A Creative Christmas Countdown with Jonathon Marc Mendes
Everybody loves the countdown to Christmas and this year with more of us at home than ever, why not push the boat out beyond a daily chocolate with a stylish 3-D advent calendar which doubles as a decorative installation?
This fun idea was brought to life for us by Jonathon Marc Mendes, a furniture artist also known for home crafts and upcycling. It is super easy plus it adds a different dimension to rooms without a mantle. It creates a festive focal point whether you’re preparing for Christmas with your family, in a school or club, even in the office for your colleagues.
Yule (sorry, you'll) absolutely love getting crafty as you follow Jonathon’s easy step by step video for a whole 24 days of anticipation or just make those 12 days of Christmas extra special.
Do this either in secret to surprise your lucky gift recipients or how about collaborating as a family? You could divvy up the dates, almost like a secret Santa, and each contribute gifts to make it more fun.
You can of course theme each one of the gifts for the appropriate setting, this is an especially fun idea of the office, even if everyone is working remotely, you could do virtual openings on Zoom or Teams over a coffee to boost morale and pop ‘a thought for the day’ in each box too to make it motivational and engaging.
If your alternative advent calendar is for children, it’s effortless and affordable to pop a handful of sweets from a family bag or small gifts like stickers, stationery, maybe a rolled-up comic. Keep them guessing!
Jonathon’s advent calendar gifts are all wrapped in our natural wrap and twine for a pared back luxe wintery feel but you could easily mix in different coloured wrap and theme parcels for each person’s ‘day’. Remember to mix your numbers up so that as you take each gift down it still looks good and remains even.
Once you untie a parcel, replace it with one of this season’s stunning statement baubles in glass and gold or how about pinning up your Christmas cards as they arrive? Keep those thoughtful sentiments close to hand from those you love but can’t be with this year.
About Jonathon Marc Mendes
Jonathon is a furniture artist, interiors enthusiast, photographer and part-time hairdresser who lives in lovely Lincolnshire with his husband and cat. Jonathon loves to share his passion for painting by teaching through workshops both in person and online, and was Annie Sloan’s Painter in Residence in 2017 which took him all over the world to share his skills. A big lover of upcycling and interior design on a budget, he has been able to use this passion to renovate his Edwardian home, and is kindly sharing some of that expertise with us!
Photo credit: Jonathon Marc Mendes
Find out more about Jonathon Marc Mendes
https://www.instagram.com/jonathonmarcmendes_paintedlove/