When Do You Start a German Advent Calendar?

Start a traditional 24-door German Advent calendar on December 1, opening the door marked 1. Open the next numbered door each day, finishing with 24 on Christmas Eve. The numbers match the dates in December; they are not a countdown that starts at 24 and works backward.

Why do German Advent calendars have 24 doors?

The familiar format marks the December days leading up to Christmas Eve. The German Consulate General in Toronto’s explanation of Advent calendars describes opening one door daily from December 1 through December 24, with a picture, sweet or small gift behind it.

The same source traces the custom to nineteenth-century ways of making the wait visible, including pictures and chalk marks. Chocolate is one way to fill a calendar, rather than the definition of the tradition. A homemade set of numbered envelopes can serve the same purpose.

Do you start on December 1 or the first Advent Sunday?

For a calendar numbered 1–24, start on December 1. An Advent wreath follows a different rhythm: one additional candle is lit on each Sunday of Advent. The German National Tourist Board’s guide to Advent customs describes both the four-candle wreath and the daily calendar.

• Numbered calendar: open the door matching today’s December date.
• Four-candle wreath: mark the Sundays of Advent.
• A calendar with a different format: follow its own dates or instructions rather than assuming it uses the 24-day pattern.

If you are giving a calendar as a present, aim for the recipient to have it before December 1. Check dispatch information and any preorder notice before ordering; an order date alone does not establish an arrival date.

Should you choose chocolate or lebkuchen?

Choose the contents before the artwork. A beautiful calendar is more enjoyable when the recipient looks forward to the food inside.

• For someone who enjoys chocolate assortments: the Reber Advent Calendar contains German chocolate specialties. Consult the current package for the exact assortment and ingredients rather than expecting every door to contain the same confection.
• For someone who prefers baked holiday treats: the Lebkuchen Schmidt Advent Calendar 2026 lists 24 individually wrapped baked and gingerbread specialties. At publication, this calendar is offered for preorder; check the live listing for current ordering details.
• For a personalized ritual: fill numbered bags with individually wrapped favorites, handwritten notes or small activities. Keep food in its original wrapping so ingredient and storage information stays available.

For any food calendar, check allergens, alcohol-containing fillings and dietary requirements before choosing it for someone else. A festive illustration does not tell you whether the contents suit a particular child or adult. Also check the calendar’s dimensions and decide where it will stand, with the doors easy to reach.

How can you make the daily opening feel special?

Pick a small moment you can repeat: after breakfast, after school or with an evening cup of tea. Let the recipient find the day’s number and open it at their own pace. If several people share a calendar, decide beforehand whether to alternate days or divide treats when practical; one compartment does not necessarily contain a portion for everyone.

For a homemade calendar, a few activity notes can break up the sweets: choose a holiday song, telephone a relative or write a gift tag together. These are suggestions for your own family ritual, not rules of the German custom.

If you would also like to gather friends during the season, our German Advent open-house guide covers food stations and a relaxed hosting plan.

What else should you know? Advent calendar FAQ

Do you open number 1 or number 24 first?

Open number 1 first, on December 1. Follow the dates upward to 24.

Is there a door for Christmas Day?

A traditional 24-door calendar ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. If your particular calendar includes a 25th compartment, follow that design.

What if the calendar arrives after December 1?

You can catch up on the missed doors or enjoy them gradually alongside the remaining dates. Choose whatever makes the gift pleasant; there is no need to turn a late arrival into a rushed eating schedule.

Where should you keep a food-filled calendar?

Follow the package’s storage directions. Choose a display spot away from radiators, direct sunlight and candle flames, and keep the packaging until the contents are finished.