<P> Traditional Advent calendars feature the manger scene, Saint Nicholas and winter weather, while others range in theme, from sports to technology . They come in a multitude of forms, from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each of the days to fabric pockets on a background scene to painted wooden boxes with cubby holes for small items . </P> <P> Many Advent calendars take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows", one for each day of December leading up to and including Christmas Eve (December 24). Consecutive doors are opened every day leading up to Christmas, beginning on the start of the Advent season for that year, or in the case of reusable Advent calendars, December 1 . Often the doors are distributed across the calendar in no particular order . The calendar windows open to reveal an image, a poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus), or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item . Often, each window has a Bible verse and Christian prayer printed on it, which Christians incorporate as part of their daily Advent devotions . Advent calendars may also have puzzles and games printed on their reverse side . </P> <P> The long - established British magazine Country Life incorporates an Advent calendar--which it describes as "our famous Advent calendar"--in its cover for the final issue of November . </P> <P> There are many variations of Advent calendar, including social media advent calendars . Many towns have created living advent calendars . </P>

When do you open a 12 day advent calendar