Intended to beguile your curiosity every single day till Christmas Eve, the 24-day Advent calendar -- dated from December 1 to December 24 -- sets the festive momentum for Christmas gifts, treats and the season's tidings. Advent calendars feature 24 compartments that are accented by as many flaps or doors that contain surprises ranging from gifts, toys, candies, chocolate or even a message or verse from the Bible.

Though the calendar has its roots in Christian traditions, it took a secular route in the 19th Century. From a reference in Encyclopaedia Britannica, the first commercially printed calendars appeared sometime in the early 20th Century and German publisher Gerhard Lang in 1920s added small doors that opened to pictures in the calendar; "other publishers later included Bible verses", the source states. It would be nearly impossible to trace the time and place of this European custom's foray in India, but they have been steadily picking up steam for nearly a decade now.

Here are a few Advent calendars, served with nuggets of history, which will make your countdown to Christmas merrier that ever.

Love in 24 bites

Sivako chocolate bar | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Did you know that chocolate became part of Advent calendars in 1950s?

But what if a whole chocolate bar was divided in 24 sections, comprising one flavour for each day? Chef Eureka Araujo from Mumbai has created the Sivako chocolate bar that can be savoured over 24 days with 24 bites. "I first learnt about the Advent calendar tradition when I travelled to Vienna one winter. In every window, from small bakeries to grand stores, were little boxes numbered 1 to 24, each holding a tiny surprise."

Sivako chocolate bar | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

She calls the Sivako chocolate bar a labour of love, packed with Valrhona dark chocolate. Its 12 flavours range from coffee bean and gingerbread to pistachio kunafa and cinnamon and cherry.

It is priced ₹1,500 on sivako.in

Fudgy holidays

Chocolate brand Jakobi Chocolatier started planning the Advent calendar well before the holiday season of 2025, with pre-booking announcement made in November. It curated the 2025 calendar by crafting 24 unique chocolates. The flavours include Marblz milk fudge, milk kunafa, mahro - the white mango truffle, and Dolcezza.

Advent calendar by Jakobi Chocolatier | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

"The idea behind the recent launch is to celebrate 24 days of chocolate joy leading up to Christmas, offering handcrafted chocolates to make every day special with a festive, joyful experience," says the brand's founder Jacob Joy.

Advent calendar by Jakobi Chocolatier | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The starting price of the Advent Calendar 2025 is ₹2,500, effectively a 10% discount is available on jakobi.in.

Spreading cheer

Chennai-based Cheers Chocolates has been curating Advent Calendar for two years now, but this year the brand has come up with an innovative box of chocolates with a variety of flavours. "Drawing inspiration from iconic advent calendars across Switzerland, London, Paris and New York, the team blended global traditions with Cheers' own artisanal identity. Inside, 24 individually numbered doors reveal a curated flavour, starting with classic dark pralines and nutty giandujas and Kunafa Chocolate," says the brand's founder SSS Keshav Krishna.

Advent Calendar by Cheers Chocolates | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The starting price of the Cheers Chocolates Advent Calendar 2025 is ₹790 and is available on www.cheerschocolates.com and Chocolate Experience Center, Chennai.

Baked with love

Mumbai's Mag St. Bread Co.'s calendar this year offers freshly baked goods as well as gifts at your doorstep.

Advent Calendar by Mag St. Bread Co. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Gauri Devidayal, co-founder, Food Matters Group, explains: "This year, each day's surprise is tucked behind a pastel-hued illustrated tag, strung together on fairy lights to form a warm, glowing garland-chain, which can be wrapped around a Christmas tree, hung over a doorway or a work desk". The bakes are curated by chef Shannen Alexandra (head baker at Mag St. Bread Co.).

Advent Calendar by Mag St. Bread Co. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The 26-tag decorative garland offers a range of festive treats like speculaas croissants, pistachio madeleines and plum bake, paired with thoughtful merchandise such as a snow globe, tote bag and DIY gingerbread cookie kit.

Priced at ₹7,500 + GST, the Advent Calendar (egg and eggless) will be available for order on www.foodmatters.in with daily deliveries across Mumbai, beginning December 1.

Treasure box

Nestasia started working on the Advent calendar well before Christmas in 2024. "We wanted to create something in-house that brought together our unique finds in a fresh way. The response was so encouraging that we're continuing it for 2025 as well," says the brand's founder Aditi Murarka Agrawal.

Advent calendar by Nestasia | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The idea came from the classic 'The 12 Days of Christmas'. "Curating the calendar felt like a very natural extension of what we already love doing. The design team picked pieces across different categories like decor, lifestyle, accessories, and so on, so the surprises feel useful and delightful long after Christmas is over.

Advent calendar by Nestasia | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

For 2025, the Advent calendar starts at ₹4,695 and comprises crown candle holder, mini espresso shot glass cup, evil eye pendant wall hanging set and more.

As Christmas countdown begins, here's your ultimate guide to Advent calendars in India