I didn't manage to do an advent calendar on the blog last year and there won't be one this year either, but like last year I'll be trying to stick to Christmassy themes in the posts that I will have.
What would be better to start with than the history of the advent calendar?
I already wrote about that in 2010, but I think it won't hurt to go into again.
The idea of an advent calendar first emerged in the 19th century, but not in printed form. People made chalk marks on the door and children cleaned one off every day or they hung a religious picture on the wall every day.
There are other ways to count down, like Wichern's advent wreath which had 24 candles instead of just four like today or advent candles like this one.
There are different opinions on when the first printed calendar came out, 1902 or 1903.
Anyhow, they didn't look like the ones we know today yet. They were from cardboard on which children glued little pictures.
The ones we know, with the pictures behind little doors, came up after 1920. At first, the calenders often showed a village, town or forest in the snow. My first one, which I used for several years until the cardboard doors had really suffered and didn't want to stay closed anymore, had a forest scene with critters and of course glitter. Glitter was a part of Christmas. The door for the 24th was a double one which I thought was fabulous.
I got such a calendar again as a grown-up and used it for several years, but sadly it got lost or I might still be using it now.
The ever popular chocolate filled calendar came out in 1958 for the first time. I had one or the other of those, such as my Discworld calendars.
Nowadays, advent calendars come in all kinds of shapes, with pralines, toys, vouchers, even jewelry!
They come as puzzle and adventure books, audiobooks with a story for each day, as online calendars or on the radio. I admit not having given up hope yet to win something from my favorite online calendar which has a giveaway for every day.
I also love my Jacquie Lawson online advent calendars and am looking forward to the one for this year which is a Christmas village. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I just love them for the mood.
And of course I got handmade advent calendars and I made them myself (never a hand sewn one because I was allowed to quit the optional craft class in school before I had to learn how to make one of those).
This year I decided to go classic and vintage inspired by getting this calendar.
I usually avoid buying new things with glitter, but hadn't even noticed it had glitter when I ordered it. Also, for an advent calendar - I admit I was surprised in a good way, and of course I don't plan to throw it away at the end of the year, but keep using it.
Mercè, my mouse deleted your comment by accident (publish and delete is next to each other in the email).
ReplyDelete"How cool is this calendar! I got my great-nephew a small one, each window has a cat plastic figurine for the tree. And the surprises begin... today!"
And I forgot my reply ... I think the vacation made me turn off my brain.
DeleteCat figurines for the tree sound perfect, he'll love it!
This is hilarious! I read that as "my cat" deleted your comment...I have no idea why since cat is not spelled like mouse. lol!
DeleteLisa, I think because we all are quick to blame the brat and he has in fact made my computer and me do interesting things! 😸 This time it was the mouse, though, the cursor just wandered off when I clicked.
DeleteOh my, that is so adorable! Who can resist cats!
ReplyDeleteAnd the first picture was a cat with a sled full of gifts, also in a vintage look! I'm feeling like a child.
DeleteI love nostalgia, Christmas 🎄 and cats 🐈 😻 🐈⬛️ ❤️ Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe perfect mix, isn't it? Thank you, Linda!
DeleteThis calendar is so cute! I would totally keep it.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly made for me!
DeleteKnowing how much you love cats from reading your blog, I can totally understand why you chose that advent calendar! It's lovely. And lots of cats : )
ReplyDeleteWhat gave me away?? Seriously, though, thank you!
DeleteI love advent calendars so much, but I am terrible about remembering to open the little doors and always have been. Ever since I was a kid I would remember every so often and then have a bunch of doors to open and chocolate to eat. And then Aldi came out with their cheese calendars and tea calendars and, same thing! Lol. And poor Wyatt - I buy them and we both forget. I still love them though, and the idea of a little surprise behind every day. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has happened to me, too. But I didn't have many chocolate ones and with the others I just like that I can open up more than one door or hang two baubles on my glass advent tree (which isn't even up yet because I haven't finished decorating the hallway!). We had a tea calendar once in the house as well!
DeleteI remember having one of the Advent candles. For some reason, I don’t think we ever burned it…my mom’s frugality! I made a cute Advent calendar from felt for my grandkids out of felt. It took me days to cut out, embroider, and fill. Of course, my daughter “lost” it somewhere along the line. I, myself, have never had one. I do love the glitter you used to find on Christmas cards. I’m sure your new one will be well loved!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
I only found out about the advent candle in 2014 for my blog calendar in that year. I didn't know anyone who had one, but when I read about it and came into a local drugstore for something else, there it was. Mere coincidence! It just waits around in a cupboard and gets put under the tree for decoration, well, got. I don't trust the brat not to roll it under the next closet or whatever.
DeleteThat sounds very cute and what a pity that it got lost! I can imagine how much time and love went into it.