Everyone has already mentioned that the Hot Choclate ones should have been done with milk or, at least, less water. So all I'll add is perhaps they should include more instructions so that people aren't confused and know how to properly measure for the best result.
I am shooketh that she put the hot coco bomb in WATER?? 😭😭 i will never forget this laurie. like why!! I dont think you are ever supposed to do that and it STRESSED ME OUT lmao
A lot of the hot cocoa bombs that I've seen have "instant hot chocolate" in them, so they have a powdered milk in the ingredients, and the manufacturer therefore wants you to mix them with water. *shrug*
@@silvergirl7810if Instructions call for water then water would technically e correct. People should do what they want and like. Also not everyone can drink milk and some don't like the milk substitutes.
First of all it's not suppose to be in milk it's an optional thing like oatmeal where you can use water or milk. The way companies make them is for them to be made in water but everyone knows you can substitute with milk or any milk like liquid
My experience with hot chocolate bombs are that you HAVE to use milk, and you put about half the liquid it calls for. That is the only way to make it taste decent/good. (If it calls for 8 oz milk, you want to use only 4 to 6 ounces.)
@@Standinthegap4everSwiss miss is the only hot chocolate I’ve had that tastes decent in water, but the marshmallows in the packets also dissolve like the bombs, but maybe my water was too hot
The thingI have discovered about watching people unbox advent calanders is that they are clearly priced for the enjoyment of opening up a new "door" every day versus what the actual products inside are worth.
I could not agree more. You really have to add in the joy of anticipation in order to get value for money. If you're a person who cannot wait to open presents and who hates anticipation then you will always be disappointed, I think.
Yep... If I can find the things in a 536$ box at my grocery store, (I recognize the marmalade,) full size for like..8$ a piece, it's so not worth it. I'll just get together with a friend or my mom or something and make them on our own to exchange.
My sister always sends me an advent calendar. Last year, she sent me a skin care one. It opened like a book and all small boxes fitted inside. I saved the box and used it this year for my husband. I filled it with candy and he loved it! I’ll save it and do it again!
Yes, I think the last one could become something used year after year as a "fill it yourself" advent calendar. That's the only way it would ever be able to redeem itself. The little drawers are good sized and look sturdy enough to put away and reuse. It's still too expensive, though.
I felt that price point pain that was from the final advent calendar, because I did some looking up on the William Sonoma website...and that same advent calendar as of right now is on sale at $199.99, and the original price on the site itself is $299.99. You paid $536 for it....which is a $336 price difference. Whatever place sold you that advent calendar, jipped you of your money big time, and then some. I would highly suggest never purchasing anything from that place ever again, wherever that place was that had you pay that ridiculous sum of cash, and just stick to the official websites that sell them instead.
On the Canadian site it’s currently on sale for $299, regular $434.95. It’s entirely possible it was more expensive earlier in the year, or they’re considering shipping costs too. Either way, ridiculously overpriced.
When they were selling it earlier this year the prices were much higher, and as they didn't sell as many as they thought they would they dropped the price.
@@jenniferwinn2919plus shipping in Canada is expensive. I don’t see this advent calendar anymore. So I picked a large heavy knife set ant its $45 shipping. This advent calendar could easily be one size bigger for postage, which could easily be $70
I wouldn’t pay $100 for that! Bonne Maman jelly jars are $3 each at World Market, as are small bottle of olive oil, biscuits (English cookies) sauces, etc. You could make this up yourself much cheaper!!
The "mushroom" on the popcorn is the type of popcorn and usually is used for chocolate or caramel covered popcorn vs your butterfly popcorn is your movie theater popcorn!
The "movie theatre" popcorn was probably flavacol - you would add a SMALL amount to the oil when you're popping the kernels rather than sprinkling it as a topping 🙂
As a guide, I lovelovelove salty popcorn and I'll do around 75g kernels, 18g oil, and maybe three quarters of a teaspoon of flavacol. If you're not big on the salt, do much less!
Was not expecting you to have the chocolate smiths one! Had to do a double take 😂 I’m from the UK and I adore their chocolate. I got the advent calendar and it’s so worth it!
I think my favorite one was the chocolate bars advert calendar with the little elfs.. the design, the description, the extra hot choco.. it looks like they put so much effort into it and it would probably be the one i would get mostky excited about!
The last box was incredibly overpriced. Maybe you could do a bakery cake challenge next year, where you give them 536 dollar for a cake advent calendar and have them surprise you.
Yes, that price is insane, these items weren’t even worth 100$. Sorted Food reviewed a gourmet advent calendar for 200£ a few years ago, and they were all high quality food items and the calendar had a classy design.
Bonne Maman has their own advent calendar that i get every year. 23 jams and 1 honey, this year it was $45 US. Waaaay cheaper than the one single jar in that last advent calendar you opened.
Damn, that last one you're pretty much just paying for the packaging. When i was in Europe those little jams were given out at every breakfast, I can't see them being $21 a pop! That one was a rip off for sure! The marshmallow one i probably would've been all over. That's really the only one I found somewhat worth the price. Oh, and Archie's. His was a favourite too! Merry Christmas Laurie, Kevin, Archie and fam!! Have a wonderful holiday and New Year!!
I was shocked that Bonne Mamman, which I can get for full size £3-4 post-Brexit, is somehow worth putting in a $500 calendar. I say this as someone who buys the Liberty calendar every year. I at least feel like I'm getting my money's worth!
