My Dear Adventuring Friends,
As today is December 1, this is the first day that many people begin their counting down to Christmas with an Advent calendar. I have a special place in my heart for a good Advent calendar, and I am going to make one for you.
Advent calendars are a uniquely European tradition, most likely originating as candles or marks on a wall in Protestant Germany about 200 years ago. The printed calendars with little doors have been around since the beginning of the 20th century, and have become widely popular, even if they had a solely religious use in the past.
My mother made a felt calendar in the 1970’s, a Christmas tree with an ornament that you’d add each day. I got to pin an ornament to the tree every other day since I had to share with my sister. Nothing was as pleasing as being the girl with the even days, because that meant you’d get to put the star on top on the 24th. It’s funny how such a little thing was so very pleasing as a kid. I’m not sure that anything in my adult life feels quite as delightful as that did.
Because I think that little delights are more important than ever, I am putting together Advent calendars, one for my kids with Legos, and one for you. (Sorry if you were hoping for the Legos…)
Here is the deal: every day from now until Christmas I promise to deliver a little treat into your inbox (if you subscribe). I’ll have a few articles about gifts, some recipes, some stories, music and so on. All of it will be with a spirit of travel and adventure to help inspire your travel dreams.
Most days, I’ll focus on a country in Europe and tell you about their Christmas traditions. To this end, I have drawn a map for you….Feel free to print this, hang it on a wall and follow along with me. Each day, I will color in a part of the map along with my post of the day. I realize it would be more fun if I could make a piece of chocolate pop out of a country for you every day, but my skills do not yet reach to magic. Maybe someday. For now, you could trick out your map by taping chocolate to it! Or maybe buy a bottle of wine from each country and open it when I color it? Use your imagination if you’d like to up the ante on this little experiment.
I wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season, and I hope you’ll play along.
Love,Sarah
Come on an adventure with us!
As tour guides for over 20 years, we combat mass tourism with longer stays, unique destinations, and cultural connections. Our small groups of 6-18 ensure personalized experiences. We value positive, flexible travelers who embrace challenges so if you love wine, fun, and new friends, why not join us for an adventure?
Sounds like fun, but not sure how to sign up for it.
Sounds like fun ,Sarah. I will look forward to your treats!
Lovely!!! How do we sign up to receive the daily emails? I’m in!
I want in. Thanks
Sign me up for advent calendar
Sign me up.
Awesome. Where do I sign up?
Me Too! Me too! Me too!Thank you, Sarah!
Fun, Sarah! I’ll look forward to your “treats”! I’m giving two of my granddaughters (age 8) a puzzle of Europe for Christmas. Hope to inspire some interest in traveling!
If we’re subscribed to your blog are we signed up, or do we need to sign up someplace other?
Yes, if you are subscribed then you’ll get the posts. The majority of my readers come directly, so that’s just a reminder if they want an email.
Looking forward to your posts! I love the wine idea!
That wine idea is a good one. You are such a sweetheart. It’s always a pleasure to see an email from you in my inbox.
I’m in
oh Sarah! you are so thoughtful and creative!Splendid idea. I am in….love the bottle of wine deal…suits me !Ciao
I did the same felt tree + an ornament each day for my kids. My daughter still uses that one for her kids. We had an angel for the night of the 24th. I love that she continued the tradition, even if her kids are now teenagers. Personally, I love the bottle of wine each day myself! Thanks for your usual wonderful post.
I did the same felt tree + an ornament each day for my kids. My daughter still uses that one for her kids. We had an angel for the night of the 24th. I love that she continued the tradition, even if her kids are now teenagers. Personally, I love the bottle of wine each day myself! Thanks for your usual wonderful post.
What European Christmas traditions have you brought back to your home?
I would like to hear all about everything.
Thanks Sarah, this will be a fun e-mail. Very thoughtful and clever of you to plan this for your readers. How about a nice dessert or pastry from each country to go along with each post? Yum!
Love it! I’m really hoping for the bottle of wine to pop out…
Pastry yes! Chocolate!
How fun, thanks Sarah. I will be looking forward to your Advent calendar posts.
Sarah,What a fun idea! I have a life long fondness of advent calendars. Please count me in. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your travel knowledge. Your Blog keeps me traveling even when I am home reading your postings.
Just catching up on emails – this is such a cool idea! Wonder if there is a way to market it or produce it in some way? Also think your woodblock prints could be used to make a calendar. Had a hard time finding a 2017 one I liked this year. LOVE your blogs. As close as any email comes to being a “real” letter! Thank you!
Thank you ft your kind words and ideas. Yes, I’m thinking of what I can do with my art. I’ll look into a calendar!