The sight of someone strolling through the office with a giant Walkers crisp advent calendar certainly turned heads. It sparked a range of reactions, from eager inquiries about its whereabouts to bewildered stares and even a shake of the head. Perhaps they were just jealous… This mixed response mirrors the online chatter when the £10 festive product first appeared on shelves in Iceland supermarkets. It caused quite a stir, with some crisp enthusiasts declaring it their ‘dream’ and a ‘must-have’, while others were flabbergasted by the price, labeling it ‘stupid’ and ‘robbery’.
Now that I’ve gotten my hands on one, I decided to dive in and see what’s inside, and whether it justifies the price tag. If you’re eager to discover the Walkers advent calendar’s contents without spoilers, look away now!
In my opinion, there’s one major drawback to this advent calendar, and it’s not the £10 price tag. We all know that you can get 24 packs of Walkers crisps for less than ten pounds – a multi-pack of 12 from Ocado or Tesco currently costs £3, so you’re looking at £6 for 24 packets. Essentially, you’re shelling out an extra £4 just for the cardboard box (plus other production costs).
However, Christmas products often come with a premium, so this is expected. But what surprised me was the contents. With 24 doors to open, Walkers had a fantastic opportunity to showcase their diverse flavor collection. They could have offered a different flavor every day, creating a delightful surprise each morning. Instead, they played it safe, opting for a predictable selection of six each of the four classic flavors: Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, and Prawn Cocktail.
Where’s the barbecue flavor they recently resurrected? Where’s the Smoky Bacon, or even the festive Roast Chicken? They could have even gone all out with special Christmas-themed crisps.
It just feels like a missed opportunity. While some people will appreciate the classics and be happy with what’s inside, it’s simply a bit boring for me.
There’s one saving grace, though – I opened a few doors, and December 1st didn’t feature Ready Salted, which I believe would have been a disastrous way to kick off the festive season. For the curious, door number one revealed Salt & Vinegar, followed by Ready Salted on day 2, Prawn Cocktail on day 3, and Ready Salted on day 4.
Ultimately, whether the Walkers advent calendar is worth the price tag comes down to personal preference. If you’re a die-hard fan of the classic Walkers flavors and are willing to pay a premium for the novelty, then it might be a treat. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting, this might not be the calendar for you.
