Whenever December rolls around, and the malls start to play Christmas tunes, it’s hard to resist the festive mood. One of my favourite things about this season is gathering around the tree (or living room) on Christmas Day, exchanging presents and tearing into the packaging.
Before we even hit Christmas Day, why not drum up the festive spirit even more with an advent calendar? Traditionally, this was a calendar used for counting down the days of Advent—which were the days leading up to Christmas.
Nowadays, advent calendars often contain small (or not-so-little) daily gifts. And what better way to get into the festive spirit, than counting down with daily gifts—for your friends and family, or even for yourself! ‘Tis the season to splurge and #treatyourself!
Here are 10 unique advent calendars with nibbles and tipples to indulge in this festive season!
1. InterContinental Singapore

This enchanting gift from InterContinental Singapore is one you surely shouldn’t miss. Containing 24 treats, this limited-edition Advent Calendar (S$428) has everything you need for a truly magical Christmas.
You can look forward to a festive bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne Brut (200ml), some TWG InterContinental Singapore Heritage Tea, and even a special blend of festive herbs.

Nibble on Christmas goodies like fruit cake, Dresden stollen, candy canes, gingerbread man, panettone, minced fruit pies and lots more. It’s sure to get you excited for Christmas!
Psst, you can take a peek at what treats you’ll get each day—the order form lists out the gifts for each day.
Expected Damage: S$428 per advent calendar (available online or in-store at the Festive Shoppe)
InterContinental Singapore: 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966 | Tel: +65 6825 1131 | Order Form | Website
—Chocolates—
2. KitKat

If you’d like something to nibble on as you count down to Christmas, why not open a KitKat a day? The KitKat Chocolatory Christmas Advent Calendar (S$35.90) comes with 12 fun KitKat flavours in festive packaging.
Look forward to classics such as Caramel & Hazelnut and Tiramisu, and festive flavours like Gingerbread Man and Minty Candy Cane. Feeling adventurous? The advent calendar even offers locally-inspired KitKat flavours, with the likes of Ice Kacang, Durian Delight and even Nasi Lemak!
Take a break from Christmas shopping and have a KitKat.
Expected Damage: S$35.90 per advent calendar (available on Lazada and QOO10)
3. Nordstrom

The festive season is really just an excuse to indulge, so treat yourself to a gorgeous tray of milk and dark chocolates from Nordstrom.

This fancy Theatre Chocolate Advent Calendar (S$110.15) is made in the UK, and comes wrapped in beautiful greens and reds—how festive!
Be sure to place your orders early because it could take a while to ship over to Singapore.
Expected Damage: S$110.15 per advent calendar (available online)
Nordstrom: Website
—Teas/Coffees/Hot Chocolate—
4. Hot Chocolate (Whittard)

If munching on chocolates isn’t your thing, you can still get your dose of cocoa goodness with The Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar For Two (S$153 on sale, usual price S$180) from Whittard.

With eight delectable hot chocolate flavours from Whittard’s luxurious range of chocolatey delights, you’ll be celebrating a sweet Christmas. Each drawer contains two servings, so it’s perfect for sharing—or you could keep both for yourself; no judgement here.

You can expect Whittard’s signature Luxury Hot Chocolate and Luxury White Hot Chocolate, as well as the festive-themed Sticky Toffee Pudding Flavour White Hot Chocolate and Spiced Flavour Hot Chocolate.
Other hot chocolate concoctions include Salted Caramel, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter, and Raspberry Ripple.
Talk about spoilt for choice!
Expected Damage: S$153 (U.P. S$180) per advent calendar (available on TANGS online store, in-store availability varies)
Whittard: TANGS online store | Website
5. Drip Bag Coffee (Hook Coffee)

Need something with a little more kick than hot chocolate? Hook Coffee has got you covered with its Hook Coffee Advent Calendar (S$49). This is the third edition of its advent calendar, and contains 24 unique coffee blends in drip bags.

The drip bags are numbered, so you can enjoy a different coffee each day. Some of the blends are already available from Hook Coffee as drip bags, ground coffee, whole beans or shot pods—such as Give Me Smore’s, Gold Digger, Sweet Bundchen and a few others. This means you can stock up on more if there’s a flavour that you particularly enjoy.

