When I think back to my kindergarten days, I can vividly recall the joy of carefully cutting red and green strips of construction paper with my trusty safety scissors. My teacher guided us as we crafted a long chain to count down the days until Christmas. I remember the pride I felt as I carried that colorful creation home, only to hang it in the kitchen and promptly forget about it after just a few days. Back in the 1970s, Advent calendars were simple and didn’t hold much significance.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a completely different ballgame. Thanks to Pinterest-loving, competitive parents, the days of basic construction paper chains are long gone. Forget those 99-cent calendars filled with mediocre chocolate; now, parents are crafting elaborate, organic, eco-friendly Advent calendars that break the bank.
A quick scroll through Pinterest makes me want to weep at the sheer complexity of some of these creations. Who really has the time for a Christmas tree Advent calendar made entirely out of toilet paper rolls? Or worse, 25 crocheted mini stockings filled with Montessori-inspired toys? If you have more than one child, you can imagine the chaos. It’s all a bit much.
Let’s be real: we’ve lost sight of the essence of this tradition. I doubt Mary was busy crafting intricate ornaments for Jesus’ countdown to his birthday. We’ve created an unrealistic expectation that our kids should receive gifts every day leading up to the holiday. Sure, it’s your family, your choice, but let’s not pretend this isn’t a bit over the top.
Growing up, the magic of waiting for Christmas was just that—waiting. The thrill of anticipation was palpable because we knew Santa wasn’t delivering presents until the big day. We spent December nights anxiously counting down the days, with nothing to distract us from the excitement. Our parents weren’t pacifying our impatience with daily treats and surprises; they simply told us to wait, and we learned the value of patience.
Advent calendars originated in Germany in the 1800s and were incredibly simple. Families would mark the days on doorways or light candles. If they wanted to get fancy, they might use nuts or berries. I can only imagine what a German mother from that era would say upon seeing our modern-day calendars filled with gourmet chocolates or artisanal gifts—she’d likely exclaim, “Nein!”
As parents today, we’ve made our lives unnecessarily complicated with these extravagant countdowns. I barely have enough time to manage my daily responsibilities, let alone create a unique gift for each of my children every day leading up to Christmas. And to the parent who shared that balloon Advent calendar where kids pop a balloon each day? No thanks! My nerves can’t handle that kind of chaos.
So, let’s collectively take a step back this year. How about returning to the basics? I’m all for creativity, but let’s embrace simplicity. If you want to break out the construction paper and let your kids create their own countdown, go for it! We don’t need to indulge in expensive, elaborate Advent calendars—after all, Jesus was born in a stable, not surrounded by luxury items.
As for me, I’ll be enjoying the tiny wine bottles from the Advent calendar I bought this year. Now that’s a countdown I can get behind! After all, a little treat can go a long way during the holiday season.
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In summary, let’s embrace the spirit of the season without overwhelming ourselves with extravagant expectations. Christmas should be about joy, togetherness, and a bit of magic—not stress and competition.