When I was in kindergarten, I vividly recall sitting at my desk, meticulously cutting red and green strips from construction paper with my trusty safety scissors. As I snipped away at the lines my teacher had drawn, I felt a thrill as I turned those strips into a long chain to countdown the days until Christmas. My teacher came around to help us staple the rings together, transforming them into a vibrant red and green snake that I proudly carried home to my mom.
We hung that chain in the kitchen, and I eagerly removed a link each day—well, for about four days, until I completely forgot about my little Advent calendar project. Back in the 1970s, Advent calendars weren’t exactly a big deal.
Fast forward to today, and thanks to Pinterest-loving, competitive parents, those simple construction paper chains are a thing of the past. Forget about picking up a 99¢ calendar filled with subpar chocolate. Nowadays, parents are crafting organic, eco-friendly, and wallet-busting Advent calendars.
A quick scroll through Pinterest makes me want to scream at the amount of effort that goes into creating a Christmas tree Advent calendar made out of toilet paper rolls. Or how about 25 crocheted mini-stockings, each filled with a Montessori-inspired toy? And for those parents with multiple kids? Good luck with that math. It’s overwhelming.
Seriously, parents, we’ve gone a bit bonkers with these elaborate countdown calendars. I’m pretty sure that when Jesus was counting down to his birthday, Mary wasn’t handcrafting ornaments to decorate the tree for his big day.
We’ve lost sight of a sweet, simple tradition, and it’s baffling that we feel compelled to shower our kids with gifts for 24 consecutive days leading up to the biggest gift-giving day of the year. (I get it—your family, your rules, and you’re not doing it for anyone else, but still.)
As kids, the anticipation of Christmas was pure magic because we didn’t see a single present until Santa made his grand entrance down the chimney. We went to bed night after night in December, eagerly waiting for Santa’s arrival, wondering just how long it would be until we could dash down the stairs in our footie pajamas and tear into the gifts under the tree.
Our parents didn’t calm our excitement with daily treats and presents. No, they would roll their eyes and say exasperatedly, “It’s still 12 days until Santa comes. Now, go play outside so I can watch my show.” We learned patience and anticipation back then. We understood that good things come to those who wait. Christmas was simpler then, even with its own set of challenges (I honestly don’t know how my mom survived without online shopping).
Advent calendars trace their roots back to 1800s Germany, where they were incredibly basic. Families marked the days with chalk on doorways or lit candles. If they were feeling fancy, they might use nuts or berries to mark the countdown to Christmas.
I bet if a German mom from the 1800s saw our extravagant modern Advent calendars filled with chocolates flown in from exotic locations, she’d probably throw her hands up in disbelief.
Today’s parents have made things unnecessarily complicated. I don’t have the time or energy to ensure that every day leading up to Christmas includes a special little trinket for each of my kids. And to the parent who posted a picture of a balloon Advent calendar? No, thank you! The last thing I need is balloon-popping chaos in my home during the holiday season.
So, parents, let’s take a collective breath this year and say a resounding “Nope” to the over-the-top Advent calendars. I won’t judge if you break out the construction paper and let your kids create their own countdown. There’s no need to buy an extravagant perfume Advent calendar from a fancy store. Remember, Jesus was born in a stable, not surrounded by luxury scents arranged in a beautiful case.
And if anyone needs me, I’ll be “borrowing” the mini wine bottles from the Advent calendar I snagged this year. Now that’s a countdown I can get behind! After all, I can’t be expected to make it to Christmas without a little treat, right?
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Summary:
Advent calendars have evolved from simple countdowns to extravagant projects that pressure parents to create daily surprises for their children. This article reflects on the nostalgia of a simpler time when anticipation and patience were key components of the holiday spirit, encouraging parents to embrace simplicity and enjoy the season without the added stress of over-the-top traditions.