Christmas Traditions: The Advent Calendar

As you probably know by now, I live for holiday traditions. Each year I try to thoughtfully prepare for the season of advent, it is a very spiritual season for me, and I also enjoy finding and using a fun Advent calendar. I have collected Advent calendars over the years as I have traveled, I usually find a way to use those as part of Christmas décor and buy a fun calendar to use each year that includes treats and treasures I am currently interested in.

For a little history on the Advent calendar, the first printed Advent calendar originated in Germany in the early 20th century with Gerhard Lang. When Gerhard was a little boy his mother made him a calendar with 24 small candies attached to cardboard, one for each day before Christmas.

Lang grew up to operate the Reichhold & Lang printing company where he printed the first Advent cardboard calendar with 24 little pictures. A few years later, the company printed the first calendar with the little doors that everyone loves to open. Paper calendars are still popular, but versions are now created from an endless variety of materials such fabric, wood, and string. Some offer a surprise behind the door or in a pouch pocket like a piece of candy, a decoration, candle or a Bible verse.

And of course, we have rounded up our favorites for you as you begin to plan your Advent and Christmas season.