Advent

Advent is a time for waiting, which i guess must be obvious from the it's very name which is derived from the Latin word for "coming". It's already the third week of advent, and to me this period of waiting is going by very fast. To count down the days here we are using two devices, firstly an advent calendar. The origins of the advent calendar come from the German Lutherans, and the first known advent calendar was handmade in 1851 in Germany. In the Germanic parts of Europe advent is really made into a game, and although this has been introduced and unculturated in America, it is far more prevalent here. Co-workers, friends, couples and parents often buy or make advent calendars for each other. Here is an example of one my friend Wiebka made for me last year.

Each little wrapped parcel has a bit of yummy chocolate in it, one of which i got to open each day during the advent season. I liked this so much that I made ones like this for all my nephews this year. As you walk by apartments at night, along with the christmas decorations and lights, you will often see advent calendars similar to this one, though sometimes on a much more elaborate scale, in peoples windows.

You can also buy a whole range of printed or packaged ones at the store, which are also available in America. But what I think is less common at home, for an adult adventer, as the trivia advent calendar. Many of my friends make these for their partners or friends. This calender has fewer chocolate rewards, but instead has daily quizzes that if answered correctly add up to a larger gift at the very end. Here is an example of one i made for kevin this year, where he is trying to guess the Swiss canton as given by clues tucked away in these pockets (you can also see here tiny colored stickers where kevin has guessed the right canton and put the canton emblem in the right place). Also in the first photo here is an example of one i got from the grocery store that gives me advent savings!

 

 The second way we are ticking off the weeks rather than the days is with an advent wreath. These can be bought at really any store during this time of year in a variety of colors, sizes and overall panache. Many people make their own, or make them for friends and family, but i am too lazy for that. We are sporting a pretty simple one this year, but it is still lovely to have this during this time.

Daylight view from week one.

The idea here is, of course, to light a new candle on each sunday during advent. Each night you may light that week's candle plus all the weeks that have already gone by. It is a slower countdown and one which i find comforting and always delightful. 

Nothing quite like a candle burning on a cold winter's night.

These little activities really make the days fly by in such a fun, easy and cozy way that one may wish that christmas never came. or. maybe not....