Five DIY Advent Calendars for Wine, Beer and Cocktail Lovers

This DIY Advent calendar is two gifts in one. First, fill the rack with 12 bottles. Then, hang these festive ornaments on the bottle necks to count down the days. To make sure there’s absolutely no peeping at what’s to come, you can cover the exposed sides in wrapping paper. As an added bonus, when the holidays are over your giftee will have a wine rack to use all year.

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This handmade, wooden Christmas tree advent calendar is ripe for customization. Leave it as is, paint it to match your holiday décor or add some lights. No matter what style you choose, make sure you tag the bottles with these equally festive gift tags.

‘Tis the season to celebrate your favorite things, and this Advent calendar allows you to give the gift of mini wine bottles, beer, spirits and hard seltzer. To help you get started, check out some of our favorite canned cocktails and gluten-free beers.

Designed to look like a Christmas tree decked out in lights and ornaments, this DIY Advent calendar will spice up any holiday mantle. There are 12 perforated slots that can store bottles that are shorter than five inches. With all the extra spirits on hand, you’ll probably want to make some cocktails. Make sure to check out the essential tools every home bartender needs.

A delicate color in the glass, this blend of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah pops with bright raspberry, crushed rock, turned earth and lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is tense with rocky edges and yet zesty with pomegranate and strawberry flavors. Best Buy. —Matt Kettman

Honeysuckle, juicy apple and a touch of white peach all come through in a round and smooth wine with instant appeal. The finish remains bright and tangy. The back label indicates this is medium sweet, but it is so perfectly balanced between sugar and acid that it seems just barely off dry and could well accompany a spicy Thai noodle dish or other peppery entrée. Best Buy. —Paul Gregutt

This cherry-hued blend is fresh and modern. Despite some jammy characters, the strawberry and pomegranate fruits are bright and appealing, underpinned by floral and more meaty, savory spice tones. The juicy, silky fruit continues on the medium weight palate, held in place by talc-like tannins. Chill down slightly and drink with barbecue fare on a warm day. Delegat USA, Inc. Best Buy. —Christina Pickard

A generous Bartlett pear aroma and quite ripe flavors of pear and banana are accented by butter and vanilla notes in this full-bodied, well-balanced and smooth-textured wine. It’s one of many great values in Sterling’s current Vintner’s Collection line. Best Buy. —Jim Gordon

Once the reductive onion and seashell aromas blow off, the pungency of this quintessential Marlborough Sauvignon remains. The wine also offers citrus and tropical fruit along with more vegetal ones like shelled peas and tomato leaf. The palate shows a lovely balance of freshness and textural weight. Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits. Best Buy. —C.P.

This tasty red begins with intense aromas of blood orange, juiced red cherry, tobacco and thyme. There’s ample concentration to these tones on the medium-bodied palate, with fresh acidity and soothing tannins framing it all. This is a solid weekday red to enjoy solo or alongside pizza, pasta and other casual fare. Vineyard Brands. Best Buy. —Alexander Peartree