Ahead of the Christmas season, the British Royal Collection has welcomed an unusual new addition: an advent calendar featuring an illustration of Buckingham Palace’s façade.

Created by the Royal Collection Trust, the calendar features 24 drawers decorated with elegant gold numerals. It costs $33, with each drawer representing a day of the countdown to Christmas.

The most distinctive feature of the new design is that it is sold empty. Rather than containing surprises preselected by the manufacturer, it allows owners to decide for themselves what to put inside each drawer.

The drawers can be filled with chocolate, favourite sweets, small gifts or keepsakes for loved ones. They come in different sizes, offering plenty of room to experiment with the contents and tailor the surprises to the age and preferences of each family member. This approach turns the calendar into a personal story that families can create together with their children.

The calendar can also serve as part of the Christmas décor: the image of Buckingham Palace and the gold accents give it an understated festive look.

Alongside the reusable calendar priced at $33, the Royal Collection Trust offers another option for those who prefer ready-made sweet treats — a chocolate advent calendar costing $16.

Each of its 24 windows conceals a piece of milk chocolate, while the packaging features illustrations of British royal residences, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Photo: Royal Collection Shop

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled the White House Christmas décor – the first since the Trump family’s return to the presidential residence.

The decorations were created over the course of a week, with the help of more than 1,500 volunteers. Today, the nation’s primary residence is adorned with more than 50 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, 210 meters of garlands, about 7.5 kilometers of ribbon, and 10,000 decorative butterflies.

As tradition dictates, the First Lady determines the overarching theme of the holiday decoration. This year’s theme is «Home Is Where the Heart Is.» According to the White House website, Melania drew her inspiration «from the joys, challenges, and constant momentum of motherhood and business»

«This Christmas, let us celebrate the love we carry within us and share it with the world. After all, no matter where we are, we can create a home filled with elegance, radiance, and endless possibilities», Mrs. Trump wrote in her message, releasing a video of the decorated White House on the official social media account.

 

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

 

Публикация от First Lady Melania Trump (@flotus)

One of the key elements is the Red Room of the Future, dedicated to children in the foster care system – a cause Melania has championed for many years. Other rooms feature installations honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, as well as portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump constructed entirely from LEGO pieces.

The main Christmas tree has been installed, as always, in the Blue Room – a towering fir from Michigan dedicated this year to the families of fallen service members. It is decorated with golden stars, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice, and ornaments depicting the official birds and flowers of every U.S. state and territory.

In the Green Room, a small tree stands between portraits made from 6,000 puzzle pieces. Meanwhile, the State Dining Room hosts the traditional gingerbread White House – this year crafted from more than 54 kilograms of gingerbread dough, 45 kilograms of sugar paste, 4.5 kilograms of chocolate, and 2.2 kilograms of icing.

Photo: Instagram @whitehouse, @firstladyoffice

While many associate the holidays with snow and Christmas trees, some of Austria’s most famous celebrities are trading winter wonderlands for warmer destinations. Instead of mulled wine and gingerbread, they are enjoying sunshine, beaches, and cocktails.

Singer Christina Stürmer, for instance, is spending the holidays in Bali. Together with her family, she decided to escape the Austrian winter and celebrate Christmas in a tropical setting. «It’s simply wonderful to relax in the sun and leave everyday life behind,» she shared in an interview.

Former ski racer Marlies Raich is also enjoying the holidays abroad. She posted photos on Instagram from her trip to the Maldives, where she and her family are swimming in turquoise waters and wrapping up the year in paradise.

Another prominent figure opting for sun over snow is TV presenter Mirjam Weichselbraun. She is spending Christmas in Cape Town with her partner and daughter. On social media, she shared photos of summer Christmas markets and a decorated tree with palm trees in the background.

Although these stars are celebrating under palm trees, their social media posts show that Christmas remains meaningful for them even in exotic locations. They blend local traditions with Austrian customs, creating a unique holiday atmosphere.

Photo: Instagram @mirjam.weichselbraun_official, @marlies_raich, @stuermerchristina

The 49-year-old British footballer David Beckham never ceases to delight fans with his talents. Recently, he starred in a Christmas commercial for the renowned coffee brand Nespresso, sharing scenes from the ad with his 88 million Instagram followers.

In the story, Beckham brews himself a cup of Nespresso coffee using the Vertuo Creatista machine, steps outside, and spots a sad snowman. To cheer him up, Beckham dresses the snowman in a football jersey, places a coffee capsule on its nose, and, imagining the snowman as a goalkeeper, scores a goal.

Suddenly noticing that his coffee cup is nearly empty, Beckham retrieves the capsule and returns home with a smile.

The festive campaign aims to «capture the essence of the season through a heartwarming story focused on the importance of joyful moments»,  — according to brand representatives.

It’s worth noting that David Beckham was announced as a Nespresso ambassador last November, alongside actors George Clooney and Simone Ashley.

Photo: Instagram @nespresso

American singer Jennifer Lopez, who recently filed for divorce from actor Ben Affleck, revealed to People magazine how she plans to spend the upcoming Christmas. According to the artist, she will enjoy the festive days with her family and children.

«I can’t wait to spend time with my kids and family, who are coming from the East Coast. The holidays are such a special time for us. They always have been since I was little. I look forward to the moments when I can be with my sisters, just relax, have fun, and create new memories», — J.Lo emphasized.

Jennifer mentioned that she loves both the pre-Christmas period and the holiday itself.

«I love all the decorations, hot chocolate, music, and food. I’m one of those people who really tries to make everything magical for my kids, like out of a storybook. I love the holidays», — she said.

The actress and singer also added that after her separation from Ben Affleck, she has focused on her spirituality and reconnecting with her inner self.

«I think a lot of it has to do with a deeper understanding of myself and God, making sure we are in tune with ourselves so we can be our best for everyone we love», — the star said.

Currently, her plans include returning to the stage, expanding her creative boundaries, and continuing her personal growth.

«I want to keep challenging myself, evolving, and trying new things while staying true to myself and to those I love», — Lopez confessed.

 Photo: Instagram @jlo