The 12-day compilation contains a variety of flavoured gins that all share that alluring rosy hue. There’s everything from fan-favourite strawberry and rose notes to the more unexpected bubblegum to sip through.
Buy now £44.99, The Bottle Club
Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar 2024
Virgin Wines may be better known for its fermented grape-packed advent, but such is its popularity that the brand has made up other versions. Good job too, because this gin calendar has us beside ourselves with excitement for December 1.
Housed in a snowman-themed box, the boutique UK and Irish selection is made to put you in the jolliest of spirits all the way up to Christmas Day: think Bombay Sapphire, Edinburgh Gin and more.
It’s available to pre-order now with a deposit of only £10 and delivery from November.
Buy now £99.99, Virgin Wines
Seven Days of Gin and Chill
Straying ever so slightly from the gin script, this seven-day calendar adds self-care treats alongside miniatures of Mason's gin, distilled in Yorkshire. The cute kit is an affordable way to buy into advent calendar fun without spending a bomb and can be personalised with a greeting card message for the lucky recipient.
Buy now £42.00, Seven Yays
