Tea and coffee advent calendars

Everyone loves a chocolate-filled advent treat but what gifting tea and coffee advent calendars this year?

These calendars which are filled with tea and coffee samples are becoming increasingly popular.

Whether you are searching for a tea advent calendar for a loved one, or a coffee advent calendar for a colleague, the options are improving and show that these calendars are here to stay.

But what exactly are they, why are they so loved and which ones should you consider for Christmas this year?

Here, the Christmas.co.uk team dives into the world of tea and coffee advent calendars and explores everything you need to know.

What are tea and coffee advent calendars?

At their core, tea and coffee advent calendars are a twist on the classic advent calendar concept.

Traditionally, advent calendars feature 24 or 25 doors or compartments – one for each day from 1st December to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – revealing a small treat or surprise.

While chocolate remains the most common filling, tea and coffee versions swap sugary sweets for a daily brew, offering a sophisticated alternative for adults and caffeine enthusiasts.

Each day, you open a door to find a tea bag, a loose-leaf tea sample, or a portion of ground coffee or coffee beans, depending on the calendar.

Some even include accessories like infusers or festive mugs.

Designed to elevate the Christmas countdown, these calendars provide a moment of calm amidst the festive rush, appealing to Britain’s deep-rooted love for a good cuppa – after all, the UK consumes around 100 million cups of tea daily, according to the UK Tea & Infusions Association.

What are the different types of tea and coffee advent calendars?

The variety of tea and coffee advent calendars available in the UK is impressive, catering to every taste and preference. Here’s a breakdown of the main types you’ll encounter:

Tea advent calendars

Classic tea bag calendars: These feature individually wrapped tea bags, often from well-known brands like Whittard or Twinings. Expect everyday blends like English Breakfast alongside festive flavours such as spiced cinnamon or mulled wine tea. They’re perfect for convenience and familiarity

Loose-leaf tea calendars: Aimed at tea aficionados, these contain loose-leaf samples – enough for a pot or multiple cups – often paired with an infuser. Brands like Fortnum & Mason excel here, offering premium blends like Darjeeling or exclusive Christmas mixes

Herbal and caffeine-free calendars: For those avoiding caffeine, options like Pukka’s herbal tea calendar deliver fruity, floral, or spicy blends, such as cranberry and hibiscus or ginger and turmeric. These are ideal for evening sipping

• Single-origin tea calendars: These showcase teas from specific regions, such as Assam or Ceylon, offering a tasting journey. VAHDAM’s advent calendar, for instance, highlights Indian teas with a global twist.

Coffee advent calendars

Ground coffee calendars: Pre-ground for ease, these provide enough coffee for a daily brew, often in festive or single-origin varieties. Pact Coffee’s calendar is a standout, with blends tailored to different brewing methods

Whole bean calendars: For coffee purists with a grinder, whole bean calendars like Bean Box’s offer small-batch roasts from around the world, such as Colombian or Ethiopian origins with notes of chocolate or citrus

Capsule coffee calendars: Designed for machine users, Nespresso’s advent calendars feature pods in flavours like vanilla or hazelnut, often with a festive gift like a mug included

• Drip bag calendars: A newer trend, these contain single-serve drip coffee bags – think instant but artisanal. Yawn Brew’s version blends convenience with quality.

You should also check out luxury and artisan calendars which offer premium options and feature high-quality teas and coffees, often sourced from small-batch producers and presented in elegant packaging.

Essentially, each type of coffee or tea advent calendar caters to different brewing habits and preferences, ensuring there’s something for every tea lover or coffee connoisseur counting down to Christmas.

Why gift tea and coffee advent calendars as Christmas presents?

The rise in popularity of tea and coffee advent calendars as gifts stems from several factors, deeply tied to British culture and modern gifting trends:

• A personal touch: Unlike generic chocolates, these calendars feel tailored to the recipient’s tastes, whether they’re a tea devotee or a coffee aficionado
• Daily enjoyment: Offering 24 days of surprises, they extend the joy of Christmas beyond a single day, making them a gift that keeps on giving
• Health and indulgence balance: With growing awareness of sugar intake, tea and coffee provide a guilt-free treat. Herbal options, in particular, align with wellness trends, while still feeling festive
• British tradition: Tea is a national institution, and coffee’s popularity has soared – Statista reports UK coffee consumption rose by 15% in the last decade. Gifting a calendar taps into this cultural love affair
• Sustainability: Many suppliers, like English Tea Shop, prioritise organic and eco-friendly packaging, appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

Apart from the comfort that comes with a daily cuppa, these calendars also offer an opportunity to explore new flavours and discover hidden gems, plus they can be enjoyed throughout the festive season and beyond.

