The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, anticipation, and the simple pleasure of opening an Advent calendar each morning.
It’s a tradition cherished by children and adults alike—a daily dose of festive cheer hidden behind numbered doors.
However, for some families this year, the excitement quickly turned to frustration.
Shoppers across the UK eagerly awaited the countdown to Christmas with Celebrations’ Advent Calendar, hoping for a mix of beloved chocolates such as Mars, Galaxy, and Maltesers.
But instead of variety, an unexpected theme emerged, leaving households buzzing with complaints.
Reports flooded social media as families tore open their calendars to find the same chocolate treat staring back at them for three consecutive days.
Parents and children alike voiced their disappointment as the calendar’s contents appeared to follow an unwelcome pattern.
The backlash began on December 1, when a handful of disappointed customers shared their frustrations online.
By December 3, frustration had turned into outrage as more families discovered a string of the same chocolates behind each door.
Social media users did not hold back their complaints. One user wrote, “My kids have been really disappointed to get 3 Bounty’s in a row on their Celebrations Tree Advent Calendar.”
Another posted, “Both my kids have had 3 x Bountys in a row… If they get one tomorrow, it’s going back!”
The pattern wasn’t just frustrating for children. One parent vented, “Had enough of this Advent calendar now. The whole lot’s about to get launched out a window in flames. Absolutely fuming.”
Another said they dismantled their entire calendar to ensure there wasn’t an error.
It’s not the first time Celebrations Advent Calendars have faced criticism. In 2018 and 2019, early December doors also revealed multiple Bounty chocolates, sparking similar discontent.
Despite previous complaints, fans of the calendar were hopeful for a more varied selection this year, but their optimism quickly soured.
Neil Docking, Associate Sports Editor at the Daily Star, shared his disappointment, jokingly questioning whether the repeated Bounties were a prank by his mother-in-law.
“I hate Bountys, so I didn’t even take them out of the calendar. I thought two days in a row was bad, but three is ridiculous,” he said.
Others perceived the calendar as an insensitive joke. One parent described their children’s reaction, saying, “Kids actually crying at having a 3rd Bounty in a row in their Celebrations Advent Calendar.
Absolute shocker.” Another added, “Third advent chocolate and it’s yet another Bounty. If the whole calendar is Bounties, expect me at your door.”
Interestingly, not everyone was displeased with the contents. A handful of Bounty fans expressed their delight at the surprise.
One remarked, “Oh, I love a Bounty,” while another called it their “dream calendar.”
Research has shown that Bounty chocolates are polarizing. A survey of 2,000 people revealed that 18% would feel irritated to find only Bounties left in a Celebrations tub, while 58% admitted it could spark family arguments.
The controversy surrounding Bounty seems to persist year after year.
The broader frustration isn’t just about the calendar itself. Mars, the brand behind Celebrations, has faced criticism for reducing the size of its chocolate tubs over the years.
Reports indicate that the standard tub has shrunk from 975g in 2008 to just 550g in 2023, yet prices remain high.
A Mars Wrigley UK representative addressed these concerns, stating, “Reducing the size of our products is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is necessary for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favourite Celebrations treats without compromising on quality or taste.”
Families eagerly open their Advent calendars as December progresses, curious about what awaits them around the corner.
For now, “Bounty-gate” has left some households disillusioned with their holiday tradition.
Whether it was a production mishap or an intentional choice, the pattern of Bounty chocolates has stirred a level of debate that few anticipated this festive season.
The question remains whether the calendar will deliver a greater variety in the coming days or if the repetition will continue to spark disappointment.
For now, we can confidently say that Celebrations’ Advent Calendar is making this holiday season far more memorable than anyone could have anticipated.
Feature Image Credit: (@FactrMap/X)
