Chocolate Christmas Traditions: A Brief History

Ever wondered about the meaning behind your favourite chocolate Christmas traditions? Whether you’ve always wanted to know where advent calendars come from, why we gift chocolate gold coins, the origin of those delicious Yule log desserts or when Secret Santa managed to sneak its way into the fabric of office life — you’ll find all the answers (and some tasty treats to boot!) in our latest blog.

So come all ye faithful and hop into Cadbury’s sleigh for a whistle-stop tour of our most famous chocolate Christmas traditions, from their histories to their meanings and how they’ve shaped one of the world’s biggest festive holidays. .

The origin of the advent calendar harks back to the 1800s when families would mark every day of December, right up to Christmas Eve, with a line of chalk. The word ‘advent’ is derived from the Latin for ‘coming’ and originally described the four weeks leading up to Baptism. Today it’s more commonly associated with the birth of Jesus Christ for those who practice Christianity and Christmas Eve for secular nations in the West.

Thankfully, advent calendars have come a long way since inedible chalk lines. But how did we get to the delicious choccy treats we know today?

Germany’s Gerhard Lang is considered the creator of the first printed advent calendar, producing a cardboard version in the early 1900s. As WWII broke out across Europe, however, cardboard became rationed, and Lang was forced to close down his business in the 1930s.

After the war, Richard Sellmer, a German man from Stuttgart, designed an advent calendar based on a traditional winter town scene, and by 1946 was producing advent calendars en masse. In the 1950s, Sellmer began exporting his creations to the US, where they became more affordable and accessible to families across the economic classes.

Fun fact: Sellmer’s company still operates today, producing 140 varieties of advent calendars — including his original winter town design.

Now, here’s where we get to the good stuff. The origin of the chocolate advent calendar is a relativity recent one — but it does include the nation’s favourite chocolatier *ahem*.

Chocolate advent calendars began appearing in the UK throughout the 1950s and 60s but didn’t catch on until much later. The cardboard version popularised by Sellmer continued to win the nation’s hearts before Cadbury (the one and only) threw its hat into the ring, producing its first chocolate calendar in 1971. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that chocolate advent calendars became the cornerstone of the Christmas tradition we see today.

Whew! Learning about the history of advent calendars is a hungry business. Fancy getting one for yourself? Explore Cadbury’s OG selection of chocolate advent calendars, just in time for Christmas.

Ah, the humble chocolate coin. A permanent fixture of the festive season, these edible gold delights are consumed by their millions every year in the UK alone, but where does this chocolate Christmas tradition come from?

Well, it all begins with Santa Claus, who is derived from St. Nicholas, a Christian Bishop from the 3rd century living in modern-day Turkey. Renowned for his kindness and charity, one famous tale reports that he helped raise three young women out of poverty by anonymously throwing gold coins through their windows and down their chimneys, which caught in the stockings hanging up to dry by the fireplace. Since then, chocolate gold coins have become a symbol of festive offerings, making perfect Secret Santa presents, stocking fillers and basically just really tasty gifts.

The history of the Yule log goes all the way back to ancient Norse times when people would use them to celebrate the return of the sun at the winter solstice. Traditionally, a Yule log was the trunk of a tree, which was brought into the home and placed, large end first, into the fireplace to feed a fire which would last for 12 days of the ‘Yule’ festival.

The exact time when Yule logs transitioned into traditional Christmas desserts is unclear. However, most people credit the personal baker of Charles III of Monaco, Pierre Lacam. Said to have created the famous chocolate Yule log in the late 1800s (as the log-burning tradition began to formally fade from popularity), the original Bûche de Noël was a Genoise sponge cake with chocolate and coffee buttercream filling, and a buttercream coating finished with scratches to imitate a bark pattern.

Throughout the 20th century, most chocolate Yule logs (or Bûche de Noël) more or less followed the same recipe, while today, you’ll find limitless variations on the market. Regardless of taste, however, this chocolate Christmas tradition continues to be a festive mainstay on many a table.

A widespread festive practice in Western nations, Secret Santa is another modern Christmas tradition which has its roots in charity. While no report can confirm its exact history, Secret Santa’s origin is famously tied to one Larry Dean Stewart, an American philanthropist and business owner who gave anonymous gifts during the Christmas period. Reportedly, Stewart handed out 100$ bills to people in the street and gave a whopping $1.3 million away within 26 years. Eventually, news of his identity spread and he went on to found the Society of Secret Santas, a group which travelled the country to continue his legacy.

Nowadays, Secret Santa is a yearly tradition for all sorts of communities, from schools to families and neighbourhoods — and is particularly popular in UK workplaces, providing a fun way to take part in the festivities and spread some anonymous Christmas cheer while avoiding bankrupting yourself on presents for the whole team.

But, did you know that up to 2.5 million Secret Santa gifts exchanged in UK offices end up in the bin? Equating to an approximate (but jaw-dropping) £32,400,000 worth of presents heading to landfill, research suggests the culprit behind the travesty is simply unwanted gifts. Thankfully, with 58% of workers citing chocolate and sweets to be the best Secret Santa presents to receive, the solution is just a click away.

Whether you’re looking to reward your hard-working office or pick the perfect Secret Santa gift for Susan in accounts (who’s notoriously picky, we might add), Cadbury’s Corporate Christmas gifts are your one-stop shop for simple, fuss-free shopping this festive season.

Explore chocolate hampers bursting with all our best-selling treats and in sizes to suit every budget. If you’re feeding a crowd, our Cadbury Selection Pack is sure to hit the spot. Or, for a gift with that extra special touch, why not try our personalised bars of classic Dairy milk and make-your-own-hampers?

Explore our Corporate Christmas Gifts page to learn more about our discounts for individuals and businesses now — who doesn’t love a bargain?

Discover our Christmas hub for gift-giving inspiration to suit the whole family. From hampers paired with beer and wine to gift boxes, selection boxes and more — you’ll find everything you need to treat yourself and spoil your loved ones this Christmas.