For some, the first twenty five days of December is the most anticipated time of the year. They are the days leading up to a widely loved holiday. People make this period of time extra special and exciting by creating a countdown until Christmas day. Throughout the years, these Christmas countdowns have gone from a simple cardboard box with squares of chocolate to elaborate and innovative gifts and designs. 

Originating in the 19th century, families would mark the days of December with a chalk line, until reaching Christmas Eve. This tactic was used for converts to Christianity to prepare for baptism. In modern times, advent calendars have strayed from their religious meaning, and they now serve as a countdown until Christmas. 

Instead of using chalk to mark the days, advent calendars transformed into cardboard sets filled with a chocolate for each of the 25 days. Everyday has its own tab that is meant to be opened on its corresponding day, revealing a small piece of chocolate to celebrate a day closer to Christmas. The opening of each compartment is meant to keep spirits high and create a suspenseful buildup to the long awaited holiday. 

Similarly to the chalk method, the chocolate box advent calendar is slowly becoming outdated. Though it can still be found at almost any grocery store, people have created unique ways to countdown until Christmas. 

Some have taken advent calendars to the next level, building structures out of wood to resemble festive symbols like a Christmas tree or snowman. Parents have made it their role to create advent calendars for their kids, going as far as giving a present each day as well as having presents on Christmas day. However, these gifts tend to be a little more casual than Christmas gifts, being more equivalent to stocking stuffers. 

Popular companies have also taken it upon themselves to make a profit off of this holiday tradition. More common than taking the homemade route, people love to buy themed advent calendars from some of their favorite brands. Calendars like this can range from socks and beauty products, to foods like jams. Because advent calendars like these are filled with more desirable gifts than just chocolate, it can be difficult to wait all twenty five days instead of ripping each day open all at once. However, the longing of wanting to know what is in the next day’s slot is what makes these countdowns so exciting and helps speed up the days until Christmas. With such a variety of different advent calendars, there is one for everyone to enjoy while counting down those twenty five days. Camille Khong (12) comments on the different types of advent calendars, saying that “advent calendars can be an amazing idea for a creative spin on gift giving.” 

For those who celebrate, Christmas time is commonly the most wonderful time of the year. Helping keep spirits high, advent calendars are an effective way for people to track the days down to Christmas and have a small surprise each day as a reminder to what’s coming on that twenty fifth day.