Back in the days of kindergarten, I have vivid memories of sitting at my little desk, meticulously cutting strips of red and green construction paper with my trusty safety scissors. With each snip, excitement bubbled within me as I crafted a long chain to count down the days until Christmas. My teacher helped us staple the rings together into a festive snake that I proudly brought home to my mom. We hung it in the kitchen, and I’d remove a link each day—well, for about four days before I completely forgot about my humble Advent calendar. In the 1970s, Advent calendars were pretty much an afterthought.
Fast forward to today, and thanks to Pinterest-loving, competitive parents, those paper chains are a distant memory. Gone are the days of picking up a simple 99¢ calendar filled with cheap chocolate. Now, parents are busy creating organic, free-range, eco-friendly, and often wallet-draining Advent calendars.
A quick look at Advent calendars on Pinterest can be overwhelming. The thought of assembling a Christmas tree calendar made entirely from toilet paper rolls or crafting 25 crocheted mini-stockings, each containing a Montessori-inspired toy, makes me want to scream. And if you have more than one child? Just do the math; it’s exhausting.
Seriously, fellow parents, we’ve gone a bit off the deep end with these countdown calendars. I highly doubt that when Jesus was counting down to his birthday, Mary was busy hand-carving ornaments to hang in anticipation of the big day.
We’ve lost sight of a simple, sweet tradition and somehow convinced ourselves that our kids need to receive gifts for 24 consecutive days leading up to the grand gift-giving moment of the year. (I get it—your family, your traditions, and you’re doing it for the right reasons, but still.) When we were kids, the thrill of Christmas was magical because we didn’t receive a single present until Santa made his entrance.
We had to endure nights in December filled with anticipation, wondering how much longer we’d have to wait to race down the stairs in our footie pajamas and tear into the presents. Our parents didn’t pacify our excitement with daily treats and gifts. Instead, they’d roll their eyes and say, “It’s still 12 days until Santa arrives. Now go outside so I can watch my show.”
Back then, we learned patience and the beauty of waiting. We understood that good things take time, and Christmas didn’t revolve around our instant gratification needs. The holiday season was simpler, and while it had its challenges (I often wonder how my mom survived without Amazon Prime), there was a healthy respect for the true meaning of the season.
Advent calendars began in Germany in the 1800s and were incredibly straightforward. Families marked the days with chalk on doorways or lit candles. If they were feeling fancy, they’d use nuts or berries to track the days until Christmas.
I bet if a German mother from the 1800s saw our modern Advent calendars—complete with chocolates flown in from tropical locales or driftwood sourced from exotic beaches—she would exclaim, “Nein!”
Us modern parents have made things harder for ourselves with all this competitive spirit. I barely have enough time to ensure my kids have a unique little treat each day leading up to the holiday. And to the parent who shared that balloon Advent calendar where kids pop a balloon each day? No, thank you. I can barely manage the chaos without adding popping balloons into the mix.
So, let’s take a collective breath this year and say a resounding “Nope” to the extravagant Advent calendars. I won’t judge if you break out the construction paper and let your kids create their own countdown. No one needs to splurge on that fancy perfume Advent calendar from London. Remember, Jesus was born in a stable, not surrounded by luxurious scents artfully displayed in a beautiful box.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the season without all the stress, you might find joy in a wine Advent calendar instead—because let’s face it, a little treat can help get us through the holiday hustle.
In summary, let’s embrace the spirit of simplicity this holiday season. Advent calendars can still be fun and meaningful without the pressure to impress. Instead of complicated creations, focus on the joy of the countdown and the true meaning of Christmas.