Hand made Advent calendars have become popular projects with craftpersons and artisans of all types.[citation needed] Today, we see hand made creations made from various media—including fabric, felt, paper, chipboard, small boxes, etc.[citation needed]
The concept of the Advent Calendar has recently broadened to include "Countdown Calendars". These are calendars suitable for persons from all faiths, and can be used to count down to any event imaginable—birthdays, Easter, Halloween, graduation, last day of school, retirement, etc
Musical Advent Calendars
Colourful, hanging advent calendar made of cotton. The 24 stars have little hoops onto which you can tie your own little advent treats!
Star Advent Calendar £5.50
Musical Advent calendars come in all shapes & sizes.
History has it that the first printed calendar was produced by Gerhard Lang in Germany.
Apparently, when he was a child, his mother would attach little candies to a piece of cardboard and each day Gerhard would take one off, counting down the days to Christmas.
His first (printed) calendar consisted of miniature coloured pictures that would be attached to a piece of cardboard each day in December.
Subsequently Advent calendars were made with little doors to open on each day. The child might find a small piece of candy, a Christmas picture, a religious picture or a bible verse. Now we have musical and chocolate versions to cater for all tastes.