What Is An Advent Calendar And How Does It Work

There is joy and anticipation around the holidays, and among the most cherished traditions is the Advent calendar. This simple yet meaningful practice brings delight to both children and adults as it helps count down the days leading up to Christmas. 

But what is an Advent calendar, and how does it function? In this article, we will explore Advent calendar origins in different cultures, their modifications over the centuries, and how they work to spread holiday cheer during the festive season.

What Is An Advent Calendar?

An Advent calendar is a special calendar for counting the days of Advent, which is for the four weeks before Christmas Day.

The word \”Advent\” comes from the Latin which means \”coming\” or \”arrival,\” referring to the anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th (St. Andrew’s Day) and ends on December 24th, just before Christmas Day. 

An Advent calendar is intended to countdown the days of Advent, mostly for children. The calendar usually has 24 or 25 numbered windows or doors, mostly corresponding to a certain day of the Advent period, which should be opened one each day and contains a little treat or surprise such that the final door is opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Thus, this calendar adds a bit of thrill to the holiday season and brings a reminder of the holiday happening within a month to be celebrated: Christmas.

What Is An Advent Calendar Made Of?

Advent calendars are generally made of materials from paper and cardboard to wooden ones. The entire framework is composed of 24 or 25 segments, each concealing a treat or picture or a tiny gift, very often with glossy baroque decorations adorning its surface.

What Is An Advent Calendar And How Does It Work

The working of an Advent calendar is very simple but brings with it a lot of joy and excitement during the holiday season. This is how an Advent calendar works:

• Opening a Compartment Each Day:

The calendar typically consists of 24 or 25 compartments, each marked with a number corresponding to a day in December. The calendar starts counting on December 1st, and you would have to open the various compartments, one per day, revealing a hidden surprise inside. This continues each day until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when the last compartment is opened. For many, this simple act brings a lot of excitement and anticipation in the lead-up to Christmas. 

• The Surprises Inside:

Various surprises make their way into the compartments of an Advent calendar. Conventionally, the presents were almost always simple religious images or scriptures. Nowadays, however, they can shelter amongst many surprises:

1. Chocolates and candies represent the most common treats inside any Advent calendar, sweet surprises for the days ahead.
2. Some contain toys: figurines or puzzles or even Lego in some cases.
3. Beauty and skincare products include luxury creams, serums, and other lovely items that are gifted to clients by a high-end brand, one per day.
4. There are also personalized gifts: Many brands nowadays offer customizable Advent calendars, which consist of various personal surprises, including jewelry, socks, or family-oriented surprises.

• The Last Surprise:

The final compartment of the calendar is usually saved for something special-the biggest piece of chocolate you could find or a more significant gift. Some folks hold that December 24 or 25 is the grand finale of the Advent calendar, truly an exciting conclusion to the countdown.

What Is The Significance Of An Advent Calendar?

The usage of Advent calendars goes back some 200 years to Germany, however, the idea of Advent as a period of waiting and taming is very much older. The earlier observances of Advent were lighting candles or just putting marks on doors for every day of Advent, but they weren’t exciting, especially for kids.

1. Early Beginnings: The first known Advent calendar is from the early 1800s in Germany. These early versions were made at home most often. Children would count days down by marking each day on a wall or door or opening a little window that had a religious image or scripture. These didn’t have all the treats and surprises we’re used to with them today, but they served the same function: preparing for Christmas.

2. The First Printed Advent Calendar: 1908 saw the first commercially available Advent calendar, produced by German publisher Gerhard Lang. His version had 24 doors, each hiding a picture that depicted a scene from the Christmas story. Thus begun the modern tradition of the Advent calendar as we know it today. 

3. Chocolate Advent Calendars: The 1950s saw the introduction of chocolate-filled Advent calendars, which rapidly became popular. The first chocolate Advent calendar was produced by the German confectionery company, Lindt, and it revolutionized the Advent calendar by adding a fun, edible treat behind each door.

4. Modern-Day Advent Calendars: Today, Advent calendars come in all shapes and sizes, with a wide variety of contents. They can be filled with anything from toys, beauty products, teas, wine, or even socks! Many brands now create premium and personalized Advent calendars, allowing people to experience new products or indulge in luxury items during the holiday season.

What Is An Advent Calendar Used For?

Typically, you would open only one door each day throughout December until Christmas, to add to the anticipation of Christmas Day. In doing this, you are reminded daily about this very special holiday, as well as given a little surprise gift. 

Types of Advent Calendars

The fact is that advent calendars have evolved with the years and now, there are a plethora of different types available. 

Some of the popularly known types of Advent calendars are :

• Traditional Paper Advent Calendars: The calendars often have 24 doors/windows, which hide pictures or small treats such as chocolates; generally, they are cheap and widely available making it quite popular amongst children.

• Wooden Advent Calendars: Wooden Advent calendars are more durable and long-lasting. Usually, they have drawers or small doors and are refillable with tiny toys or other trinkets year after year, some with an option of filling in the person’s own treats.

• Luxury Advent Calendars: For something special, luxury Advent calendars have risen in demand. These are usually filled with high-end items such as cosmetics, jewelry, or gourmet chocolates. They serve as a pleasurable experience and a thoughtful gift for oneself or someone else during the festive season.

• DIY Advent Calendars: Most families make their own Advent calendars, either buying empty calendars for the family to fill up with their own treats, or Dying something from scratch. DIY Advent calendars allow a little more personalization and could include everything from family activities to handwritten notes or gifts. 

• Themed Advent Calendars: Themed Advent calendars are also there, for example, calendars of famous movie franchises, books, or hobbies. Harry Potter, Disney are examples of such Advent calendars, and there are even those dedicated to wine; makeup; or pet treats. 

Why Do People Love Advent Calendars?

Advent calendars hold so much in the hearts of many people for various reasons:

1. Building Anticipation: Advent calendars build expectation and anticipation in the time before Christmas that helps individuals savor the season. In addition, for the packaging of advent calenders you can use custom advent calender boxes.

2. Daily Ritual: Opening a door or compartment each day becomes a fun, festive ritual adding sparkle to the holiday season. There are moments of calm and reflection amid the hectic lead-up to Christmas.

3. Feeling of Tradition: For many, making Advent calendars a household tradition, passed down from generation to generation, generates a warm fuzzy memory with kids as well as adults.

4. The Surprises: The fact that no one knows what treat or present would be behind each door is one of the most enjoyable aspects of advent calendars. This adds daily surprise and wonder to the count.

In Summary

Advent calendars are much more than just a countdown to Christmas; they are cute and cherished traditions that pack joy, thrill, and anticipation into the holiday season.

Traditional chocolate-filled or luxury beauty-filled Advent calendars, there is one that fits every personality. As the tradition continues to evolve, Advent calendars remain a meaningful and fun way to celebrate the season, creating lasting memories year after year. So, if you further want to package your calenders your cardboard advent calender boxes, then go with us at Packaging Bee.