Advent Calendars from the Organic Market

What do marshmallows and Advent calendars have in common? They can reveal human weaknesses. Between 1968 and 1974 the psychologist Walter Mischel conducted an often-cited experiment. He gave preschoolers a bell and left the room. By ringing the bell they could call him back and received a marshmallow. But if the children waited for 15 minutes without ringing, they would receive two marshmallows. Most of the children were already ringing after 6-10 minutes of waiting time. The marshmallow test became one of the most famous experiments in the history of psychology. By accident, the psychologist found out that the capacity of the 4-year-olds for self-discipline, patience and willpower would be an essential component for their personal development. The better the children were able to withstand the temptations and to accept the delay of rewards at a young age, the more self-confidence and social competence they should develop in the following years. When the children were interviewed again after 13 years, the results were remarkable. Despite their identical intelligence, the children who were able to withstand the temptations in their pre-school years, were more determined and successful later on in school and educational training. In addition, they were better able to accept setbacks and were less often addicted to drugs than those who could not resist the single marshmallow in their childhood. With a Christmas calendar you too can test your personal self-control for 24 days.

The world owes its first printed Advent calendar to the Munich bookseller Gerhard Lang. His Advent calendar of 1903 consisted of 2 sheets of paper with 24 poems and 24 painted pictures, which still had to be cut out and glued together. Today there are Christmas calendars all around the world. It was not always like that. Christmas was a high church holiday in the Middle Ages, but gifts were not made. Those were already made on St. Nicholas day. With the Reformation that changed. Martin Luther established Christmas as we know it today: in the circle of the family, with Christmas songs and presents for all. The reformer, however, was against the worship of St. Nicholas (and all other saints). Therefore, the distribution of presents on St. Nicholas Day was canceled and postponed to the 24th of December. The gifts were now ”delivered“ by the Christ child and no longer by Santa Claus. Especially young children do not have a strong sense of time and therefore very little use for terms like ”soon“. At some point the parents got tired of explaining how long it was until Christmas Eve. In the late 19th century, the first Advent calendars emerged. The beginnings were quite witty. The youngest kids in the family, for example, were allowed to hang one of 24 images on the wall every morning. Another possibility was the so-called line calendar. Here, a motive of 24 lines was painted onto the door. The children were then allowed to erase one line each day.

In the early 20th century Advent calendars started to appear in shops. They had 24 little doors and behind them pictures of Christmas motives. The first Advent calendar with chocolate was available in 1958. Nowadays there are Advent calendars with all imaginable contents. From beer to muesli to perfume; in the Advent season everything is times 24. By the way, the largest Advent calendar in Germany can be found in the Böttchergasse in Leipzig. It covers an area of 857 m². Its 24 doors are 3 x 2 meters wide and its content has been designed by local schools. Much smaller but all the more tastier is the Govinda Advent Calendar with organic fruit balls and organic fruit confections. The natural cosmetics Advent calendars by Dr. Hauschka hide nourishing natural treasures behind every door. This way you can perfectly get to know the different care products with a feel-good character. A wonderful gift for the incomparable Advent season is the Primavera Fragrance Advent Calendar with various pure natural essential oils and fragrance blends. Embark on a fascinating fragrant journey and let yourself be enchanted by the mysterious, exciting, refreshing or sensual scents.

The pre-Christmas season is also the perfect time for a nice cup of tea. With the Tea Advent Calendars of Salus, Sonnentor, Pukka, Allos, Yogi Tea and Lebensbaum you will enjoy wonderfully reflective moments and may even discover a new favorite tea. Classic pleasure is guaranteed with the Chocolate Advent Calendars of Saveurs & Nature, Rosengarten and Zotter. Behind every door there is delicious organic chocolate. With such a wonderful gift for children, spouses, life companions, friends and colleagues you can be assured of loving gratitude for 24 December days. We wish you a cheerful and enjoyable pre-Christmas season.