Eyes scanning for number 1, knowing 24 more are to come (if you resist early peeking, that is), the first door of an advent calendar holds a unique magic that age never seems to diminish. Of course, it’s a tangible countdown for little ones who are impatiently waiting for what Santa might leave them under the tree, but for adults, too, it can hold great importance. It’s the feelings of family and nostalgia: prising open each little door prompts you to focus on the present moment. It’s not just about the treats that await, it’s about taking a moment to enjoy the ritual. The temporary diversion of your attention from, say, those shopping lists, that restless social diary, that nativity costume you need to make. For those fleeting seconds it’s a reminder that, amidst the rush, we can still take pleasure from the little things, from each little numbered compartment.