Stouffer’s

Holiday Comfort Calendar

Strategy

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3D Design

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Graphic Design

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Print

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Fabrication

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Production

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Strategy • 3D Design • Graphic Design • Print • Fabrication • Production •

Overview

The Stouffer's Comfort Calendar reimagined the traditional advent calendar by replacing chocolate with something more substantial: beloved frozen meals. This innovative concept delivered a "break from holiday cooking with a frozen surprise behind every festive door," creating an unexpected yet perfectly aligned holiday offering.

The calendar needed to be both visually stunning and practically functional—able to maintain frozen temperatures while being aesthetically pleasing enough to become a coveted holiday item.

Our design team developed a premium calendar concept that balanced the practical needs of frozen food storage with festive, holiday appeal. The final product transformed an ordinary box into a collectible seasonal item through meticulous attention to detail.

Each Comfort Calendar was handcrafted, with nearly every ABEL team member contributing. The assembly process involved stamping, cutting, painting, and attaching close to 500 pieces per box, delivering a premium unboxing experience that turned frozen meals into a gift-worthy presentation.

Inside, we included seven frozen, individually-wrapped Stouffer's favorites, such as Family Size Macaroni & Cheese, Lasagna, and Pepperoni French Bread Pizza. Each dinner was numbered to match numbered doors in a holiday advent-style layout.

Beyond production, ABEL managed all content creation in-house, including location scouting, hiring photographers and set designers, and directing the shoot. We collaborated closely with the client in real time to ensure every shot reflected the calendar’s high-end holiday feel.

In total, our team produced 130 calendars with over 900 wrapped meals and 60,000+ handmade pieces, all while maintaining the insulation standards required for frozen food. The result was a standout holiday promotion built with precision and care.

Client: Weber Shandwick

Year: 2023