The Laboratory

Anniversary Flashback: 2011 On the Advent Calendar, we always try and stay ahead of the trends, which is why in 2011 we led with the Olympics, featuring knitted athletes , mascots of yesteryear , and this lovely picture of Vancouver 2010's mascots who we were introduced to in Toronto that year. Quatchi, Mukmuk, Miga and Sumi We're already looking forward to Rio 2016 (ignore the knocking news stories) even though we can't be there for the opening day like we were at London 2012. But we're also sad about Sochi 2014, for more information read here . To download all of 2011's pictures, click here .

Welcome to December! It's great to have you back on the oft-imitated but never-bettered Creen Advent Calendar. Sarah and Adam here, in our 9th year of entertaining you all with surprises every day, as you "open the windows"of the incredibly low-tech homepage at http://bit.ly/adcal2011 Every year, we ask you for your requests - we enjoy the challenge and no idea is too silly, as long as it's vaguely Christmas related, or linked in with our theme, which this year is ... the Olympics! Sounds too obvious? Wait and see what we have planned! We'd also love some guest posts, so if you're interested in sharing a picture, photo, poem or story, just get in touch on Twitter or email . Anyway, on with the show! --- Christmas makes us think of snow, we're certainly hoping for a white Christmas, even if we will be in the South of England where it hardly ever snows. And here are some friends who just love snow - it's the mascots from the Vancouver Winter Oly...