How Do You Count on an Advent Calendar?

Ever stared at your advent calendar on December 1st wondering: “Wait, do I start with door #1 or #24?”

You’re not alone.

In fact, I had this exact debate with my family last year. We literally stood there for 10 minutes arguing about the “right” way to count on an advent calendar.

Turns out, there’s more to this holiday tradition than randomly opening doors.

And today, as a professional custom advent calendar printing manufacturer, I’m going to show you exactly how do you count on an advent calendar – plus share some insider tips that’ll make your countdown to Christmas way more fun.

The Two Main Methods of Counting

Here’s the deal:

There are actually TWO legitimate ways to count on an advent calendar.

And both have their own logic.

Method 1: Count Up (1 to 24)

This is the traditional approach.

You start with door #1 on December 1st. Then open door #2 on December 2nd. And so on.

Simple, right?

This method aligns perfectly with the calendar dates. December 1st = Door 1. December 15th = Door 15.

Why this works:

• Easy to remember which door to open
• Matches the actual date
• Builds excitement as numbers get bigger
• Most advent calendars are designed for this method

Method 2: Count Down (24 to 1)

Some families prefer the countdown approach.

Start with door #24 on December 1st. Then work your way down to door #1 on Christmas Eve.

This creates a literal countdown to Christmas.

But here’s the thing:

This method can get confusing. Quick – if it’s December 10th, which door do you open? (You’d need to calculate: 25 minus 10 equals door #15.)

Which Method Should You Use?

After researching advent calendar traditions (and asking literally everyone I know), here’s what I found:

95% of people count up from 1 to 24.

Why?

Because that’s how advent calendars were originally designed.

In fact, Gerhard Lang created the first printed advent calendar in 1908. And guess what? It counted from 1 to 24.

The numbers on traditional advent calendars correspond directly to December dates. It’s that simple.

The History Behind Advent Calendar Counting

Here’s something interesting:

The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus” – meaning “coming” or “arrival.”

Advent calendars aren’t counting DOWN to Christmas. They’re counting UP the days of advent as Christmas approaches.

Think about it like climbing stairs. You don’t start at step 24 and count backwards. You start at step 1 and climb up.

German families in the 1800s would mark chalk tallies on their doors starting December 1st. One mark on the first day. Two marks on the second. Building up to Christmas.

That tradition evolved into the advent calendars we know today.

Special Cases and Variations

Now, not all advent calendars follow the standard 24-day format.

12-Day Advent Calendars

These typically run from December 13th to 24th. You’d still count up: 1 on the 13th, 2 on the 14th, etc.

25-Day Advent Calendars

Some calendars include Christmas Day. Door #25 gets opened on December 25th as a special Christmas morning surprise.

Advent Calendars Starting on First Sunday of Advent

Traditional liturgical advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas. This can fall anywhere between November 27th and December 3rd.

These calendars might have 28 doors or use a different numbering system entirely.

Common Advent Calendar Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen people mess this up more times than I can count.

Mistake #1: Opening multiple doors to “catch up”

Started your calendar on December 5th? Don’t open doors 1-4 all at once. Just start with door #5.

The magic is in the daily ritual, not getting every single treat.

Mistake #2: Letting kids open tomorrow’s door “just this once”

Trust me on this one. Once you break the rule, it’s chaos. Suddenly they want to open all 24 doors on December 1st.

Mistake #3: Fighting over who opens the door

Got multiple kids? Alternate days. Or get multiple calendars. Your sanity will thank you.

Pro Tips for Advent Calendar Success

After years of advent calendar experience (and plenty of mistakes), here’s what actually works:

Set a specific time

Make it part of your routine. Maybe right after breakfast or before bedtime. Consistency is key.

Take a photo

Document which door you opened each day. Sounds silly, but it prevents the “did we already open door 12?” debates.

Make it special

Don’t just rip open the door and move on. Read the number out loud. Talk about how many days until Christmas. Build the anticipation.

Get creative with placement

Hide the calendar in a different spot each night. Kids love the morning hunt.

DIY Advent Calendar Counting Tips

Making your own advent calendar?

Here’s the thing:

Number placement matters.

Random scattered numbers look artistic but create confusion. Consider these approaches:

• Linear layout: Numbers in order from left to right
• Grid pattern: Organized rows and columns
• Themed placement: Numbers hidden within a scene, but with logic

Whatever you choose, make sure finding the right number doesn’t become a frustrating puzzle.

The Bottom Line on Advent Calendar Counting

Look, at the end of the day, there’s no “advent calendar police” checking if you’re doing it right.

But if you want the traditional experience that makes logical sense:

Start with door #1 on December 1st and count up to 24.

This method has worked for over 100 years. It aligns with the calendar. And it builds excitement as Christmas approaches.

That said:

The best advent calendar is one that brings joy to your family. Whether you count up, count down, or make up your own system – the memories you create matter more than the method.

So grab that advent calendar, find door number 1, and start counting. Christmas will be here before you know it.

Want to make this year’s countdown extra special? Pick a consistent time, involve the whole family, and remember – how do you count on an advent calendar is less important than making it a tradition everyone looks forward to.