With Christmas right around the corner, advent calendars are flying off the shelves. But we recently came across an advent tradition we were less familiar with: kalenderlys. In Denmark, families light these numbered candles every day leading up to Christmas, just as you'd open up an advent calendar door or light a traditional advent wreath, to countdown to December 25th.
"In most families the candles are lit every day from December 1st as a soothing factor in a hectic period, quite often at the breakfast table," Visit Denmark's website explains. "Frequently it is the childrens' duty to blow out the candle before it burns down too far into the next date."
Christmas Calendar Candles
HomestreetBoutique Advent Christmas Countdown Candle
Credit: Etsy
KindredFires Advent Calendar Candle
Credit: Etsy
Alison Gardiner Alison Gardiner Festive Candles
Credit: Amazon
LeevLiefde Advent Calendar Candle Stick
Credit: EtsyNeedless to say, if you're a fan of the cozy hygge aesthetic, this is another Danish tradition you'll want to bring to your home. After all, there's nothing more comforting than starting or ending the day by lighting a candle.
These countdown candles might not be popular here in the US, but in Denmark, you can find them everywhere: from luxury boutiques to the equivalent of a 99 cent store. Which begs the question: why haven't Americans hopped on the trend?
More Christmas Calendar Candles
DanishChristmasShop Danish Advent Candle
Credit: Etsy
Alison Gardiner Traditional Christmas Advent Calendar Candle
Credit: Amazon
Georg Jensen Georg Jensen CC 2021 Silver Calendar Candle
Credit: Olivela
adventdaily Christmas Advent Countdown Candle
Credit: EtsyLet us be the first to bring them into our own homes this year. Tradition has to start somewhere, and we're happy to carry the torch for this one.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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