I vividly recall my kindergarten days, sitting at my little desk, diligently snipping away at red and green construction paper with my child-safe scissors. As I meticulously followed the lines drawn by my teacher, I felt a thrill of excitement as I transformed those strips into a long chain to count down the days until Christmas. My teacher helped us staple the links together, and I proudly brought my creation home, where we hung it in the kitchen. Each day, I would remove a link—well, at least for a few days—before I forgot about my simple, homemade Advent calendar. Back in the 1970s, Advent calendars were hardly the focus of our holiday excitement.
Fast forward to today, when the landscape of holiday countdowns has completely shifted. Thanks to Pinterest-driven, competitive parents, the days of simple construction paper chains are long gone. Forget those 99-cent calendars filled with subpar chocolate; today’s parents are crafting elaborate, organic, eco-conscious Advent calendars that could rival any art project.
A quick search for Advent calendars on Pinterest is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. The thought of putting together a Christmas tree made entirely from toilet paper rolls or crocheting 25 mini stockings—each filled with Montessori-inspired toys—is enough to make me cringe. And if you have more than one child? The math quickly adds up, and it’s just too much.
Honestly, it feels like we’ve lost sight of what this tradition was meant to be. I’m pretty sure that when Jesus was counting down to his birthday, Mary wasn’t busy crafting handmade ornaments to hang on the tree. The idea that we need to shower our kids with gifts for 24 straight days leading up to the biggest gift-giving day of the year is baffling. I get it—every family has their own way of celebrating—but the pressure to give daily gifts is just ridiculous.
When we were kids, the magic of Christmas came from the anticipation of waiting for Santa’s arrival. We had to go to bed night after night in December, filled with excitement over what awaited us. Our parents didn’t pacify our eager hearts with daily treats; instead, they’d often roll their eyes and remind us that “it’s still 12 days until Santa comes.” We learned patience and the joy of waiting, understanding that good things take time.
Advent calendars have roots in Germany dating back to the 1800s, and they were incredibly simple—chalk marks on doorways or candles lit each day. If they were feeling fancy, families might use nuts or berries to count down to Christmas. I can only imagine what a 19th-century German mother would say if she saw today’s elaborate calendars filled with imported chocolates or artisanal gifts. She’d probably exclaim, “Nein!”
Modern parents have made this holiday tradition unnecessarily complicated. With all the pressure to outdo one another, I simply don’t have the time to curate a unique gift for each of my kids leading up to Christmas. And to the parent who shared that balloon Advent calendar where kids pop a balloon each day? Good grief! My nerves are already frayed by December 12 without additional chaos.
So, fellow parents, let’s take a collective breath this year and say “no” to the extravagant Advent calendars. If you want to break out the construction paper and let your kids create their own countdown, I’m all for it. And let’s be real: no one needs a luxury perfume Advent calendar, especially considering that Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by farm animals—not in a store filled with lavish scents.
If you need me, I’ll be enjoying the tiny wine bottles from the Advent calendar I picked up this year. After all, a little indulgence is necessary to survive the holiday season, right?
For more insights on home insemination, check out this blog post about the BabyMaker Home IntraCervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo. Also, for healthy meal ideas, visit Intracervical Insemination for great resources. If you’re looking for expert help with pregnancy, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers excellent fertility services.
In summary, while Advent calendars have evolved into extravagant and competitive displays, it’s essential to remember the simplicity and joy of the original tradition. Let’s embrace a more relaxed approach to the holiday countdown and focus on what truly matters—spending time with family and enjoying the season.