Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning “Coming’) is observed in many Western Christian Churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year begins on Advent Sunday.

The progression of the season is often marked with an Advent Calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25.

The origin of the Advent Calendar can be traced back to the 19th Century. Religious families made a chalk line on the door for every day in December until Christmas Eve.

The first known Advent Calendar which was made by handwork dates from 1851.

Other early styles were the Adventclock or the Advent candle – a candle for each of the 24 days until Christmas, like todays Advent wreath.

Sometimes little pictures were hang up on the wall – one for each day in December.

In 1902 a Christian Bookshop in Hamburg, Germany published a Christmas Clock which was very similar to that published 1922 by the St. Johannis printing company. (Dominik Wunderlin, lic. phil. Swizzerland).

1903 appears to be the year of the first printed Advent Calendar.

In 1904 an Advent Calendar was inserted in the newspaper “Neues Tagblatt Stuttgart” as a gift for their readers. In the early days, Bible verses would often replace the pictures behind the doors.

We know that Advent Calendars filled with Chocolate were already available in 1958.

Fabric permanent Advent calendars can be reused and filled with small treats, to even small symbolic items to help teach children the meaning of the time of year.

The Early Show on July 6, 2009 featured one of our best-selling products:

Collapsible Foldable wheeled trolley shopping cart Bag Reisenthel

The miniature transformation giant is what the manufacturer calls this- and we agree. Most shopping trolleys take up a lot of space and storage- especially for city dwellers with small living spaces. …

The most practical way to shop, and it’s convenient for travel, for the beach, for vacations. Folds up to nothing at all!

To kick off the end of summer and the start of back – to – school Touch of Europe is giving away the über popular  Reisenthel Carry Bags from Germany.

The carry bag is one of the most popular items and for good reason. These high quality, sturdy and lightweight multi-use baskets are both functional and beautiful. They make a great shopping sidekick at the store or farmers market. Pack a delicious lunch, grab your blanket and head out to a grassy area with your loved ones for a picnic. The Reisenthel Carry Bag is perfect with it’s rubberized feet and handle, sturdy, lightweight construction and comes in a variety of colors.

Winners will be able to choose from our available inventory of the Carry Bag.

How to Enter:

Simply post a comment on the Touch of Europe blog! It doesn’t have to be this post, it can be ANY post.

Please remember, no profanity or spam. Those entries will not be included in the drawing and subsequent postings by that IP address will be ineligible.

As a bonus, all entries will automatically receive the Touch of Europe newsletter! Over 22,000 readers already enjoy learning different recipes, decorating tips from Touch of Europe designers, and get the first notification about sales and giveaways.

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So it’s definitely going to outsmart the wind and rain!

Walking stick and natural wood handle, elegant, practical and stylish!

Reisenthel Umbrella Always Springs Back

You can tell just by looking: this umbrella is different. You’ll certainly recognize this by the time the first stormy gust of wind hits you. The rods’ special construction means that the umbrel …

Carry Bag – Reisenthel Germany Collapsible Bag-15 Carrybag Colors

Here is what a few customers have said about this fantastic product: “This tote is gorgeous, sturdy, and shows superior craftsmanship. I will gladly pay 39.99 again for another bag of this quality. …

“This tote is gorgeous, sturdy, and shows superior craftsmanship. I will gladly pay 39.99 again for another bag of this quality. Did I mention that it looks great too?

I have several of the cheaper versions of the Reisenthel Carrybag and they are all junk compared to this tote!! By using this type of market tote to do my shopping I won’t have to use paper nor plastic bags. Plus the handy zipper pocket can hold my valuables.

This tote finally answers one of my design questions with the cheaper knock-offs of this bag – how do you keep the “spines” in place. Well, this quality tote finally gave me the “ahh haa” moment as this bag has a unique way to keep the “spines” in place.

Go for quality and buy this tote! It is a keeper! By the way – the seller had super fast shipping and nice packaging…”

“This basket is awesome! It fits on the foot area of my Honda scooter and it is sturdy enough to be held there with a bungee cord, full of groceries, all the way home from the store without warping or bending even a smidge. The rubber grip on the handle makes it easy and comfortable to carry even with heavy items like milk, canned goods, etc. This basket is my new sidekick, forget hauling around a huge shoulder bag! I plan to take it camping, on picnics, on the plane, to the mall, and I’m sure it will be handy for hauling toys and snacks and changes of clothes when we have kids! All busy chicks should have one of these gorgeous, sturdy, handy carry-alls”

“I keep this basket in my car and use it for everything- picnics, taking things to my children’s school, carrying multiple small items to work, school, soccer and baseball games or church… It’s lightweight, easy to clean and has a small inside zipper pocket that can carry my keys and Blackberry. I have the polka dot pattern and get compliments all of the time”