Advent Calendar

I have fond memories of opening up the windows on the calendar as a kid, arguing about whose turn it was each day; though sadly my memories don't include ones with chocolate surprises. In fact, looking back now, I think my mother used the same one every year. Its a nice tradition though, and one we wanted to share with Bianca. Something about the image of the benign, geriatric Santa handing out toys to children on a placard with a cardboard front and plastic backing, printed in China with chocolate bits of nearly 35% actual chocolate really, captures the holiday spirit. I mean, there were only two choices at Corte Ingles.

We thought the calendar might impart some of the tenets of the holiday season on Bianca; that the post-dinner daily ritual of seeing what's behind the next window might be an allegory for life. Maybe it would express to her that she can find brightness in every day. Maybe she'd realize that the whole season leading up to the big day is something to enjoy, to cherish, not just Christmas Day in and of itself. Maybe she'd see that its the little things - chocolates in this allegory - that make the season so enjoyable, and that by sharing them - i.e. chocolates - with loved ones is what defines our lives and will be the memories we keep with us in the years to come.

Then we remembered she's one. She grabs the chocolate, eats it, then whines for more. We had to hide the damn thing in the cupboard. Oh well, at least she sat still in my lap for 30seconds while she ate it.