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December has arrived, and with it comes the magic of Christmas, the time of year when families gather and spend time together, often around the table.
To warm up the atmosphere and take you on a journey full of Christmas spirit, we’ve prepared a series of four delicious holiday recipes. Last week, we shared the recipe for the crusted roast; today, to conclude this menu, we’ll bring you the recipe for pandoro by our Cesarina Alessandra from Preganziol (if you're more of a "panettone team" person, you can find the recipe for that here). Finally, we’ll explore the history of the Advent calendar, a tradition that surprises us every year with its creative variations.
Here are the recipes that make up our Christmas Menu 2024:
Appetizer: chicken liver crostini
The origins of the Advent Calendar
The Advent calendar originated in Germany in the 19th century as a Christian tradition tied to the period of preparation for Christmas. Initially, it was a domestic ritual: families marked the days until Christmas by lighting candles or making marks on the wall. These actions were meant to measure the passage of time during Advent, the liturgical period leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The invention of the modern calendar
The transformation of the Advent calendar into a tangible object is credited to Gerhard Lang, a German publisher from Maulbronn. In 1908, Lang marketed the first printed calendar, inspired by a childhood tradition: his mother would give him a small treat each day leading up to Christmas. Lang's calendar featured religious images behind small windows, and later evolved to include the option of inserting small gifts or poems.
The evolution over the centuries
Over time, the Advent calendar has undergone numerous changes. In the 1920s in Germany, calendars featuring windows concealing sweets became popular, an element that soon became iconic. The design evolved further to include Christmas motifs, biblical messages, and small gifts. Today, the tradition is celebrated worldwide, with versions ranging from handmade calendars to commercial ones from major brands.
The Advent calendar has become an integral part of Christmas celebrations, enjoyed not only by children but by people of all ages.