25 Best Candy Advent Calendars ... and Class Updates

Hi Friends,

Happy November! The last month has been a whirlwind for me of getting ready for and celebrating my sister’s wedding (congratulations Natalie and Andrew!). Now that I’m back to “normal life” I can’t believe next week is thanksgiving. I guess it’s finally time to get those air conditioners out of the windows and hunt down my winter jacket.

This Week I’m:

• Reading: Wellness by Nathan Hill

• Watching: Counting down the minutes until the new season of The Crown drops! In the meantime I’m enjoying the old-timey vibes of Buccaneers on Apple TV+ and The Gilded Age on Max.

• Listening to: boygenius

It’s Advent Calendar Season!

Now that we’re into mid-November I think it’s finally socially acceptable to talk about advent calendars. Personally, I’ve been researching them since mid-August. I just love them. The ritual of opening a little door every day to see what’s inside, the tiny little treats, the fantasizing about what could be behind that final door.

So obviously the best thing is to HAVE an advent calendar, but looking at them online is a pretty close second. There are some very expensive and super bonkers ones out there. (If you want to see a roundup of the weirdies, check out my newsletter from last year)

This year I’m in more of a classic chocolate mood, so I thought I’d do a roundup of the best looking candy ones. Whenever possible I’ve linked directly to the manufacturer’s website and listed prices without coupon codes or discounts. If you decide to purchase one of these, hunt around a little and you might just find it cheaper. Also, none of these are affiliate links and I’m not getting any kickbacks. I just enjoy looking at advent calendars.

My 25 favorite Candy Advent Calendars of 2023:

1. The ethical affordable option: Tony Chocolonely’s Tony’s Countdown Calendar ($19.99)

2. The affordable swiss chocolate option: Lindt Holiday Santa Advent Calendar ($19.99) (Lindt has smaller 6 oz versions for $10.39 and $11.59 as well)

3. The peppermint lover’s option: William Sonoma’s Peppermint Bark Advent Calendar ($20)

4. The Hallmark movie lover’s option: Bissinger’s Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas ($20)

5. The Irish option: Butlers Chocolate Advent Calendar ($26.50)

6. The New England Handmade Option: Harbor Sweets “A Whale of a Christmas” Chocolate Advent Calendar ($37.50) (this chocolate shop also makes my favorite hot cocoa)

7. The Caramel Lover’s option: McCrea’s Advent Calendar ($39.95)

8. The adventurous eater’s option: Wally and Whiz Danish Wine Gums Advent Calendar ($42)

9. The mall shop luxury option: Godiva 2023 Holiday Classic Advent Calendar ($45)

10. The NYC-lover’s option: MOMA Super NYC Chocolate 24-day advent calendar ($45)

11. The non-denominational countdown option: Good Karmal Holiday Countdown Gift Box – 30 Days of Sweetness ($50)

12. The Californian’s option: See’s 2023 Advent Calendar ($50)  

13. The Belgian option: Neuhaus Classic Advent Calendar ($56.90)

14. The licorice lover’s option: Lakrids by Bulow Christmas Calendar ($60)

15. The Bonbon Village for 2: Honest Chocolate Decadent Christmas Advent Calendar for 2 ($65)

16. The vegan option: Dallmann Vegan Chocolate Advent Calendar 2023 ($65) (they have a standard version as well)

17. The Mainer’s option: Bixby Winter in Maine Chocolate Advent Calendar ($70)

18. The luxury drinkable chocolate option: Whittard of Chelsea Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for 2 ($82.50)

19. The francophile’s option: La Maison du Chocolate’s Snowflake Chocolate Advent Calendar ($95)

20. The Italian chocolate option: Venchi Holiday x Bannecker Prestige Advent Calendar ($99) (there’s also a $26 option )

21. The Candy Carousel for 4: Sugarfina Candy Carousel Advent Calendar ($100) Sugarfina also offers a Hanukkah option ($30) and an advent calendar for 2 ($55)

22. The colorful luxury option: Compartes Garden Chocolate Advent Calendar (109.95)

23. The luxury molded shapes option: Marie Belle’s Chocolate Advent Calendar 2023 ($125)

24. The Artistic option with a funny name: Elbow’s Chocolate Advent Calendar ($150)

25. The Refillable Luxury option: Vosges Haut-Chocolate Calendar of Advent ($300 calendar / $175 chocolate refill)

Bonus Advent Calendar Suggestion:

Here’s the advent calendar I’ve actually purchased this year:

• The Hingston & Olsen Short Story Advent Calendar 2023. ($65 CAD)

I love short stories, and this collection is always a treat. The style of the stories is usually along the lines of the Best American Short Stories collections. I have a few previous years’ calendars now and they’ve been great for discovering new stories and new authors to love. Also, the stories are not holiday-themed, so if you’re busy in December you can work your way through more slowly.

Take a Class with Me:

This weekend I’m teaching “Characters that Drive Story” in-person at Grub Street in the Boston Seaport. Come write with me from 10:30-1:30 then hit the Holiday market across the street for a perfect November Saturday. More info and sign up at https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/characters-that-drive-story/

I’ve just updated my website with this and 7 more classes scheduled for the coming months. Check them all out at www.kayleighshoen.com

Thanks for reading!

Kayleigh