The calendar cover is launched on the November 25 issue of the magazine, which is set to "delight readers throughout Advent and instantly become a special collector’s edition of the magazine".
Country Life has worked closely with Royal Mail to create a timeline of Christmas stamps through the years, the images of which are hidden behind each door. The year, title and designer of each stamp is outlined beside each image, providing a unique chronology of the changing vision of Christmas.
Celebrating the excitement of Christmas for children, the special front cover features The Toyshop Window by Timoleon Lobrichon, with 24 windows die-cut directly into the cover – a process introduced to Country Life for the first time in 2007 and before then never seen on a UK weekly magazine.
Country Life editor Mark Hedges says: “We had fantastic feedback on our first ever advent calendar cover and it quickly became an issue we – and our readers – look forward to each year. Innovation is hugely important, particularly for a weekly magazine, and we’re delighted to have Royal Mail on board this year to provide us with a beautiful timeline of images in the countdown to Christmas.”
The “must-have” Christmas issue includes:
* A comprehensive gift listing
* Country Life’s guide to the best crackers and how to make your own
* An insight into the workings of Cathedral choirs
* Plus, to celebrate the indulgent side of Christmas, Mark Hix’s pick of indulgent festive food
* The art of letter writing – from Samuel Johnson to Churchill
* Susan Hampshire’s favourite painting
* The ultimate cigar-smoker’s present, and much more…
The special cover was printed by Wyndeham Impact in Basingstoke and perfect bound by Polestar.
About Country Life
IPC Media says: “Country Life, the quintessential English magazine, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and instantly recognisable brands in the UK today. It has a unique core mix of contemporary country-related editorial and top end property advertising. Editorially, the magazine comments in-depth on a wide variety of subjects, such as architecture, the arts, gardens and gardening, the countryside, field-sports and wildlife.”
About CountryLife.co.uk
IPC Media says: “The online arm of Country Life, Countrylife.co.uk brings over 100 years of editorial and commercial excellence to the web. The site allows users to instantly immerse themselves in the Country Life world from the comfort of their home. The site has garnered both PPA Interactive and New Media Age Awards recognition.”