Those tiny little jars of jam in the very last one are the exact same thing that the cooking service Everyplate sends. We get six servings of meals for about $42. So those tiny little jars can’t possibly cost very much. There’s absolutely no way that cost $21!!!
Bonne maman is a very popular jam brand in France you can get at every local grocery store. a big jar of those (370g) costs 3,29 euros for the strawberry one at the supermarket near my house. The smaller packaging is sold usually in bundels, a little more expensive ( almost 8 euros for 5 little mini jars) than the bigger ones if you compare price/L but nowhere near 21 dollars... that's insane! I guess some other items in the calendar will be more expensive but still! Almost nothing in that calendar was worth even half that.
Do you mean the jam? This is bonne maman a french brand, you get also in Germany. And here and in France you pay for a 400g jar about 4€, I mean, 21$ for a tiny one?😅
Yeah, I'm in Canada and I get that same brand of jam regularly in the grocery store for like $6 for a regular sized jar! They are 'fancier' than Smuckers, but they're not particularly pricey. The miniature version was very cute, but definitely not worth anywhere near $20 or even $10 haha!
Bonne Maman has their own advent calendar that I get every year. It has gone up in price over the past few years but this year it was $45 US and comes with 24 of the small jars. It's usually 23 jams and 1 honey.
Could the Williams Sonoma box be reused in future years? It looks rather sturdy. On the other hand, I'm sure you can buy a DIY advent box like that for $30.
A lot of comments on the 1st calendar so I'll add mine lol There's a difference in the way European styled hot chocolate and American is made. As an American your 1st instinct was to use hot water because I think that's how it's often made: hot water, cocoa powder with powdered additional ingredients. It makes for more liquidy hot chocolate. In Europe the 1st instinct would be hot milk and a literal piece of chocolate with additional stuff like heavy cream over a stove resulting in a thick consistency. Those chocolate bombs looked more European styled. Try again with half glass of milk and half glass of heavy cream, slowly heat over the stove and once hot add your chocolate bomb then.
If that's the case, though, shouldn't that be part of the instructions? I feel like it's still their responsibility to tell the people purchasing how to prepare the hot chocolate.
@cassiscrowmatic oh for sure! It could also be just a simple case of lousy quality. I'm just suggesting how to improve her experience with those since who wants that disappointment ;)
@@camiriofrio6995I mean technically she is since Canada is the same continent lol but I admit it's on me for not paying enough attention and assuming ppl are USers. Apologies!
Coming from the UK I was so shocked to see the Chocolate Smiths being featured! I absolutely adore their chocolate. My friend has bought me some for Christmas and I can't wait to open it. Merry Christmas Laurie, Kevin and Archie xx
Also, for all the "Twelve days of Christmas" things (like the Smiths that includes a bonus for Christmas Eve) -- Christmas is the FIRST day of Christmas. The next eleven days are AFTER Christmas, going through Epiphany (Jan 6). Advent is the four weeks before Christmas, generally counted as starting Dec 1.
Ha Ha…knob..instead of hob. Having had a Scottish mom, of course I knew straightaway. Definitely #2 was The Chocolate Smith. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t have purchased any. All were ridiculously overpriced. And $500 + for the last one….oh man…insane. Wishing you Laurie and Kevin a wonderful Christmas with your family…🎄🎄🎄🎄
I always thought it was the knobs lmao!! Ya the last one really disappointed, but none of these were that affordable. I'm so curious to see if there's cheap but amazing ones out there! Merry Christmas!!!
@@TheIcingArtist Well ck out Canadian chocolate companies. I always got the cheapie cardboard advent calendars for my now grown kids. They didn’t care, it was chocolate. And they ain’t chocolate connoisseurs. 🤪 My kids do the same for my grandkids. Dollar store advent calendar
@@Clarky1951 I think most chocolate on its own tastes the same, even from the “connoisseur” type companies. I like it sometimes, but I’ll always choose a chocolate with a filling and/or fancy finish etc over just plain milk bars.
@@ShintogaDeathAngel Actually that’s not true. If you’ve had really good Belgium chocolate, you definitely taste the difference. Higher ratio of chocolate. And zero chemical additives and binders, like commercial chocolates. And made with good cocoa beans and cocoa butter. But as I said for children, they don’t care. 🎄
I personally can’t drink milk ( bc I can’t really drink it ), and milk alternatives just don’t taste good. But I normally make hot chocolate with water so I appreciate you trying the hot chocolate with water
OMG!! The last one is such a scam !! I'm french and the " Bonne maman" Jam is LESS than 2 dollar for a full size (1.5 euro for 320g) in my supermarket. It's not even fancy. It's just good jam from the supermarket.... I Recognise looots of products that cost a LOT less here😂. I feel sorry for people tha put that amount of money in this !!!
Out of the advent calendars featured in this video, my favorite is the 2nd one (with the chocolate bars). Sure, it's still a bit pricy, but the packaging is cute and those flavors seem interesting.
I think they could be great if you added in some of your own powder hot chocolate mix! I tried the chocolate by itself and it was pretty good, I think it just needs some powder mix!
Hi! I live in Catalonia (most people know it as Spain) and so most of the products that you find in the last advent calendar we have it in the supermarket for 1€ or less. The little jar of french ham costs 3€ 5 small jars... And the olive extra virgin oil is 10€/Liter so... Definitely not worth it
@@Alex-ph5ir Yes! depending on where you live & what store….it can go from $2 something to $12…and depending on the size. I grew up on Smuckers and Bonne Manman. That type of lid is always familiar to me as those brands.
