LEGO Advent Calendars start great traditions
Advent activities like toy Lego Advent calendars are a big hit
The Lego CITY Advent Calendar is one of several advent calendars Lego offers. Adults and children around the world mark off the days until Christmas with advent calendars. Most start their countdown on December 1st. A big favorite among the countdowners, is the Lego Advent Calendar themed series.
Lego calendar themes range from Star Wars to Pirates to my favorite, the City theme. The daily surprise of discovering a tiny Lego toy like a minifigure, minivehicle, or miniaccessory is certainly a major reason why they are such favorites.
The Advent calendar story
The celebration of Advent with the calendar began more than 150 years ago when German families would mark off the days until Christmas with small daily gifts of chocolate and candies.
Gerhard Lang was one of those German children. His mother cut cardboard into small squares and then probably number them with the days until Christmas. Then she'd attach a small candy to each square. Every day during Advent, she'd have Gerhard take one piece of candy off of that day's square as part of their family Advent countdown. This childhood memory remained with Gerhard and became the inspiration for what has become one of today's major childhood Christmas activities. Many attribute the first printed Advent calendar to him.
Today Advent calendars are both religious and secular. The annual toy Advent Calendars created by Lego is a great example of the secular style.
Who else loves the Advent season?
Strong family holiday traditions depicted in this year's LEGO® City Advent Calendar - LEGO® City Advent Calendar 2824
Advent customs are season traditions
Advent wreaths, Advent candles, Advent season activities
There are a number of holiday traditions that have grown up around the Advent season. Here are just a two you'll find in addition to the use of Advent calendars. :
- Advent Wreath and Candles - On the first day of Advent many families begin the season by lighting the first candle.
- Nativity scenes - For many families, the beginning of Advent is also the time to set up the family nativity scene.
- Photo credits: 1) Advent candle photo and reindeer above by Elmar Ersch (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], 2) Advent wreath and candles via Wikimedia Commons
More LEGO Advent Calendars
Pirates Advent Calendar LEGO Set 6299 2009
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar (7958)
LEGO City Advent Calendar 7553
Add these Advent activities
Add a story to each Advent day's activity
Great Advent activity to combine with a LEGO Advent Calendar
One way to increase the meaning of the Christmas season is to add daily storytelling to the daily Advent calendar countdown. This is the perfect book to use as it features 24 pictures written specifically for the Advent calendar countdown experience. The stories help capture the spirit of Christmas and you and your child can discuss each one every day and share more meaningful moments.
The LEGO Calendar for 2012 shows why Fortune magazine named LEGO the toy of the century Each month features an astonishing creation by fabulous LEGO creators and builders. The images will lift the imagination and inspire budding engineers of all ages. Some of the images include the White House, an entire city block, and even the space shuttle on the launch pad. It's a terrific calendar and will be appreciated all year long.
- LEGO Architecture
Architects, cityscape lovers, building junkies and kids aged 7 and up will love the Lego architecture kits. In addition to being great learning tools, the building kits simply foster a deeper appreciation for architectural design and the work of cele
