Savoury has well and truly earned its place under the tree. But between the 100% saucisson calendar, the cheese one, the beer version and the catch-all aperitif box, how do you find your way? We put the options to the slicer to help you choose the savoury advent calendar that will genuinely delight.
Short answer: To choose a savoury advent calendar, look at three criteria: the type of products (saucisson, cheese, mixed nibbles), the artisanal origin, and the variety of flavours. The savoury dry-cured saucisson advent calendar remains the safest bet for anyone who loves an aperitif: it keeps for a long time, it is easy to share and it never disappoints.
What types of savoury advent calendar are there?
There are four main families of savoury advent calendar today: the saucisson calendar, the cheese calendar, the beer calendar and the mixed aperitif calendar. Each has its followers… and its little pitfalls. Here is how to tell them apart.
- The saucisson calendar: 24 dry-cured mini saucissons in a range of flavours. Keeps well, can be nibbled without a single plate, and pleases (almost) everyone.
- The cheese calendar: indulgent, but fragile — everything has to stay chilled and be eaten quickly.
- The beer calendar: good fun with friends, but strictly for enthusiasts and bulky in no time. If that is the idea tempting you, you are better off putting together your own selection of craft beers alongside a savoury box.
- The mixed aperitif calendar: crisps, tapenades, crackers… varied, but often industrial, with a lot of packaging for very little content.
Saucisson or cheese calendar: which one to choose?
For a gift that is easy to give and easy to store, the saucisson calendar has the edge over cheese. The reason is simple: dry-cured saucisson keeps for several weeks at room temperature, whereas cheese has to stay refrigerated and be eaten within a short window. If you are giving the calendar early or sending it by post, saucisson is by far the more practical choice.
Cheese still has its fans, though: for a couple of enthusiasts who will eat everything at home, it can hit the mark. Our advice as savoury specialists? If you are torn, saucisson remains the safe bet — and nothing stops you putting together your own duo with a handsome saucisson gift box on the side.
How do you recognise a good saucisson advent calendar?
A good saucisson advent calendar shows three signs: saucissons made the artisanal way, a clearly stated origin (ideally French and regional), and a variety of flavours behind the 24 doors. Steer clear of boxes where the packaging shines brighter than the contents. To go further, we have set out the method in detail in our rule of the 3 Fs for recognising a good saucisson.
One giveaway never lies: the famous “bloom”, that fine natural grey film on the surface of the saucisson, the mark of slow, controlled drying. With us, every piece is made in the Ardèche to age-old recipes, with the classic balance of 80% lean to 20% fat. To see what really lies behind a well-made box, find out how our saucisson advent calendar is made — and read our comparison of the 2026 saucisson advent calendars to place the offers on the market.
The LBDS tip: for a gift with real meaning, choose a calendar whose origin and maker you can name. “It comes from an Ardèche artisan who has been going since 1952” always lands better than “it was on offer at the supermarket”.
Which savoury calendar for which person?
The best savoury advent calendar depends on the person you are giving it to. To help you aim true:
- The aperitif lover: the saucisson advent calendar, without hesitation.
- The curious type who likes to discover: a calendar filled with flavoured saucissons (goat's cheese, Beaufort, ceps…).
- The food-loving family: a model that also contains whole pieces to slice, so it can be shared around.
- The tight budget, without giving up on artisanal: our small-format savoury calendar, 24 doors and 476 g for €34.90, with three mini saucissons a day and a whole truffle saucisson behind the last door.
- The corporate or works council gift: an artisanal calendar, a safe and elegant choice — we cover it all in our guide to the advent calendar for companies and works councils.
Conclusion
When the moment comes to choose, ask yourself the right question: what will genuinely delight this person? For most food lovers, the artisanal saucisson advent calendar ticks every box — quite literally. Easy to give, easy to keep, impossible to get wrong. All that is left is to discover our 2026 advent calendar… and decide whether you are ordering one or two. Need other ideas? Our gourmet Christmas gift ideas and our gourmet Christmas hampers round out the selection.
FAQ — your questions about the savoury advent calendar
What is the best savoury advent calendar?
For most enthusiasts, the artisanal saucisson advent calendar is the best choice: it keeps for a long time, it is easy to share and it offers a fine variety of flavours. Cheese or beer suit more specific profiles.
Does a saucisson advent calendar keep better than a cheese calendar?
Yes. Dry-cured saucisson keeps for several weeks at room temperature, whereas cheese has to stay chilled and be eaten quickly. Saucisson is therefore more practical to give in advance.
Can you give a savoury advent calendar to vegetarians?
In that case, go for a cheese or mixed aperitif calendar without charcuterie. The saucisson calendar is aimed above all at people who enjoy meat and charcuterie.
How much does a savoury advent calendar cost?
Prices vary with quality and the number of products. An artisanal saucisson calendar generally sits in a higher range than industrial calendars, which is justified by real content and genuine craftsmanship. With us, allow €34.90 for the small format (24 doors, 476 g) and €49 for the large one (24 doors, 818 g).
