The practice of using a calendar to count down the days until Christmas – an advent calendar – supposedly began in 1851 in Austria with carefully handmade versions. Since then, advent calendars have taken all forms, from chocolate to jello to Lego.

Along with illustrator Tom Eaton (who animated Sufjan Stevens’ "Put the Lights on the Tree" video), we thought it might be nice to celebrate this year with a very special Asthmatic Kitty advent calendar. And Tom Eaton really came through on this one, detailing the scene with all kinds of nice Christmas surprises. Just don’t open them early!

We’re giving this away free to anyone who purchases Sufjan’s Songs for Christmas boxset  before December 25, 2007 ($19 for 5 CDs, here), or you buy the calendar separately for $5. To do so, or see a larger image of the calendar, click here.