The first Advent calendars were based on 24 days with Christmas Eve as the last night either to put up a picture or take a candy. Today, the tradition German calendars still show 24 days, but in the United States, it is not uncommon to find ones with 25 days – the last opening to occur on Christmas Day. Advent calendars can be found everywhere Christmas is celebrated, and have been made with many different themes. There are permanent ones with little drawers that are opened every day; felt pieces to decorate a tree, religious icons behind the different doors, and lots of pop-culture / character Advent calendars. The traditional ones are still a paper / cardboard piece with a small treasure of saying behind the tiny doors. The treasures can range from a beautiful miniature religious picture, a little wooden toy, or even a piece of candy. One of my most favorite Advent calendars was one that I discovered many years ago when my older children were small. It was a white church made of sturdy cardstock that we could put together and set in the middle of our kitchen table. Each day we could open one of the tiny windows on the beautiful shimmering white church where we would find a verse from Scripture about the coming birth of the Savior. It is not too late for your family to begin a new tradition, if you have not had the fun of an Advent calendar yet! You can make one or you can purchase one at your local card shop, or even at Walmart. For ideas on making your own Advent calendar, please visit www.familycrafts.about.com or www.teachingmom.com For more information about the history of the Advent calendar, please visit www.about.com/adventcalendars You can also order your Advent calendar from Bronner’s at www.bronners.com or the Vermont Christmas Company at www.vermontchristmasco.com Information for this article was found at Wikipedia, as well as About.com and The History of Christmas.
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