Both Aldi’s beer and wine advent calendars will have the same price as last year

Is it October? Yes. Are we dreaming of Aldi’s wine and cheese advent calendars? Also yes.

The retailer has dropped the 2023 advent calendar collection, and there is definitely something for everyone this year. From global wines and the new Irish Cream Countdown, cozy home decor advent calendars, and pet treats, you’ll want to head to your nearest Aldi on Nov. 1 when the calendars all hit shelves.

Related: Mom Throws Daughter an ALDI-Themed Party & We Want an Invite

Aldi Advent Calendars for Those with a Sophisticated Palate:

Aldi advent calendars for 2023 include this aldi wine advent calendar

Aldi has plenty of holiday cheer to share this year. The Holiday Magic Wine Advent Calendar, in particular, has 24 unique labels and 16 wine varieties from eight countries of origin. Each label has a scannable QR code to learn more about the wine and to explore the region, varietal, and culture of the country.

Other calendars include:

  • Barissimo Coffee Advent Calendar ($14)   
  • Beer Advent Calendar ($50; in select markets)    
  • Emporium Selection Cheese Advent Calendar ($17)  
    • This must-have calendar is packed with European Cheeses like Dutch Goudas, Red Leicester, and Double Gloucester. 
  • Bay Island Hot Sauce Advent Calendar ($15)
  • Wicked Grove 12 Days of Cider ($20)
  • 12 Day of Irish Cream Calendar ($30)
  • Holiday Magic 5 Days of Sweet Red Wine ($20)
  • Holiday Magic 5 Dayd of Dry Red Wine ($20)
  • Moser Roth Luxury Chocolate Advent Calendar ($16)

There's even an advent calendar for your pets! The Pure Being Dog Advent Calendar is just $8, and the Pure Being 12 Days of Cat Treats is just $6.

Related: 2023’s Best Advent Calendars for Kids, Adults, Families & Pets

Aldi Advent Calendars for Some Much-Needed Self-Care:

When it comes to self-care this crazy holiday season, Aldi has your back. Choose from seasonal candle calendars and even fun puzzle advent calendars that'll give you a chance to relax. 

  • Huntington Home Advent Calendar ($40)  
  • Merry Moments Advent Calendar Garland ($13)
  • Mini Puzzle Advent Calendar ($10)

Advent Calendars for Kids:

 Aldi's advent calendars for 2023 also offer several fun kids' advent calendars.  Cool collectibles and chocolate await with this year's lineup.

  • Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Advent Calendar ($25)
  • Pokeman/Cocomelon Advent Calendar ($30)
  • Compound Kings Slime Advent Calendar ($17)
  • Moose Toys Bluey Advent Calendar ($20)
  • Zuri Mini Brands Advent Calendar ($30)
  • Choceur Kids Advent Calendar ($1.50)

As always, supplies are limited, and calendars are expected to sell out fast. Head to your local Aldi on November 1 to commence with the merry-making!

 

From squares to cylinders, the traditional grilled cheese sandwich has just been reinvented thanks to My Little Gourmet. And they only take 10 minutes to make! Serve these grilled cheese roll-ups as a snack or accompaniment to some hot tomato soup (we’re sure the roll-up shape makes it more fun for the kids). We’ve got more easy toddler lunch ideas here.

Serving size 2

Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups Ingredients:

4 slices of sandwich bread
4 slices of cheese (recommend gouda)
1 tablespoon butter

Method:

1. Cut the crusts off of the bread.

2. Roll each slice flat with a rolling pin.

3. Place a slice of cheese on each piece of bread and roll up tightly.

4. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.

5. Place the rolls, seam-side down, in the pan and press down so that they don’t unravel.

6. Rotate until golden brown on each side and the cheese is melted.

 

Laura Leer is a mom and writer of My Little Gourmet. She lives in Berlin with her husband and 2-year-old son, Arik, who are the main taste testers of her delicious meals. For more kid-friendly recipes, check out her blog here.

Holiday parties just aren’t the same without a good charcuterie board. But why buy boring cheddar or Gouda when you have ALDI cheeses to choose from? Grab some gingerbread goat cheese and get the party started!

