The Christmas countdown can so often be a blur of general social merriment. And while last year was something of a write off for drunken toasts, this Christmas promises plenty more bubbly popped in the company of loved ones. What this also means is that it's the alcohol Advent calendar's time to shine. While we all love opening that little window and enjoying a piece of chocolate on the day, what could be better than opening a window each evening and getting a wonderful little bottle of Whisky or Gin?
But where does this tradition come from? The word Advent is derived from the Latin word for coming and historically refers to the period in which converts to Christianity prepared for baptism. In 1800s, German Christians began marking the days of advent either through burning a candle each day, or marking walls and doors with a line of chalk counting each day. This tradition was then adapted to hanging a devotional image every day till Christmas, which then led to the first handmade wooden advent calendar in 1851. The first printed advent calendar was created in Germany in the early 1900s by Gerhard Lang, who was inspired by a calendar which his mother had made him which held 24 coloured pictures attached to a cardboard. He then altered the calendars to hold 24 little doors which can be opened storing a picture, or a bible verse, which has become the staple of advent calendars to this day. Calendars filled with chocolates began to emerge in the 1950s and spread all of the world because who doesn’t want a reason to have a bite of joy every day?
While it is great seeing your children excited to open a window each day and enjoying a piece of chocolate, you deserve a helping of the Christmas spirit too. For our whisky lovers we have two incredible advent calendars which hold 24 exquisite drams of whisky by That Boutique-Y Whisky Company and Drinks by the Dram. They include bourbons, blends and bold barrel finishes, with a new surprise each evening trying out a different type of whisky. For our gin lovers, That Boutique-y Gin Company offers an advent calendar filled with a wonderful array of 24 handmade gins, each with incredible botanicals and out of this world flavors which are a must try!
Stop by online or instore at Dara Wine and pick an advent calendar to start the countdown in style.
