Okay, we're only just starting October, but we're already so excited! Do you know what an Advent calendar is and how to use one?
If you're not quite sure, don't worry. We'll explain what this lovely tradition is all about and share some ideas for making one. Try putting one up in your home this December 1 and watch the atmosphere fill with excitement day by day. And we're not just talking about the little ones! :)
What is an Advent calendar?
The Advent calendar, to put it very briefly, is a countdown. It helps you count down the days until Christmas Eve and runs from December 1 through 24. It originates in a nineteenth-century German tradition, in which children lit a candle each day during Advent. In the twenties, the first “physical” Advent calendar was printed, including chocolate bars for each day of waiting.
Since then, and whenever December approaches, these calendars have become increasingly popular and have started to include increasingly varied gifts: little books, toys, chocolates, candies, tea bags…
There are many ways to make one and, like any DIY worth its salt, it allows for an extremely high degree of personalization that depends entirely on your tastes and imagination.
How does it work?
It can be made in many ways—it all depends on your creativity. With paper, clothespins, felt, plastic cups, little boxes… And our favorites: fabric ones.
What should you put inside? You may think hiding toys or sweets means spoiling little ones too much, but obviously, what awaits them each day is up to you. Do you remember the post about DIY summer games? One of them involved writing different fun activities on a bunch of pieces of paper, putting them in an “I'm bored” jar, and drawing them at random whenever you felt like playing. You can combine this idea with the calendar's, or hide part of a story or a puzzle piece in each day.
Imagination isn't limited to the inside of the Advent calendar; in fact, that's where it should be most noticeable.
Who is it for?
Although in principle it's intended for little ones, who tend to experience the Christmas season with the greatest impatience, in reality it's for the whole family. Wouldn't you like a different surprise waiting for you each day, left by someone who loves you? Imagining what each day holds and resisting the urge to discover it ahead of time, exchanging little gifts, and feeling that tingle of excitement each morning…
You don't have to be a child to get excited as if you still were one!
Don't say we didn't give you plenty of warning… Imagination, Advent calendar—and let's all get excited every day!