Deborah Brett on Christmas Rituals & our FESTIVUM collaboration

In celebration of the festive season, we sat down with our favourite ceramicist and creative Deborah Brett to talk about the inspiration behind our FESTIVUM collaboration.

Deborah shares the stories, memories and rituals that make this time of year so meaningful, from gingerbread bakes with her children to candlelit Christmases in the Swiss mountains.

What inspired the design of the vessel for the Verden X DB Ceramic FESTIVUM collaboration?

This new vessel is made from porcelain and its inspiration comes from our flow range - where the edges of all our pieces undulate and curve, reminiscent of the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. However rather than being in our signature bubble decoration, the vessel is glazed in a satin finish. Neither Matt nor glossy, this glaze lets the form take centre stage. I love the indentations my fingers have made in the neck and it’s a perfect finish for the Danish minimalism and pared back aesthetic of Verden. A real bonus is when it’s finished burning, it can be reused as an elegant pen pot or beautiful bud vase. I love my pieces taking on multiple purposes.

What do you particularly love about the Festivum fragrance?

I love that it’s so evocative of Christmas without being obvious. Bringing back memories of spending the new year in the Swiss mountains with its woody spices.

Do you have any rituals or small moments that help you slow down and savour the holidays?

For me baking is a way to take time out. It’s a way to do something non screen related with my kids. We love making gingerbread everything, from houses to little biscuits. The biscuits are often made into ornaments to hang from the tree or as place settings on the table, or just perfect with a cup of tea in front of the fire. And of course the house smells incredible with all those warming baked spices.

What’s on your Christmas wish list this year - or something you’re gifting yourself?

There are three new books out now from some of my favourite authors - nothing too high brow for the holidays. But I do love the Richard Osman’s cosy crime thrillers as well as Robert Galbraith’s. But I’m most excited about Phillip Pullman’s final book in his Book of Dust trilogy. Lyra has been a heroine for so many years. I also have my eye on a new pair of Onitsuga Tiger trainer sliders (my current ones have been hi jacked by my 15 yr old daughter) and the organiser in me is hankering after some new desk organisers in bottle green from Stackers.

Do you have a favourite festive table styling or décor tip for those hosting this season?

Getting in expensive fresh flowers at Christmas is not always easy. So i start drying my hydrangeas around now. Then nearer the time I paint PVA glue on the tips and sprinkle with glitter. These make such a beautiful addition to a table throughout the Christmas and new year season.

And finally, how will you be spending Christmas Day?

This year we will be in Switzerland in the village I grew up in. I’m so excited to have a Christmas with my brother and his kids again. So we will be going back to our childhood traditions. Where we celebrate on Christmas Eve with goose and dumplings and real candles lighting the tree. Then on Christmas Day it will be skiing and a cheese fondue for lunch!