Aww to bad the marshmallow co advent calendar isn't in this vid :( maybe next year? Their marshmallows are literally the best I've ever had Laurie should definitely try them
I'm 6 months late to the party, but the See's Candy Advent calendar is delicious and very reasonably priced. They make wonderful chocolate, and the design of the calendar is fun. Also, we purchased the Bon Maman calendar, which was a 12 days of Christmas calendar. Each day had a different one of their jams. It was also excellent.
The fact that Laurie keeps saying "ha-la-peeno." hahaha! The only one that seemed like it was worth it so far was the chocolate one! Let me keep watching the video to see if they get better... edit: We both guessed $250 on the "fancy" box and I yelled "WHHAAAATT?!" when Kevin said the price. That's wild. Also, the marshmallows looked nice!
I make homemade marshmallows and they’re so good!!! Don’t need hot cocoa or anything with them. I just made gingerbread flavor and going to make coconut rum flavor in a bit. Want to try fireball whiskey flavor after that.
All of them were overpriced for what it is/what you get. I will say the chocolate bar one was probably the best out of all of them but still overpriced. Also those ornaments in the last one? Freaking adorable.
I’ve yet to see a calendar worth it except MAYBE the Lego ones, if your a collector. I think the best bet is to buy a reusable one and fill it yourself. Maybe if the kids are old enough, each year a different person fills it. That being said, totally enjoyed watching you three opening these disasters 😉🧡🖤🧡
I've had a couple in the last 2 years that were worth it. Playdoh and Playmobile, both were under $30 (got them on sale around august for about $15-$20 each). Otherwise I agree!
Thank you for continuing to make such great videos! I always look forward to a posting day 🙃 The “Oh.. it bit me.” during the first one was priceless 😂
The theme was super cool and fun ti watch, it's so nice to laugh with you both🥰 and soooo cute including Archie as well🐩 Whish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year full of love 💖 I am grateful for your channel, your content,your laugh and joy Love you all 3❤
Great video as always 😁. I first heard about 12 days advent calendars last year I believe, and I find them so weird... Are you supposed to wait until the 13th to start your calendar, open it every other day, or first start the 25th and then open it on the actual 12 Christmas days? Are 12 day calendars something that is normal in the USA? I'm genuinely curious 😊
They're often misunderstood. They're meant to be opened starting on Christmas day and each day going forward. The final day is the day of epiphany in Christianity. You know, like the 12 days of Christmas song. It's more common in some European countries I think. My family is germanic, we celebrate Yule starting on the solstice and begin out 12 days dec25.
I'm with you I think the cutest one is the little elf house because the packaging is just so adorable it makes it work that little extra because as you said as a small business owner that is a lot of work so number two is my favorite
I tried it with milk the second time, but it really wasn't any better... but aren't hot chocolate bombs supposed to have hot chocolate mix in them!?! All the ones I've gotten in the past have
@@TheIcingArtist I commented because I have done the same thing, with my first hot chocolate bomb. I grew up in a house, that hot chocolate mix went in water, not milk. Every hot chocolate bomb I have ever seen has a chocolate mix of some sort. I’ve seen white chocolate, mint chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter, etc…. They’ve always had powder in them, along with flavor specific treats, like marshmallows, mini peanut butter cup, peppermint pieces, etc… it’s weird. I just had to comment because I’m not the only person who thought hot chocolate and water.
Yes, a lot of them have hot chocolate mix, but they still go in milk. And the popcorn stuff, you should put it in with the oil you are popping the corn in, not sprinkle on top.
I love the faces you make when you're not sure if you like something or you don't like it!! I love this video it started my day with a laugh and a smile!! 😆😆😊😊💜💜
Archie wanting some popcorn gave me a big smile. My little pupper loved the stuff, especially when it first came out the microwave, he'd bark up a storm if didn't give em none.😆
That last calendar was so so overpriced. Ok I now in America European products are really hyped in price. For context, those small little Bonne Maman Jams - you can get a big jar in the UK for about £3 for a 370g jar ($3.81). Those minis are not expensive at all! So that whole calendar is a total rip off! Wow - that’s not luxury at all! - merry Christmas to you both and of course Archie ❤ x
I don't know where they bought the William Sonoma boxes, but Online the popcorn box is only $71 not $122 and the last box is only $300 not $536 and those are the original retail prices not the current clearance prices. Unless the paid a ton in shipping costs.
My # 1 question maybe you'll answer for this glorious season: do you get to take all this stuff off as a business expense since your whole channel is about this? (I do realize you still need to make real revenue to make that fact a perk... lol)
well the video was sponsored so that ad money likely paid for the items + their time. and then come tax season, yes they can write off a portion of the purchases as business expenses. That's just my assumption though.
The side of the hot chocolate bomb advent calendar tells you to put it in milk. I'm with you that they tend to work better if they have hot chocolate in them too, but the fanciest ones often think if the chocolate is good enough, you don't need the hot chocolate powder.
Me seeing you drop a chocolate bomb into hot water 😳😳😳 Always hot milk, and its usually a good idea to reduce the amount written by a smidge to get more chocolate flavour.
I couldn’t afford any of them!! 😂 But I also liked the chocolate bar one best. I was also thinking the Williams and Sonoma one was cute because you could reuse it with new gifts each year… BUT that was before I knew the price 😱 Craziness!! Love your channel!! ❤
My relatives used to use salt dough in the 90s when I was a kid. I thought of it a few months ago because i never heard of it after that. My aunt made a dragon, and because it is salt it is fairly sparkly. Kind of like sparkly, gritty play dough.
