Advent calendars: All about the tradition and ones to buy this year

With December just a couple of weeks away, the holiday season is truly upon us.

While tradition dictates that you should start an Advent Calendar on Dec. 1 and continue with it every day until Dec. 25, modern Advent Calendars can be found with fewer days (like a dozen or less) and others are like gifts that are fun to open all at once.

Children and adults alike will love the traditional Advent Calendars of tiny chocolates and newer novelties like puzzles, jewelry, toy LEGOs and more.

Here's everything you need to know about the origins of the Advent Calendar and where you can get one:

What is Advent?

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming.” For Protestants, Catholics and other Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week period intended to be a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ.

Advent begins on Advent Sunday, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

Since Dec. 25 falls on a different day of the week every year, the dates of Advent can also shift. This year, Advent begins on Sunday, Dec. 1 and ends on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

What is an Advent calendar and how does it work?

For those who are not religious, modern Advent calendars are a treat-filled way of marking off the days leading up to Christmas or Santa's arrival.

They typically start on Dec. 1 and continue up to Dec. 25, though there are alternatives available such as the 12 Days of Christmas countdown calendars.

The most common type of Advent calendar is one that has paper calendar doors and a little piece of chocolate behind each door.

You should start with the door marked "one" and work your way up to 25.

What is the history behind the tradition?

According to the German company Sellmer Advents-Kallender, the concept of advent calendars dates back to the 19th century, when German families would mark their doors or walls with a tally mark in chalk to count the days until Christmas.

A German printer named Gerhard Lang is credited with the idea of the Advent Calendar itself. He designed cardboard Advent calendars around the turn of the century and later in the 1920s, came up with the idea of cutting out little doors that could be opened each day. Behind each door, one could expect to find a devotional picture or Bible verse.

In the United States, the popularity of the Advent Calendar didn't really take off until 1954, when Newsweek published a photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's grandchildren holding one.

And it wasn't until 1958 that the Advent Calendar's little doors began to have a small piece of chocolate, thanks to British chocolatier Cadbury.

Types of Advent Calendars

• Alcoholic - $126.99. Red, White, and Rosé Wine Advent Calendar by In Good Taste - 24 nights of wine, 24 mini bottles to enjoy. The popular mixed wine option includes a light Sauvignon Blanc, a fruity Grenache, a dark Shiraz and many more premium wines waiting to be uncovered behind each window.
• Beauty - $80. Classic Holiday Advent Calendar by L'Occitane - This 24-piece Advent calendar contains shea butter hand cream, hair care and other favorites, including 4 full-size products.
• Chocolate - $77. Chocolate Advent Calendar by Magno Artisan Chocolates - 24 chocolates handcrafted using Colombia’s award-winning "Fino de Aroma" cocoa. Flavors include Golden Berries, Cookie Chunks, and Salted Caramel chocolates.
• Coffee - $55. Vertuo Advent Calendar by Nespresso - Coffee drinkers will enjoy waking up to a mystery brew for the month of Christmas. On the 24th day, the recipient will find a limited-edition porcelain mug to remember the experience.
• Daily Devotions - $1.49. Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2024 - The ebook by Charity Goodwin contains daily readings for Christians as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. There is a reading for every day from Sunday, Dec. 1 to Christmas Day.
• For Pets - $44.95. Dog Cookie Advent Calendar by Wufers - Countdown to Christmas with 24 gourmet dog treats in fun, holiday-themed shapes.
• For Kids - $40. Crazy Aaron's Advent Calendar - This Advent calendar is a sensory experience with 24 days of Thinking Putty to open each day. Each calendar includes mystery Thinking Putty, bags of fun mix-in pieces, and even surprise holiday charms.
• Jewelry - $325. 12 Days of Joy Bestsellers Box by Kendra Scott - This 12-day advent calendar contains 12 of the brand's bestselling pieces. The recipient can receive either silver or gold for their very own jewelry collection.
• Reusable - $35. Santa Advent Calendar from Pottery Barn Kids - Fill the pockets with your own surprises and treats and you can reuse the calendar year after year for a cherished family tradition
• Toys - $21.29. LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2024 - The LEGO Friends Advent Calendar has lots of fun builds for kids ages 6 and up. This advent calendar has 24 days of characters, activities, and surprises.
• Unique - $180. Crystal Advent Calendar: 25 DAYS OF MAGIC - by Moon & Stone, aims to "help protect your peace and manage stress" during the holiday season.
• Voice Calendar - FREE. Enable the Advent Calendar feature on Amazon Alexa and say, "Alexa, Ask Advent Calendar what my surprise is for today” to hear a Christmas-themed joke every day.

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