New this season, Emporium Selection Holiday Goat Logs come in festive flavors including eggnog, cranberry stuffing and gingerbread. They’re selling for $2.50 each and after a TikTok feature, they’re likely to go fast! Pair with your favorite cracker and try to decide which one you like best.

If you’re not really a goat cheese fan, the Emporium Selection Artisan Flavored Cheese Assortment ($3.50) ​will be right up your alley. #ButFirstCoffee combines two of life’s best pleasures in one product, Some Like it Hatch has a creamy, smoky twist and You’re Cajun Me Crazy adds a little heat. Don’t forget to grab some Rose All Day fontina for four bucks, while you’re at it.

ALDI is also offering tips for building the perfect charcuterie board, including the 3,3,3,3 rule: 3 cheeses, 3 meats, 3 starches and 3 sweets for a better board. You can find a whole page of expert advice and how-to guides on the company’s “Board Like a Pro” page.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of ALDI

 

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On the first day of December ALDI brought to me…tons of great finds! We have the inside scoop on what to expect at your local ALDI for the ultimate holiday month. Including a premade charcuterie board kit and gingerbread mulled wine!

Starting Dec. 1, you’ll be able to snag Three Mills Gingerbread Mulled Wine for only $5. You’ll also find some gems in the baking department: Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Holiday Tree or Star Pizza ($2.50), Baker’s Corner Jumbo Christmas Cookie Kit ($5) and Elf on the Shelf Baking Kits ($3.50). Don’t forget the Nestle Morsels in Peppermint Hot Cocoa and Funfetti Flavors!

Later on, look for Sundae Shoppe Snowflake Cones, a raspberry and cream flavored treat with chocolate coating and sugar sprinkles ($3.50 on Dec. 8). Grab some cute Gouda Trees the same weekend that are perfect for your holiday boards ($4). And speaking of charcuterie, don’t forget the Specially Selected Charcuterie Board Kit ($10) that’s available on Dec. 15 and makes your board prep a snap.

Finally, we’re super excited about the Sparkling Wine calendar that counts down to the New Year. You’ll have seven bottles to open and it’s available for $30 on Dec. 1. Don’t forget ALDI’s version of the Grouch Tree! At $8 each, you’ll want to buy a few when they release on Dec. 8. ‘Tis the season for shopping merriment at ALDI!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of ALDI

 

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Calling all charcuterie fans! You’re probably already brainstorming your holiday boards, but what if we told you that you could win a very on-brand prize at the same time? Wisconsin Cheese is hunting for the most creative holiday cheese boards to win a year’s supply of cheese for themselves and friend, plus a donation to the food pantry of their choice.

If you’re up for the challenge, here’s how to enter. First create your board using as much Wisconsin cheese as possible, the more the better! Judges are looking for “board abundance” with every corner of the board covered, as well as color and creativity. Then visit the official contest site to upload photos of your magnificent creation, including details on all the cheese you used.

Each week, a panel of three judges will review submissions and choose a winner to receive a cheese prize pack, including a board, knives and $100 worth of Wisconsin cheese. Runners up will also receive a custom cheese board! The six weekly winners will be finalists for the grand prize award, which is all the Cheddar (and Gouda and Muenster) your heart could desire.

You have until December 6 to submit your board for consideration. Time to get the wheels of cheese turning and create a masterpiece!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Wisconsin Cheese

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ALDI fans already know about the holiday-themed cheese shoppers can find in the dairy section. Christmas and Valentine’s Day did not disappoint. Now, with St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, there is a new seasonal collection.

The next batch of ALDI Finds have landed and it’s all about St. Patrick’s Day. Shop from the likes of corned beef Reuben Bites, sauerkraut and shepherds pie or you can do what we do––and just head for the cheese.

Six cheeses will land on Mar. 3 at ALDI stories and at just $3.99 each, you can afford to sample each one. Check out the Emporium Selection Irish Cheese Truckle Assortment as well as the Pesto Gouda, Sage Derby and Irish Porter options below.

