Christmas is just a few days away and - as usual - we're a little bit unprepared. Why is it a day that comes every year at the same time always seems to sneak up on us?? LOL Oh well, that's human nature I guess - putting things off 'til the last minute.
Advent calenders got their start with German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries as a way to mark down the days in anticipation of the coming of Christmas, what we know as the Season of Advent. While technically the Advent season starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, potentially changing the number of waiting days each year, typical Advent calendars simply have 24 positions meaning they start on December 1st. Some calendars are made so as to accomodate all the days of Advent but I haven't seen one yet.
Growing up in Milwaukee in the '50s and '60s I do not recall ever seeing an Advent calendar, neither in church nor in anyone's house, or in the stores. I saw my first one while stationed in Germany and was immediately captivated by them. Most of those on sale were made of a light-weight cardboard. Sometimes the calendar was made to look like a house, other times it was flat, and other times had little chocolate treats behind the doors. Speaking of which, all of the cardboard calendars I've seen personally had little doors in them which open up to reveal a verse, a little picture, or the chocolate. We'll feature various cardboard calendars over the next couple of days.
For you crafter's out there, these things are a crafter's delight: all you need to do is figure out a clever way to count down from 1-to-24 and you've got yourself a calendar. We'll look at a crafted calendar as well in the upcoming days. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina
For you crafter's out there, these things are a crafter's delight: all you need to do is figure out a clever way to count down from 1-to-24 and you've got yourself a calendar. We'll look at a crafted calendar as well in the upcoming days. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina
German Ginger Bread Style Calendars
This was assembled back in the '80s and we still have it plus I have one or two more that have never been assembled yet. The walls are 6 3/4" (17.1cm) W x 5 1/8" (13cm) D x 9 1/2" (24.1cm) H. The roof is 7 7/8" (20) W x 5 1/8" (13cm) H
A sampling of pictures seen behind the doors
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