Advent Calendar's originate from the 19th century and were used as a method of counting down the days from the 1st December until Christmas day itself, however there were no pretty Santa Clause printed calendar complete with chocolate back then it was a chalk line on the front door or burning a candle to mark off the days until Christmas day.
Gerhard Lang printed the first advent calendar in 1908 at his printing office in Munich, from then on Advent Calendars took off in a big way and were being mass produced and it wasn't until the 1950's that chocolate advent calendars were on the shelves to purchase.
Nowadays we have such a wide selection of advent calendars, everything from the kids favourite cartoon character to snowmen and Santa clause.
A modern Chocolate advent Calendar consists of 25 boxes to open - one for each day.
Behind each box is a single chocolate whether it be in the shape of a chocolate snowman or Santa this is what keeps the kids interested in the countdown to Christmas.
Advent Calendars can be as luxurious or as cheap as you please.
Children tend to like the modern Calendars that are filled with milk chocolate sweets, whereas a chocolate Advent Calendar for an adult can contain chocolates that are a bit more sophisticated such as Praline, Dark chocolate or white chocolate and can be purchased from chocolatiers.
Shops have Advent calendars on display from as early as October, because they are so popular it is recommended that you purchase one before December as often the shops will sell out really fast.
The other alternative to buying one on the high street is to purchase one on line and have it delivered straight to your door.
Advent calendars don't have to contain chocolate, you can buy ones that have a Christmas message behind the door or even a magnetic or wooden one is a pretty alternative to the chocolate one and will also last you for many more Christmas's to come.
You could even have a photo of your loved one blown up and made into an advent calendar or a special family one where behind every door is a family member.
This would be an ideal pre-Christmas gift for your granny or granddad, they could have one made that displays all the grandchildren.
Or if you are a creative type you could even have a go at making an advent calendar yourself and putting in the kids favourite sweets or a little toy.