Advent Calendars are a fun way to celebrate the upcoming holidays, and they don’t always have to be religious. You can countdown to Santa coming to town or to Jesus’ birthday, or both!. These Advent Calendars can help you celebrate in ways that are fun for the family, fun for the kids, or just fun for the adults (we’re looking at you wine advent calendar). We’ve got all kinds in this list of five types of Advent calendars to try this year.
What is Advent?
The term advent in Latin means “coming.” Advent is known among Christian churches as the period of waiting and preparation for Christmas. According to the Catholic News Agency, the advent season was started by the monks who prepared for the holiday with feasting once a week for three weeks in the time period prior to Christmas. In 567, the Council of Tours began 40 days of fasting and penance in preparation for the holiday. Thankfully, we have left behind the fasting and advent calendars add an element of reflection, fun and enjoyment to the holiday season. Advent calendars are fun ways to countdown the days until Christmas day, which is useful for any parent who has heard on repeat “Is it Christmas yet?” on repeat.
5 Different Kinds of Advent Calendars
The Paper Chain
The classic countdown calendar that every military family knows is the paper chain. Simple and fun you can make it a family craft to choose colors, cut strips and staple them together. Gather the family together, make some cocoa and put together 24 links. Personalize it with stickers, drawings or wishes to grant throughout the season. No daily treats or prizes with this one, but there is something to be said about the simplicity of it especially during a busy season of life.
Chocolate
Holiday time means delicious treats. Enjoy the countdown from December 1 to December 25th with a chocolate treat daily! Ranging in prices from $2 at stores like Wal-Mart to Godiva calendars of crazy-good chocolate that is sure to please any chocolate lover. Share the chocolate with the family while counting down, or eat when you just need a minute. Chocolate Advent Calendars are a sweet way to prepare for the season.
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LEGO Calendar
LEGO has the market with not one, or two, or three, but FOUR advent calendars to appeal to a wide audience. The LEGO City Advent calendar has been the traditional LEGO calendar for many years. Recently, the LEGO Friends, LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Star Wars joined the LEGO advent calendars. The calendars mean you get 24 build-able items like a snowman, mini figure or Santa. With prices ranging from $24 – $32, that is an economical choice for unique piece that you can start or add to your LEGO collection.
Verses
Paper advent calendars are among treasured holiday decorations of the 1950s and 1960s. A small paper flap for each day was lifted to reveal a verse, an image or a tip. E-bay is full of vintage ones from the 1970s and 1980s. Relieve childhood and keep the season simple with vintage choices, or pick some up at the local Dollar Tree or 99 Cent store.
Beer and Wine
There are now adult-only advent calendars. If you are a connoisseur of beer, why not countdown to Christmas with a Beer Around the World Advent Calendar from Costco. The calendar comes with 24 16.9-oz cans, one in each advent window. A Twelve Days of Brews beer sampler on offer from World Market for a 12-day countdown. Costco has a wine advent calendar on offer in some states across the United States. Grocery chain budget favorite Aldi also announced beer and wine advent calendars as well, so check them starting November 6th!
Whether you celebrate Advent season as a family or not, the advent calendars are a fun way to countdown to Christmas day. Enjoying a little bit of Christmas fun every day of December is enjoyable. Anything to countdown to a day off is relaxing and enjoyable!
Photo credits: Heather Walsh, Jesse McDonald