Aged Irish Cheddar

Irish Cheddar with Beer

 

Irish Cheddar with Whiskey

 

Pesto Gouda

Sage Derby

Irish Porter

 

Each one of these savory cheeses is a part of the ALDI Finds program so it won’t be around for long. 

—Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of ALDI

 

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Tom Cruise grabbed our attention (and hearts) in Risky Business, John Belushi and Dan Akroyd showed off their comedy genius in Blues Brothers and Miracle on 34th Street had us all believing in the magic of Santa all over again. What do these cinematic favorites have in common? All have scenes that were filmed at Chicago-area Hilton hotels. Read on to discover more films that used Hiltons as a backdrop and enjoy guest-favorite recipes from Hilton Chicago, The Drake and The Palmer House Hilton.

Popular Movies With Comforting Mac N' Cheese: Hilton Chicago

Hilton Chicago

Quite a few family favorites were filmed at Hilton Chicago. Check out the impressive list and pair movie night with Kitty O'Shea's award-winning Truffle Cauliflower Mac N' Cheese from Executive Chef Mario Garcia.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
The Fugitive
Primal Fear
My Best Friend's Wedding
Road to Perdition
U.S. Marshals
The Little Fockers
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story

TRUFFLE CAULIFLOWER MAC N' CHEESE

Ingredients:

For the gouda and Cheddar béchamel:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 lb smoked Gouda cheese, coarsely shredded
1/4 lb Cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the miso butterscotch:
3/4 cups cream
6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup miso
3/4 cup brown sugar

For the cauliflower mac n' cheese:
4 cups Gouda and Cheddar béchamel
1 cup currants
1 1/2 cup cauliflower, blanched
1 tbsp truffle oil
2 lbs cavatappi pasta
1 sheet tray croissant dough
Miso butterscotch

Directions:

For the gouda and Cheddar béchamel:
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk over moderately high heat for 30 seconds. Add the milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the cream, cheeses, paprika, and nutmeg and whisk just until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

3. Season with salt and pepper.

For the miso butterscotch:
1. Combine the cream and butter in a small saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts.

2. Stir in the miso and sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is slightly thickened and shiny, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Taste and add a little more sugar if you think it's too salty (remember, you'll be using it in savory dishes).

For the cauliflower mac & cheese:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Take béchamel, currants, cauliflower, truffle oil, and pasta and fold together. Place into a baking dish and top with croissant.

3. Cook in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Let cool and set up so that when you cut a piece out it holds.

5. Once it's cut drizzle miso butterscotch over the crust.

Kid Flicks with a Brownie Treat: Palmer House Hilton

Palmer House Hilton, Nicole Greco

Palmer House Hilton's brownies are legendary, and Pastry Chef Walleska Cianfanelli is letting you in on the secret. Bake up some chocolatey goodness and snuggle in for one of these movies, filmed at Palmer House Hilton.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version)
Curly Sue

PALMER HOUSE HILTON BROWNIE
The first reference to the “brownie” in America appears in the Sears Roebuck Catalog published in Chicago in 1898. Specifically at the direction of Bertha Palmer to be served at the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in 1893, the brownie was created in the Palmer House Kitchen in the late 19th century. The recipe below is well over a century old, and is the exact same one used for the brownie served in the Palmer House Hilton today! It remains one of the hotel’s most popular confections.

Ingredients: 

14 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1 lb butter
12 oz granulated sugar
4 oz flour
8 eggs
12 oz crushed walnuts
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Mix the sugar and flour together in a bowl. Combine chocolate and flour mixtures. Stir 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing. ​

3. Pour mixture into a 9x12 baking sheet. Sprinkle walnuts on top, pressing down slightly into the mixture with your hand. Bake 30-40 minutes. ​

4. Brownies are done when the edges begin to crisp and has risen about 1/4 of an inch. ​

Note: When the brownie is properly baked, it will remain “gooey” with a toothpick in the middle due to the richness of the mixture.

Glaze: Mix together 1 c. water, 1 c. apricot preserves, and 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin in saucepan. Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil for two minutes. Brush hot glaze on brownies while still warm.

