Save the good stuff: Advent calendars for all seasons

I love spring and summer; I dread fall and winter. It makes no sense really — I love basketball which usually begins at the end of October. There’s Thanksgiving in November and the tinsel and sparkle of Christmas and New Year’s Eve in December. Plus, the cold and cozy months are perfect for curling up with a good book. I traditionally have my best reading month in January. But as soon as the calendar turns to January 1st, I feel, if not blue, somewhat grey until about Valentine’s Day. I need something to look forward to during that long winter stretch of six weeks.

I’ve looked for ways to lean into the cozy season. I’ve read all the wintering books, created opening and closing “ceremonies,” and stocked up on warm weather gear and firewood.

Last year I stumbled upon the best solution yet. I’m not a big winter lover in the best of times, and this past fall and winter was especially not the best of times. Someone I love was preparing for a major surgery in December, with lots of downtime, follow-up appointments, and healing to follow. My usual dread for January heightened. So… I coped by ordering all the Advent calendars.

While these are traditionally meant to delineate between the Advent season, leading up to the traditional twelve days of Christmas (which actually begin on December 25th and extend to January 6th), you don’t need to be religious or celebrating Christmas to get one. In previous years, I’d picked one per season but last year, I didn’t show restraint. I mean, I ordered every single one that caught my eye, and discovered in the process that while I’ve long been a lover of Advent calendars, there are some really good ones out there these days.

When they started coming in, I realized I might have overdone it. I wound up with six calendars. Not that you can have too much joy in the holiday months, but it took so much time to open and enjoy each day of the calendar, let alone relish the tiny thrill. It seemed the quantity was going to diminish, instead of heighten, the joy.

What’s a gal to do? My lifelong pursuit is to not “save the good stuff.” Whether it’s using my favorite coffee mug with the gold glitter or the soap with the fancy label, I believe in enjoying the random Monday, not just the holiday. Stop waiting for your real life to begin. However, there is wisdom in tucking something away for later, when it might bring more joy. While I also believe that there’s always going to be more good stuff later, Advent calendars are less likely to still be on store shelves in January.

When all those Advent calendars were stacking up, I gave thought to which ones would be best enjoyed during the holiday months, like the Bookshelf in Thomasville’s annual book box, and which ones I might enjoy even more once Christmas and New Year were behind me. For instance, after a spate of incoming and outgoing Christmas cards, I might not want more unused stationery in December. But January! That’s a good time for a Papier countdown. Then there’s my very favorite Advent calendar I’ve ever received: a tiny wax seal collection from Written Word Design. 

Saving the tea Advent calendar worked beautifully as tea has a long shelf life and I wanted non-sugary treats to enjoy after the holidays. A few years ago, I learned Bonne Maman is too many jams for me, but perhaps you might like to celebrate Jam-uary. You might even like to make your own Advent calendar!

Advent calendars post-Advent got me through those cold bleak months with more joy than I would have had otherwise, and it was a tangible way to mark the days and see that time was passing. I don’t know if I’ll order half a dozen again this year, but I will save a little of the good stuff, tuck away an extra one or two to get me through January and February, until that thermometer thaws and I have sunshine past supper.

Honestly, I’m surprised shops aren’t doing this already. We could have spring countdown calendars, vacation countdown calendars, football season countdown calendars… What sort of countdown calendar would you choose?

Do you have a favorite Advent calendar? What are your tricks for getting through late winter? Please share in the comments.

P.S. A literary tradition like no other, A very bookish Christmas countdown, and 100 stocking stuffers that will actually be appreciated.

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