Meghan Markle Turns Her Montecito Home Into an Advent Calendar for the Holidays

In a festive move, Meghan Markle has launched a limited-edition Advent calendar through her lifestyle brand, As Ever, marking an early countdown to Christmas. The Advent calendar, created in collaboration with renowned Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés, was unveiled on 1 October and features a variety of artisanal chocolates, including unique flavours like strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and orange marmalade. Priced at $148, this year’s calendar also includes a chocolate with sprinkles inspired by Meghan’s own garden.

The design of the Advent calendar showcases the couple’s Montecito home in California, which is adorned for the holiday season. The imagery also reflects personal touches from Meghan, who hand-painted the numbers on the calendar’s compartments using edible gold luster. The aesthetics are completed with festive decorations such as garlands, lights, and a wreath at the door. Notably, the illustration includes two palm trees, reminiscent of the couple’s first impressions when purchasing their home, as well as roaming chickens, a nod to their animal rescue initiatives.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently moved back to the UK, they maintain their residence in California. They now reside in the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who have started attending British schools. Despite this transition, the couple plans to keep their primary residence in California, along with a vacation property in Portugal.

In preparation for the holiday season, Meghan shared behind-the-scenes footage on her Instagram Stories, announcing that she began planning in June. The whimsical video features Meghan riding in a golf cart with Jonathan Grahm, the CEO of Compartés, as they discuss the upcoming calendar set to the tune of Michael Bublé’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”. During this teaser, Meghan cheekily mentioned that there were still 85 days left until Christmas.

Last festive season, Meghan delighted her children with personalised Advent calendars in an episode of her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan.” During that time, she filled red-and-white themed calendars with heartfelt notes and small treats, explaining her intention behind creating cherished traditions for her family. “I love you because you’re so kind,” one of her notes stated, highlighting her desire to instil emotional values in her children.

Reflecting on her family’s evolving holiday experiences, Meghan conveyed that each year brings new excitement, especially with her children growing older. “Every single holiday is a new adventure,” she stated in a recent interview with Marie Claire. Meghan emphasised the joy of maintaining traditions, such as preparing “carrots for the reindeer”—a moment captured with great affection in her previous Netflix episode featuring a special plate designed for the occasion.

As Meghan gears up for another festive season, it appears the Duchess of Sussex is not only creating a family legacy but also intertwining her public persona with personal memories. The launch of the Advent calendar is not merely a commercial venture; it signifies Meghan’s commitment to celebrating holiday traditions that have become increasingly significant in her family’s life.

Through her brand and public appearances, Meghan continues to blend philanthropy, creativity, and family spirit, making her contribution to holiday festivities more than just material. In her pursuit of a life that balances her royal past with her present aspirations, Meghan stands firmly committed to nurturing her family’s happiness during the festive season.

With the Advent calendar release, Markle reminds us all that the essence of Christmas is rooted in joy, giving, and creating shared memories that will linger long after the holiday lights have dimmed.