In Germany we have a tradition of putting up an Advent calendar for the kids (and even the grown ups).
When I was a child I got a calendar made of cardboard with 24 little doors to open and a big picture related to Christmas. The picture showed i.e. a decorated Christmas tree, a sledge with colorful wrapped parcels, apples, oranges and nuts, a Christmas crib or something like that. Behind each little door was also a symbol related to Christmas printed on transparent paper. That’s because the calendar was supposed to be erected on a table or the windows board and maybe a candle put behind to illuminate the calendar. Unfortunately, I’m unable to show such a calendar to you, because they are uncommon now.
Later, the Advent calendars were made of a cardboard box with 24 little pieces of chocolate inside, one for each day in December until Christmas. Christmas starts on Dec. 24th, here, and the kid get their gift on the evening of December 24th.
Some families create their own calendars, such as the one on the photo.
The other photo shows a piece of our Christmas decoration. The funny figurines are hanging on a knitted band from our kitchen ceiling.
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