Advent calendars are a fun and exciting way to start the holiday season! Starting on December 1, the countdown to Christmas begins. Advent calendars reveal toys, treats or words of inspiration, with each day opening up something new. The tradition of advent calendars goes back to the 19th century, where German Protestants found creative ways to mark the days of Advent, such as marking doors with chalk, lighting candles, or putting straws in a Nativity crib, according to NPR. The first printed advent calendar was introduced by German publisher Gerhard Lang, and soon after many others started publishing their own version of advent calendars. “I like the fact that there is something to look forward to each day, throughout the Christmas season,” Senior Liv Knight said. “It just kind of adds to the anticipation of Christmas. But, when your mom forgets to put things in it and you open it up and there’s no candy in it, it is kind of sad!”

Today, there are tons of varieties of advent calendars, most popular being chocolate-filled advent calendars. From companies such as Mars Chocolate to luxury chocolate companies like Compartes Chocolatier, there are so many different chocolate advent calendars to choose from! According to Amazon.com, here are some of the top, best-selling chocolate advent calendars: 

• Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Advent Calendar
• Godiva Chocolatier Snowglobe Advent Calendar
• Kinder Holiday Advent Calendar
• Ferrero Rocher Collection Advent Calendar
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar

“My kids love the Kinder Holiday Advent Calendar, “ Upper School Counselor Chelsea Freeman said. “I’ve found it easy to just get them each two advent calendars so they do not fight over it!”