Growing up we always had the traditional Advent calendar. The ones I remember from my childhood days were nothing like the Advent Calendars of today. The ones I remember definitely had a Christian theme to them and the countdown to Christmas was more of a countdown to Baby Jesus’ birthday.
Ours were the simple ones, constructed of heavy paper or card stock, with little flaps that we opened each day to reveal a picture that had something to do with the story of the birth of Christ. When our boys were younger I had calendars that had a piece of candy behind the flaps. Of course they had to take turns if I neglected to get two calendars. I quickly learned.
Eventually I got a larger type of Advent calendar that allowed me to put larger items in the pockets and that was a hit for years.
But now, if you have noticed, there are a plethora of Advent Calendar options. One of the most popular ones I have seen is the Wine Calendar. Aldi’s has promoted this for several years but judging from my Facebook feed there are very limited quantities available.
I did find a cute 12 Wines of Christmas one at Sam’s Club and it jumped into my cart. I must admit I am looking forward to opening that first little flap to see what is hidden beneath. I have shared my find with several people who have also gone to get their own so we can do a virtual opening together – how fun.
I also found a cute cheese calendar that I plan to share with Chris. This one was also from Sam’s Club if you want to snag one for yourself.
It has gotten a little out of hand this year.
There are chocolate calendars.
There are heaps of coffee calendars.
There are candle calendars.
There is a Harry Potter Advent Calendar which just seems weird to me.
There is even a hot sauce calendar.
How about an oral care calendar that takes care of your teeth during the holidays?
I like the idea of preparing for Christmas in an intentional way and using an Advent Calendar but I am not sure some of these really celebrate the birth of Christ. I guess we have to insert that meaning into each little flap we open regardless of what lies underneath.
What about you? Have you found a special Advent Calendar that you love? I would love to hear about it.
8 Comments
Leave a commentMerry Christmas 🎁🎄 love how you are making spirits bright!
I grew up with the chocolate-filled advent calendars and there are sooooo many different ones in Germany. Love the cheese, wine and even tea ones. 💕
I just picked up two Advent calendars for the grandkids at Aldi. The doors hide chocolate. I have fond memories of glittery paper calendars that opened to scenes. And then, on Christmas Day, baby Jesus revealed.
I also have a treasured felt wall hanging Advent calendar with pockets crafted by my Aunt Dorothy for my young family. I’m passing that along to Amber and family for the grandkids to enjoy.
I must admit the Advent calendars for not done in my family, but I do love the idel.
I was just thinking “there should be chocolate advent calendars” when I scrolled down and saw you had found some! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Some fabulous advent calendars out there now and some you can make yourself. Maybe I need to get one for Dot and Lia with doggy treats. They would like that.
There were no advent calendars when we were growing up in London. There were not many treats during and after the war. But I gave my two children advent calendars long after they were grown-up. In fact, are used to messenger them to their offices for a time, and they were a great success amongst the people with whom they worked. But I suggest the flaps were not opened daily and in the heady, commercialised world of the 1980s few of the people with whom they worked would even have known what they were leading up to and why
I’ve seen several of these and we even succumbed to a advent cheese calendar from Aldi’s. But such commercialized “advent” calendars…can we even call them advent? It seems to me they are merely countdowns to Christmas without the true meaning of the advent/Christmas season. .