I have recently over the years become ecstatic about advent calendars. Each year, now, I try to find one that I like to get excited about the holiday season and try some luxury products. But luxury skincare and beauty is certainly not what was original what these vessels contained. The first advent calendars were made in 19th century Germany, under the Lutheran tradition. These were 24 or 25 day versions that marked the religious season leading to Christmas.
Following the war, the German tradition spread to the states and took off after President Eisenhower was photographed with one. (There is a whole rabbithole of how Nazi Germany affected how Christmas was celebrated, but I won’t fall into that now.) In the 1950s, chocolate companies get involved. Then slowly you saw more product types. In recent years, there has been a boom of beauty focused versions. And that is how I finally came into this tradition.
As a quick note, you will often see 12 Days of … versions. These aren’t advent calendars, per se. These would more so mark the 12 days of Christmas. You could start by opening them on Christmas day and extending your surprises to the end of the Christmas season. Or start whenever you’d like. You could do it all in one day if you like.
I think I’ll be participating in the advent calendar traditions for years to come. I really enjoy the daily surprises that make each day of this holiday season a little bit more joyful. Maybe next year I’ll get some chocolate version.
Are you into advent calendars?
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