Make your Christmas Special this Year with an Advent Calendar

The spirit of gift-giving goes hand-in-hand with Christmas. (A free stock image from Google)

The season to be jolly is just round the corner and it is hard to remain unaffected by the holiday spirit. Whether 2020 was your year or not, there is a sense of joy and merriment that fills the air during this time of the year. What better way to end the year than with an Advent calendar!

The word Advent, derived from the Latin word which means ‘coming’, celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the hope, anticipation, expectation and joy of the birth of Christ. It is also a time to prepare one’s heart for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, a tradition that is practised in many Christian households. The Advent traditionally starts four Sundays before Christmas which is a different date depending on the year; this year, it starts on November 29. These four weeks are dedicated to preparing one’s heart for Jesus Christ in order to understand and remember the true spirit of Christmas. Among many traditions that started to celebrate this season, a popular one is the Advent calendar. The Advent calendar does not follow the traditional period of Advent. Instead, it focuses on celebrating Advent from December 1 to December 25.

So why would an Advent calendar make a good gift this year? What started as a German tradition in the mid-nineteenth century, where families counted the days until Christmas using chalk on a door or wall, has evolved into something more as each family put their unique spin on the tradition. (Crosswalk) Variations of the Advent calendar included lighting candles, reading Bible verses and homemade Advent calendars which soon became commercialized. While Advent is still heavily influenced by its religious origin, the calendar itself is more generalized today and celebrates the holiday spirit of Christmas. Today, you can find an Advent calendar that will contribute to your spiritual growth in Christ as you practise preparing your heart for Him or one that is filled with simple, enjoyable goodies for you and your family to enjoy just as easily. As a year that was filled with anticipation and expectation, this gift covers all that and more, in the most positive light that is associated with the Christmas spirit.

The Advent calendar, while traditionally a box with flaps or slots to be opened everyday, does not always have to follow that format. ( A free stock image)

The Advent calendar consists of 25 flaps or slots, each to be opened once a day up to Christmas. The element of surprise and joyful anticipation is greatly enjoyed by everyone with the excitement of opening a new gift everyday. While the Advent calendar is traditionally a box fitted with slots for each day of the month of December till Christmas, it doesn’t always have to be so. The box merely helps in maintaining the element of secrecy and surprise before opening gifts everyday. This specific Christmas gift can be altered to suit one’s preferences in the most flexible manner. The calendar does not have strict rules to adhere to except two―you can only open one gift a day no matter how tempting it is to open more and the element of secrecy must be incorporated by wrapping the gift or hiding it away. But it allows enough room for creativity and unique customization for you and your family. You can fill it with just about anything―from tiny chocolates, Bible verses to big toys and gifts. Usually, people buy their pre-made Advent calendars ranging from a variety of Christmas-themed categories such as cosmetics, books, toiletries, scented candles, liquor bottles etc. Some franchises also create their own Christmas-themed Advent calendar such as the F.R.I.E.N.D.S themed Advent calendar or the LEGO Advent calendar. These calendars come in a variety of prices depending on what you want - a simple chocolate-based Advent calendar would be much cheaper when compared to an elaborate cosmetics-based Advent calendar. Moreover, it is not uncommon for families to invest in an Advent calendar with empty cabinets that can be filled with just about anything depending on the size you prefer. The empty Advent calendar can be elaborately designed cabinets with wooden engravings or a simple cardboard-based one with tiny boxes. This not only adds charm to your house as a Christmas decoration but is packed with different surprises every year. This level of customization is unparalleled when compared to any other Christmas gift as it highlights every memorable feeling of gift-giving - the excitement of curating a gift for your loved one, the anticipation of opening a new gift everyday, the charm it adds to your household and its flexibility in terms of spending. Making your own Advent calendar for your loved one that is customized to their preferences adds the personal touch needed to make this Christmas more memorable.

Below are two unique-themed lists to make your own Advent calendar for your loved ones:

A religious Advent calendar:

This free printable list was created by Julie Brasington from Happy Home Fairy. You can download it by following this link: https://happyhomefairy.com/bible-verse-advent-cards-free-printables/

A DIY Advent calendar:

This list was curated by Evita Vincy.

Day 1: A sweet handwritten seasonal message, quote or joke

Day 2: A coupon vowing to do something that you don’t usually do

Day 3: A tiny bottle of perfume or other cosmetic

Day 4: A playlist created by you

Day 5: A piece of your favourite chocolate

Day 6: A piece of your recipient’s favourite chocolate

Day 7: A coupon for their favourite food or dessert

Day 8: A small diary to carry around

Day 9: A coupon to bake a Christmas treat together

Day 10: A breakfast in bed surprise

Day 11: A board/card game

Day 12: A coupon to have a game night

Day 13: A gadget-free day to prioritize quality time together

Day 14: A Christmas themed photo

Day 15: Writing a letter to Santa together

Day 16: A book with a Christmas theme

Day 17: A customized keychain

Day 18: A scented candle

Day 19: A coupon to watch a classic Christmas movie

Day 20: A flower or a tiny plant

Day 21: A handmade card/doodle

Day 22: A handwritten letter to appreciate your loved one

Day 23: A Christmas ornament to add to your collection on the tree

Day 24: A coupon to help the poor and needy on this joyous occasion

Day 25: A Christmas gift that only you know your loved one will appreciate