Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicised version of the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming".
Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday. The Eastern churches' equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs in both length and observances and does not begin the church year, which starts instead on September 1.
At least in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian and Methodist calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25th, which is the Sunday between November 27 and December 3 inclusive. This year Advent starts on December 1st.
Advent is not just a time of expectant waiting but also a busy time of Christmas preparations. Where I come from, all household would make an advent crown and use it as countdown to Christmas. It is often made of a wreath of greenery and has four candles. One of the candles is lit every Sunday - the first one today.
On this first Sunday in advent shopping centres etc. will be very busy with shoppers and families looking at the Christmas lights and visiting Santa Claus.
As Christmas is still four weeks away, why don't you take a bit of time out away from the crowds, get a bit of fresh air and find this cache. It is placed close to one of the big shopping centres. Please rehide it well. And BYOP. Tweezers would also be handy.