Everything you need to know before choosing a coffee advent calendar

A few years ago, if someone had told me coffee advent calendars would become one of the most popular Christmas gifts around, I'm not sure I'd have believed them.

Fast forward to today, and they're everywhere.

And honestly? I can see why.

If you love coffee, there's something really nice about starting each December morning by opening a new coffee you've never tried before. It's a bit like travelling the world one cup at a time, without leaving your kitchen.

I've been working with tea and coffee since 2011, tasting hundreds of coffees, working alongside expert roasters and sourcing coffees from around the world. One thing I've learnt is that coffee is a bit like music everyone has their favourites, but there's always something new to discover.

So, whether you're buying your first coffee advent calendar, looking for a gift or simply wondering what all the fuss is about, hopefully this guide will answer a few questions.

What is a coffee advent calendar?

Let's start with the obvious one.

A coffee advent calendar is exactly what it sounds like.

Instead of opening a little square to find a chocolate every day, you open a door to discover a different coffee.

Most calendars run from 1st December right through to Christmas Eve, with 24 different coffees to enjoy along the way. Some include whole beans, others use ground coffee, while a few are designed for pods or capsules.

For me, the fun isn't just having a coffee each day.

It's trying something you probably wouldn't have picked for yourself.

Why are coffee advent calendars so popular?

I think it comes down to one simple thing.

Most of us find a coffee we like... and then buy the same one over and over again.

There's nothing wrong with that, but it does mean you miss out on so many brilliant coffees.

An advent calendar gives you permission to explore.

One day you might be drinking a smooth Brazilian coffee that's perfect with breakfast.

The next, something bright and fruity from Ethiopia.

Then maybe a rich Colombian coffee that tastes completely different again.

It's all part of the fun.

And judging by how many speciality coffee advent calendars now sell out before December arrives, plenty of people seem to agree.

Who are coffee advent calendars for?

People often assume they're only for serious coffee enthusiasts.

I actually disagree.

Some of our customers have been drinking speciality coffee for years.

Others have only just bought their first cafetière.

The beauty of a coffee advent calendar is that there's no right or wrong way to enjoy it.

If you simply like trying new coffees, you'll probably enjoy one.

What should you look for in a coffee advent calendar?

Not all coffee advent calendars are the same, so there are a few things I'd always check before buying.

Fresh coffee

Coffee is at its best when it's fresh.

That's why we roast, package and ship the advents as close to December as possible!

Fresh coffee simply has more flavour.

A good variety

Personally, I don't want twenty four versions of the same coffee.

The fun comes from discovering different countries, different roast styles and different flavour profiles.

One morning you might prefer something chocolatey and comforting.

The next you might be surprised that you actually enjoy something a little brighter or fruitier.

A good calendar should take you on that journey.

Quality over quantity

One thing I've learnt over the years is that expensive doesn't always mean better.

But equally, really cheap coffee is usually cheap for a reason.

A good coffee advent calendar should focus on quality coffee that's been carefully sourced and roasted, rather than just filling twenty-four bags with whatever happens to be available.

Whole bean or ground?

This is probably one of the questions we get asked the most.

If you've got a grinder at home, I'd almost always recommend whole beans.

Grinding coffee just before brewing gives you the freshest cup possible.

If you don't own a grinder, don't worry.

A good ground coffee calendar is still a brilliant way to explore different coffees.

We'll actually cover this in much more detail in our guide:

Whole Bean or Ground Coffee? Which Should You Choose?

Is a coffee advent calendar worth it?

We might be slightly biased...

But I genuinely think they are.

Not because they're ours.

Because they turn something you probably already do every morning into a little ritual.

Instead of making "just another coffee", you spend a few moments trying something new.

You start noticing little differences.

You discover flavours you didn't know you liked.

And if you're buying it as a gift, it's something the recipient gets to enjoy every day throughout December, rather than opening once and forgetting about.

How we think about coffee at Yawn

People sometimes ask how we choose the coffees for our advent calendar.

The honest answer?

We drink a lot of coffee. Probably more than is sensible.

Since starting Yawn, we've spent years tasting coffees, working with experienced roasters and learning what makes one coffee memorable and another... well... just average.

We're not trying to find the fanciest coffee. We're trying to find coffees that make someone stop halfway through their mug and think,

"That's really good."

Sometimes that's a smooth, chocolatey coffee. Sometimes it's something completely different. If it makes us want another cup, it's probably heading in the right direction.

You don't need to know loads about coffee. One thing I'd really like people to know is this...

You don't need to understand tasting notes or know where every coffee-growing region is to enjoy good coffee.

If you like it... You like it. That's enough. Coffee should be enjoyable, not intimidating.

If you do become curious about where your coffee comes from or why two coffees taste so different, brilliant.

But if you just want a lovely brew while watching the Christmas lights go on, that's brilliant too.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I buy a coffee advent calendar?

Earlier than you probably think!

Most speciality coffee advent calendars are produced in limited numbers and many sell out before December arrives. If you've got your eye on one, it's usually worth ordering during autumn rather than waiting until the last minute.

Is a coffee advent calendar a good gift?

Absolutely.

It's one of those presents people get to enjoy every single day throughout December, making it a lovely gift for coffee lovers, friends, family or colleagues.

What's the difference between speciality coffee and regular coffee?

In simple terms, speciality coffee focuses on better-quality beans, careful sourcing and roasting that brings out the best in each coffee rather than hiding it.

We'll explain this in more detail in another guide.

Can beginners enjoy a coffee advent calendar?

Definitely.

You don't need to know anything about coffee to enjoy trying different coffees. Some people discover their favourite coffee through an advent calendar because it encourages them to step outside their usual choice.

The best part? For me, a coffee advent calendar isn't really about Christmas. It's about slowing down for five minutes each morning. Trying something different. Sharing a pot with someone else. Finding a coffee you'd never have picked off the shelf. That's what still gets me excited about coffee after all these years.

Hopefully, if you decide to try one this Christmas, you'll feel exactly the same. The 2026 Coffee Advent.

More coffee guides

If you'd like to learn a bit more about coffee, you might also enjoy:

How We Choose Every Coffee in Our Advent Calendar
Whole Bean or Ground Coffee? Which Should You Choose?
Why Freshly Roasted Coffee Really Does Taste Better
What Is Speciality Coffee? (Without the Coffee Snobbery)

Happy brewing,

Joe