2023 Advent Box ...#2

Today is all about lists.  I have so many lists I'm going to need another list to keep track of all the lists. I also to draft a realistic schedule to keep to.  I have a long, distinguished history of making a brilliant, early start on projects then resting on my laurels until a deadline approaches and panicking like crazy.

However, if there's one thing I learnt from doing this last year (and trust me, there's MANY) it's to keep track of stuff.  It was all a bit chaotic back then, and although I'm relatively good at multitasking I ended up spinning so many metaphorical plates that inevitably several of them ended up in pieces.

So... this time.  Lists.

• Mailing list of people who want details.  If that's you, HELLO! *waving*
• List of individual kit ideas (this is constantly changing at the moment)
• List of components I already have, or can make myself
• List of components I'll have to source or buy
• List of packaging... bags and boxes 

That last list is a doozer.  Last year I miscalculated and ending up having to order additional paper bags several times.  And yes, it has to be paper bags in order to conceal the contents of each one so that there's a surprise every day.  I made all the number stickers last time and will do so again, not least because most sets of advent stickers are numbered 1-24 but as I include a special kit for Christmas Day itself, I need 1-25.

Also, this year, I'm going to need a bigger box! I managed to fit last year's 25 kits in a standard A5 mailing box, but I'll definitely have to find something bigger and deeper this time. 

😉

2023 Advent Box...#1

Well..... that escalated quickly!  

I sent out an email on Monday afternoon, to gauge interest in the idea of a 2023 Advent Box, and within a few minutes my laptop was pinging fit to bust with messages coming in requesting to go on my list for further details.  

To say I'm flabbergasted is an understatement, and to be honest the response has been overwhelming.  So many lovely messages, some from people who have been customers since I first started my miniature doll business, over 35 years ago.  

I've decided to hit the ground running, and have therefore put a countdown timer on my computer desktop.  The boxes all need to be completed and ready to go on sale by 1 November to allow for delivery by 1 December, especially for international mailings so I need to run to a fairly strict timetable, given the breadth and scope of the boxes.  So here I am, on a hot August day, working towards an Advent box for December and yes, it does feel weird.

Last year's box was largely based on a Fairy Tale theme.  This year's will also have a theme, but as it's a closely guarded secret I can't divulge any details.  However, I can reveal that today I have completed packaging the first kit... EEEEK!!!

This is both A Good Thing, and A Bad Thing.  It's good because I've actually started, and as an ace procrastinator that's a major achievement.  It's bad because this will likely lull me into a false sense of security, thinking I have loads of time and how difficult can it be to get all the individual kits ready on time.  However, last year, it all went right to the line and afterwards I had to lie down in a darkened room for a fortnight.  That was a cautionary experience, and I'm determined to pace myself this time.  I have to admit that I'm having enormous fun planning and designing everything, and new ideas keep cropping up all the time, so I may be in the fortunate position of being able to pick and choose, rather than worrying about not having enough.

I'll post regularly about progress over the coming months, and might even drop the odd teaser/hint/clue along the way, so if you've expressed an interest, please drop your email address in the 'Get New Posts By Email' box and hit the Subscribe button, (it's at the top of the column on the right hand side) so you don't miss anything. 

And in the meantime......

The die is cast....

As you know, I've been musing on the idea of designing an Advent Box for this Christmas.  Since I posted about it last month, I've been vacillating all over the show.... 

Scene: Sandra's craft room.  She is surrounded by notebooks and scraps of paper, littered with jottings and is deep in thought at her laptop.  A small furry presence materialises on her lap, and settles down.

Me:*distractedly* Oh, hello SD.  I was hoping you'd appear.  I could do with a bit of advice.

SD:*pointedly* Wel yes.  Ai eckspeckt yue do. Whott is itt this tym?

Me:*carefully* Well..... I'm wondering whether or not to do another Advent Box type thing for this Christmas and I...

SD:*interrupting*  THISS KRISMUS???  Muurm, ar yue kompleetlie madd?  Thatts onlie aitey three dais!!!

Me:*defensively* Yes.  Yes, I know.  But....

SD:*emphatically*  Thatts undr twelv weaks.  Yule nevir doo itt!

Me:*deflatedly* I'm sure I could.  Just wondering if I should though..... *tailing off*

SD:*patiently* Aim lissening....

Me:*deliberately*  Ok.  So there are pros and cons.  On one hand, it's a LOT of work, but it's really fun to plan.  Also I'm sure I've slipped off people's radar, so there might not be any interest. However last year's box was a rip-roaring success and sold out in less than an hour.  I'm supposed to be retired but I do miss work and more than that, I miss coming up with an idea and figuring out how to make it work.

SD:*interestedly* Hmmm..... and du yue hav an ideer?

Me:*warily* Well yes... as a matter of fact I do have an idea.

SD:*probingly* And wil itt wurk?

Me:*hesitantly*  I think so.  I have a vision of how it will all look when it's finished and it's completely amazing.  It's a vignette.

SD*bamboozledly* A veengnett???  Whott on erth is thatt?

Me:*gingerly* It's sort of a small scene, made up of different components but complete in itself.   The Advent Box would contain all the kits necessary to make the finished vignette.

SD:*thoughfully*  Ai suppoas thatt wude wurk.  Kan yue tel me whott itt iss?

Me*confidentially* Well it's a secret... like last year's box contents, but I could whisper it to you...

*whisper whisper whisper*

SD:*astonishedly* WOW!  Thatt sownds amaizen!  Espeshullie the bitt with.... yue kno.

Me*happily* Thank you SD.  Yes I thought you'd like that bit. 

SD*gently* Itt duz sownd liek an owful lott of wurk tho.  Ar yue shure yue kan manij itt in the tyme?

Me:*warily*  I think so.  I've started making lists and planning stuff for it.  Just need to send out an email to gauge the level of interest.  There might be no replies though.

SD:*emphatically*  Onlie wun wai to fined owt.  Ai thinc yue shude go fore itt.

Me*appreciatively* Oh, thank you SD.  Ok then.... I will.  You are such wise little dog.

SD, smiling all over her furry little face, slowly fades away, and Sandra returns to her research and list-making....

To be continued.....