Loved watching you go through the calendars, but I gotta say, my favourite was Archie's calendar. Not only was it super cute seeing what he got, but it was beyond adorable watching you interact with him. (And sharing popcorn with him too!) I love how much you guys love him, and how that comes out in all the little glimpses we get of him in your videos. Happy Holidays, and thanks for all the great videos!
well uhhh in the first one: 1) marshmallows do disolve naturally (really quick too, so I don't know what kind of marshmallow you usually have) And 2) you supposed to put it in milk, not water. I buy this kind all the time cause I hate cocoa but love chocolate. (but idk maybe this one specifically is just bad)
I am shook at how expensive that last box was. I love marshmallows so I might be bougie and get that if it comes out again. Chocolate Smith definitely looked like the best advent calendar, so cute!
I don't need them often but when I'm in the mood I will eat them right out of the bag I would very much enjoy that particular Advent calendar because all the different flavors look so delicious
Which one do YOU think was most worth it?? 😬
Download Cooking Fever and check out their new TGI Fridays restaurant! nrdc.link/TheIcingArtist
Hi, it's me again!❤
Everyone has already mentioned that the Hot Choclate ones should have been done with milk or, at least, less water. So all I'll add is perhaps they should include more instructions so that people aren't confused and know how to properly measure for the best result.
Marshmallow advent calendar ❤❤
I definitely would have paid $80 for that second one, how freaking cute!!! ❤ and the creativity is 100/10
I agree: the chocolate bars were the best, and the best value.🤗🤗🤗💋💋🇺🇸🌸
Isnt the hot chocolate suppose to be made in milk and not water?
Honestly... I do both ways. It just depends how lazy I'm feeling LOL
exactly my thought
Hot chocolate bombs are made for milk not water.
Exactly
I like mine made in water with just a splash of milk
I am shooketh that she put the hot coco bomb in WATER?? 😭😭 i will never forget this laurie. like why!! I dont think you are ever supposed to do that and it STRESSED ME OUT lmao
A lot of the hot cocoa bombs that I've seen have "instant hot chocolate" in them, so they have a powdered milk in the ingredients, and the manufacturer therefore wants you to mix them with water. *shrug*
but on the box it says to use milk ehm :D
@@kazzellinempanger8998
@@kazzellinempanger8998even so, why do water? Always be extra and do milk- if you’re going to do hot chocolate- DO IT RIGHT!
@@silvergirl7810if Instructions call for water then water would technically e correct. People should do what they want and like. Also not everyone can drink milk and some don't like the milk substitutes.
First of all it's not suppose to be in milk it's an optional thing like oatmeal where you can use water or milk. The way companies make them is for them to be made in water but everyone knows you can substitute with milk or any milk like liquid
As a Swiss person, hot chocolat made with water hurts my heart so bad
my soul left my body
I’m not Swiss and hot water just sounds blasphemous.
Once you click on a video made by an American, you have to embrace yourself for the worst.
@@ABirdOnTheMoon I think she's Canadian
@@kendra_katYou are right Laurie and Kevin are both native Canadians. Very strange to call a Canadian an American even though it is true 😂😂
The chocolate bar advent calendar looked like the most time and effort was put into its design, I’d buy it
from the UK, no surprise
But you can have it shipped to the US I bought it last year. It's delicious!
My experience with hot chocolate bombs are that you HAVE to use milk, and you put about half the liquid it calls for. That is the only way to make it taste decent/good. (If it calls for 8 oz milk, you want to use only 4 to 6 ounces.)
She used milk after the water(as literally shown in the mf video) and still thought it tasted bad.
@@toffeejc She didn't use half the milk, which is what I suggested in my comment. I watched the video, thanks. Calm down, bud.
I agree! Even with the packets of instant hot cocoa I use milk instead of water.
@@Standinthegap4everSwiss miss is the only hot chocolate I’ve had that tastes decent in water, but the marshmallows in the packets also dissolve like the bombs, but maybe my water was too hot
The thingI have discovered about watching people unbox advent calanders is that they are clearly priced for the enjoyment of opening up a new "door" every day versus what the actual products inside are worth.
I could not agree more. You really have to add in the joy of anticipation in order to get value for money. If you're a person who cannot wait to open presents and who hates anticipation then you will always be disappointed, I think.
Yep... If I can find the things in a 536$ box at my grocery store, (I recognize the marmalade,) full size for like..8$ a piece, it's so not worth it. I'll just get together with a friend or my mom or something and make them on our own to exchange.
They need to be nice though.
I’m a graphic designer. The elf box with the chocolate bars was my favorite. Beautifully done!
My sister always sends me an advent calendar. Last year, she sent me a skin care one. It opened like a book and all small boxes fitted inside. I saved the box and used it this year for my husband. I filled it with candy and he loved it! I’ll save it and do it again!
Yes, I think the last one could become something used year after year as a "fill it yourself" advent calendar. That's the only way it would ever be able to redeem itself. The little drawers are good sized and look sturdy enough to put away and reuse. It's still too expensive, though.
I felt that price point pain that was from the final advent calendar, because I did some looking up on the William Sonoma website...and that same advent calendar as of right now is on sale at $199.99, and the original price on the site itself is $299.99. You paid $536 for it....which is a $336 price difference. Whatever place sold you that advent calendar, jipped you of your money big time, and then some. I would highly suggest never purchasing anything from that place ever again, wherever that place was that had you pay that ridiculous sum of cash, and just stick to the official websites that sell them instead.
