The first printed Advent Calendar is attributed to Gerhard Lang, a German printer, in the early 1900s. Inspired by his childhood tradition, where his mother would attach 24 pictures to a cardboard backing, Lang created a calendar with little doors to open daily. His 1908 calendar featured colorful designs and small doors that revealed Bible verses or images, becoming widely popular in Germany. Lang’s invention paved the way for the many styles and themes of Advent Calendars we see today, evolving from simple beginnings to a cherished holiday custom worldwide.
