If you’re as excited about Christmas as I am this year, you’ll be feeling ‘fizzy’ today – which is exactly how I felt when I turned on my laptop and realised that it’s the 1st December! My days just run together at times and I often lose track of the date, so it was a surprise and a joy to discover that today’s the day that I’m officially ‘allowed’ to get excited about Christmas!
Not that it’s stopped me from being excited for the past couple of months, – I’ve just kept it to myself somewhat. Although, if you’ve been reading my blog over those weeks you may have spotted a few festive DIYs and money-saving Christmas shopping posts creeping into my content. Even my YouTube channel has had a sprinkling of seasonal step-by-step videos.
I think the reason I get so excited for Christmas is that, as a copywriter, I start writing festive articles in September, and planning them even earlier than that. Well, when you’ve got a winter edition of a magazine hitting the shelves in November, you’ve got to plan ahead right?! So Christmas is on my mind for months, and now I can finally share the results of that work with you today…
I’m so happy to tell you that the current issue of Reclaim magazine features my article on vintage advent calendars. It covers the history of the tradition, ways to find a genuine vintage piece and three different ways to style advent calendars as part of your festive decor. It’s still in the shops so pick up a copy of the magazine for yourself before 11th December to have a read of my Design Icon column.
I think that reuseable advent calendars of ANY kind, vintage or otherwise, is a great idea for the countdown to Christmas. Not least because you’re able to fill it with treats you actually want! But also because it’s the sustainable, environmentally friendly option. With a wooden or DIY advent calendar, there’s no need need to throw the cardboard outer in the recycling bin, and hurrah for no longer having plastic moulded inners with foil stuck to them.
Although the focus of my article was vintage advent calendars, I also included an alternative DIY option – this envelope countdown made by Amy from the Cuter Tudor interiors blog. It’s such a neat idea and all you need is a frame and some string to make it for yourself. Check out her DIY advent calendar blog post right here for all the details and list of supplies.
You might remember that I made my own advent calendar last year using tiny buckets that I bought from the car boot sale. In fact, I’ve shared a step-by-step DIY video to make this refillable advent calendar so have a watch of that too! As soon as I finish writing this post I’m going to fill up those mini buckets ready for the rest of December. Plus, I’ve also got an advent candle to light each evening. It’s nice to enjoy a cosy glow in the living room while the candle counts down to Christmas.
Issue 45 of Reclaim magazine will be on newsagents’ shelves until 11th December so make sure you pick up a copy – it’s fabulously festive throughout and offers plenty of inspiration for unique Christmas interiors. Plus, the cover has an iridescent font which makes the whole issue feel magical and super sparkly! I’m half-way through reading this issue (loving the festive styling suggestions by Tamsyn Morgans and I can’t wait to make the traditional eggnog recipe by Alice Roberton for the 1st time) so I’m going to put my feet up this December 1st and finish flicking through the pages.
How will you be counting down the days to Christmas this year? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
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One Response
I never do advent calendars because i’m not a huge chocolate gal – might just make my own and fill them all with mini bottles of wine!