A festive countdown to the holiday season is often marked with a special calendar containing small treats or gifts for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. One popular variation features hook-shaped sweets as the daily surprise. This type of calendar typically displays numbered doors or compartments, one for each day of Advent, behind which individually wrapped peppermint confections are hidden.
These calendars serve as a delightful way to build anticipation for the holiday. The tradition creates a sense of ritual and excitement, particularly for children, as they discover a new treat each day. Beyond the simple enjoyment of sweets, such calendars can also become cherished family traditions, marking the passage of time and contributing to the overall festive atmosphere. The practice of counting down the days to a significant celebration has ancient roots, evolving over time to incorporate symbolic gifts and treats.