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Chocolate has long been the traditional way to count down to Christmas, but for anyone who would rather be tucking into the cheeseboard, there is another option.
The Crafty Herd - 25 Days of Cheese Advent Calendar, produced by Ilchester Cheese Co., is back for Christmas 2026. Behind the doors you’ll find 24 individually wrapped cheese portions across 12 different flavours, followed by a cheese truckle for Christmas Day.
It’s a firm favourite with our customers each Christmas and is available to pre-order now, with delivery from 10th November.
The calendar takes a simple idea and gives it a suitably cheesy Christmas twist.
From 1st December, there’s a cheese portion waiting behind each door, with 24 individually wrapped pieces to enjoy before Christmas Day. With 12 flavours included, you’ll get another chance to enjoy your favourites as you make your way through the month.
Then, on Christmas Day itself, there’s a cheese truckle waiting behind the final door.
There’s also a cheesy joke hidden behind each door, adding a little extra fun to the daily countdown.
One of the things we like most about The Crafty Herd calendar is the variety.
Rather than filling every door with the same cheese, Ilchester Cheese Co. has brought together familiar favourites and some much more unusual flavour combinations.
You might open a door to find Garlic & Herbs Cheddar, while another day could bring Sriracha & Honey Cheddar or Truffle Cheddar. There are sweeter combinations too, including Chocolate & Orange Wensleydale.
It means there’s plenty to compare as December goes on, particularly if you enjoy trying cheeses that are a little different from the usual Christmas selection.
The Crafty Herd is even inviting cheese lovers to vote for their favourite flavours, so by Christmas you may well have discovered a new favourite of your own.
The Crafty Herd calendar is designed to be kept chilled, ready for a new cheese to enjoy each day throughout Advent.
Each cheese portion is individually wrapped, making it easy to work through the calendar one door at a time. Once your calendar arrives, it should be kept refrigerated ready for December.
For someone who heads straight for the cheeseboard at Christmas, The Crafty Herd - 25 Days of Cheese Advent Calendar is a particularly enjoyable way to count down through December.
It works equally well as a gift for a cheese-loving friend, partner or family member, or simply as something to keep in your own fridge and enjoy throughout the run-up to Christmas.
It has proved a popular choice with Devon Hampers customers over previous Christmases too, with the calendar currently rated 4.9 out of 5 from 28 reviews.
For a larger Christmas gift, you can also explore our cheese hampers, with a range of cheese, biscuits, chutneys and other treats to choose from.
Christmas still feels a little way off in early autumn, but advent calendars are one of those gifts that are easy to leave until later than intended.
Pre-ordering means you can get your Crafty Herd Cheese Advent Calendar organised ahead of December and choose a suitable delivery date.
The Crafty Herd - 25 Days of Cheese Advent Calendar is just £19.95 and is available for delivery from 10th November, giving you plenty of time to get it into the fridge before the first door is opened.
If there’s a cheese lover on your Christmas list, or you fancy swapping chocolate for cheese yourself this year, you can pre-order The Crafty Herd - 25 Days of Cheese Advent Calendar here.
