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An 'Advent calendar' is a special type of calendar used in most Christian households during the Advent season to count the days until the Christmas holiday. Advent calendars are typically opened on December 1st and contain 24 or 25 small 'doors' or 'windows,' each representing a day in December. Behind each door, there is a small surprise, typically in the form of chocolate, small gifts, or other treats. The meaning of the Advent calendar lies in increasing the anticipation of Christmas by discovering a new surprise every day. It's a beloved tradition, especially among children, who enjoy opening a new door each day to see what's hidden behind it. Advent calendars are available in various shapes and forms, from homemade to commercially produced versions.
The origin of the Advent calendar cannot be attributed to a single individual or a specific place; rather, it is a Christmas tradition that developed over time. The use of Advent calendars, as we know them today, has its roots in Germany. The earliest written records of Advent calendars date back to the 19th century in Germany. During this time, children often used chalk marks or counting tokens to keep track of the days until Christmas. In some regions of Germany, there was also the tradition of the 'Advent wreath,' where 24 candles were lit, one for each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. The modern Advent calendar, featuring small doors or drawers with surprises behind each day, began to spread in Germany during the 20th century. The first commercially produced Advent calendars with pictures or chocolates behind the doors appeared on the market in the 1920s and 1930s. From Germany, the Advent calendar tradition spread to many other countries, including the United States, where it became particularly popular from the mid-20th century onward. Today, Advent calendars are available worldwide in various shapes and with diverse contents, becoming an integral part of the Christmas season.
There are many different types of Advent calendars, varying in design, content, and purpose. Here are some of the most common types of Advent calendars:
These calendars contain a small chocolate bar or praline behind each door. They are particularly popular among children.
Instead of chocolate, these calendars contain small toys, figures, or accessories. They are often themed, such as featuring LEGO pieces, doll accessories, or miniature cars.
Beauty Advent calendars contain cosmetics, skincare products, perfume samples, and other beauty items behind the doors.
These calendars are often homemade and can be customized. They often contain small handmade gifts, messages, or coupons.
Instead of gifts or treats, these calendars offer daily activities that you can do with your family, such as baking cookies, crafting Christmas ornaments, or watching Christmas movies.
In these calendars, there's a small book behind each door, allowing you to read a new story every day until Christmas.
Intended for adults, these calendars contain small bottles of wine, liquor, beer, or spirits.
These calendars contain various spices, herbs, or teas that you can use for cooking or brewing each day.
Instead of gifts or treats, purchasing these calendars supports a charitable organization, as a portion of the proceeds is donated.
In the digital age, there are electronic Advent calendars in the form of apps or websites that offer daily deals, games, or contests.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many more creative variations of Advent calendars that are continually reinvented based on people's interests and preferences.