In 2026, there are so many different kinds of advent calendars out there. You can find countdowns to Christmas featuring daily doses of beauty products, action figures and even glasses of wine. But this year, we’re eyeing Murray’s Cheese advent calendar, which gives you 12 delicious days of cheese and accoutrements leading up to the jolliest day of the year. And if you aren’t getting one for a friend, you’ll just have to get one for yourself!
Retailing for $90, Murray’s 12 Days of Cheese is a dairy enthusiast’s dream come true. Behind numbered door flaps, you’ll find a selection of drool-worthy 3- to 5-ounce cheeses, along with house-made jams, spreads and artisanal crackers to help you create the ultimate pre-holiday snack.
Below, we’ve laid out what the advent calendar includes to help you plan ahead with wine and other goodies to go with them. We don’t know the exact order you’ll get each one, so that will be a surprise!
What’s Included In Murray’s Cheese Advent Calendar
Cheeses
- Murray’s English Cheddar: Salty, sharp and creamy, this pairs well with cured meats or fall fruits like apples or pears. Wash it down with something like a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Smoked Gouda: A smoky, creamy, semi-firm cheese that’s cold-smoked over hickory wood chips to give it a meaty flavor and a tangy sweetness. It’s perfect for melting over a burger or enjoying alongside some roasted and salted pistachios.
- Merlot Bellavitano: It’s wine and cheese in the same bite! This wine-washed wedge of rich, crumbly, nutty cheese is the perfect marriage of Wisconsin cheddar and parmesan. Enjoy it with slices of savory prosciutto and a glass of merlot.
- Pepper Jack: Spicy, bright and buttery, this cheese has bits of fresh red and green jalapeños incorporated throughout, giving it a zesty bite. Melt it over nachos, fold it into a quesadilla or simply enjoy it with some salty crackers.
- Double Gloucester with Chive: A classic, fudgy-textured pub cheese with a tangy, bright, egg yolk-yellow paste speckled with chives and onion. Pair it with a pint of your favorite beer.
- Truffle Cheddar: Can you get any more luxurious than this? It’s salty, savory and deliciously smooth. If you don’t have access to some truffle fries, definitely snack on some crusty bread or mild hazelnuts. Pop some bubbly too, if you have it.
- Wensleydale with Cranberries: This is a creamy, crumbly British cheese that’s both sweet and tart. Crumble it over a salad or add it to a cheese board as a sweet accompaniment. And wash it down with some port or a fruity ale.
- Manchego: A sheep’s milk cheese that’s buttery, tangy and a little nutty. Snack on your slice alongside some fresh figs, olives or Marcona almonds. And if you have some sherry or a Spanish Rioja, we strongly suggest pouring yourself a glass.
- 12-Month Gouda: Cheese is meant to be aged, which is why options like this exist. It’s rich and complex, and though it’s a little sweet, it’s also nutty and kind of sharp. Eat it alongside refreshing fruits like apples and grapes, or even a little dark chocolate. And try it with a light red like Beaujolais—you’ll love it, we promise.
Spreads and Accoutrements
- Effie’s Cocoacakes: A chocolatey cousin to the original Oatcakes, these crisp, buttery and not-too-sweet biscuits are made with malted cocoa and toasted coconut.
- Divina Greek Honey: A specialty wildflower honey with a deep amber color and a rich flavor.
- Divina Sour Cherry Spread: A sweet-and-tangy spread made of Mediterranean sour cherries picked at the height of their season.
- Divina Fig Spread: A sweet, slightly crunchy spread made of hand-picked sundried Aegean figs sweetened with cane sugar.
- Divina Calabrian Chili Orange Spread: A bold, flavorful jam that’s equal parts sweet, tart and spicy, made of a combination of oranges and Calabrian chili peppers.
Other Murray’s Cheese Gifts Your Friends Will Love
- Cozy Night In: Murray’s Swiss Knight Fondue Mix blends Alpine cheeses with white wine and brandy for a hearty, warm dip. Just grab some fresh bread, salami and cornichons for the ultimate pairing.
- Club Member: Welcome to the cheese club! A membership to the Cheers to Cheese Club gets subscribers a monthly dose of delicious cheese, a snack-worthy accompaniment like jam and a drink suggestion, all for under $100.
- Presentation Is Key: Every cheese enthusiast needs a good cheese board. And we love the Be Home Olive Wood Mini Square Board. It’s hand-made, earthy and timeless—what could be better?
- Miscellaneous Deliciousness: If your giftee is a fan of Italian flavors, the La Dolce Vita gift box has everything they could possibly need. From sopressata to burrata, it has the ingredients for a cheese board that’ll transport you straight to the Amalfi coast. Sign us up!
