Advent calendars are traditionally used in Europe and North America to count down the days until Christmas. In the UK they usually resemble a large Christmas card with small ‘doors’ cut into it. Behind each door is a surprise picture, small gift or chocolate. Children open one door each day, starting on 1st December, and culminating in something special on 24th or 25th.
Apparently, the idea originated in the early 1800s with the German Lutherans, who would count down the days of Advent using candles or marks on a board. ‘Advent’ is actually the Christian religious period encompassing the four Sundays before Christmas. Modern calendars have been modified to the month of December.
When I was little, we had pictures (often religious) as our advent calendar treats and I was quite surprised when the luxury ‘chocolate’ versions appeared later on. (This makes me sound like a geriatric, but actually the evolution has been fast!) Today every brand has its own commercial version. If you really want it, you can even get one of dramatic genius Robert Pattinson. I could start one of those pieces about fame being the modern religion here, but I won’t!