On the Canadian site it’s currently on sale for $299, regular $434.95. It’s entirely possible it was more expensive earlier in the year, or they’re considering shipping costs too. Either way, ridiculously overpriced.
When they were selling it earlier this year the prices were much higher, and as they didn't sell as many as they thought they would they dropped the price.
@@jenniferwinn2919plus shipping in Canada is expensive. I don’t see this advent calendar anymore. So I picked a large heavy knife set ant its $45 shipping. This advent calendar could easily be one size bigger for postage, which could easily be $70
@@CordeliaRavenwood Canada sucks
I wouldn’t pay $100 for that! Bonne Maman jelly jars are $3 each at World Market, as are small bottle of olive oil, biscuits (English cookies) sauces, etc. You could make this up yourself much cheaper!!
The "mushroom" on the popcorn is the type of popcorn and usually is used for chocolate or caramel covered popcorn vs your butterfly popcorn is your movie theater popcorn!
Wow that’s so interesting! I’m a big popcorn girl lol
Those sponges are sold at Trader Joe’s for so cheap, I can’t believe that was a day in the calendar
I was coming here to say that, I think they're less than a dollar each
But they’re from ✨France ✨
you can use the sponge to soak up your tears from the disappointment of that calendar lol
Those jams are also sold at Walmart full size for like 3$ 😂😂
The "movie theatre" popcorn was probably flavacol - you would add a SMALL amount to the oil when you're popping the kernels rather than sprinkling it as a topping 🙂
trying this!!
As a guide, I lovelovelove salty popcorn and I'll do around 75g kernels, 18g oil, and maybe three quarters of a teaspoon of flavacol. If you're not big on the salt, do much less!
@@TehAruwhat??? I dumb like several TABLESPOONS of flavacol into the oil
This is why they should have included instructions.
Ive never even heard of that, but makes sense why it would cost more $ if it’s concentrated and lasts longer
Was not expecting you to have the chocolate smiths one! Had to do a double take 😂 I’m from the UK and I adore their chocolate. I got the advent calendar and it’s so worth it!
Also in the UK, if you preordered it was £45 so I presume with shipping and fees to the US, it cost a load more
LOVE them!!! I work up at 2am my time for their Halloween advent calendar drop and missed it 😭 I was SO happy I got this one!
I think my favorite one was the chocolate bars advert calendar with the little elfs.. the design, the description, the extra hot choco.. it looks like they put so much effort into it and it would probably be the one i would get mostky excited about!
The last box was incredibly overpriced. Maybe you could do a bakery cake challenge next year, where you give them 536 dollar for a cake advent calendar and have them surprise you.
The marmelade from that box costs like 3€ at our stores - for regular sized glasses lmao
great idea!
Yes, that price is insane, these items weren’t even worth 100$. Sorted Food reviewed a gourmet advent calendar for 200£ a few years ago, and they were all high quality food items and the calendar had a classy design.
They mustve ordered that stuff a while back. That box is on sale on their webiste right now for $200 down from $300
@@Moeeppiyes! We have that kind too and it’s maybe $4 for a big jar
Bonne Maman has their own advent calendar that i get every year. 23 jams and 1 honey, this year it was $45 US. Waaaay cheaper than the one single jar in that last advent calendar you opened.
Archie is adorable. The way he came into the room to help you taste the popcorn was too cute
Can't believe the chocolate smiths are featured!! They're from up here in Newcastle - so amazing to see it get delivered so far!
Damn, that last one you're pretty much just paying for the packaging. When i was in Europe those little jams were given out at every breakfast, I can't see them being $21 a pop! That one was a rip off for sure!
The marshmallow one i probably would've been all over. That's really the only one I found somewhat worth the price.
Oh, and Archie's. His was a favourite too!
Merry Christmas Laurie, Kevin, Archie and fam!! Have a wonderful holiday and New Year!!
You pay 30p for those specific jam add ons at my local cafe. Shocking!
I was shocked that Bonne Mamman, which I can get for full size £3-4 post-Brexit, is somehow worth putting in a $500 calendar. I say this as someone who buys the Liberty calendar every year. I at least feel like I'm getting my money's worth!
Those tiny little jars of jam in the very last one are the exact same thing that the cooking service Everyplate sends. We get six servings of meals for about $42. So those tiny little jars can’t possibly cost very much. There’s absolutely no way that cost $21!!!
Bonne maman is a very popular jam brand in France you can get at every local grocery store. a big jar of those (370g) costs 3,29 euros for the strawberry one at the supermarket near my house. The smaller packaging is sold usually in bundels, a little more expensive ( almost 8 euros for 5 little mini jars) than the bigger ones if you compare price/L but nowhere near 21 dollars... that's insane! I guess some other items in the calendar will be more expensive but still! Almost nothing in that calendar was worth even half that.
Do you mean the jam? This is bonne maman a french brand, you get also in Germany. And here and in France you pay for a 400g jar about 4€, I mean, 21$ for a tiny one?😅
Yeah, I'm in Canada and I get that same brand of jam regularly in the grocery store for like $6 for a regular sized jar! They are 'fancier' than Smuckers, but they're not particularly pricey. The miniature version was very cute, but definitely not worth anywhere near $20 or even $10 haha!
In the US the mini jars are about $2 in our local market bigger jars are about $6. $21 is crazy!
Bonne Maman has their own advent calendar that I get every year. It has gone up in price over the past few years but this year it was $45 US and comes with 24 of the small jars. It's usually 23 jams and 1 honey.
I have never felt Laurie being more relatable to me than her reaction of pure disgust from the lavender candle!!!
