Food Advent Calendars

We are close to that time of the year where for a month at least we will forget about diets and  we will indulge  with food and drinks either because of Christmas parties or because we gather for the festive season and we run food marathons with our loved ones. Advent calendars are a tradition that even when you are a bit older you like to keep. At least I do. I've picked few delicious calendars so that you can find inspirations and arrive to  Christmas eve with a smile on your face starting from the 1st of December.

*In Store*  It won't be for long in store this delicious Limited Edition Advent Calendar by Carluccio.  Each window is filled with an Italian delicacy, from porcini mushroom olive oil to truffle butter, to limoncello chocolates or aged balsamic vinegar. I won't spoil the surprise revealing all, but be quick to snap one up before is gone. www.carluccios.com

*In Store*  Fairtrade and organic the Cocoa Loco advent calendar with milk chocolate treats behind each window. It is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This is the traditional advent calendar that we know from childhood. It is available in dark chocolate too. www.cocoaloco.co.uk

*In Store*  What we've got here is another very original advent calendar. Loving a savoury taste? The Snaffling Pig Company has created  this Merry Piggin Christmas calendar where behind the 24 little windows there are small bags of pork cracklings in  6 flavours from their famous range. They are delicious, but try to resist and open only a window a day. In case you can stock up on their fabulous jars and boxes if you want to....pigging in. Available at  their website and John Lewis. www.snafflingpig.co.uk    www.johnlewis.com

*In Store*  This scrumptious Divine Chocolate advent calendar is good value for money. Its chocolate is Fairtrade because  the cocoa growers co own the company so that are not exploited by the biggies. This advent calendar is filled with milk chocolate treats but a 70% dark chocolate version is also available. www.divinechocolaye.com/uk

*In Store* Tea lovers will be happy because Fortnum & Mason has thought of them. Also you can do the countdown to Christmas in a healthy way, by sipping tea from this beautiful advent calendar . There are 24 windows with a silky tea bag in each in a different flavour, so to enjoy a different brew every day.  www.fortnumandmason.com

*In Store* Chocolate connoisseurs will be delighted by the choice at Hotel Chocolat when  thinking about advent calendars. As well as the ones for kids, you will find a choice  of dark chocolate, white, milk, caramel and 100% dark which are absolutely indulgent.  These ones are not to be missed  if you count yourself as a chocolate expert and lover. www.hotelchocolat.com

*In Store* I love liquorice so I had to include in this post an advent calendar with 24 different flavours of liquorice. This one is by Haupt Lakrits, a Swedish producer and at the moment this great calendar is not available in stores but you can buy it online. Sweden is very well known for its liquorice, I 've got among my favourites the salted one which is divine. Believe me it is worth it. www.lakrits.com

*Not Yet*  Pets are part of the family so if you think that your tailed friend deserves some treats get a cat or dog advent calendar at Iceland. Behind each window you will find small treats like dry food, biscuits and more. Check the store and online to see when they will be available. www.iceland.co.uk

*In Store*  This is another calendar advent that I like a lot. Tea is something that I drink on a daily basis so thinking about doing a countdown to Christmas sipping a different tea everyday is something that I can do once I've put my hands on this The English Tea Shop advent calendar. The tea bags are organic and the flavours selected won't disappoint you. After all the company has got a great selection of teas, all to be tested. Find it at Debenhams. www.debenhams.com

*In Store*  Pure indulgence for the Niederegger advent calendar where you will find behind each window a marzipan treat coated in chocolate. The secret recipe has been handed down generation after generation so you've got  the perfect balance between almonds and chocolate. Utterly delicious, you can find Niederegger products at Lakeland or Amazon among many retailers. www.lakeland.co.uk