Stouffer's Releases Its First-Ever Advent Calendar, and It's Filled With Frozen Food

OK, we’ll warn you that we’re about to tell you about a newly available advent-ish calendar, and before you say, “It’s too early for that” or “I’m still trying to assemble my 12-foot-tall skeleton,” we have to acknowledge that the holiday season seems to have arrived extra early this year. In August — AUGUST — French jam company Bonne Maman released its annual fruit spread-filled advent calendar, and several beer, wine, and other assorted adult beverage companies have already started taking orders for their seasonal calendars (although many of them may not ship for another few weeks).  

All that said, Stouffer’s, that eternal staple of the frozen food aisle, has just dropped its first-ever advent calendar, the entree-and-side dish filled Stouffer’s Comfort Calendar. The calendar, which comes in a gingerbread-style house in Stouffer’s familiar color palette, is filled with seven different Stouffer’s favorites, including Family Size Macaroni and Cheese; Family Size Lasagna with Meat and Sauce; Stouffer’s Bowl-Fulls Chicken Bacon Ranch Bowl; Stouffer’s Sides Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake; Stouffer’s Sides Homestyle Mashed Potatoes; Stouffer’s Pepperoni French Bread Pizza; and Stouffer’s Ultimate Five-Cheese Mac.

"The busyness of the holiday season makes daily mealtime a challenge for many families," Nate Hill, Stouffer’s Vice President of Marketing and Portfolio Expansion, said in a statement.  "Stouffer’s  first-ever advent calendar aims to help families combat scratch cooking fatigue by delivering no-fuss, great-tasting meal solutions everyone will love.” 

In an Instagram post about the calendar, the company said that the entrees and sides have been packed “with space-saving in mind,” in case you’re already playing a mental game of freezer Tetris as you try to figure out how this is all going to fit. 

The limited-edition Comfort Calendar will be available on the Shop Stouffer’s website, and inventory will be restocked for monthly drops. The calendar retails for $39.99, and if you want to get your hands on one, you’d better act fast: its first run, released on Monday, quickly sold out. The next batch will be available at 12 p.m. EST on Monday, October 23. 

And remember, the holiday season can start whenever you want it to. If you want to crack into a Chicken Bacon Ranch Bowl while you stare at the massive skeleton in your yard, go right ahead.