24 Day vs. 12 Day Advent Calendars: What's the Difference?

Advent calendars have become a beloved holiday tradition, but not all calendars serve the same purpose. Understanding the difference between a 24/25 day Advent calendar and a 12-day calendar can help you choose the right one for your celebration – and ensure you’re not left disappointed in the countdown to Christmas!

The 24 (25) Day Advent Calendar: Counting Down to Christmas

The traditional Advent calendar contains either 24 or 25 doors, windows, or compartments, designed as a countdown to Christmas Day.

What is Advent? Advent is the Christian season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas. It traditionally begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25th, which means it can start anywhere from late November to early December. However, most commercial Advent calendars simply start on December 1st.

How it works:

Calendars with 24 doors run from December 1st through December 24th (Christmas Eve)
Calendars with 25 doors extend through December 25th (Christmas Day itself)
Each day, you open one door to reveal a treat, toy, or message
The anticipation builds as you count down the days until Christmas arrives

The 12 Day Calendar: Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas

A 12-day calendar follows an entirely different tradition and timeline—it celebrates the twelve days after Christmas, not before it.

What are the Twelve Days of Christmas? In Christian tradition, the Twelve Days of Christmas is the festive period running from December 25th (Christmas Day) through January 5th, culminating on January 6th with Epiphany (also called Twelfth Night or Three Kings’ Day). This period celebrates the time between Christ’s birth and the arrival of the Magi (the three wise men).

The Significance of Each Day

Each of the twelve days holds special meaning in the Christian calendar:

Day 1 (December 25th) – Christmas Day: The birth of Jesus Christ. This is the central celebration of Christianity, marking the incarnation of God in human form.
Day 2 (December 26th) – St. Stephen’s Day: Honors St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was stoned to death for his faith. Also known as Boxing Day in many countries.
Day 3 (December 27th) – St. John the Apostle’s Day: Celebrates St. John the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of John and one of Jesus’s closest disciples.
Day 4 (December 28th) – Feast of the Holy Innocents: A solemn day commemorating the infant boys killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus.
Day 5 (December 29th) – St. Thomas Becket’s Day: Honors Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in 1170. In some traditions, this day focuses on other saints.
Day 6 (December 30th) – Feast of the Holy Family Celebrates Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the Holy Family, emphasizing family values and the domestic life of Jesus.
Day 7 (December 31st) – New Year’s Eve/St. Sylvester’s Day: The final day of the calendar year, often dedicated to St. Sylvester I, a 4th-century pope. A time for reflection on the year past.
Day 8 (January 1st) – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Honors Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus. Also marks New Year’s Day and the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ in some traditions.
Day 9 (January 2nd) – St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen: Commemorates these influential early Church fathers and theologians who shaped Christian doctrine.
Day 10 (January 3rd) – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus: Celebrates the naming of Jesus, which occurred eight days after his birth according to Jewish custom.
Day 11 (January 4th) – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: In the United States, this day honors the first native-born American saint. Other regions may observe different saints.
Day 12 (January 5th) – St. John Neumann or Eve of Epiphany: The final day before Epiphany, traditionally a day of anticipation. Some regions honor St. John Neumann or other saints.

January 6th – Epiphany (Twelfth Night) Though technically after the twelve days, Epiphany is the culmination of the season. It celebrates the visit of the Magi (wise men) to the baby Jesus, representing Christ being revealed to the Gentiles. In some traditions, this is when gifts are exchanged, mirroring the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Magi.

How it works:

The calendar begins on December 25th and continues for twelve consecutive days
Each day reveals a new surprise, extending the celebration beyond Christmas Day
The tradition is rooted in the famous Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, etc.)
It emphasizes that Christmas is not just a single day but a season of celebration

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose a 24/25 day Advent calendar if you want to:

Build excitement and anticipation leading up to Christmas
Create a daily ritual throughout December
Help children count down the days until Christmas morning

Choose a 12-day Advent calendar if you want to:

Extend the celebration beyond Christmas Day
Honor the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas
Keep the festive spirit alive into the new year

Both types of calendars offer their own unique charm and can even be used together for those who want to celebrate the full season from start to finish!

Explore Our Advent Calendar Guides

Now that you understand the different types of advent calendars, it’s time to find the perfect one for your celebration. Whether you’re crafting your own countdown or choosing a themed calendar, we’ve got you covered with these helpful guides:

DIY Boozy Advent Calendars – Craft an adults-only calendar filled with spirits, cocktails, and festive drinks
150+ Fillers for DIY Advent Calendars for All the Family – Creative ideas to fill your homemade calendar with treats, toys, and surprises for everyone
Tea Advent Calendars – Discover the best tea advent calendars for a cozy countdown to Christmas
Coffee Advent Calendars – Wake up to a new coffee experience each day with our top picks

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