The origins of Advent calendars date back to 19th century Germany. This tradition has evolved over time to become a widespread practice in many cultures around the world. Advent, which means "advent" in Latin, marks the four-week period leading up to Christmas, and the Advent calendar is designed to help count down the days until this joyous celebration.

The original idea behind Advent calendars was to create a special anticipation and expectation for Christmas, particularly for children. Early calendars were often marks or drawings traced on cardboard, with a picture or small figurine to discover each day. These early designs did not necessarily include sweets or chocolates, but instead focused on the symbolic representation of the Christmas story.

However, the evolution of the Advent calendar into its modern form, with windows to open each day revealing sweets, dates back to the 1920s. The first commercial version was produced in Germany by Gerhard Lang, who had grown up with the Advent calendar tradition. As a child, his mother would make him a calendar with little pictures each day, and as he grew older, Lang added a sweet dimension to the tradition.

The first commercial calendars were often rectangular and illustrated scenes from everyday life or images of the Nativity. The windows were initially opened to reveal images, but the idea of hiding sweets or chocolates inside them emerged in the 1950s

The success of Advent calendars quickly spread beyond Germany's borders. The practice spread across Europe and gained popularity in other parts of the world. Chocolate manufacturers saw this tradition as an opportunity to create special products for the festive season, with calendars filled with small individual chocolates behind each window.

Today, the Advent calendars have become an essential part of the Advent season for many families around the world. They come in an infinite variety of shapes, sizes and themes, from traditional calendars to more modern versions featuring beauty products, toys or even everyday activities. Although the origins of Advent calendars go back to an ancient German tradition, their adaptability and constant evolution show just how deeply rooted this custom has become in the global celebration of the Christmas season.