After the huge success of its Real Easter Egg, the Meaningful
Chocolate Company is launching a Real Advent Calendar that tells the
Christmas story.
Instead of the usual sleds and reindeer, behind each door of the Real
Advent Calendar is a Belgian chocolate star and a snippet of the
Christmas story.
The last door opens to a chocolate and a 24-page
booklet telling the story of the birth of Christ.
The Real Advent Calendar goes on sale on 7 October and at least 10p from every sale will be donated to the Children's Society.
The Bishop of Truro and Chair of the Children's Society's Board of
Trustees, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, said; "I encourage everyone
to go and buy a Real Advent calendar this year. The proceeds will
benefit The Children's Society which works directly with some of the
most disadvantaged children in the country - ensuring they are loved,
valued and listened to."
The Real Advent Calendar is the latest product from the company that
launched the Real Easter Egg in 2011 as the only Easter egg on Britain's
supermarket shelves to tell the meaning of the festival on its
packaging.
As with the Real Easter Egg, the chocolates in the Real Advent Calendar are fairtrade.
"Farmers in the developing world receive a good price for their
produce," said David Marshall, founder of the Meaningful Chocolate
Company.
"They also receive a premium cash payment to invest in their
community - enabling them to buy everything from schoolbooks to solar
panels."
The card used in the Real Advent Calendar is recycled and the plastic
tray holding the treats is made from recycled mineral water bottles.
Tesco is the only supermarket stocking the calendar this year.
"Supplies will be available in most Tesco stores. This is a very
significant step and we hope people will support it," Mr Marshall added.
The calendar also supports the Christmas Starts with Christ campaign,
which runs from 1 December to Christmas Day to share the real meaning
of the season.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: "The Real Advent
Calendar offers a unique way to share the Christmas story while
supporting The Children's Society and Fairtrade. I believe it will be
widely welcomed by all. The Real Advent Calendar is a chance to educate,
stimulate our thinking and do good."