So that’s it, it’s all over for another year. We’ve stuffed ourselves full of mince pies, pulled the crackers and drunk our fair share of mulled wine. But while the Grinch was busy stealing Christmas again, design was trying to save it.
It’s what’s on the outside that counts
We spend enough money on gifts for loved ones at this time of year, that we often settle for the ‘100 cards for 50p’ bargain bucket and the old, dented roll of wrapping paper in the discount corner of the store. After all, they just get torn apart and the wrapping thrown away in a matter of minutes, right?
This Christmas, London based charity for the homeless ‘Hands On London’ enlisted the help of several design agencies for their Christmas campaign ‘Wrap Up London’. It aimed to produce sustainable wrapping that would be “as at home framed on a wall as wrapped around a gift”, with proceeds helping to keep homeless and vulnerable people clothed and warm this winter.
The campaign boasted limited print runs of 12 bespoke designs inspired by festive classics like streaky bacon, Christmas trees and, everyone’s favourite festive (w)rapper, Biggie Smalls (amongst others). Each design was hand screen printed onto 100% recyclable GF Smith paper, and the collection could be yours for £42 all-in. Sure, it’s a little pricier than that old snowflake stuff you found on the high street, but we think its well-intentioned purpose (and the fact it’s bloody nice) makes it worth the difference.
Not just a jumper
We’ve always been big fans of Save The Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign. As soon as Halloween is out the way, shops crowd their shelves with festive gear and it’s never been easier to find a garish, unapologetic excuse for a sweater than in 2018.
This year, on a bold green and red number, we were graced with the presence of everyone’s favourite Dave, Sir David Attenborough. Keeping in line with his love for all things living, he’s depicted holding up a robin, showing his dedication to animals even over the holidays – some people just never stop giving.
And just when you thought you knew exactly which jumper you were going to get, they release (our personal favourite) the Danny Dyer edition. Just as ‘in-your-face’ as the man himself, this outlandish red jumper sports the well-known Christmas tune ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas Geez’ – a classic.
And with a similar spirit to the ‘Wrap Up London’ campaign, for every jumper purchased through Notjust, they donated one for free to somebody in need this winter. Whilst we opted for safer options on 14th December, we take our hats off to the small, British company Notjust, who brought some festive fun into our Christmas break.