To make the days and weeks before Christmas extra special, try creating your own advent calendar. I couldn’t help but style my own calendar using this years natural tones, pictured above.

Advent calendars have had a resurgence over the last few years, with many luxury brands creating their own iterations. These can be wildly expensive, such as this offering from Tiffany & Co.

Creating your own doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, however, if you plan your gifts right. Here’s a few ideas to kick-start your creativity - for the majority of the food items I would use Sabato (New Zealand-based retailer), but this would change depending on the country you’re based in. Remember to choose your gifts according to what your opener would like:

Movie tickets slipped into a little wrapped box
Mini candles - The White Company is my favourite
Miniature alcohol bottles - I like Scapegrace
Lipstick - Mac has some nice holiday colours
Miniature cars
Essential oils
Mini chocolate boxes - lots of options here so you can use a few different varieties
Mini hand cream - try Jurlique
Christmas decorations
Mini Lego sets
Key rings
Erasers
Hair accessories
Lip balms
Miniature bottles of bubbles
Chocolate coins - try Fortnum and Mason
Mini tea canisters - try Fortnum and Mason
‘I owe you’ vouchers
Mini olive oils
Mini vinegars
Mini Jams
Spices
Honey
Liquorice
Mini fruitcake
Single gingerbread men
Roasted almonds
Olives
Mini books

Displaying your gifts is where your true creativity will be utilised. Not everyone has shelving on hand, but you can make do by arranging your gifts on tiered boxes, or adding pockets to a sheet of brown cardboard.

For wrapping and styling, I like to choose one or two base colours, then complement with small touches like ribbons and Christmas decorations. Don’t forget the date tags so you can see which gifts to open for which day.

Happy making!

With love, Sandra x

Creating Your Own Advent Calendar