Advent calendars make the build-up to Christmas more fun for children. They get to count down the days with a treat behind each door, as the Christmas decorations and lights go up around them. But when did Advent calendars become part of the festive season?
What is Advent?
Advent derives from the Latin word ‘adventus’ and basically means ‘coming forward’. In Christian teachings, it refers to the wait for Christ to be born and is intended to be a period for fasting and reflection ahead of the celebrations. It should last four weeks ahead of Christmas.
In the UK, Advent commonly runs from 1 December to Christmas Eve.
The development of Advent calendars
Many Christmas traditions originate in Germany and Advent calendars are another one. They first appeared there around the middle of the 19th century, but took various different forms. Sometimes they were drawn on a door using chalk, and at other times they involved a candle being lit each day. They also often saw parents give little treats to their children.
The birth of the printed calendar is attributed to Gerhard Lang. His mother made a calendar that had sweets stuck to it when he was young. He then developed this into a commercial idea at the start of the 20th century.
Advent calendars did not arrive in Britain until the 1950s, where they were an instant hit. By the end of that decade, chocolate was being used – and the rest is history.
Will you be opening an Advent calendar this year?
