December 2007

The origin of the Advent calendar, like so many of our Christmas traditions, started in Germany
back in the 19th century. Different methods of counting down the days to the
celebration of Christmas were used.

Drawing a chalk line to mark off the days, later lighting a candle every night or putting up
small pictures marked each day until Christmas.

The first printed calendar was produced by Gerhard Lang in Germany. When he was a child,
his mother attached little candies to a piece of cardboard and
each day Gerhard would take one off.

His first printed calendar consisted of miniature colored pictures that would be attached
to a piece of cardboard each day in December.

Later Advent calendars were made with little doors to open on each day.