SAME!!!! My husband and I despise the smell of lavender and it’s EVERYWHERE!!! 🤢🤢🤢
Could the Williams Sonoma box be reused in future years? It looks rather sturdy. On the other hand, I'm sure you can buy a DIY advent box like that for $30.
That was EXACTLY what I was thinking! I think the box will last, so it will make a fun DIY calendar down the road
The William’s Sonoma box would be great for storing Christmas ornaments in after it’s finished.
LOVE this idea!!
A lot of comments on the 1st calendar so I'll add mine lol There's a difference in the way European styled hot chocolate and American is made. As an American your 1st instinct was to use hot water because I think that's how it's often made: hot water, cocoa powder with powdered additional ingredients. It makes for more liquidy hot chocolate. In Europe the 1st instinct would be hot milk and a literal piece of chocolate with additional stuff like heavy cream over a stove resulting in a thick consistency. Those chocolate bombs looked more European styled. Try again with half glass of milk and half glass of heavy cream, slowly heat over the stove and once hot add your chocolate bomb then.
If that's the case, though, shouldn't that be part of the instructions? I feel like it's still their responsibility to tell the people purchasing how to prepare the hot chocolate.
@cassiscrowmatic oh for sure! It could also be just a simple case of lousy quality. I'm just suggesting how to improve her experience with those since who wants that disappointment ;)
She's not American
NOPE. We use milk or Half n Half. Water is disgusting.
@@camiriofrio6995I mean technically she is since Canada is the same continent lol but I admit it's on me for not paying enough attention and assuming ppl are USers. Apologies!
Thank you so much!!! Super pleased it arrived okay. Love this whole video ❤ merry Christmas!!!🎄
Coming from the UK I was so shocked to see the Chocolate Smiths being featured! I absolutely adore their chocolate. My friend has bought me some for Christmas and I can't wait to open it. Merry Christmas Laurie, Kevin and Archie xx
Also, for all the "Twelve days of Christmas" things (like the Smiths that includes a bonus for Christmas Eve) -- Christmas is the FIRST day of Christmas. The next eleven days are AFTER Christmas, going through Epiphany (Jan 6). Advent is the four weeks before Christmas, generally counted as starting Dec 1.
I've never seen an advent calendar actually be worth the money!
Ha Ha…knob..instead of hob. Having had a Scottish mom, of course I knew straightaway. Definitely #2 was The Chocolate Smith. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t have purchased any. All were ridiculously overpriced. And $500 + for the last one….oh man…insane.
Wishing you Laurie and Kevin a wonderful Christmas with your family…🎄🎄🎄🎄
I always thought it was the knobs lmao!! Ya the last one really disappointed, but none of these were that affordable. I'm so curious to see if there's cheap but amazing ones out there! Merry Christmas!!!
@@TheIcingArtist
Well ck out Canadian chocolate companies. I always got the cheapie cardboard advent calendars for my now grown kids. They didn’t care, it was chocolate. And they ain’t chocolate connoisseurs. 🤪 My kids do the same for my grandkids. Dollar store advent calendar
@@Clarky1951 I think most chocolate on its own tastes the same, even from the “connoisseur” type companies. I like it sometimes, but I’ll always choose a chocolate with a filling and/or fancy finish etc over just plain milk bars.
@@ShintogaDeathAngel
Actually that’s not true. If you’ve had really good Belgium chocolate, you definitely taste the difference. Higher ratio of chocolate. And zero chemical additives and binders, like commercial chocolates. And made with good cocoa beans and cocoa butter. But as I said for children, they don’t care. 🎄
Hob = stove top!
William Sonoma is absurd. They used to be much better but now they’re just profiting from the name and phoning it in on the quality.
I personally can’t drink milk ( bc I can’t really drink it ), and milk alternatives just don’t taste good. But I normally make hot chocolate with water so I appreciate you trying the hot chocolate with water
OMG!! The last one is such a scam !! I'm french and the " Bonne maman" Jam is LESS than 2 dollar for a full size (1.5 euro for 320g) in my supermarket. It's not even fancy. It's just good jam from the supermarket.... I Recognise looots of products that cost a LOT less here😂. I feel sorry for people tha put that amount of money in this !!!
We have that jam in the US too.
Out of the advent calendars featured in this video, my favorite is the 2nd one (with the chocolate bars). Sure, it's still a bit pricy, but the packaging is cute and those flavors seem interesting.
All handmade too!
petition to do a video to decorates a cake with stuff from an advent calendrer.
It makes me so happy to hear you talk about Barry and his hob problem. Go, Sorted!
I bought these for my son. What i do is add it to regulr hot chocolate. Just for somthing fun for the kids. They are more novelty than a solution
I think they could be great if you added in some of your own powder hot chocolate mix! I tried the chocolate by itself and it was pretty good, I think it just needs some powder mix!
I feel second hand embarrassment for putting them in water, lol Eeek. 😆
Hi! I live in Catalonia (most people know it as Spain) and so most of the products that you find in the last advent calendar we have it in the supermarket for 1€ or less. The little jar of french ham costs 3€ 5 small jars... And the olive extra virgin oil is 10€/Liter so... Definitely not worth it
Never heard someone pronounce it “jalapeNO” lol. Great video! 💕
I was waiting for someone to comment on this!
That was so funny! She cracks me up!
Kevin's editing cuts are A+ 😂😂😂
I second that! I was reading them out loud while my husband was driving. So funny!
