Advent Calendar

It is again that time of the year where we are counting down how many days before Christmas and since when I was a kid I always had an Advent Calendar, but it was just a plain one with no gifts. Then the chocolate ones came and as well as being very popular now they've been flanked by specific food and drink ones. I've found quite a few, all delicious and to buy now before they are gone, in order to start December on the right foot.

*In Store* If you love fudges you will be overwhelmed by the Buttermilk Fudge Advent Calendar with 25 windows filled up with delicious wrapped treats like the Mince Pie Fudge, or the Rum Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread  one or the Caramel Sea Salt. It is a very sustainable Advent Calendar because as well as the cardboard box, each piece is wrapped in compostable film so after eating you put the wrapper in the compost. At £ 14.99 you will start the day in sweetness. www.buttermilk.co.uk

*In Store* *Exclusive*  If you know a gin connoisseur, this Edinburgh Gin Advent Calendar Exclusive to John Lewis & Partners will be the perfect countdown to Christmas. Far from supporting excess in drinking, this calendar has got 25 bottles of 5cl each of gin and fruit gin liqueurs, perfect for cocktails and even for cooking, especially those scrumptious fruit cakes where a dash of gin is required.  This Advent Calendar is priced at £ 120.00.  www.johnlewis.com

*In Store*  Tea lovers will want to grab this gorgeous English Tea Shop Organic Tea Bags Advent Calendar. I would, and probably I will because I love tea and here I can sample 25 different teas from the extensive range of this company. It is sold in several places so prices will vary. I've seen it starting from £ 8.95 at The Ethical Superstore, because all teas from the English Tea Shop is Fairtrade and organic. www.etsteas.co.uk

*In Store*  It had a huge success last year and it still goes strong. On the official website is sold out but the Merry Pigging' Christmas Advent Calendar from the boys at Snaffling Pig is sold at Very.co.uk but you have to act fast. Each day you will find behind one of the windows a mini bag filled of delicious and crunchy cracklings in several flavours at £ 17.99.  www.very.co.uk

*In Store* * Exclusive*  Sparkle every day until Christmas with this Prosecco & Fizz Advent Calendar  exclusive at John Lewis & Partners. I must say that this year quite  few exclusive items are going to grace John Lewis' shelves. This Advent Calendar has got 24 windows where you can find  a selection of Cava and prosecco 200ml bottles including a Lanson Champagne one. Enjoy them at dinner or try your hand with some festive cocktails prosecco based.  www.johnlewis.com

*In Store* It is a bit like the Every Flavour Beans from the Harry Potter films. The Bean Boozled Advent Calendar by Jelly Belly is just fun with pyramid bags filled with beans in nice or naughty flavours.  Which one you are going to get?  Among the flavours you might find Dead Fish or Rotten Egg but also Strawberry or Coconut. At £ 15.00 it is available  at many stockists or at the main  one. www.jellybelly.co.uk

*In Store* If you want to play safe get the Jelly Belly traditional Advent Calendar available at many stockists as well as at the Jelly Belly one. There will be Christmas flavours like cranberry sauce, or buttered popcorn among the other favourites like hot chocolate or orange sherbet.  At £ 15.00, each window will have a mixed pyramid bag  full of delicious flavours. www.jellybelly.co.uk

*In Store* A chocolate advent calendar could not be missed in this post so here we have the Divine Fairtrade Advent Calendar,  with 24 windows hiding 24 heart shaped milk chocolate from  Divine using the finest chocolate from Ghana. It is available in quite a few places, generally I buy the Divine chocolate at any Oxfam shop. This advent calendar is priced at £ 4.00. www.ukshop.divinechocolate.com

*In Store* *Exclusive*  Not keen on gin or prosecco? No problems at all, at John Lewis & Partners they have covered all the needs. This Beer Advent Calendar hides behind each window a can or a bottle of beers brewed by Adnams in Southwold, so expect a great selection to sample every day, maybe at the end of the day. www.johnlewis.com