This year’s cover depicts a winter scene taken from an early 20th Century Christmas card, ‘British Christmas Card, English School’ from the Look & Learn series of the Valerie Jackson Collection, Bridgeman Art Library. When readers open each of the 24 windows, they will be presented with a Christmas themed illustration, designed by Claire Mackie, paired with a festive quote from an item of literature or music, handpicked by the Country Life team.
Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life, says: “The Advent calendar cover is a wonderful initiative to mark the start of the Christmas season and is an issue which our readers look forward to each year. The cover presents the opportunity for Country Life to be a part of its readers’ lead up to Christmas Day in a very engaging and innovative way.”
The cover was printed by Polestar Stones, Banbury and spot UV coated, the doors were then die-cut into the cover and the section folded and glued ready for binding onto the issue by printer Polestar Chantry, Wakefield. The end product is a glossier cover.
The inaugural Country Life Advent cover was introduced in 2007. Crafting the cover over the years has provided the opportunity for Country Life to collaborate with a variety of artists and corporations.
Welcoming the start of the Christmas season, features within this issue serve those commencing their Christmas preparations. Simon Hopkinson shares ideas for alternative Christmas puddings, inspiration for presents is offered with six pages of ideas for gifts for the home and Gravetye Manor in West Sussex show how they celebrate Christmas. Elsewhere in the magazine, Dermot O' Leary and Lulu Guinness tell Country Life what their favourite luxuries are, an interview with 'history boy' Dan Snow is included and the centenary of Elizabeth David is celebrated.
This edition goes on sale 27 November 2013 with a cover price of £3.20.
