It's more difficult than it seems to find a present for someone who bakes, cooks, and tastes with genuine curiosity. What they don't often buy for themselves is a moment: a bit of fancy dark chocolate, carefully broken from a box, one tiny treat at a time, for all of December.
This explains why chocolate presents are so popular during Christmas. The guide features all 5 pieces of the Valrhona Holiday Collection 2026, 4 additional suggestions for the home chef (or for the taster) and 2 recipes straight from Valrhona's own kitchen, if you want to give something off-the-shelf.
The Holiday Collection 2026 at a Glance
Gift |
Size |
Price |
Best for |
Christmas Chocolate Advent Calendar 2026 |
6.87 oz |
$54.99 |
The ritual lover |
Gourmet Moments Holiday Gift Box |
5.6 oz |
$30.99 |
Sharing |
Holiday Gift Box of 25 Assorted Fine Chocolates |
8.11 oz |
$43.99 |
The classic gift |
Holiday Gift Box, Fine Chocolate Palettes |
2.8 oz |
$24.49 |
The dark chocolate purist |
Holiday Chocolate Treats Case |
3.5 oz |
$20.99 |
Playful, festive moments |
All the products are produced in France, drawing inspiration from the illustrations of the talented Safia Ouares, and 1% of sales is donated to support biodiversity through 1% for the Planet. Price: starting at $20.99 to $54.99. Cost: the Treats Case and Palets box are below $25, while the Advent calendar is on the higher end, covering most budgets.
1. The Advent Calendar: For the Lover of Rituals
The 2026 chocolate Advent calendar (195 g) contains dark, milk, and praline chocolates. It contains a new Bahibé 46% milk chocolate square, a milk chocolate praline with almond nougatine, and a dark chocolate ganache. It has a Jivara 40% square, 2 "secret" pralines, crispy cereal balls, hazelnuts, and almonds with a chocolate glaze. It does not contain white chocolate this year.
Pass it on to the grown-up who needs their evening fix, the kids who will open a window a day for 30 days, or the couple who share their favourite festive game or twelve in December. Contains nuts, milk & gluten.
2. The Gourmet Moments Gift Box: To Share
Tis the season for an easy gift. Designed to be shared at the table, this 160 g box of chocolate crisps is dark and milk chocolate in flavour. Included is a 2026 new feature: toasted, salted corn covered in Caramélia 36% milk chocolate. The sweet-and-salty corn is the highlight, making this an ideal gift for a hostess or co-worker. Contains milk and gluten.
3. The Box of 25 Assorted Fine Chocolates: The Classic
The ballotin is the defining French gift box, and this is the new look for Valrhona's 2026 creation. 25 chocolates in seven different styles: Ivory Praline Square, Jivara Alizé Ganache, fruity praline granita, melting ganaches, and candied orange peels. Keep in a cool, dry place – 8 months from the date of manufacture. Contains nuts, milk, and gluten.
4. The Fine Chocolate Palets: For the Dark Chocolate Enthusiast
The palet: It's a flat chocolate disc that melts in your mouth. The thin pack weighs 80 g. It's a combination of two recipes: The flat discs of Guanaja 70% with roasted cocoa nib notes and the discs of pecan praline covered with milk chocolate. It has as much of a great black chocolate as the finesse of a great praline. Nuts and milk.
5. The Holiday Chocolate Treats Case: Playful and Festive
A fun, festive gift with a tree, star and snowman shape, these use Caraïbe 66% dark, Caramélia 36% milk and Dulcey 35% blond chocolate. Perfect for stashing away in your Christmas stocking - quickly! - Valrhona suggests a mix-ins recipe for spiced hot chocolate below. Made with milk chocolate. May contain traces of nuts, soy and gluten.
Other Gift Ideas for the Foodie Who Cooks & Bakes
Give Something Homemade: Two Valrhona Recipes
Christmas chocolate tree
Boil the sugar and water until a thick syrup forms. The parboiled almond sticks should be soaked in syrup for two minutes, then rinsed and baked for ten minutes at 355°F to dry them out. Once the fresh butter has cooled, add the candied orange cubes and crêpe dentelle. Coat the mixture with tempered Jivara 40% milk chocolate, form it into little balls, and stack them from largest to smallest to secure. Then, dust with icing sugar.
Spices and Hot Chocolate
Gently warm the almond drink or whole milk in a saucepan. Take off the heat, then add the Timut peppercorns and infuse for ten to fifteen minutes. After passing through a sieve and heating it once again, mix in the ground chocolate until it's smooth. Instead of using full milk, use an almond drink to make it vegan. Serve it right away. Four people can be served by this recipe. Chef's advice: swap out the pepper for a vanilla pod, orange zest, or spice blend.
Tips for Giving Chocolate
Keep it safe. Maintain most of the collection in a dark, dry environment at cool temperatures (around 59-64°F), without refrigeration, as the Palets box has its own storage guidance and a shorter best before date; please see the products page.
Add a message up to 80 characters long, printed on a card included with your order.
Get it quick. These seasonal favorites are available in select quantities, and certain products may be sold out before the holidays. All items contain milk; look at the allergen line for your recipient.
Why Choose Valrhona for a Christmas Gift
Founded in 1922, Valrhona has been delivering impeccable chocolate, from the origin of the cocoa bean all the way to ganache and pralines. B Corp and committed to long-term relationships with our cocoa farmers, our 2026 Christmas Collection also supports 1% for the Planet. When you buy a box of Valrhona, you share with us an artisanship, a traceability, and a drawing of an artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the perfect chocolate present for a true chocolate lover?
It depends on the recipient. A ballotin is perfect for anyone who likes having choices; the bar bundle or mini bars are good for someone who likes to compare flavors, and the Advent calendar is ideal for someone who is a daily ritualist.
How many chocolates are in the Holiday Gift Box?
The Holiday Gift Box has 25 of our fine chocolates in seven types, available in a 230 g (8.11 oz.) package.
What is inside the 2026 Advent calendar?
195 g advent calendar in dark, milk, and praline chocolate without any white chocolate this time!
Are they allergen-free?
The Advent calendar contains nuts, milk, and gluten, and the other boxes contain milk and may contain nuts, soy, and gluten. Please see individual product pages.
Are the holiday chocolates vegan?
No, they are made with milk. As for vegan baking: Valrhona's Amatika couvertures are vegan.
How do you store Christmas chocolates?
All of it except the Palets box has to be kept in a cool (59-64°F), dry environment, away from direct sunlight, away from aromas, and not refrigerated. Check the product page for the Palets box.
Can I include a message?
Yes, you can. You can have a message with a maximum of 80 characters spread over three lines that will be printed on a card included with your order.
When should I order?
As early as possible. The collection has a limited number of pieces, and some items have sold out before the festivities even start.
