December is upon us … and you know what that means: advent calendars!
For any of you who may be, for some untold reason, unfamiliar with this cherished holiday tradition, an explainer: it’s a very special calendar that’s used to count the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Each day has its own box or window, which is opened to reveal a little surprise.
Historically, each box has contained pictures, poems, notes or stories or – if the opener was really lucky – candy. But 2013 has seen geeks, designers, and even whiskey aficionados re-imagining the advent calendar for the modern era.
Below are some of our favourite takes. Did you spot another excellent example? Tell us about it – and share the link – in the comments.
(And in case you were thinking that you need to be Christian to fully enjoy all that advent calendars have to offer, think again. This writer is Jewish, and she can’t get enough of them. Who doesn’t love getting a special treat each day for 24 days?)
The whisky advent calendar
This will really put you in the holiday spirit. Each box reveals a new kind of artisan whisky – including a 50-year-old Scotch.
If that’s not enough incentive enough for you to shell out $250, comedian Patton Oswald endorsed it. And he is the best.
The Wikipedia advent calendar
Learn something new with Noah Veltman’s unique take on the holiday classic, which reveals a very real and completely preposterous Wikipedia list, like a “list of war-time cross dressers,” each day.
Pixar’s Blue Umbrella making-of calendar
Admit it, you loved The Blue Umbrella short film that ran before Monster’s University as much as the movie itself. As a present to its fans, Pixar has created a holiday calendar that reveals a fun fact about the making of the short each day.
The inky advent
Perfect for the friend whose eyes are glued to her smartphone, Johanna Basford’s intricate work of art actually contains 25 QR codes. Scan one each day to receive a special treat on your screen.
Bonus: New York Magazine's Les Mis advent calendar (2012)
Since many theater fans adore Les Miserables with near-religious fanaticism, it was fitting that New York Magazine created an advent calendar in honor of the movie’s release last year. Each day featured a little nugget of musical theater catnip – a behind-the-scenes video, a cute interview, a gratuitous photo of Hugh Jackman … you get the picture. It's worth revisiting, even a year after the film's release.
