I'm a simple emigrant, and Germany has given the world many Christmas traditions

In this and the next two posts, I will talk about the three most important ones, in my opinion. In Europe, especially in Germany and Britain, Advent calendars are very popular. Almost every brand in the run-up to the holidays creates its own Advent calendar. Classic examples of calendars are filled with chocolate or cosmetic products, but there are also more extravagant ones, for example with beer or treats for pets. The first Advent calendar was invented in Germany; like many traditions, it came from religion. Advent calendars are generally a convenient way to count down the days to Christmas. Thus, the first ancestor is considered to be the marks on the wall. In the 19th century, parents either drew sticks on the walls for children, and the children erased one each day, or vice versa: each day the children drew a new stick. Then Protestants began displaying a new picture with a religious scene every day — thus the first wooden Advent calendar was invented; it's the one in the picture. In the early 20th century calendars began to be printed, and the owner of the printing shop Gerhard Lang came up with adding small doors, which created an element of surprise. He is regarded as the inventor of the modern calendar. The narrative continues with the classic tale: the anticipation of war, then a shortage of cardboard, Nazi regulation of any printed material, etc. Lang's business had to close. But after the war ended, entrepreneur Richard Sellmer, despite the paper shortage, started printing and selling Advent calendars again. His company remains one of the most important manufacturers of such calendars. In the mid-20th century, calendars filled with chocolate appeared, and at the same time they began to spread around the world. Unfortunately, many foreign brands forget that the main principle is counting down to Catholic/Protestant Christmas, and make some random boxes with a random number of compartments, instead of adapting to local traditions. Or they simply change nothing, and then a person, for example in Russia, opens his 25 windows until December 25, which means nothing to him — also odd. By the way, if you type "Weihnachten" into Google, you can find an Easter egg 🙂 And how do you make waiting for something more interesting? #history