Yesterday was the beginning of one of my favorite holiday traditions. Advent Calendars are great for everyone....for kids, it helps pass the time and count down the days till Christmas and for adults, it helps limit us to a piece of chocolate per day. Or is an excuse to eat some chocolate every day. Not sure which, but both are good ideas.
The Germans have take Advent Calendars to new heights. They are everywhere, beginning in October. But be warned, if you wait until December, you may not find any!
It's not just chocolate anymore - there really is something for everyone these days. Chocolate advent calendars still are by far the most popular ones, but there are plenty of non-candy calendars or manly calendars on offer.
My Advent Calendar Guide:
For Mom:
(probably you should give her a chocolate one, too)
The Tea Party Advent Calendar, which includes tea bags and holders in the shape of famous politicians, artists, and Biblical characters (Queen Elizabeth, Baby Jesus, Rudolph, Sarkozy, Mozart, and Merkel).
;)
;)
For the Hello Kitty fan in your life:
(it's ok to admit it, you know you have one...or are one!)
;)
For Father/Husband/Boyfriend:
The Handyman Advent Calendar. I got Herr J one so we could see what goodies are inside!
;)
For those who don't like chocolate:
(yes, i have met one or two in life...I both envy and pity them)
Gummi Bear Advent Calendar, from the neighborhood Bears and Friends.
;)
For the younger brother:
Unfortunately, I really couldn't find a justification to buy one. But there are a few varieties out there of Lego Advent Calendars.
For the teenage daughter/sister:
The Body Shop here has an advent calendar full of small-sized products.
They seem to be out of them, so I'll just show an even more fun one...the famous Selfridge's advent calendar. Similar idea and cost, just the Body Shop uses their own products.
;)
Selfridge's Advent Calendar
For the Music Lover:
Or also good for parents who don't want to give more candy to the kids... The Musical Advent Calendar, with a new song each day (38 minutes in total).
;)
For children of all ages, or also for yourself:
The Kinder Surprise Egg Advent Calendar. Full of Kinder Eggs, with Christmas toys and ornaments inside. Also it opens up to have a nice 3D scene and a sleigh to hold a Kinder Egg.
;)
In the interest of full disclosure....I got one for myself. I love Kinder Eggs and am looking forward to hanging some of the ornaments on my Christmas tree. Will post later pictures of what suprises are inside.
Kinder has a variety of advent calendars on offer... 
Kinder Friends - with Bueno, Bons, Country and Chocolate
;)
Kinder Mix - with Happy Hippos, Bons, Suprise Eggs, and Chocolate
Or if Kinder is not your favorite, all of the major German and Swiss chocolatiers have at least one calendar on the market....
;)
Ritter Sport
;)
Milka ;)
Mozart
;)
Niederegger (Marzipan and Chocolate) Lindt, as usual, has a wide variety of advent calendars...dark, light, spiced chocolates, kid's chocolates, pralines, and mini-truffels.
;)
;)
And, finally, we have my awesome, homemade Advent Calendar. What's in it? We'll see tomorrow....;)