Advent calendars are given on 1st December, the start of advent. Some last for 24 days, until Christmas Eve, most have an extra gift for the 25th December, Christmas Day. These started in 19th-century German Lutheran homes as a method of counting down the days up to Christmas. It gradually developed into the printed, windowed calendars of today. They all started with pictures and then developed into treats for each day. Developing in Germany, these calendars started to spread throughout Europe from the 1930’s and in USA during the 1950’s after one was presented to President Eisenhower. Most of these early calendars had pictures behind the doors. It wasn’t until the 1960’s when Cadburys first launched a chocolate Advent calendar in the UK, and then from 1990’s when novelty calendars became popular. Now calendars can contain just about anything and are very popular with children and adults alike. Chocolate calendar are still available
It is an example of amazing marketing. Advent calendars are no longer only appealing to children, but everyone, children of all ages. There are still the basic small chocolate treats, cheaper than all of the others. I have seen advent calendars with soap, shampoo, shower gel, energy drinks and alcoholic drinks. They are suitable for males and females. Most have Christmas colours, decorations and scenes.
Do these modern calendars take us further away from the true meaning of Christmas or bring us nearer? On the one hand they take us away because it is the material side of Christmas, people making money, others demanding more. On the other hand it could be argued they bring us nearer, as people will be thinking about Christmas and its meaning earlier, the opening of a day door hopefully giving that reminder. Some might say that anything that brings Jesus to the people is a good thing.
It is probably a mixture of both, there is the material money side of things, especially making them into a mass appeal and extending the buying and selling season, but, in turn they do make everyone more aware of the true Christmas. They also bring enjoyment which is what the season should be about, the birth of a baby who changed the world, should make everyone feel happier and more positive.
Man on a bike. 