Editor’s note: This guide reviews cheese Advent calendars offered during the 2024 holiday season. Prices, contents, shipping policies, and availability were accurate for that seasonal release. Limited-edition calendars typically sell out and may return in a different form in later years.
Chocolate Advent calendars are perfectly pleasant, but sometimes December demands something with more personalityand considerably more cheddar. A cheese Advent calendar transforms the countdown to Christmas into a nightly tasting event, complete with creamy wedges, nutty aged cheeses, tangy surprises, and the occasional flavor that makes everyone at the table raise an eyebrow.
After comparing the most talked-about cheese countdowns of the 2024 season, the 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese Advent Calendar earned our pick as the best cheese Advent calendar of 2024 to buy online. It combined internationally sourced cheeses, useful accompaniments, attractive packaging, generous tasting portions, and convenient refrigerated delivery within the United States.
The $78 calendar featured nine cheeses originating from six countries, along with crackers and sweet or savory pairings. Reported selections included Manchego, Mimolette, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Gouda, cranberry Wensleydale, and several styles of cheddar. In other words, it was less like opening a tiny snack and more like receiving a compact holiday cheese board every day.
Our Quick Verdict
Best overall: 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese
Best budget option: Aldi Emporium Selection Cheese Advent Calendar
Best for Wisconsin cheese fans: Cheese Brothers 12 Days of Cheesemas
Best premium crate: Williams Sonoma 12 Days of Cheese Gift Crate
Best ambitious 24-day experience: cheesegeek Cheese Advent Calendar
Murray’s was not the cheapest option, nor did it include a full 24 days. It won because it delivered the most complete online gifting experience for American shoppers. The cheese quality was more important than the number of cardboard doorsand nobody has ever complained that a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano was not sufficiently festive.
Why Murray’s Was the Best Cheese Advent Calendar of 2024
It Focused on Real Cheese, Not Novelty Cubes
Some inexpensive calendars use tiny, individually wrapped portions that are fun but repetitive. Murray’s approached the concept more like a specialty cheese tasting. Its calendar included recognizable European classics, approachable flavored cheeses, and aged varieties with enough complexity to keep experienced cheese lovers interested.
The selection traveled through several cheese-making traditions without becoming intimidating. Manchego offered a firm, slightly nutty Spanish experience. Mimolette contributed a dense texture and caramel-like depth. Parmigiano Reggiano brought its familiar salty crystals, while cranberry Wensleydale supplied a sweeter, fruitier moment that felt especially appropriate during the holidays.
Four cheddar styles reportedly appeared in the collection. That might sound repetitive until you remember how broad the cheddar category can be. Depending on age, milk, location, and added ingredients, cheddar may taste buttery, grassy, sharp, crumbly, smoky, or almost candy-like. Cheddar has range. Cheddar contains multitudes.
The Portions Were Made for Sharing
The Murray’s calendar contained more substantial pieces than the single-bite portions found in many supermarket calendars. That made it a better fit for couples, families, or anyone who prefers an actual tasting session over a three-second cheese encounter.
Generous portions also created flexibility. Shoppers could open one compartment each evening, save several cheeses for a weekend board, or build a larger holiday spread from the unopened selections. One 2024 reviewer admitted that the intended 12-day calendar disappeared in only three days, which is both a glowing recommendation and a cautionary tale about leaving good cheese unattended.
The Accompaniments Added Value
A premium cheese Advent calendar should not require an emergency grocery run before the first door can be opened. Murray’s included crackers and specialty condiments, giving buyers the foundation of a complete tasting experience.
Pairings are not merely decorative. A crisp cracker resets the palate between rich cheeses. Fruit preserves highlight salty or nutty flavors. A chutney can soften the intensity of an aged cheddar, while a sweeter spread balances cheeses with earthy or savory notes.
These extras also made the calendar more giftable. The recipient did not need to understand cheese-board architecture, own tiny slate labels, or use the phrase “textural contrast” at dinner. They simply had to open the box and avoid eating everything before December 13.
