When I was in kindergarten, I vividly remember sitting at my little desk, cautiously snipping away at red and green construction paper strips with my safety scissors. With every cut along the lines laid out by my teacher, I felt a rush of joy as I crafted those strips into a chain to count down the days until Christmas. My teacher helped us staple those rings together into a festive red and green serpent that I proudly took home to my mom.
We hung that chain in our kitchen, and I enthusiastically removed a link each day—until about day four, when I promptly forgot about my beloved, hand-crafted Advent calendar. Back in the 1970s, Advent calendars weren’t the big deal they are now.
Fast forward to today, and thanks to Pinterest-obsessed, competitive parents, those simple paper chains have become relics of the past. Forget about those 99¢ calendars filled with subpar chocolate. Nowadays, parents are whipping up organic, free-range, eco-friendly Advent calendars that cost a fortune.
A quick glance at Advent calendars on Pinterest makes me want to scream—who has the time for a Christmas tree Advent calendar made from toilet paper rolls? Or worse, 25 crocheted mini-stockings each filled with Montessori-approved toys? If you have more than one child? Good luck with that math. It’s madness.
Seriously, parents, we’ve clearly lost our minds with these extravagant countdowns. I highly doubt that when Jesus was counting down to his birthday, Mary was crafting ornaments from scratch for him to hang on the tree.
We’ve lost sight of a sweet tradition, and it blows my mind that parents feel the need to shower their kids with gifts for 24 consecutive days leading up to the biggest gift-giving event of the year. I get it—your family, your choice. But let’s be real. When we were kids, the magic of Christmas came from the anticipation, not from daily treats and gifts. We waited impatiently for Santa to come, and our parents didn’t pacify our excitement with daily surprises. Instead, they’d roll their eyes and tell us, “It’s still 12 days until Santa comes. Now go play outside so I can watch my shows.”
Back then, we learned patience and the joy of anticipation. We understood that good things come to those who wait, and that Christmas wasn’t about instant gratification. The holiday season was simpler and, despite its challenges (seriously, how did our parents survive without online shopping?), we had a healthy respect for the true meaning of Christmas.
Advent calendars originated in Germany around the 1800s, and they were extremely simple. Families marked the days with chalk on doorways or lit candles. If they felt fancy, they might use nuts or berries to keep track of the days leading up to Christmas.
I bet if a German mom from the 1800s saw our modern Advent calendars filled with chocolates flown in from exotic places, she’d shout, “Nein!”
Modern parents have complicated our lives with this one-upmanship. I barely have time to breathe, let alone prepare a special treat for each of my kids every day for 24 days leading up to Christmas. And to the parent who posted about their balloon Advent calendar? No, thank you. My nerves are already frayed by December 12 without kids popping balloons all over the place.
So, let’s all take a deep breath this year and collectively say “Nope” to the over-the-top Advent calendars. I won’t judge if you pull out the construction paper and let your kids create their own countdown. We don’t need to splurge on that fancy perfume Advent calendar from London; after all, Jesus was born in a stable, surrounded by the scent of hay and animals, not exquisite fragrances artfully arranged in a beautiful case. It’s all about perspective, folks.
As for me, I’ll be happily enjoying the tiny wine bottles from the wine Advent calendar I bought this year. Now that’s a countdown I can get behind! Because really, how can I possibly wait until Christmas without a little something special?
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Summary:
Advent calendars have transformed from simple countdowns to extravagant displays, fueled by competitive parenting and Pinterest. Once a source of innocent joy, today’s calendars often overwhelm with elaborate creations that demand time and effort. It’s time to embrace simplicity and remember the true spirit of anticipation during the holiday season.