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Holiday Traditions. With Chocolate.

November 25, 2014 By Lena

It’s a sweet childhood memory that I’ll relive time and time again.

I was in first grade at a small Catholic elementary school. The holidays were coming; multicoloured decor was proudly displayed in Simpsons’ store window, the soft echo of Christmas carols could be heard throughout my home, and whispers of Santa Claus and his magical reindeer were upon our lips and in our hearts.

And on December 1st, my teacher distributed a thick cardboard calendar to each and every student. Curiously, we turned it around and traced our fingers over the cutouts.

“This is an Advent Calendar,” she explained. “And every day, we’ll celebrate the coming of Jesus; I’ll share a small story from the Bible, and you’ll be able to treat yourself with a small piece of chocolate, for being such good boys and girls.”

I loved that Advent Calendar.

It marked the first ritual for me; the first time I followed something through from start to finish, while understanding the significance of the season (and even a veiled warning to behave). This year, I’m continuing the tradition with Kinder Advent Calendars.
KinderSurprise-Product-Lifestyle-4281Available at Walmart Canada for $12.00, the Kinder Advent Calendar features a variety of eggs and mini chocolates, making each daily treat a surprise for your little elves. Included in the calendar:

1 Kinder Surprise
9 Kinder Mini Eggs
9 Kinder Schoko-Bons
2 Kinder Hollow Santas
3 Kinder Chocolates

I’ve selected my favourite Christmas-themed Bible scriptures and just like my first grade teacher, I’ll be reading them to Ryder and Reid every day. And then, if they’ve been good boys, they’ll be allowed to partake in a daily Kinder treat. 
KinderSurprise-Product-Lifestyle-4263The photos above and below were taken at a very special holiday Kinder photo shoot! If you’re a Kinder Canada Facebook fan, keep your eyes peeled for my little models over the coming weeks. And, pop by your local Walmart to purchase your own Kinder Advent Calendar.
KinderSurprise-Product-Lifestyle-2802

I’m a #KinderMom who is part of the KINDER Canada influencer team; as part of my affiliation with KINDER Canada, I am provided with special perks and products. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #KINDERMom, Advent, holiday traditions, Kinder Advent Calendar

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynda Cook

    November 25, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I grew up with an advent calendar and to this day still get one, it’s just not the same without having an advent calendar in the home

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      I agree Lynda, and it’s such a sweet way to count down the days!

  2. Judy Cowan

    November 25, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    Everyone gets an Advent Calendar in this house, even the adults! It is a great tradition!

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      That’s awesome Judy!

  3. Darlene Schuller

    November 25, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    We are Advent lovers here & Kinder too! Thanks for the post, just added it to my list, heading out this weekend for some shopping & time out w/out an offspring…

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:56 pm

      Enjoy your shopping time! And do grab a Kinder calendar, the kiddos will love it!

  4. Terri Baker

    November 25, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I always had an advent calendar as a kid, and I continued the tradition with my kids and and now I buy them for my granddaughter.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      That’s so sweet Terri!

  5. Anne Taylor

    November 25, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Love the memories of opening my own Advent Calendar and my kids doing the same for years! Love Kinder in our house!

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      You must grab some this year Anne!

  6. Guppy

    November 25, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    A chocolate Advent calendar has been a tradition every year with my kids. They love it and bug me to be sure and buy one early in the season.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      I hope you’ll check out the Kinder calendars this year – they will adore them.

  7. Cheryl

    November 25, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I find it so hard to find nice advent calendar that don’t cost an arm and a leg!!! I must look for the kinder one. Thanks :)

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      They’re on sale practically everywhere now Cheryl! Take a look!

  8. Jolee

    November 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Love Kinder and am so happy they do Advent calendars! Will be picking one up this weekend just in time for December.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Sounds like a great idea :)

  9. Carlee

    November 25, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    The boys are so cute Lena. We love kinder here too.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks Carlee!

  10. SueSueper

    November 25, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    I love advent calendars at Christmas time. The boys are growing up.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Yes, they are Sue!

  11. nicolthepickle

    November 25, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Hey Lena, I’ve been looking for an advent Calendar with stories. Are you using something specific to guide your Bible stories?
    I googled one, and all I came up with was chocolate calendars, not that I don’t love those, but I would like to do something along with it.

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Not really – I pretty much have broken this up into 12 days – then I start all over again:

      http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/christmas-bible-verses/

      If you find something else let me know!

      • nicolthepickle

        November 26, 2014 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks, if I find something I’ll share.

  12. Athena

    November 25, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    Great pics! We love Kinder and the kids each have their own Advent calendar every Christmas

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      That’s great Athena!

  13. MrDisco

    November 25, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    if you can’t have a lego advent calendar, a chocolate one is the next best thing

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      I tend to agree! Ha!

  14. loucheryl

    November 25, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    My boys would LOVE this calendar!

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      You definitely have to grab it for them!

