A Calendar You’d Actually Keep: Designing a Holiday Gift That Was Meant to Last
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Every December, brands send gifts.
Most are opened once, politely appreciated, and quietly forgotten.
We wanted to do something different.
Instead of another branded object destined for a drawer, we designed a holiday gift that would live in people’s spaces all year long. Something useful. Something delightful. Something that felt intentional, not promotional.
That’s how our custom-illustrated calendar came to life.
Starting With the Why (Not the Object)
This wasn’t a “what can we send?” project. It started with a question:
How do we surprise people in a way that feels genuinely thoughtful and memorable?
We landed on a few guiding principles early on:
We wanted something physical, in a world where almost everything is digital.
It had to be useful, not decorative clutter.
It needed to feel personal and warm, not salesy.
And it had to reflect who we are: creative, playful, strategic, and detail-obsessed.
A wall calendar checked every box.
Most people like having one, but few take the time to buy one. It earns its place on a wall, desk, or fridge. And once it’s up, it stays there, quietly keeping you top of mind for twelve months straight.
Designing a Holiday Gift to Be Seen (Over and Over Again)
Because calendars live in people’s everyday environments, the design mattered immensely.
We leaned into:
Bold colour to bring life into offices during long winter months
Illustration and character work that felt friendly and recognizable
A tone that was playful, warm, and unmistakably us
If the characters felt familiar, that was intentional. They’re the same ones featured on our website and in a previous Valentine’s Day campaign where we mailed custom-illustrated postcards. For some recipients, the calendar felt like reconnecting with a story they already knew.
That continuity matters. Brand recognition doesn’t come from repetition alone, but from repeated delight.
More Than a Pretty Object
While the calendar was visually driven, it was also quietly strategic.
Alongside dates and illustrations, we included:
Marketing tips
Key moments for social and marketing planning
Highlighted days that marketers actually care about, not just holidays
It wasn’t just something to look at. It was something to use.
A Project Rooted in Values
This was also an opportunity to put our values into practice, not just talk about them.
The entire project was 100% women-owned and Canadian:
All designers involved were women
The marketing and creative direction came from our in-house team
The calendars were printed locally by a woman-owned risograph print studio
From concept to production, we were intentional about where our dollars went and who we chose to work with. Supporting local, independent, women-led businesses wasn’t an afterthought. It was part of the brief.
Tactility Matters More Than Ever
In a time when most mail is either a bill or a flyer, receiving something unexpected in the post hits differently.
We paid close attention to:
Paper weight
Texture
Ink saturation
The subtle imperfections that come with risograph printing and make each piece feel human
These details matter because physical objects engage people differently than screens. You feel them. You notice them. You slow down, even just for a moment.
That pause is powerful.
Being Thoughtful About Waste
We’ve been open about the fact that marketing isn’t inherently eco-friendly. Printing anything comes with trade-offs.
For this project, we made deliberate choices to reduce unnecessary waste:
Printing locally, reducing shipping and transport
Producing limited quantities, not mass volumes
Designing something meant to be kept all year, not thrown away after a week
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about being conscious and making better choices where we could.
The Result
The response told us everything we needed to know.
People sent photos of the calendars hanging in their offices. Some asked if they could get extras for teammates. Others told us it was the only piece of “holiday mail” they actually kept.
And that was the goal.
Want One?
We printed a few extras. If you’d like a physical copy, reach out to us. You can also view a digital version of the calendar here if you’re curious.
We’re incredibly proud of this project, not just because it’s beautiful, but because it reflects how we approach marketing as a whole: thoughtful, human, and designed to last.
If this kind of intentional, creative thinking resonates with you, we’d love to talk.
