Innovation Behind Every Door: A Plastic-Free Advent Experience

Alcina sought an Advent calendar that could deliver a magical unboxing experience, hold up during postal shipping and meet sustainability goals by removing thermoformed plastic. The structure needed to secure products of various shapes and sizes, maintain a crisp silhouette under weight and arrive display-ready directly from production — all while remaining fully recyclable as a single material.

The team brought this vision to life with a new tray concept created specifically for the project. The insert uses flexible cavities that adjust to different product dimensions, ensuring a secure fit without compromising presentation. Discreet side flaps hold each item in place, while hidden reinforcements preserve sharp walls and clean corners, even when the calendar weighs more than two kilograms. Rapid prototyping allowed the team to refine everything from cavity profiles to fold stiffness, striking the right balance between protection and ease of release. Hand-assembled for precision, the design shows how festive packaging can combine beauty, durability and function.

The Alcina Advent calendar is more than seasonal packaging; it represents a new standard for innovation. Fully recyclable and made from a single material, it eliminates plastic without compromising strength or aesthetics. Its e-commerce-ready build reduces transit damage and returns, and the adaptable insert accommodates a wide product range with accuracy. The project sets a benchmark for holiday packaging that is distinctive, durable and designed to delight.