Bonne Maman's 2026 Advent calendar is already here — I cracked it open to see what all the hype is about

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You know what's helping me beat the end-of-summer blues? Knowing that it won't be long until l I'm swapping cookouts for holiday cookie exchanges, and all the like. I know, I know, I'm a little ahead of the game, but as Yahoo's Home and Gifts Editor, I'm all for bringing the cheer early and often. So, cue my first order of merriment: Cracking open Bonne Maman's 2026 Advent calendar in September, no less. You've probably seen the French brand's gingham-lidded jars on the grocery store shelves. And if you haven't tasted the brand's decadent fruit and caramel spreads, then you're in for a treat with this year's limited-edition Advent calendar, which marks the brand's tenth anniversary of this beloved tradition. This isn't my first go-around; Nope, I tasted my way through the brand's 2024 and 2025 countdowns , and let's just say this year's edition proves that the third time really is the charm.

Already know and love Bonne Maman jellies? Well, the brand's 2026 countdown will take your taste buds on an adventure — one that's full of unique flavor combos, such as pineapple with lemon verbena.

I'm no Grinch, so I don't want to ruin the magic of unboxing the 24 limited-edition flavors tucked inside. But if you want a taste of what's to come, consider this my little gift to you (but by all means, skip ahead if you want to stay in the dark!).

This year's countdown doesn't rely on the same-old, same-old; instead, it's packed with fresh flavor combos that are even more unexpected than the previous bunch — only six repeats from 2025, which is pretty impressive if you ask me! Last year's countdown was big on the berries and while they certainly have their place in 2026, the brand brought in a nice mix of fruits this time around, including plums, figs and mangoes.There are also three sweeter-than-jelly spreads throughout, including milk caramel with salted butter and raspberry with dark chocolate. Fun fact: Technically speaking, Bonne Maman doesn't make any jams, so there's actually no jam in sight!

I'll admit: I was eager to get in the holly jelly spirit as soon as the countdown arrived at my doorstep, so I randomly picked three jars to try (in the name of science, obviously). I started with a fun take on a classic — strawberry with Madagascar vanilla, which I drizzled onto plain Greek yogurt in place of fresh fruit. Next up: The pineapple with lemon verbena spread, which certainly packed a punch, but had a thin, liquidy consistency that didn't bode well for spreading. The grapefruit and dragon fruit spread was totally my jam — bold, tangy and versatile enough to be spread on toast, stirred into yogurt and used as a topping on my overnight oats. Yes, I somehow managed to do all three with the 1-ounce jar.

And while I'm not telling you to skip past Halloween and Thanksgiving right about now, I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that the Bonne Maman Advent calendar has sold out every year since 2017. And since the 2026 version has dropped earlier than ever before, there's a chance it'll sell out even earlier in the season. My two cents: Order yours now, so you're not hoping for a Christmas Advent calendar miracle come November.

The final verdict: Bonne Maman wins the holidays (yet again)

I know my way around an Advent calendar. I've tested hundreds of 'em over the years — ones filled with chocolates, Legos, jewelry, beauty products, tea bags and all kinds of tiny trinkets. And yet, the Bonne Maman Advent calendar is the one I gravitate to and gift to those who appreciate the sweeter things in life.

Two years back, my boyfriend and I gave his dad a countdown and he sent us daily updates about his #JOTD, aka jelly of the day. It's the gift that keeps on giving for 24 days straight — and several shoppers have written similar sentiments.

One, in particular, pointed out that it's much more than an advent calendar; it's a memory-maker. "Every day, we open a new surprise! I make rolls, and we try a new taste," they gushed, adding that it's become "a family tradition each holiday."

Another added that the little jars are the star of the show here since they can be reused to hold spices, salad dressings, buttons or other tiny trinkets. "My nephew now uses the box for his craft supplies since the internal boxes are so nice and slide in and out," they wrote.

What is included in the Bonne Maman Advent calendar in 2026?

This year's calendar features 24 mini fruit, caramel and chocolate spreads in the following flavors: apple and quince with honey; apricot and banana; apricot with honey; fig with cardamom; grapefruit and dragon fruit; greengage plum; guava; lemon with lavender; mango with ylang-ylang; milk caramel with dark chocolate; milk caramel with salted butter; Mirabelle plum; orange, yuzu and grapefruit; peach and blackcurrant with Sichuan pepper; pineapple with lemon verbena; raspberry with chamomile; raspberry with dark chocolate; rhubarb and strawberry; strawberry and guava; strawberry with Madagascar vanilla; sweet orange and mandarin with passion fruit; white fig; white nectarine and peach; and wild blueberry with balm leaves.

How many jars are in the Bonne Maman Advent calendar?

There are 24 gingham-lidded jars — one for each day in December, leading up to Christmas!

What sizes are the jars in the Bonne Maman Advent calendar?

Each single-serve jar measures 1 ounce, which means there's plenty of jam to go 'round (depending on how thick you spread it). I was able to use one jar, three ways — thinly spread on toast, stirred into yogurt and used as a topping on my overnight oats.

Sure, you can certainly have a jam a day in the lead-up to Christmas, but there's no rush: The brand recommends enjoying the spreads by June 2027 "for the optimal flavor experience."

24 teeny-tiny jars, so many possibilities: Deck your toast, waffles, ice cream sundaes and other treats with different fruit jellies and caramel spreads. Not a fan of a particular flavor? Throw it in a gift basket or stash it in someone's stocking.

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