Forget about chocolates: 2020 is the calendar year of boozy arrival calendars

Advent calendars with a festival twist

The idea of swapping chocolate for small bottles of spirits, beer or liqueur behind each little door took off around 2020, when many people were spending the winter at home and looking for ways to make December feel special. These calendars usually hold 24 miniatures, often gin, rum, whisky, craft beer or cider, and they turned a children's tradition into something closer to a tasting session spread over a month.

For reggae fans there is a natural fit here. Rum is woven into Caribbean culture, and a calendar built around different rums or rum-based liqueurs can be a relaxed way to explore styles from light and grassy to dark and molasses-rich. Pair each door with a tune: a classic roots track one night, some dub or dancehall the next, and the countdown to Christmas becomes a countdown through the music too. Our lineup chapters are a good place to find artists worth adding to that playlist.

Enjoying it sensibly

• Small means small, not harmless. Miniatures are often 20 to 50 ml of full-strength spirit, so treat one door as one proper drink.
• Check the age rules. Alcohol calendars are for adults only, and gifting or ordering them is subject to local laws on age verification and delivery.
• Make notes. Jot down which bottles you liked; it makes later purchases much easier and avoids buying a full bottle you won't finish.
• Keep the empties. Little bottles can be refilled with homemade syrups or sauces, or recycled properly.

If you are already thinking ahead to summer, remember that festival rules on bringing drinks can be strict, and glass is commonly banned on campsites. Before packing anything, read the camping information and plan how you will get to Fulda and back safely via the travel page, especially if drinking is on the agenda.