Advent calendars are a Christmas tradition that date back a fair few decades and which have become an icon of December in modern times. It is thought that they date back to Germany in the 1800s and gradually spread across Europe as their popularity became apparent. Chocolate calendars are thought to be more of a post world war tradition with their predecessors being calendars made of pictures.
Chocolate has not always been the focus of advent either. Although candy was used in the calendars occasionally, when they were first introduced many designs incorporated pictures, religious verse or small gifts.
Now of course, each year chocoholics around the globe make that vital decision of which advent calendar to purchase this year. Some chocolatiers will offer luxury calendars laced in flowing satin ribbon and delicious melt in your mouth chocolate while others will contain your basic milk chocolate moulded into little Christmas shapes.
The latter come in all sorts of themes and you can no doubt choose anything from Minnie Mouse, a country Christmas theme to Brad Pitt’s torso; the choice is yours. These calendars are often reasonably priced and you can find them lined up in supermarkets ready for the taking.
Calendars can also come in a more permanent form. Some consist of wooden drawers which hide little gifts for the recipient or decorations which you can put on the tree each day. You can start a family tradition with one of these by purchasing one from a good Christmas craft fair or decoration store (failing that the Internet).
Some families turn their hands to making advent calendars. These can be as simple as stringing up candy which is taken each day until Christmas Eve or with the help of the internet you could find more adventurous crafting ideas. This makes a lovely activity to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Advent calendars are definitely icons of advent and whether you choose to have one with the traditional 24 doors, or whether you feel you are cheated by this and find one with 25, everyone loves the excitement of a countdown.