Advent Calendars for Gardeners and Nature Lovers

As the festive season approaches, many of us begin the joyful ritual of counting down to Christmas. And what better way to do that than with an advent calendar – a tradition that’s evolved from simple chalk marks to chocolate-filled doors, and now, to something far more meaningful and sustainable: a garden-themed advent calendar.

But where did this tradition begin? And how can we recreate it to bring joy and a touch of nature to our December days?

The Origins of Advent Calendars

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival.” In Christian tradition, Advent marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas, a time of reflection and anticipation. The idea of marking each day began in 19th-century Germany, where families would light candles or make chalk marks on doors to count down the days.

By the early 1900s, printed calendars began to appear, often with religious imagery and tiny doors that revealed Bible verses. In 1908, Gerhard Lang (considered the father of the modern advent calendar) created one with little pictures behind each flap, inspired by a childhood memory of his mother attaching sweets to a cardboard calendar.

Fast forward to the 1950s, and chocolate advent calendars became popular. Today, the concept has blossomed into a wide array of themed calendars from beauty products to whisky tastings, LEGO sets to pet treats. But in a world craving connection, sustainability, and slower living, a new kind of advent calendar is taking root.

Introducing the Garden Advent Calendar by Border in a Box

Imagine opening a beautifully illustrated envelope each day in December, not to find a sugary treat, but a packet of seeds – each one a promise of growth, colour, and life in the months ahead. That’s the magic of the Garden Advent Calendar from Border in a Box.

This luxurious gardening gift box includes:

• 24 hand-drawn botanical envelopes, each featuring a festive wreath design and numbered for the countdown.
• 24 full-size seed packets with a mix includes vegetables, herbs, salad greens, and flowers which are perfect for sunny or part-sunny gardens.
• A generous length of baker’s twine and 24 mini pegs, so you can hang your envelopes like a garland or display them creatively in your home.
• Sowing instructions on each packet, making it beginner-friendly and fuss-free.

Whether you have a sprawling garden, a balcony, or just a few pots on a windowsill, this calendar is designed to inspire and delight. It’s a gift that keeps on giving long after the tinsel is packed away.

Why Choose a Seed Advent Calendar?

1. It’s Sustainable and Thoughtful

Unlike plastic-filled calendars that end up in landfill, this one is made from FSC paper and card (and can be recycled) and gives a gentle nudge toward greener living by encouraging people to grow their own food and flowers. It’s the perfect eco-friendly Christmas gift for gardeners and nature lovers.

2. It Sparks Joy

Each day brings a new surprise – will it be basil, cosmos, or carrots? The variety keeps things exciting and it’s perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

3. It Extends the Festive Feeling

While most advent calendars end on Christmas Eve, this one sets you up for a year of gardening joy. The seeds can be sown throughout the seasons, (every month) making it a gift that truly lasts all year. All seeds are from Mr Fothergill’s, one of the UK’s most trusted seed suppliers, packed in foil sachets for freshness.

4. It’s Beautifully Designed

The hand-drawn wreath illustrations are unique and are beautifully packaged into a box which can be reused to store the seed packets or recycled.

5. It’s a Gift of Wellness

Gardening is proven to reduce stress and boost our mood. This calendar isn’t just a countdown it’s an invitation to slow down as time slips by all too quickly, so what better way to appreciate the moment than to grow your own flowers, veg and herbs. There are seeds to sow each month which is an ideal way to pause and get back to nature and nurture your soul.

Seed Packets Example: (please note, they may vary due to availability)

Who Is It For?

• Nature lovers who want to bring the outdoors in during winter.
• Gardeners of all levels – from beginners to green fingered experts.
• Eco-conscious gift givers looking for something meaningful and waste-free.
• Families who want to share a daily ritual that’s educational and fun.
• Anyone feeling the winter blues – because what better antidote than the promise of spring?

How to Display It

Get creative! Here are a few ideas:

• String the envelopes across a window or around the stairs using the twine and pegs.
• Place them in a rustic basket with pinecones and fairy lights.
• Use them as daily table settings in December and let each guest open one!

A New Alternative Advent Calendar for 2025:

The 12 Days of Christmas – Geranium Theme:

Each day is filled with a beautiful gift inspired by Pelargoniums and Geraniums and includes

Calendar, Coasters, Soap, Wax Melt, Bookmark, Notecards, Notebook, Plant markers, Recipe Card, Geranium (hardy) and seed kit so you can grow some plants on your windowsill straight away.

A New Tradition Begins

In a world that often feels fast-paced and digitally saturated, our Garden Advent Calendars offers a return to something slower. It’s not just about counting down it’s about planting seeds of hope, as Audrey Hepburn once said

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”

As we prepare for the festive season, let’s choose gifts that reflect our values and let’s celebrate nature.

So, this December, swap the chocolate for chard, the plastic for parsley, and the gimmicks for geraniums. Let your countdown be a celebration of nature, colour, and the promise of spring.

More information:

24 Day Seed Advent Calendar – Seed Advent Calendar

Geranium & Pelargonium Advent Calendar – 12 Days of Christmas