It Was Designed for Online Ordering
Refrigerated products are harder to ship than tea, candy, or socks. Cheese must arrive promptly, remain adequately chilled, and reach the recipient at a useful point in the countdown. Murray’s already operated as a major specialty-cheese retailer with nationwide gifting experience, giving it an advantage over calendars designed mainly for local supermarket shelves.
The calendar was available through Murray’s online store and was also highlighted by national food and lifestyle publications as a notable 2024 holiday gift. Previous versions had sold out, making early ordering important.
How the Top 2024 Cheese Advent Calendars Compared
| Calendar | Format | Best For | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese | International cheeses with accompaniments | Best complete online gift | Only 12 days and relatively expensive |
| Aldi Emporium Selection | 24 individually wrapped European cheese portions | Budget-conscious shoppers | Primarily an in-store seasonal product |
| Cheese Brothers 12 Days of Cheesemas | Wisconsin cheeses and full-size products | Fans of American cheddar and cheese curds | More gift box than traditional door calendar |
| Williams Sonoma Cheese Gift Crate | 12 small-batch cheese selections | Premium entertaining and gifting | Limited seasonal availability |
| cheesegeek Advent Calendar | 24 artisan cheeses delivered in stages | Serious cheese enthusiasts | UK-centered delivery and premium pricing |
Best Budget Alternative: Aldi Emporium Selection
Aldi’s Emporium Selection Cheese Advent Calendar was the obvious value champion of 2024. Priced at $16.99, it included 24 cheese portions with approximately a dozen varieties, generally providing two appearances of each style.
The lineup included Red Leicester, Mimolette, aged Gouda, extra-mature cheddar, mustard Gouda, hard goat cheese, cheddar with whiskey, black-truffle cheddar, black-pepper Gouda, pesto cheese, and other flavored selections. The package also included pairing suggestions and a QR code for additional information.
At less than a dollar per day, it offered impressive entertainment value. The trade-off was convenience: Aldi’s calendar was generally sold as a limited in-store Find rather than a dependable nationwide online product. Inventory varied by location, and popular seasonal calendars could disappear quickly.
Choose Aldi when your priority is an inexpensive daily countdown. Choose Murray’s when the calendar needs to arrive at someone’s door looking and tasting like a premium gift.
Best for Wisconsin Cheese: Cheese Brothers 12 Days of Cheesemas
The Cheese Brothers 12 Days of Cheesemas calendar takes a proudly American route. Instead of focusing on small European samples, it celebrates Wisconsin cheese with products such as fresh cheese curds, aged cheddars, and seasonal surprises.
The company describes the collection as containing full-size cheese blocks rather than tiny tasting pieces. Cold-pack shipping is available to addresses across the United States, making it practical for online gifting.
This is a strong choice for households that already know they love cheddar, cheese curds, and hearty snack-board flavors. It may provide more total food than a conventional calendar, although its larger products make the experience feel closer to a series of gift-box discoveries than 12 dainty daily bites.
Best Premium Crate: Williams Sonoma 12 Days of Cheese
Williams Sonoma offered a 12 Days of Cheese Advent Calendar Gift Crate filled with small-batch cheeses. The format emphasized presentation and gifting, making it suitable for hosts, families, corporate recipients, or anyone whose kitchen already looks suspiciously ready for a holiday catalog photo.
The crate format did not provide the same numbered-door experience as a traditional calendar, but it offered greater flexibility. Recipients could taste one cheese per day or arrange the collection as a holiday board. The product was seasonal and later listed as no longer available, illustrating why premium food calendars should be ordered early.
Best Luxury 24-Day Calendar: cheesegeek
For shoppers who wanted a true cheese marathon, the cheesegeek calendar delivered 24 artisan cheeses in multiple refrigerated shipments. Staggered delivery helped keep fresher styles in good condition instead of asking them to survive nearly a month in one box.
The package also included accompaniments such as crackers, honey, and chutney. Customer feedback associated with the 2024 edition praised its variety, presentation, and overall experience. The catch for American shoppers was that cheesegeek primarily served the UK market, so international ordering, import restrictions, and delivery coverage required careful verification.
