Advent calendars are a fun way of celebrating Advent with children and family. These calendars are used to count down the days until Christmas from December 1 through December 24. Calendars are frequently made from two pieces of card stock that have a sheet of pictures between them. Each day has a cardboard flap which is opened to reveal a picture. Other calendars are made from pieces of cloth with a pocket for each day. Each pocket contains a small gift such as a piece of chocolate. Some calendars are three-dimensional and have a gift in a compartment behind each door.
Advent calendars made from card stock have a large picture on the front. The picture may be religious or secular. Religious pictures frequently show a Nativity scene or a church. Secular pictures might show Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, a town decorated for Christmas or a winter nature scene. Some calendars depict scenes from Victorian times.
Three-dimensional calendars are sometimes a model of a church or a house. They may have a Christmas scene depicted on the front. These are made from cardboard or wood. The wooden calendars initially cost more than the cardboard calendars. They turn out to be more economical because they can be used over and over again.
The chocolate used as prizes in the calendars might be inexpensive chocolate or imported luxury chocolate.Calendars with good quality and gourmet chocolate cost more and might only be available from upscale shops. The chocolate may be Christmas objects such as a Santa or a bell wrapped in colourful foil. Gourmet chocolate may be square or rectangular with a picture of a Christmas object on it.
Children will enjoy counting down the days to Christmas with an Advent calendar. Every child in the family can have a calendar or everyone can share a calendar. Children can take turns opening the flaps on a shared calendar.
Advent calendars can be purchased at department stores, card shops and online. Prices for most calendars are between three pounds and 10 pounds.