Classics With An Authentic Martini

Tom Cruise slid his way into our lives in Risky Business, which starred Chicago and The Drake in supporting Roles. This classic pairs well with The Drake's Executive Pour Martini from Director of Restaurants, Neringa Bruzga. Make a fun juice for the kids, pour yourself a martini and enjoy this Tom Cruise throwback or one of these others gems filmed at the hotel.
 
Blues Brothers
Wicker Park
What Women Want
Flags of Our Fathers
 
EXECUTIVE POUR AUTHENTIC MARTINI
 
Ingredients:
 
4 oz Grey Goose Vodka
1 oz Dry Vermouth
3-5 ice cubes
lemon or olives
 
Directions:
 
1. Add vodka and vermouth to a shaker.
 
2. Top with ice and shake hard.
 
3. Strain martini into a martini glass.
 
4. Garnish with lemon peels or olives.
 

— Maria Chambers

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Aldi does not care if you are trying for a low carb diet. The fave grocery retailer will start selling chocolate-stuffed Belgian waffles on Jun. 26—and you really can’t get more decadent than that!

If you haven’t checked out Aldi’s Specially Selected line, now is the time. The Belgian waffles fall into this brand, which also features tasty treats such as Almond Dark Chocolate Biscotti, Dark Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramels, Vanilla Pizzelle Cookies, Smoked Gouda Cheese and so much more.

photo: Aldi

The limited-edition chocolate-filled waffles will retail for $3.99 nationwide. For those of you who don’t heart chocolate (is that really anyone?), Aldi will also sell Specially Selected Cherry Filled Belgian Waffles too!

—Erica Loop

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Forget about Shamrock Shakes: Aldi has St. Patrick’s Day cheese! The newest in themed cheese launches follows on the heels of several successful dairy delights, including a cheese Advent calendar, heart-shaped cheese for Valentine’s Day and set of punny limited-edition wedges.

Aldi is taking St. Patty’s Day celebration to a new level with five holiday-inspired cheeses. At a time of the year when just about everyone is making gratuitously green products, the Happy Farms collection—available in Aldi stores starting Feb. 27—is no slouch.

The line includes a green Pesto Gouda and English Sage Derby. Along with the colorful dairy deliciousness, the collection also includes an Aged Irish Cheddar and a few alcohol-infused picks: Irish Cheddar with Beer and Irish Cheddar with Whiskey.

If you’re wondering, yes the beer and whiskey picks do contain actual alcohol. That means your teenager can’t buy them and your kiddos shouldn’t go anywhere near “mommy’s special cheese.” It also means that Aldi stores in areas prohibiting grocery store alcohol sales won’t carry the two two alcohol-infused Irish Cheddars. But they will have the other three (non-alcoholic) holiday options! The cheeses retail for $3.99 each.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Moose via Foodiesfeed

 

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If there was ever a time to whip out your crimping iron and snap on that banana clip, it’s now, because the new 80’s cheeses from Aldi are here and they sound totally tubular. The grocer’s Happy Farms brand is rolling out a limited edition line of six cheeses that are all named after famous 80’s songs––and excuse us while we strap on our legwarmers in preparation.

The special lineup is available starting Feb. 6 and each flavor is only $3.49! At that price, you can afford to get one of each.

In case you’re not up on your 80’s hits, we’ll break down what you can expect to find with these special cheeses:

  • Goat Cheese: Wake Me Up Before You Goat Goat (1984’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!)
  • Cheddar: Sweet Cheddar of Mine (1987’s Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses)
  • Fontina: Girls Just Wanna Have Fontina (1983’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper)
  • Gouda: Pour Some Gouda on Me (1987’s Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard) and
  • Havarti: Total Eclipse of the Havarti (1983’s Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler).
  • Goat Milk Cheddar Cheese: Bille Goat is My Lover (1983’s Billie Jean by Michael Jackson)

The limited line is in stores now, and just in time for the Grammy’s. Don’t forget to snag your picks for your viewing party!

 

––Karly Wood

 

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