What to Look for When Buying a Cheese Advent Calendar Online
Confirm the Delivery Date
A cheese calendar that arrives on December 19 is technically still festive, but the countdown becomes more of a sprint. Check whether the retailer provides a fixed shipping week, lets you select a delivery date, or dispatches orders immediately.
For gifts, schedule arrival shortly before the calendar begins. Make sure the recipient knows a perishable package is coming so it does not spend the afternoon meditating on a sunny porch.
Read the Refrigeration Instructions
Most cheese calendars need refrigerator space. Check the dimensions before ordering, especially if the package contains 12 larger wedges or multiple full-size blocks. The calendar may look compact in promotional photos while occupying the exact shelf where the holiday pie was supposed to live.
Inspect cold packs and cheese immediately after delivery. Follow the seller’s storage directions, and contact customer service if the package arrives warm, damaged, or substantially delayed.
Compare Portion Size, Not Just Door Count
A 24-day calendar is not automatically a better value than a 12-day calendar. Twenty-four miniature portions may contain less cheese than 12 generous wedges. Consider total weight, number of unique varieties, included pairings, and whether the portions are designed for one person or several.
Check How Many Flavors Repeat
Budget calendars commonly repeat each cheese once or more. Repetition is not necessarily badespecially when the cheese is goodbut it changes the experience. A calendar with 24 doors and 12 varieties provides a different sense of discovery than one containing 24 distinct cheeses.
Match the Selection to the Recipient
Beginners usually appreciate cheddar, Gouda, Manchego, mild alpine cheese, and fruit-flavored varieties. Adventurous cheese fans may prefer blue cheese, washed-rind styles, goat cheese, sheep’s-milk cheese, or strongly aged selections.
Review ingredients for milk allergies, alcohol-based flavorings, animal rennet, nuts in accompaniments, and other dietary concerns. Cheese calendars are not ideal surprise gifts when the recipient’s food restrictions are unknown.
Easy Pairings for a Cheese Advent Calendar
You do not need to assemble a restaurant-level tasting menu every night. A few flexible ingredients can support almost any calendar:
- Plain crackers: Neutral enough for mild and strongly flavored cheeses.
- Sliced apples or pears: Crisp, sweet, and especially good with cheddar or Gouda.
- Honey: Excellent with aged, salty, blue, or goat cheeses.
- Fig spread: A useful partner for Manchego, Parmigiano, and firm alpine styles.
- Roasted nuts: Add crunch and complement nutty aged cheese.
- Cornichons: Their acidity cuts through rich, buttery selections.
- Sparkling water: Cleans the palate without competing with subtle flavors.
For adult gatherings, wine, cider, beer, and nonalcoholic sparkling drinks can make the tasting more festive. Keep the drink pairing simple. The cheese should remain the star, even if a cranberry Wensleydale occasionally behaves like it has hired a publicist.
Who Should Buy the Murray’s Cheese Advent Calendar?
The 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese was best suited to:
- Couples who wanted to share an evening tasting
- Families interested in exploring international cheese
- Food lovers who valued quality over the highest number of compartments
- Long-distance gift buyers who needed professional refrigerated delivery
- Holiday hosts who could reuse the cheese and pairings on entertaining boards
It was less suitable for someone seeking the cheapest possible countdown, a strict 24-day format, vegan products, or single-bite portions requiring almost no refrigerator space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the best cheese Advent calendar of 2024?
The 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese was our best overall pick because it combined nine international cheeses, substantial tasting portions, accompaniments, polished presentation, and online refrigerated delivery for American shoppers.
Was the Aldi cheese Advent calendar available online?
Aldi’s Emporium Selection calendar was mainly promoted as a seasonal in-store product. Local delivery services might have listed it in some markets, but nationwide online availability was not dependable.
Do cheese Advent calendars need refrigeration?
Yes, most calendars containing real cheese require refrigeration. Follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer and refrigerate the products promptly after delivery.
