美国国家公共电台 NPR--The evolution of the advent calendar

The evolution of the advent¹ calendar

Transcript²

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

OK, we're nearly a week into December, which means many of us are working our way through Advent calendars.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Oh, yeah. You open a little door on a cardboard panel every day for the 24 days before Christmas, and behind each door is a treat, traditionally a little chocolate.

MARTIN: But these days, Advent calendars are going far beyond chocolate,

INSKEEP: Oh, yeah. Beef jerky - beef jerky - or socks, even beard oil.

MARCIA MOGELONSKY: They're everywhere. They're just everywhere. Everything's an Advent calendar now.

MARTIN: You're so excited about the beef jerky.

INSKEEP: (Laughter).

MARTIN: Marcia Mogelonsky is an expert on consumer behavior at the market research firm Mintel.

MOGELONSKY: It's a great way to sell stuff, especially little samples of stuff.

INSKEEP: For example, beef jerky. She says getting those little samples to customers is important to companies right now.

MOGELONSKY: It's especially difficult to sell new products when the economy is not the best in the world because you're reluctant to spend a big amount of money on something you might not like.

MARTIN: Brands hope their Advent calendars get customers buying more, whether it's beer or art supplies or makeup³.

MOGELONSKY: So if you like it, after Christmas, you can go buy the big thing that came with a little thing, like the whole makeup kit⁴ that came with the one lipstick⁵.

INSKEEP: Some of these Advent calendars are getting wild. There is a luxury calendar by British jeweler C W Sellors that costs $23,000.

MARTIN: Despite how absolutely out of control that sounds, Marca Mogelonsky says Advent calendars are actually a great way to give gifts.

MOGELONSKY: We all need the gift of time, and this is a way of slowing us down. So it kind of prolongs the experience, as the original Advent calendar concept was when it was developed in the late 19th century. It was a way of marking the days till Christmas.

INSKEEP: In fact, Mogelonsky thinks Advent calendars do not have to be just for Christmas anymore.

MOGELONSKY: A countdown to your birthday, a countdown to your kid's graduation. Instead of one big gift, draw it out. Slow time down a bit by counting the days till this happens.

MARTIN: Counting down days with the gift of your choice.

1 advent   

n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临

参考例句：

• Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
• The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

4 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

5 lipstick   

n.口红，唇膏

参考例句：

• Taking out her lipstick,she began to paint her lips.她拿出口红，开始往嘴唇上抹。
• Lipstick and hair conditioner are cosmetics.口红和护发素都是化妆品。