Our wildest dreams have come true: this Christmas there will be alcoholic advent calendars, Christmas crackers, boozy baubles and liquid Christmas stockings.
Christmas ... the most commercial holiday of the year that sees consumers frantically digging deep into pockets for food, drinks, presents and travel costs.
Traditionally, Christmas drinks have included the occasional decorative stopper on sparkling, cocktail gift set or boxed bottle of whisky, but drinks companies are becoming much more creative in their approach.
Here are just a few of the clever ways beverage companies are revamping and innovating marketing this silly season. While most have been created overseas, there's plenty of inspiration for how Australia can up its gift offering next year!
Boozy baubles
Pickering’s Gin set social media on fire when it introduced gin-filled Christmas baubles two years ago. Now a variety of spirits brands are getting in on the act.
The Whisky Exchange baubles contain a trio of gin, single malts, world whiskies or rums, and each glass bauble is filled with just the right measure of your favourite tipple, ready to pour. There are also individually boxed baubles available to fill with a liquor of your choice. You can order them here.
Similarly, Pickering’s Gin comes in six multicoloured Christmas baubles, each filled with 50ml of Pickering’s gin making for a vibrant and baubly Xmas. You can buy them here... Cheers!
Vino Christmas stocking
These boozy stockings called ‘Santa’s Flask' are designed to bring some extra fun over Xmas. The leak-proof stockings hold up to 2.25 litres of booze, which is the equivalent to three bottles of wine!
If alcohol is not your thing, it could easily hold spiced apple cider or hot cocoa. According to the product description, it is also made from BPA-free, FDA approved food grade plastic which means it is safe to use for all your beverage choices.
Santa's flask is available on Amazon for $19.99, making it a perfect budget way to enjoy Xmas with friends and family.
Alcoholic Christmas Crackers
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne Christmas Cracker
Treat your family and friends like roalty this Christmas with a gold crown, and a bottle of Moet to match. The champagne in the baby 20cl bottle is bursting with pristine fruit and citrusy aromas. Make sure to pull the cracker over soft surfaces though! You can buy it here.
Christmas Spirits Crackers (Fornum & Mason)
This Christmas cracker set comes in classy gold and silver wrapping, with an entertaining line-up of Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum, Glenfiddich 15-year-old and Monkey Shoulder; they’re bound to impress! You can buy it here.
Alcoholic advent calendars
Gone are the days of melting chocolate advent calendars. This year, coming in most popular among the alcoholic innovations is the boozy advent calendar, with loads of companies and beverage categories jumping on the bandwagon.
The craft beer advent calendar
Melbourne's Carwyn Cellars has launched the Canvent Calendar, a slab-sized advent calendar with 24 cans of “the most interesting, varied and impressive [Christmas themed] Australian craft beers out there,” as noted on the website.
Half the tins are limited release and cover a broad range of styles, from big hops, malt, high ABV and sours. Each calendar comes wrapped in plain packaging and a personalised note can be included to make it that perfect pre-Christmas gift.
You can buy The Canvent Advent-ure Calender here.
Sparkling wine advent calendar
Behind each door of The Pit Stop Superstar Sparkling advent calendar you’ll find a 20cl bottle of sparkling wine waiting - including Prosecco, Cava, sparkling Pinot Noir and bubbly Rosé from Italy, Spain and Australia. What's more, once you hit Christmas Eve, you'll find a delicious bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
There's also a variety of brands for fizz fans to enjoy, including Gancia, Jacobs Creek, Freixenet, Galanti and Bottega Gold. You can purchase it here.
Chase Distillery advent calendar
Chase Distillery is giving consumers 24 fantastic reasons to enjoy its juicy drops. With something for everyone, friends and family can count down to Christmas Day with Chase Vodka, Marmalade Vodka and even Rhubarb Vodka, while Williams Elegant Gin and Pink Grapefruit Gin is available for those who prefer gin. You can purchase it here.
The Wine Gallery advent calendar
The Wine Gallery has created a vino advent calendar featuring a mix of reds, whites, sparklings, and rosé. The Wine Gallery co-founder and sommelier of the Year, Banjo Harris Plane told The Urban List that “we’ve now got tens of thousands of customer wine ratings, and this is the perfect way for us to celebrate some of the standout favourites.”
Every box will include Christmas recipes, wine pairings, tasting notes, tasting mats (for you to fill out with your mates), and some surprise gifts that you’re just going to have to wait and see.
The boxes will be $285 and you can order them here.
The giant three litre Prosecco that will be available at ALDI UK outlets this Christmas will average out to a whopping 24 glasses, bound to make for endless hours of happiness over the festive period.
Aldi’s offering from Italy's Veneto region is the size equivalent of four bottles and costs just £39.99 ($66 AUD).
Sadly, the Prosecco is only available in the UK, but we’re crossing our fingers that it launches in Australia soon too.
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