Please do more interactions with archie like this❤ he is so cute 😊
the moment of you saying "I THOUGHT HE WAS SAYING KNOB" about barry from SortedFood is so real. SO real. You and I had a TIL at the same moment
That orange marmalade you can find in grocery stores for roughly 5 dollars or less. 😂
I get that brand of jams (in regular size jars) for like $6 at my grocery store. The mini one must be worth like $2 max haha
@@Alex-ph5ir Yes! depending on where you live & what store….it can go from $2 something to $12…and depending on the size. I grew up on Smuckers and Bonne Manman. That type of lid is always familiar to me as those brands.
Bonne Maman even makes their own advent calendar with 24 of those jars for $45 US.
Merry Christmas/happy holidays to you and your family! I love your videos. The editing lately has been killing me. 😆
I think most of the cost of advent calendars is the packaging. And unless you can re-use them every year to make your own, none seem worth it.
Happy Holidays to you, Kevin and cutie Archie! 🎉🎄☃❄ Hope you have a wonderful time off. Thanks for a year of fun videos!!
Aww to bad the marshmallow co advent calendar isn't in this vid :( maybe next year? Their marshmallows are literally the best I've ever had Laurie should definitely try them
I'm 6 months late to the party, but the See's Candy Advent calendar is delicious and very reasonably priced. They make wonderful chocolate, and the design of the calendar is fun. Also, we purchased the Bon Maman calendar, which was a 12 days of Christmas calendar. Each day had a different one of their jams. It was also excellent.
Mushroom just refers to the shape after it’s popped. I like it ❤
I love Archie’s face with the collar! “Damn woman that last day is suppose to be the best! Not a collar”.
The fact that Laurie keeps saying "ha-la-peeno." hahaha!
The only one that seemed like it was worth it so far was the chocolate one! Let me keep watching the video to see if they get better...
edit: We both guessed $250 on the "fancy" box and I yelled "WHHAAAATT?!" when Kevin said the price. That's wild. Also, the marshmallows looked nice!
I loved seeing Archie enjoy his advent calendar, he's a good boy
girl you did not put that in water! 😂❤
I make homemade marshmallows and they’re so good!!! Don’t need hot cocoa or anything with them. I just made gingerbread flavor and going to make coconut rum flavor in a bit. Want to try fireball whiskey flavor after that.
All of them were overpriced for what it is/what you get. I will say the chocolate bar one was probably the best out of all of them but still overpriced.
Also those ornaments in the last one? Freaking adorable.
I love the idea of the advent calendar! It was really different… Also, I am a firm supporter of Archie getting to be a part of these surprises 😊 🐕
I got your ad for the Cake Course at the beginning of this video!!!!
omg yay!!! For reals though, what did you think of the ad??!
it was AMAZING!!!🍰❤❤@@TheIcingArtist
You guys are the cutest couple. Love your content and energy. You both compliment each other so well. Stay blessed.
Wow! $21 a piece. That jam is sooo much cheaper and they sell it at the grocery store.
I think some of you need to continue watching the video before commenting because she actually did also use milk for the first one.
I’ve yet to see a calendar worth it except MAYBE the Lego ones, if your a collector. I think the best bet is to buy a reusable one and fill it yourself. Maybe if the kids are old enough, each year a different person fills it. That being said, totally enjoyed watching you three opening these disasters 😉🧡🖤🧡
I've had a couple in the last 2 years that were worth it. Playdoh and Playmobile, both were under $30 (got them on sale around august for about $15-$20 each). Otherwise I agree!
Thank you for continuing to make such great videos! I always look forward to a posting day 🙃 The “Oh.. it bit me.” during the first one was priceless 😂
Same.
Your tree is very pretty.
Thank you! 😊
The theme was super cool and fun ti watch, it's so nice to laugh with you both🥰 and soooo cute including Archie as well🐩
Whish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year full of love 💖
I am grateful for your channel, your content,your laugh and joy
Love you all 3❤
Great video as always 😁. I first heard about 12 days advent calendars last year I believe, and I find them so weird... Are you supposed to wait until the 13th to start your calendar, open it every other day, or first start the 25th and then open it on the actual 12 Christmas days? Are 12 day calendars something that is normal in the USA? I'm genuinely curious 😊
i think you are supposed to open every other day and at least here in germany our adventcalendars go up to 24 instead of 25
They're often misunderstood. They're meant to be opened starting on Christmas day and each day going forward. The final day is the day of epiphany in Christianity. You know, like the 12 days of Christmas song. It's more common in some European countries I think. My family is germanic, we celebrate Yule starting on the solstice and begin out 12 days dec25.
i've heard of this for the first time! this is really interesting, thank you!!
I'm with you I think the cutest one is the little elf house because the packaging is just so adorable it makes it work that little extra because as you said as a small business owner that is a lot of work so number two is my favorite
The hot chocolate bombs are supposed to be used with milk!!!
I tried it with milk the second time, but it really wasn't any better... but aren't hot chocolate bombs supposed to have hot chocolate mix in them!?! All the ones I've gotten in the past have
@@TheIcingArtist I commented because I have done the same thing, with my first hot chocolate bomb. I grew up in a house, that hot chocolate mix went in water, not milk. Every hot chocolate bomb I have ever seen has a chocolate mix of some sort. I’ve seen white chocolate, mint chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter, etc….
They’ve always had powder in them, along with flavor specific treats, like marshmallows, mini peanut butter cup, peppermint pieces, etc… it’s weird. I just had to comment because I’m not the only person who thought hot chocolate and water.
