12 Days of Christmas is a campaign by We Make Good, a social enterprise design brand that collaborates with designers and makers from marginalised backgrounds in Ireland. Their work supports social enterprises and creates employment opportunities for people facing barriers to entering the workforce, including women from direct provision backgrounds.
As part of their 12 Days of Christmas Retold campaign, 12 designers were invited to reinterpret the traditional carol with a modern, inclusive twist. I was asked to illustrate Day 6 — Reunion Brunches, focusing on the joy of reconnecting with family and friends over food during the festive season.
When approaching this illustration, I wanted to capture those small, familiar moments that make gatherings special — laughter, shared dishes, and the comfort of sitting around a table together. I chose a warm, muted colour palette and used simple, graphic shapes to convey that feeling of closeness and ease. Small details hint at conversation and generosity, reflecting the hospitality and welcome central to Irish traditions.
The illustration was produced as part of a collection of handcrafted wooden decorations, each designed by a different illustrator and made in Ireland by social enterprise partners supported by We Make Good. The full set was available on their website and at their Christmas pop-up shop on Fade Street, Dublin.
You can view my design and shop the collection here.