  15. La Cuisine d'Helene

    November 25, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    I would love this calendar!

    • Lena

      November 25, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      Oh, I think a lot of adults would love this calendar :)

  16. francine

    November 26, 2014 at 2:16 am

    I still have to get both my kids an advent calendar. I got myself a Disney princess one but I haven’t found any themes for them yet. I might splurge and get them each a kinder one.

    • Lena

      November 26, 2014 at 6:47 am

      Definitely worth the splurge Francine – the chocolate is so good!

  17. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    November 26, 2014 at 9:10 am

    I buy them and my oldest ate it in one day!

    • Lena

      November 26, 2014 at 10:20 am

      Oh no!! You have to HIDE them Chandra!

  18. Holly

    November 26, 2014 at 10:09 am

    I love advent calendars! So much fun! Who doesn’t love Kinder?!

    Side note – Lovely photos! Your boys look so much like you!

    • Lena

      November 26, 2014 at 10:21 am

      Aw, thank you Holly! Much appreciated!

  19. Darlene Schuller

    November 26, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Advent calendars are so much an important part of the holiday! Loved them as a child, ensured my children STILL get one ..

    • Lena

      December 1, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      We opened ours today!

  20. Soozle

    November 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    What wonderful pictures of your boys! They are so adorable :)

    We always had advent calendars when I was growing up – it’s such a fun way to count down to the Big Day

    • Lena

      December 1, 2014 at 6:45 pm

      Thank you Soozle :)

  21. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    November 28, 2014 at 5:23 am

    the boys look so handsome in the pictures I love their hair cuts. very stylish

    • Lena

      December 1, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      Aw, thanks Chandra!

  22. A.s. Vermeulen

    November 29, 2014 at 3:58 am

    I love advent calendars, they’ve been a tradition in my family for years. I love the twist you put on it, great idea!

    • Lena

      December 1, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you! We opened ours today!

  23. Treen Goodwin

    November 29, 2014 at 5:41 am

    I always grew up with the Advent calendars and i brought my kids up to have them too , its fun for them and they look forward to to everyday :)

    • Lena

      December 1, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      That’s wonderful Treen!

  24. caryn salageanu

    December 1, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    My kids love advent calendars and will no doubt adore the kinder surprise ones this year!

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

      So happy to hear that!

  25. Tricha

    December 2, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Your boys are so adorable! I never had an advent calendar but now my girls do. I think it’s great they have something to look forward to opening every day till Christmas.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Absolutely, and the little treat is a great reward for good behaviour!

  26. Katie Edwards

    December 2, 2014 at 10:16 am

    It’s wonderful to have family traditions for Christmas! Keep those always, your children will cherish them for many years :)

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

      I agree Katie :)

  27. Judy vR

    December 4, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    I never had an advent calendar, but always wanted one.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Never too late, Judy!

  28. Stephanie LaPlante

    December 5, 2014 at 9:54 am

    We adored advent calendars growing up. I wish they were Kinder though!

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:02 am

      Ha! Me too!

  29. Eva Mitton-Urban

    December 9, 2014 at 9:15 am

    Simplicity and tradition reign huge for me. December 1st was always the day to unveil the annual advent calendar..daily exciting event. Now I have a 10 year old son and December 1st our calendar went up x 2. Daddy had to have one. Seems someone is munching on two a day ? Hmmm wonder ? Happy Holidays Lena and enjoy the same with your family.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:02 am

      Same to you Eva! Merry Christmas!

  30. Lillian OMalley

    December 9, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    Advent calendars extend the holiday season and the anticipation of the arrival of Christmas Day. They also are a daily reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:02 am

      Couldn’t have said it better, Lillian :)

  31. Victoria Ess

    December 16, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    Kinder and advent calendars were definitely a tradition that I looked forward to growing up!

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:03 am

      So nice Victoria!

  32. Rick F

    December 21, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Only one problem with that. Not sure that I could restrain myself from only having 1 piece a day when I know that there are others just waiting to be eaten. lol

    • Lena

      December 22, 2014 at 10:03 am

      I had the same problem Rick :)

  33. kathy downey

    March 3, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    We love Kinder and everyone get their own Advent calendar every Christmas…yum

  34. kathy downey

    June 14, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    I have never seen those Kinder Calenders

  35. kathy downey

    February 16, 2016 at 11:30 am

    I can remember when i was young i cant remember having an advent calendar in the home,but we did get a small treat everyday for the 12 days of Christmas

  36. kathy downey

    October 17, 2016 at 11:51 am

    This year i am going to search high and low till i find a advent Kinder calendar

  37. Debbie White Beattie

    June 15, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    I remember the advent calendar from when I was a kid too but I got to impatient and ended up sneaking all the pieces and that was the end of the calendars

  38. kathy downey

    August 18, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    We did find the Kinder Advent Calendar last season and it will now be a tradition in our home !

  39. kathy downey

    September 20, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    I will be sure to pick up our calender’s early this year!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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