Making Advent Magic: Behind the Nordic Forest Chalet
Our Calendar of Advent is the result of nearly 12 months of work and a reflection of the passion of the team that created it. For the creative team at Vosges, the launch of the calendar starts the holiday season, but it is also a signal that a new creative process will soon begin as we start to dream up the next iteration of this beloved offering.
In September, our team starts our process by pulling inspiration for several possibilities of what may become next year’s offering. So, as you look at our Nordic Forest chalet of 2024, we have already started combing for the seeds for 2025’s calendar.
For 2024, we wanted to share the magic of winter and the holidays, to express the importance of family and celebration, and also share the Nordic tradition of Hygge.
The tradition of Hygge is about creating cozy, comfortable atmospheres that promote a sense of well-being and contentment. The joy of simple pleasures is paramount and can take many forms: lighting candles for a soft glow, cooking comfort foods, wrapping up in soft blankets, etc. In this warm environment, there is a call to relax and slow down to savor the moment. Mindfulness is emphasized, and an appreciation of the little things in life is celebrated. Hygge is a sense of togetherness that can be formed from the simplicity of everyday life.
As we gathered for our first meetings, we shared readings, mood boards, Scandinavian architecture, and designs. While these initial meetings led us to decide on the ski chalet for the subject of this year’s calendar, it wasn’t the only option (we’ll save the others that may make their appearance in a future year). This is to say that when we first come to the drawing table, every subject and idea is viable. We let our inspiration guide us to our subject, and once we make our decision, the work of making it a reality can begin.
With the ski chalet concept in place, we started to talk about what would make the house special. Who and what would be there? What time of day would it be? What would it sound like?
The first iterations of the house had gnomes as its inhabitants, but we wanted to make it more personal because the gnomes all looked the same.
This inspired the white owl, the fox, and the reindeer. We chose these three animals with three special boys in mind, kids of our Vosges family, so this calendar is a way to celebrate how special they are to us. We gave each of our characters specific attributes and instruments and deemed them the band inside the chalet.
By outfitting them with instruments, we envisioned what the band would sound like and matched the three songs we chose to match the mood of our illustrations. The chalet is upbeat and lively, so the tunes match that merriment.
This is a holiday all about lights, especially in the Nordic forest, which is typically strung with lights during the darker days of winter, so we knew we had to light up the chalet and the forest surrounding it.
One of our designer Karen’s sons loves to watch her work on this project every year and suggested the chalet have a chimney, something that had never been included. Could the chimney even smoke? While that is a feature you will just have to use your imagination for (for safety reasons), it is these small details and thoughtfulness that make this product so special to us and, ultimately, you.
Building the chalet is another part of our process. Working within the confines of structure and the capabilities of our packaging partners, we come to an understanding of how the calendar will unfold mechanically. How will it open? What will the drawers be like? How do we make this the most dynamic and dimensional piece we can?
When we figure out the logistics of these elements (arguably the most complicated part of our process), the fun can really begin. Now, we have the opportunity to make the calendar beautiful and add endearing qualities that will make the customer smile. We love including winks, nods, and unexpected elements so that every time you encounter it, the calendar offers you something new to appreciate and enjoy.
What we hope you are left with when all of the drawers are emptied and the holiday concludes is that the joy we’ve had in creating it for you shows through and that you will continue to be enchanted by it for many holidays to come.
