It all began in the 19th century in Protestant Germany: at that time, the Children lit a candle for each day of the Advent period until Christmas Eve. Advent is the time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus and traditionally encompassed the 4 weeks before Christmas. Over time the concept became standardized and current advent calendars mark the countdown. from December 1 to 24. The story goes that the first was made in the 1920s with chocolate bars, in order to “sweeten the wait.”
Very popular in Europe since then, in recent years they have also begun to spread in Argentina and today they are a trend. Variants with sweets, but also with other delicatessen and even with toys, makeup and perfumes They have been sold since November in different brands and stores to accompany the excitement of waiting for adults and children.
The delicious
Perhaps the person who has most literally interpreted the idea of this calendar is Mamushka. The artisan chocolate house originally from Bariloche has been delighting customers of all ages for several years with its little house full of chocolates with which to make Christmas throb. This 2024 proposes a romantic design with illustrations by the artist Natalí Barbani and includes 12 truffles stuffed with dulce de leche and another 12 with “Mamush Cream”, a special preparation of the house.
Also for consumption, the Ginger & Rose venture proposes two versions. One, with 24 chocolates filled with moroccan, strawberry and caramel, which also include stickers on the back of each little window from which the chocolate comes out. And another that proposes a countdown with 24 blends of loose tea that are presented in bags. Combinations are offered such as the “Rose Peach”, with a pure green tea base with apricot and peach, blue mallow flowers from Eastern Europe, white roses from Pakistan, Egyptian calendula and Mediterranean orange blossom petals.
The beauty ones
The world of beauty and accessories has also taken note of this trend. In the Isadora brand, for example, in previous years they launched advent calendars with skincare and makeup products, and this 2024 they have renewed the proposal by also adding one for jewelry. “It is a highly sought after product by our clients and there is not much of it in Argentina. We think it is a nice detail for the end of the year,” the company highlights.
Meanwhile, Lâncome took this lead and raised the bar: it created an XL-sized advent calendar designed by French artist Safia Ouares. It is a limited edition containing 24 boxes with five original-sized beauty products and 19 travel versions. Each window on the calendar also invites you to travel through the most emblematic monuments of Paris. Among other products, here you can find a five-tone shadow from Hypnôse, a 50 ml body lotion from La Vie Est Belle or a Lash Idôle mascara. In addition, once the count is finished it is possible to reuse the box as a makeup case.
For boys
Finally, there are also versions designed ad hoc for boys. Like the one created by Alparamis, in the shape of a little wooden house with 24 drawers, in which the windows are illuminated with LED lights. The funny thing here is that it is the parents who can keep small surprises in each space to surprise their children, from candies and chocolates to gummies, accessories or dolls.
In addition, the brand proposes another model in which it is possible to assemble 24 Christmas houses to decorate the desired space, to which you can also add some detail or gift inside. The calendar format is also respected in XL size in cotton sheets with 24 pockets suitable for storing surprises, another product that is abundant these days in different stores. They are ideal to hang on the wall and always keep the countdown in mind.
And if there is not so much creativity to fill the pockets, Porcupine’s proposal can save any parent: they offer a box with 25 packages among which are hidden gifts such as a notebook with stickers, a private diary, party glasses, foam bombs , a pen or a reusable bottle, among several others selected with ingenuity and designed to keep any child’s desire alive.
For those who have more time and skill, Pinterest is full of inexpensive ideas for your own advent calendar at home with bags, envelopes, stockings or boxes, which can be loaded with candy, small toys, pencils and notepads.
Although we feel that life is speeding up especially at this time, calendars come to put a stop to that whirlwind. To unite children and adults in the magic of the game and revive the spirit of hope and joy that Christmas symbolizes.
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