We also think these gifts are a great way to support small businesses since many calendars are made by independent producers, allowing you to support local and artisan businesses.

The history of giving tea and coffee advent calendars

While the first printed calendars appeared in the early 1900s, featuring pictures or Bible verses, with chocolate versions emerging mid-century, they didn’t gained traction in the UK until the 1950s, evolving from religious tools to festive treats.

Tea and coffee advent calendars, however, are a modern innovation.

Bird & Blend claims to have launched the first tea advent calendar in 2016, capitalising on the UK’s tea obsession and the trend for alternative calendars.

Coffee versions followed, driven by the craft coffee boom and brands like Nespresso popularising capsule machines.

By 2020, searches for ‘tea advent calendar UK’ had doubled, Google Trends reveals, reflecting a shift from chocolate to experiential gifts.

This evolution mirrors broader Christmas trends which saw luxury and niche calendars, such as beauty and gin, surge in popularity in the 2010s, and tea and coffee fit perfectly into this desire for sophistication and variety.

Today, they’re a festive staple, blending heritage with contemporary tastes.

What do people buy?

UK consumers have clear preferences when it comes to tea and coffee advent calendars:

• Tea: Black tea blends, such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, dominate, but festive flavours like gingerbread or spiced chai are rising stars. Herbal options are popular among younger buyers
• Coffee: Single-origin roasts lead, with most buyers opting for whole beans or ground varieties over pods, according to Pact Coffee’s insights. Festive blends with notes of caramel or cinnamon also trend high
• Price range: Most people spend between £20 and £50, though luxury options from Fortnum & Mason (£60+) attract gift-givers seeking a premium touch
• Packaging: Eco-friendly and reusable designs, like Whittard’s book-style calendar, are increasingly sought after, aligning with sustainability concerns.

Which tea and coffee advent calendars will be popular this year?

Using sales data from previous years, here are the tea and coffee advent calendars we think are likely to top the UK’s wish lists this Christmas:

• Bird & Blend tea advent calendar

With its mix of bestsellers and exclusive blends, such as the surprisingly tasty mince pie tea, this caffeine-free or regular option is a perennial favourite. Its plastic-free promise will boost its appeal

• Nespresso Vertuo advent calendar

Featuring 24 capsules and a festive mug, this is a must for pod coffee fans. Expect flavoured highlights like almond croissant to sell out fast

• Fortnum & Mason tea advent calendar

A luxury classic, packed with iconic blends and Christmas teas. At £60, it’s a splurge, but its elegance makes it a gifting hit

• Pact Coffee advent calendar

Offering 25 pre-ground coffees, including rare single origins, this usually sells out and we expect demand to soar again

• Yawn Brew variety advent calendar

Blending tea, coffee, and hot chocolate for £32, this quirky option caters to indecisive giftees and trendsetters alike.

Top suppliers of quality or unusual tea and coffee advent calendars

Here’s our curated list of suppliers offering standout options for Christmas, grouped by category:

Luxury suppliers

• Fortnum & Mason: Known for premium teas, their advent calendar is a festive masterpiece
• Whittard of Chelsea: Offers loose-leaf and tea bag calendars with over 100 cups’ worth.

Eco-friendly suppliers

• English Tea Shop: Organic, fairtrade teas in a tree-shaped box where sustainability meets festivity
• Pukka Herbs: Herbal blends in recyclable packaging, perfect for green gifting.

Quirky and unusual suppliers

• Bird & Blend: Fun flavours and a tree-planting pledge make this a standout
• Yawn Brew: From drip bags to variety packs, their playful range is unique.

Coffee specialists

• Pact Coffee: Artisan roasts in a sleek package – ideal for coffee lovers
• Nespresso: Capsule calendars with a festive twist.

Why tea and coffee advent calendars are the perfect Christmas gift

Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising a loved one, tea and coffee advent calendars bring warmth, variety and a touch of luxury to the Christmas countdown.

They reflect the UK’s enduring love for a brew while embracing modern tastes and values like sustainability.

With so many options – from budget-friendly to the extravagant – there’s one for every stocking.

As Christmas approaches, make sure to grab yours early since these treasures tend to sell out fast – especially since they are becoming increasingly popular.

So, pop the kettle on, pick your favourite, and let the festive sipping begin!