@@TheIcingArtistprob supposed to have the milk hotter.
Yes, a lot of them have hot chocolate mix, but they still go in milk. And the popcorn stuff, you should put it in with the oil you are popping the corn in, not sprinkle on top.
I love the faces you make when you're not sure if you like something or you don't like it!!
I love this video it started my day with a laugh and a smile!! 😆😆😊😊💜💜
The only good thing about the last box was that it was refillable. I'd be using that year after year until I got my money's worth.
You guys being yourselves makes my day
Dude she just used water for hot chocolate and then said that it tastes like chocolate in water..........that's what it is😂😂
Archie wanting some popcorn gave me a big smile. My little pupper loved the stuff, especially when it first came out the microwave, he'd bark up a storm if didn't give em none.😆
That last calendar was so so overpriced. Ok I now in America European products are really hyped in price. For context, those small little Bonne Maman Jams - you can get a big jar in the UK for about £3 for a 370g jar ($3.81). Those minis are not expensive at all! So that whole calendar is a total rip off! Wow - that’s not luxury at all! - merry Christmas to you both and of course Archie ❤ x
We have those jams in America too though.
Bonne Maman has their own advent calendar with 24 minis for $45 US dollars too.
I don't know where they bought the William Sonoma boxes, but Online the popcorn box is only $71 not $122 and the last box is only $300 not $536 and those are the original retail prices not the current clearance prices. Unless the paid a ton in shipping costs.
Did you check Canadian dollars?
I was gonna say, they are in Canada so it will be more
Shipping was probably a lot.
My # 1 question maybe you'll answer for this glorious season: do you get to take all this stuff off as a business expense since your whole channel is about this? (I do realize you still need to make real revenue to make that fact a perk... lol)
well the video was sponsored so that ad money likely paid for the items + their time. and then come tax season, yes they can write off a portion of the purchases as business expenses. That's just my assumption though.
The side of the hot chocolate bomb advent calendar tells you to put it in milk. I'm with you that they tend to work better if they have hot chocolate in them too, but the fanciest ones often think if the chocolate is good enough, you don't need the hot chocolate powder.
Me seeing you drop a chocolate bomb into hot water 😳😳😳 Always hot milk, and its usually a good idea to reduce the amount written by a smidge to get more chocolate flavour.
Omg the extra Archie content in this video just completely made my day! He's so flipping cute.
OMG love your videos I would just eat the chocolate bomb
I honestly saved them to give to my mom lol she LOVES chocolate so I figured she can snack on them without making them into a drink lol
That's so nice of you@@TheIcingArtist
I couldn’t afford any of them!! 😂 But I also liked the chocolate bar one best. I was also thinking the Williams and Sonoma one was cute because you could reuse it with new gifts each year… BUT that was before I knew the price 😱 Craziness!! Love your channel!! ❤
Okay, to be fair for the first one, I think using water for the hot chocolate brings it down 3 points on its own.
I love all these different calendars 😍 Next year you could review a sprinkle calendar! 👀
Hot chocolate bombs are always disappointing why are they a thing
My relatives used to use salt dough in the 90s when I was a kid.
I thought of it a few months ago because i never heard of it after that.
My aunt made a dragon, and because it is salt it is fairly sparkly. Kind of like sparkly, gritty play dough.
Always better with milk. Especially with real chocolate!
Loved watching you go through the calendars, but I gotta say, my favourite was Archie's calendar. Not only was it super cute seeing what he got, but it was beyond adorable watching you interact with him. (And sharing popcorn with him too!) I love how much you guys love him, and how that comes out in all the little glimpses we get of him in your videos. Happy Holidays, and thanks for all the great videos!
well uhhh in the first one: 1) marshmallows do disolve naturally (really quick too, so I don't know what kind of marshmallow you usually have)
And 2) you supposed to put it in milk, not water. I buy this kind all the time cause I hate cocoa but love chocolate. (but idk maybe this one specifically is just bad)
Yours disolve??? I mean I guess after a super long time they do, but by the time I'm done mine they're just warm and gooey
Maybe they made somehow different in Europe? @@TheIcingArtist
$536 is absolutely a price gouging situation lol. Laurie, I say you make a sweet treat themed Advent calendar!!🎄❤️
Chocolate and water should stay far away from each other.
🤣🤣🤣
I am shook at how expensive that last box was. I love marshmallows so I might be bougie and get that if it comes out again. Chocolate Smith definitely looked like the best advent calendar, so cute!
Why’d she think there’d be cocoa powder in there?!?! There’s NEVER cocoa powder in them unless you buy the specific ones who do 🤦🏼♀️
@Fluffy_Trash must be the specific ones that are labeled that way, they typically come with marshmallows inside
I've never seen a fur bby tht likes popcorn, so cute ❤
Archie is jus too adorable ❤
All Hot Coco Bombs, say drop in warn milk, even the box said so on the side, when she was going after the second bomb. At 1:12...
I was like "Nooo Laurieeee, I bet it should've been milk" and second after I saw the box that said so 😭
You are the best. I love your energy.
The biggest issue is that she used a giant mug with water 🤢
Girl, I love your hair! Just had to leave that compliment!!!! Hope the holidays were great for you!
I LOVE that Archie was a huge part of this video! Too adorable!
such a cuuuuuuute doggo
The Chocolate Smiths is made in my hometown of Newcastle UK, their chocolates are the best, especially the banana bread
I don't need them often but when I'm in the mood I will eat them right out of the bag I would very much enjoy that particular Advent calendar because all the different flavors look so delicious