Tomorrow marks the first day of December, hard to believe it’s come around so quickly, isn’t it? As the festive month is officially upon us (sorry for anyone who started getting festive during November) it means that we can now start opening our Advent calendars – one day at a time of course – but we can look forward to an extra treat each day.
The recognised tradition of Advent calendars came about in Germany during the late 1800s and it didn’t take long before the tradition had spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars came from the Hebrew Bible, but now you are more likely to see calendars with images of pop stars and celebrities.
Now that we’ve given you a small insight into the history of the Advent calendar, why not enjoy these 7 fun and informative facts:
1. While Advent calendars would usually consist of 24 openings, there are some calendars that have up to 31 or 32 doors, to include New Year’s Day.
2. Advent calendars have the word ‘Advent’ in their name due to the fact that they are used at the start of the Advent, otherwise known as the Christmas season.
3. The first ever printed Advent calendar on record is thought to have been produced sometime between 1902 – 1908.
4. In order to conserve precious stores of paper, the production of Advent calendars stopped during World War II.
5. Advent calendars characteristically have openings that may conceal pictures, poems, stories, or small gifts/food items, such as chocolates.
6. Some Advent calendars countdown to Christmas by lighting candles and are called Advent candles.
7. The first Advent calendar to ever be produced was made in 1851 and was completely handmade.
With the countdown on, the question is, have you been good this year so that Santa will bring you the gift of a trip to one of our Suffolk golf holidays?