Leicestershire Woman Introduces Book-Based Advent Calendars as Festive Alternative

The period leading up to Christmas has traditionally involved small chocolates concealed behind cardboard doors. However, a woman residing in Leicestershire suggests that books offer a “life-changing” alternative to confectionery within this holiday custom. Tina Walford, who operates a bookshop in Hathern, has been developing personalized advent calendars featuring books since last year, distributing them across the entire UK. “Perfume companies are doing them, cosmetic companies are doing them, so I thought why not have a book advent calendar?” Ms Walford stated. Ms Walford clarified that there is no obligation to read the books on the day they are opened, noting that they could provide enjoyment for up to a year, depending on an individual’s reading pace. “For book people, it’s no good having a chocolate, because once you’ve eaten it, it’s gone forever. But a book advent calendar is 24 books. You don’t need to read them all at once, but the pleasure is in opening them and deciding when you’re going to read them.” “And of course, it lasts much longer than than the 24 days it can last you all year if you read one a month and you’ve got them forever.” Ms Walford curates the books for the advent calendars, tailoring selections based on recipients’ age, gender, hobbies, and preferences. Among the requests received thus far are science fiction titles and “Galactic Wars” themed advent calendars. “People that take stories from watching films miss an awful lot, you only get the things that can happen visually in action,” Ms Walford commented. “All the background information, the history, the thinking, the planning, the plotting, all of that… they can’t rely on a film [to show them that].” Ms Walford also highlighted mental advantages, stating that reading has the capacity to “challenge the brain.” A spokesperson representing Tesco verified a “growing trend” for advent calendars that do not contain chocolate. Dr. Grant Ingrams, a general practitioner based in Glenfield, expressed his approval for the shift towards non-chocolate advent calendars, acknowledging the potential for appearing “a bit of a Grinch.” “You know what it can be like once every aunt and uncle, and Tom, Dick, and Harry have brought [kids] an advent calendar, they can be overwhelmed in chocolate.” Reading books would additionally “improve their mind, their memory, and their cognitive skills,” he added. Ms Walford encouraged individuals who typically do not read to try it, particularly for the memories it has the potential to generate. “It could teach you something or give you a piece of information that you don’t otherwise have.” “That could cause you to completely change the whole rest of your life, and chocolate can’t do that, sorry,” she concluded.