The other flavours like A Tropical Christmas, Hot Wine Bling, Plum-Believable and more are festive-themed, so savour every last drop.
A perfect gift for the coffee connoisseur in your life!
Expected Damage: S$49 per advent calendar, S$98 (Advent Calendar Bundle Deal – two boxes), S$111 (Advent Calendar Sttoke Bundle Deal – comes with 8oz Sttoke cup)
Hook Coffee: Website
6. Loose Leaf Teabags (Whittard)

Wake up to a different tea blend every morning before Christmas, with The Tea Lover’s Advent Calendar 2019 (S$85 on sale, usual price. S$100) from Whittard.

Whittard offers 24 different tea blends in loose leaf pyramid teabags this festive season, including single origins.
Savour classics like English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Russian Caravan and English Rose. Of course, you can also expect more exotic blends like Whisky Tea, Coconut Truffle, Summer Pudding and even Chilli Mango!

Whichever blend it is, I’m sure you’ll have a tea-rrific Christmas with this tea advent calendar.
Expected Damage: S$85 per advent calendar (usual price S$100) (available on TANGS online store, in-store availability varies)
Whittard: TANGS online store | Website
7. Loose Leaf Tea (T2)

You can’t miss out T2 when you’re talking about tea. This festive season, the Australian tea brand offers us tea lovers 24 different loose-leaf tea blends in the Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar – Loose Leaf (S$40).

Containing loose-leaf teas and tisanes, with this tea advent calendar, now you can sip your way to Christmas with old favourites and classics, new blends and festive tastes. Each sachet is perfectly portioned for one serving of tea, so you can start the day with a perfect brew.
I know I can’t wait to try all the teas!
Expected Damage: S$40 per advent calendar (available online and in T2 stores, subject to availability)
—Pints & Drams—
8. Craft Beer (Thirsty Beer Shop)

Crack open a beer or two (or 24) with the Craft Beer Advent Calendar (S$169) from Thirsty Beer Shop.
This advent calendar comes with 24 craft beers, hailing from breweries across America, Australia and Belgium. Go on a beer advent-ure and explore new beers, or perhaps re-discover old favourites along the way.

They’re keeping the exact arrangement a secret so that the beer on each day will be a surprise, but there are 14 different beer styles. These include: lager, wheat ale, golden ale, pale ale, IPA, double IPA, hazy, porter, stout, gose, herb & spiced, Belgian golden, Belgian tripel, and Belgian dark.
Order your Craft Beer Advent Calendar for free doorstep delivery, and have a beer-y Christmas!
Expected Damage: S$169 per advent calendar (available online)
Thirsty Beer Shop: Facebook | Website
9. Whisky (Drinks By The Dram)

The only thing that should be ‘on the rocks’ this festive season is whisky. And what better way to sample this complex spirit, than with the World Whisky Advent Calendar (2019 Edition) (S$220.70) from Drinks By The Dram?
Instead of chocolates or other sweet treats, surprise yourself daily with a different 30ml wax-sealed dram of whisky by talented distillers worldwide.

Count down to Christmas as you taste whiskies from all over the world, in varying styles and with different flavour profiles. With bottles from Canada, Taiwan, India, Sweden and more, these drams are made for slow enjoyment.
I know what I’ll be doing from now until Christmas!
Expected Damage: S$220.70 per advent calendar (available online)
Drinks By The Dram: Website
10. Gin (That Boutique-y Gin Company)

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with 12 days of gin, from That Boutique-y Company 12 Days Of Gin (2019 Edition) (S$44.11).
That Boutique-y Gin Company brings us 12 wax-sealed drams of gin (30ml), including intriguing bottlings like a pink gin, a gin with botanicals that have been to space and more. Some of the gins have been discontinued, so this might be your only chance to get a taste.

Enjoy it on its own, or in a G&T—it’s all up to you. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, after all.
Expected Damage: S$44.11 per advent calendar (available online)
That Boutique-y Gin Company: Website
If you haven’t gotten an advent calendar yet, it’s not too late to grab one. Sure, you might start a little late but that means you can open more at one go. You know you’ve worked hard this year, so indulge a little and treat yourself! Which of these advent calendars are you most excited to get?