Advent calendars were invented to count down the days in December leading up to Christmas. Advent In the Christian church is a tradition that lasts four weeks, starting from December 1st to December 24th. It is a time to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Originally invented in the 18th century, people would burn a candle each day or use other measures to mark the passage of days.
Losing a lot of their religious connotation, advent calendars are used primarily to appeal to children in the days leading up to their most anticipated holiday of the year. The advent calendar can consist of everything from chocolate to books and is steadily gaining in notoriety. Read on to get ideas to create your advent calendars and also premade ones that you can buy!
Bonnie, @bonniemonnier
Want to make a bookish advent calendar for your young children? Bonnie did a wonderful job of just that. From the cute Christmas decorations to the color-coded wrapping paper, this is something I would have adored as a child.
Emma, @eatplayreadlove
Emma at @eatplayreadlove also has an incredible idea for your advent calendar at home. She wraps each book in plain brown wrapping paper and then cuts out images of Santa and a Christmas village to paste on the outside of them. You can also just draw your own images if you’d prefer.
Next Chapter Bookshop Plus, @next_chapter_bookshop
Next Chapter Bookshop Plus offers three different Advent calendars with a perfect combination of literature and self-care: 4 days ($30), 6 days ($45), or 12 days ($76). Each day you can discover used or reduced-price diverse books revolving around everything from the BIPOC to the neurodivergent communities, accompanied with goodies such as sage or tea.
Scribbles Book Shop, @scribblesbookshop
The bookish advent calendar you can get from Scribbles Book Shop includes 8 signed romance books/novellas and 17 other fun items, now on sale for $250. You can preorder your advent calendar now, and boxes will ship near the end of November just in time for you to begin opening on December 1st.
Alessia, @notyouraveragebookclub.yxe
Alessia has five different options of 12-day advent calendars you can choose from. The first option is an adult basket containing 12 books, stickers, bookmarks, lip balm, and 3 bookish items from local vendors for $165. The next option is for adults and is only the books for $75. The third option is for kids or teens and has 12 books, stickers, bookmarks, lip balm, and 2 bookish items from local vendors for $110. The fourth option is the kids/teens basket, books only for $55. The final option has no books and only goodies for $80. Head here to purchase your calendar today!
Rare Birds Books, @rarebirdsbooks
True to their name, Rare Book Birds has perhaps the most unique advent calendar on this list! Behind each door in this calendar is a short blurb to a popular book that you have to guess. After Christmas, you get to choose your favorite four paperback books from the blurbs to be sent straight to your home. Get this advent calendar here for $97 if you live in the US, $84 if you live in Europe, and $65 if you live in the UK.
Whisporia, @whisporia
Our final advent calendar is from Whisporia and has three 24-day advent calendar options to choose from. The first, Magical Melts Countdown includes 24 different soy, vegan-friendly wax melts in various scents for $36. The next option is The Book Journal Box with stationary, ephemera stickers, and a handmade journal (everything you need to start your own book journal) all for $100. The last option is The Bookish Advent Calendar which has a unique magical academic story told through the bookish goodies that are included for $127.
This shop also offers you the ability to get four bundles, if you like more than one of these options. You can get the Magical Melts Countdown and The Book Journal Box for $127, the Magical Melts Countdown and The Bookish Advent Calendar for $149, The Book Journal Box and The Bookish Advent Calendar for $207, or all three for $233. Each calendar, including the bundles, is now on sale for more than 50%, so now might be the best time to secure your calendar while supplies last. If you’re interested, you can purchase these advent calendars here.
So there you have it: 7 different options to choose from to make sure you or others in your life have the best advent season! If you’re feeling creative, definitely look to Bonnie or Emma for inspiration. Although, don’t be afraid to order your own calendar if any of these options jump out at you. Happy holidays!
Looking for other advent calendar options? Click here!
Still need to get your gifts? Here are some bookish ideas from Amazon that are perfect for the holiday season!
