The advent calendar is one of those charming holiday traditions that many families look forward to every December. As soon as December 1st rolls around, children start eagerly opening the little cardboard doors or fabric pockets to reveal the treats and surprises inside their advent calendar.
But what exactly is the deeper meaning and history behind this beloved Christmas custom? As a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer, I’m always fascinated by the origins of cultural traditions. So let’s dive into everything you need to know about the advent calendar tradition!
The Religious Roots of Advent
To understand advent calendars, you first need to understand what “Advent” actually is.
Advent is a season in the Christian liturgical calendar that leads up to Christmas Day. The word itself comes from the Latin “adventus”, meaning “coming.”
For Christians, Advent is a time of preparation for both:
- Christmas Day – Celebrating Jesus’ first coming/birth
- Second coming of Jesus
So Advent is all about anticipation and expectation.
Most Advent seasons have 4 Sundays. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (Saint Andrew’s Day) and continues till Christmas Eve on December 24.
When Did the Advent Calendar Tradition Start?
Okay, now we know what Advent represents religiously. But who came up with the fun idea of the advent calendar?
Sources reveal that German Lutherans started the tradition back in the 19th century. Originally, families would:
- Mark chalk tallies on doors
- Hang devotional religious images
- Light candles
This helped them count down and anticipate Christmas during the Advent season.
Soon publishers started creating printed Advent calendars. And by the early 1900s, the first Advent calendars emerged in Germany, complete with little flap doors!
One early version from 1902 was called the “Christmas Clock for Children”. Kids got to turn a hand each day to reveal Bible verses and Christmas carols.
The Evolution of Modern Advent Calendars
Gerhard Lang, a German printer, then expanded on the concept further:
- In 1908: He partnered with Reichhold to publish one of the first printed advent calendars with pictures behind flap doors
- 1920s: He introduced the “little door” style Advent calendars
- 1926: He made the first calendar with chocolate treats
Over the first half of the 1900s, Advent calendars grew popular in Germany and beyond. However, World War II put a halt on production.
After the war, Advent calendars made a comeback. And when images of President Eisenhower’s grandchildren with one made Newspaper headlines in 1953, Advent calendars grew popular stateside too!
In 1958, the first chocolate Advent calendar was commercially produced by Cadbury. By the 1990s, they became a widespread phenomenon internationally.
And these days, Advent calendars come in all kinds of creative thematic varieties! More on that later.
First, what does an advent calendar represent?
The Importance & Meaning of Advent Calendars
For Christians, Advent calendars are great teaching tools to explain Advent to children. Kids can visually count down the days till Jesus’s birthday on December 25th!
The surprises also help build anticipation and excitement through December.
But Advent calendars hold a deeper spiritual meaning too. They represent:
The Long Wait Before Jesus’s Birth
The Old Testament prophets predicted the Messiah’s coming hundreds of years in advance. An Advent calendar helps you empathize with the LONG period of waiting and anticipation.
Self-Reflection & Preparation
Advent encourages self-reflection and spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming. The incremental openings of the calendar foster a little bit of mindfulness to focus your heart too.
Of course, Advent calendars have also become a beloved cultural phenomenon beyond Christianity too!
Anyone can enjoy the fun lead-up to Christmas with chocolate, toys, or fun activities behind the little doors or envelopes until Christmas day!
Different Types of Advent Calendars & Creative Ideas
From reusable fabric designs to LEGO sets, let’s look at some of the most popular Advent calendar options in 2024:
DIY Advent Calendars
Crafty parents often create homemade Advent calendars for their kids. You can customize them around almost any theme!
Some ideas include:
- Tiny cloth bags or envelopes numbered 1-25
- Fill each pouch or envelope with candy, Bible verses, toothpicks, toys, craft supplies, etc.
- Make a garland out of tiny bags clipped together
You’re only limited by your creativity here. Create homemade Advent calendars featuring your kid’s favorite anime character or colorful beads that eventually make a necklace!
Chocolate Advent Calendars
Chocolate-filled calendars remain iconic. Every brand offers their Advent spin… Lindt, Cadbury, Godiva, you name it!
Beyond just little chocolates, some also feature cacao “treasures” like chocolate bars and truffles.
Christmas Countdown Candles
These aren’t calendars per se, but rather Advent candles numbered 1-24. Kids get to burn one down each night before bedtime.
You can find reusable Advent candles made of wood or beeswax. I also spot glittery and colorful options for kids!
Toy Advent Calendars
Toy brands like Playmobil, LEGO, and Mattel all hopped aboard the Advent calendar train!
Each day reveals a fun new figurine, brick set, Hot Wheels car or Barbie accessory leading up to Christmas day.
These thematic toy calendars make perfect stocking stuffer gifts too.
Experiential Advent Calendars
For adults, many Advent calendars now focus more on the “experience” than physical items.
For example, you can find Advent calendars featuring:
- International teas
- Craft beers
- Wine or champagne
- Gourmet spices, oils, and vinegars
- Luxury beauty products like perfumes or lotions
Pop culture fans can even enjoy Advent calendars with Funko Pops (figurines) or even Harry Potter goodies!
If I missed any creative new Advent calendar ideas, let me know in the comments!
In Summary
Now you know ALL about the religious history of Advent and Advent calendars, as well as their cultural importance today!
When December rolls around, I hope you look forward to opening your little calendar doors with a newfound appreciation for this festive tradition.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite type of Advent calendar is and why! I’m eager to hear what unique new iterations people have spotted for the 2024 holiday season.