Advent calendars have been around for ages, but we're living in a golden age.
Commercially available options include everything from Legos to booze, high-end chocolate to beauty products — even surprises for pets, like the cat treat-filled Christmas countdown box I nabbed the other night at Trader Joe's for my furry bestie, Dellie.
Even if I'm not looking forward to Dec. 25 like a kid these days, Advent calendars have always been a favorite holiday tradition. When I was a child, one year my endlessly creative Gramma Scott crafted us a massive three-dimensional Advent calendar from fabric, tucking tiny wooden ornaments behind each door and window of an elaborate Christmas village scene brought to life with applique, sequins, fabric paint and lots of love. We'd take turns each evening before bed, hanging another ornament on a mini faux tree until the big night: Christmas Eve.
No matter your age, it's a ton of fun to have something small to look forward to each day during such a busy yet festive time of year, whether it's a piece of candy, a tiny toy, or something to share with a beloved pet.
With that in mind, we set out to craft an Advent calendar of Inland Northwest holiday adventures for this year's Holiday Guide, offering a suggestion of something to do each day between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. While some of the events featured herein are one-day only, others can be enjoyed across weeks, or even any day (check details at the end of each writeup for the full picture). If you need even more ideas for activities to enjoy with family and friends this season, also find our comprehensive event calendar at the end of the guide.
Happy Holidays!
— CHEY SCOTT, Inlander Editor
COVER PHOTO
Leslie Douglas
EDITORIAL LAYOUT
Derrick King
CONTRIBUTORS
E.J. Iannelli
Madison Pearson
Colton Rasanen
Dora Scott
Seth Sommerfeld
