Christmas has come early for shortbread fans as Walker’s Shortbread today unveiled its 2023 Advent Calendar. Packed with festive treats, the luxury countdown to Christmas is expected to sell out with only a limited number available in the UK.
Walker’s best-selling Shortbread Advent Calendar (RRP £19.99) is back for 2023. Filled with a selection of all-butter goodies, this year’s calendar pays homage to the town of Aberlour in the Scottish Highlands, which is the home of Walker’s Shortbread.
The design celebrates Walker’s Speyside roots with a festive scene featuring well-known sights in Aberlour, including the River Spey, the Walker’s Shortbread Factory and the Walker’s Shortbread Shop – which was once the bakery of the company’s founding father, Joseph Walker – located on Aberlour High Street.
The cosy scene is brought to life with shortbread Christmas trees, shortbread finger sleighs, a snowman made out of Walker’s shortbread rounds, and even a Highland cow, with Walker’s heritage tartan a prominent feature throughout.
Shortbread has always been synonymous with the festive season, featuring in many celebrations through the generations – making the advent calendar the perfect gift for someone special at Christmas time, while also being a popular choice for those looking to treat themselves. In addition to the all-butter treats behind each door, the calendar boasts a sturdy design meaning it can stand on its own and be opened like a book, making a great display at home over Christmas. With recyclable packaging, the calendar is available online from October, and with only 1,000 available in the UK, it’s expected to sell out.
Nicky Walker, Walker’s Shortbread managing director, said: “At Walker’s Shortbread, we’re proud to have played an important part in Christmas celebrations for the past 125 years. There is no better time to enjoy our delicious shortbreads, festive pies and other Scottish delicacies.
“Over the years we’ve expanded our festive range, bringing new seasonal shapes and variations to customers around the world which surprise and delight, with products to suit a variety of needs and occasions – from stocking fillers to luxurious gifts and self-treat options. Our advent calendars have proven popular among consumers and we’re excited for this year’s calendar to feature in homes across the UK this Christmas.”
In addition to the Advent Calendar, Walker’s has launched its 2023 festive range with a host of snacks which are perfect for gifting or a self-treat.
Walker’s Everyday Festive range includes its Shortbread Festive Shapes available in various sizes (350g, 175g and 60g cartons) – luxurious shortbread which comes with Santa, Christmas Tree, Star and Bell shapes, ideal for Christmas hampers or cosy winter nights by the fireside (RRP from £2.20). Also available is Walker’s Shortbread Gingerbread Men – charming buttery treats with a spiced ginger snap (RRP £3.00), and the festive staple Mince Pies, which are baked using only the finest ingredients, with traditional mincemeat encased in light melt in your mouth short crust pastry (RRP from £3.50). These make the perfect option for a moment of self care, giving you moment of clam among the festive madness.
The Festive Mini Bags are back this year and ready for the festivities. Coming in Mini Festive Shortbread Trees and Star Shapes, the bags are perfect for stocking fillers, to add to gifts or just as a handy Christmas treat (RRP £2.15).
If you’re looking to get creative, the adorable and irresistible Shortbread Scottie Dogs can be turned into a real Christmas treat by making your own reindeer Scotties. A great activity to get all involved during the festive period with family and friends (RRP £3.00).
The Prestige range of shortbread tubes and gifting tins make for the perfect little luxury at Christmas with their simple yet sleek design – featuring Walker’s tartan and delicate snowflakes – which was recently revealed as part of Walker’s packaging rebrand. The Prestige range of shortbread tubes make a great option to create an emergency gifting stockpile to avoid getting caught out.
For those looking for the perfect cupboard staple to have to hand to create a luxury hosting occasion across the festive period with minimal effort, the Festive Prestige range features indulgent Cranberry & Clementine Rounds (200g), a deliciously buttery shortbread with cranberry pieces and a zesty clementine flavour (RRP £7.00) and Christmas Spiced Rounds (200g), with warming hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and a demerara sugar dusting.
The Festive Shortbread Assortment (250g), includes a selection of Walker’s three best-selling products – shortbread fingers, shortbread rounds and shortbread triangles – each baked to perfection (RRP £11.00).
And of course, like most significant occasions, Christmas isn’t complete without a hint of chocolate. The Chocolate Orange Squares are the latest addition to complete the range and are a crowd pleaser. Zesty orange meets Belgian milk chocolate in this delicious all-butter shortbread treat (RRP £5.00).
And for those who enjoy Walker’s classic, best-selling finger shape, Walker’s best-selling Shortbread Fingers (RRP £3.00) are available in beautiful festive packaging. The crowd favourite is popular during the festive season and all year round. In 2022, the number of Walker’s Shortbread Fingers produced reached 25,500 miles – the same distance Santa travels on his sleigh around the world each Christmas.
Walker’s Gluten Free range means you don’t have to wave goodbye to your Christmas treats, with the Gluten Free Shortbread assortment available. Containing Gluten Free Shortbread and Chocolate Chip varieties, the range is certified by the UK Coeliac Society and is a generous-sized gift for those needing a Gluten Free option (RRP £6.50).
Walker’s festive range is stocked in Waitrose, Sainsburys, Co-op selected independent retailers and online on the Walker’s website from October. For more information about Walker’s Shortbread’s history, visit: https://www.walkersshortbread.com/our-company/ . To shop the latest products, visit https://www.walkersshortbread.com/shop/
