12 Brands of Christmas - 6 Geese-a-Laying

Drinking responsibly - always a good idea. Often it doesn't happen at Christmas though. So many excuses to meet up with friends and family, and sometimes it's the only time of year people arrange to see each other. When meeting up, can't go wrong with a nice tasting vodka. in my opinion, there's a big difference in the tastes of vodkas, and when available, I prefer Grey Goose.

It's a simple logo with quite close kerning. I think it rather masculine, but that is because of the 2 colours. The bird is a good extra, which is becoming recognisable as Grey Goose, even without the name. Much like the nike 'swoosh' logo, or the Apple logo.

http://www.greygoose.com/

12 Brands of Christmas - 7 Swans-a-Swimming

A lot of candles are bought and sold at Christmas. Table decorations, advent candles, and a range of scents including cinnamon, spices, vanilla and berries. The only time we light many candles in my house is at Christmas, which makes the festive season even more special. I often find myself referring a smell as 'Christmas smell'. Most likely, it will be a candle - or turkey!

Swan matches have been around since 1883, and have very original packaging. I think it has the power of being so memorable because it is traditional and recognisable. Simple block colours, plain and not busy or cluttered. 

http://www.houseofswan.com/

12 Brands of Christmas - 8 Maids-a-Milking

Chocolate is a popular Christmas gift. Boxes, bars, selection packs, tubes, bags - they come in many different varieties. Snacking on chocolate is a general Christmas Day activity, making sure I don't spoil my appetite for the big roast!

The Dairy Milk logo is now so familiar that if I see the colour I immediately think of this brand of chocolate. It's smooth, soft and luxurious.

http://www.cadburydairymilk.co.uk/

12 Brands of Christmas - 9 Ladies Dancing

A lot of the time, Christmas is be about children. They get so excited, with all the decorations and presents and or course, Santa dropping off some toys. There are so many presents available, electronic games, consoles, things that talk and walk, but it's still important to get kids more traditional things, like books. At the end of a long day, kinds need to wind down, and at bedtime reading a book is more important than them still playing on some playstation game. 

Ladybird books are known worldwide, with the first book being printed during the First World War. There is an extensive range of books - something for everyone, and even books that adults love. There has been quite a number of variations on the Ladybird logo. All show a ladybird in some way, starting off as a plain illustration, and progressing on to the red ladybird that is seen now.

12 Brands of Christmas - 10 Lords-a-Leaping

The epic trilogy is being shown on Channel 4 over Christmas. All 3 are very long films, so make sure you sit down with plenty of food and drink. The films were originally released in December which makes them even more Christmassy, even without any Christmas theme - apart from a bit of snow!

12 Brands of Christmas - 11 Pipers Piping

Christmas parties, gatherings, catch-ups, are all reasons to have nibbles. I like this logo for Pipers crisps - it's got a rustic feel, which is neat and clean. As well as being a tasty brand, they also source their ingredients locally which is becoming increasingly important for people in the UK trying to keep businesses afloat in a troubling time.

www.piperscrisps.com

12 Brands of Christmas - 12 Drummers Drumming

Christmas is a stressful time of year, and I'm sure a lot of people find they smoke more over the festive period. That is why I have chosen Drum tobacco to be my first of the 12 Brands of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

12 Brands of Christmas

To celebrate the festive period, I have decided to make '12 Brands of Christmas'. I will be posting a brand for each day relating to the '12 Days of Christmas' song. 

I love Christmas!

Christmas Card 2012

I wanted to make a Christmas card for my friends this year. I've been loving Art Nouveau for a while, and I wanted to design something that resembled that style.

Happy Christmas!