christmas countdown

The countdown to Christmas…. what will you choose?

The countdown is now on until my favourite time of year! I recently bought an Advent calendar for our family dog Theo full of doggy treats and it got me thinking about the meaning of Advent and all the weird and wonderful Advent Calendars out there.

So what is Advent and where did it all start? Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. You don’t need an Advent Calendar to know that Christmas is coming, but opening a little numbered door to reveal a prize is an idea that everyone – religious or not – can get behind. Calendars begin on December 1 and mark the 24 days before Christmas.

The origin of the Advent Calendar can be traced back to the 19th Century when Religious families made a chalk line for every day in December until Christmas Eve. Gerhard Lang is widely considered the producer of the first printed Advent Calendar in the early 1900s and Advent Calendars filled with Chocolate were already available in 1958. Today, most Advent Calendars include paper doors that open to reveal an image or piece of chocolate.

From fun to beauty to paleo to pets, here’s a look at some of the best Advent Calendars out there. Happy choosing!

Best entertainment calendars

Best non-chocolate calendars for kids

Best luxury beauty calendars

Best food and drink calendars