Originating from the 18th and 19th centuries, the Christmas advent calendar is the ultimate way to add an element of surprise to the days leading up to Christmas, beginning on 1st December. Today, let us embark on a journey through history to uncover the origins and evolution of the Christmas calendar!

【The Earliest Advent Calendars】

Scouring through the pages of the history book, we would find the earliest advent calendar in 1851, handcrafted from wood by a German craftsman named Johann Hinrich Wichern. Each compartment in the calendar was filled with religious images and scriptures, serving as a teaching tool for Sunday school children as they began the countdown for Christmas. It wasn’t until the 19th Century in Germany that we saw calendars made with cardboard and snacks added alongside scriptures in each drawer. However, during the Second World War, the shortage of cardboard led to a temporary halt in the production of advent calendars.

【Advent Calendars as End-of-year Gifts】

After the war in 1945, Richard Sellmer, the owner of a German publishing house, pioneered the idea of filling advent calendars with a wide variety of treats and items. He introduced these novel calendars to American retailers at trade shows, where they soon became best-selling items praised for their tradition-breaking and ingenious concept. 


Over the years, advent calendars have become increasingly diverse. Some feature book collections, with which children get to read a new tale every day, and food recipes, from which cooks can draw inspiration when preparing the Christmas meal. In contrast, others share motivational and positive messages. Furthermore, there are also wall-hanging advent calendars with pockets replacing drawers for those who fancy an added twist. 


Retailers have also introduced calendars with different numbers of compartments, from 7 to 12 to 31, containing a plethora of gifts, such as stationery, cosmetic products, snacks, and more, all guaranteed to surprise and delight.

【hy! Moments of Joy Advent Calendar】

Nowadays, numerous brands have launched their unique digitised advent calendars to promote sustainable development and keep up with the latest technological advancements. hy! online platform has gathered a wide range of exclusive hy! Moment of Joy Advent Calendar, including VALMONT, Diamanti Per Tutti, ACCA KAPPA, XOVE, Verde and more. For friends and family, grab your gifts now and spread the Christmas joy!

Upon purchasing the "hy! Moments of Joy Advent Calendar" on the hy! online platform, you will receive 24 gift redemption vouchers in the Lee Gardens Club App / Club Avenue by Lee Gardens App wallet. These vouchers can be exchanged for 24 different exquisite gifts at designated merchants in Lee Gardens. Moreover, enjoy free delivery when spending HK$1,000 or more on a single purchase!

Start leveling up your Christmas countdown today and make this Christmas extra special with unforgettable memories!