Are 12-day calendars worth buying?
A 12-day calendar can offer better cheese, larger portions, and more useful pairings than an inexpensive 24-day calendar. Value depends on total product weight, quality, uniqueness, and presentation rather than door count alone.
When should a cheese Advent calendar be ordered?
Ordering in October or early November is usually safest. Limited-edition food calendars often sell out before Thanksgiving, and refrigerated shipping schedules may become crowded as December approaches.
A Realistic Cheese Advent Calendar Experience: From Unboxing to the Final Wedge
The cheese Advent calendar experience begins differently from opening a lightweight chocolate calendar. The package arrives insulated, often accompanied by cold packs and a label politely announcing that the contents should not be abandoned beside the front door. The first practical challenge is clearing refrigerator space without accidentally revealing every surprise.
On the first evening, the tasting tends to become a small event. You retrieve the numbered cheese, let it rest briefly outside the refrigerator, add a few crackers, and announce that everyone should take a modest portion. Nobody takes a modest portion. This is how cheese works.
The most enjoyable routine is to cut each selection into several bites and taste it in stages. Try the cheese alone first. Notice whether it is crumbly, creamy, elastic, crystalline, or firm. Then taste it with the included condiment or a slice of fruit. A sharp cheddar may become rounder with apple, while a salty hard cheese can taste unexpectedly dessert-like with honey.
Keeping short tasting notes adds more fun than expected. There is no need for professional vocabulary. “Buttery,” “nutty,” “tastes like fancy popcorn,” and “Uncle David would eat the entire block” are all valid observations. At the end of the countdown, family members can compare favorites and identify cheeses worth buying again.
The experience becomes particularly useful when the calendar includes styles that shoppers might not normally purchase. A person who always buys cheddar may discover the caramel depth of aged Gouda. Someone suspicious of sheep’s-milk cheese may find Manchego pleasantly mild. Even a selection that does not become a favorite creates conversation, which is more than can be said for many novelty stocking stuffers.
Missed days are not a disaster. In fact, saving two or three compartments for the weekend can improve the experience. A side-by-side tasting makes differences easier to notice and provides enough cheese for a small board. Add grapes, nuts, crackers, and a jar of preserves, and the calendar becomes an effortless appetizer before a holiday movie or casual dinner.
Generous calendars such as Murray’s also reduce the pressure to finish every piece immediately. Firmer cheeses can often be wrapped and saved according to the provided storage instructions. Leftovers may be grated over pasta, tucked into grilled cheese sandwiches, folded into scrambled eggs, or added to a post-holiday macaroni and cheese. The calendar continues contributing long after its numbered compartment has been opened.
The final day usually inspires mixed feelings: satisfaction from completing the tasting and mild concern that ordinary refrigerator cheese now seems emotionally inadequate. The best calendar leaves more than empty packaging. It creates a list of new favorites, several pairing ideas, and a shared December ritual that feels festive without demanding elaborate preparation.
That is ultimately why Murray’s stood above the 2024 competition. It did not rely solely on cute doors or holiday graphics. It treated the countdown as a genuine tasting journey, using strong cheeses, generous portions, and complementary extras to make each opening feel worthwhile.
Final Verdict
The 12 Days of Murray’s Cheese Advent Calendar was the best cheese Advent calendar of 2024 to buy online. Its internationally varied selection, shareable portions, included accompaniments, gift-ready presentation, and established refrigerated shipping made it the most balanced choice for U.S. shoppers.
Aldi remained the budget winner, Cheese Brothers appealed to Wisconsin-cheese loyalists, Williams Sonoma supplied an elegant premium crate, and cheesegeek offered an impressive luxury experience for buyers within its delivery region. However, Murray’s delivered the strongest combination of quality, accessibility, discovery, and holiday fun.
Research note: This retrospective was developed from official retailer information, product descriptions, seasonal announcements, reported product testing, and 2024 coverage from established American food and lifestyle publications. Availability should be reconfirmed for any later holiday season.
