A MODEL has revealed how she turns her luxury advent calendars into Christmas gift baskets for her family.
Flora Ivy has been one of Babestation’s biggest stars for six years after previously working as an air hostess and modelling on TV.
Flora Ivy loves a luxury advent calendar at Christmas timeCredit: Jam Press/Flora Ivy
The 35-year-old’s huge fan base means she can afford to spoil her loved ones at Christmas – but she does it in a rather unusual way.
The Babestation model admits she splashes out on high-end beauty calendars every year, ripping them open in one go and keeping only the items she loves.
The rest are transformed into personalised gift boxes for her nearest and dearest.
“I snag mine as soon as they’re out because they sell fast and look stunning on the shelf,” said Flora, who has over 45,100 followers on Instagram, @floraivytv .
“Then I can’t resist.
“I rip them all open and peek inside in a greedy rush.
“It’s like opening presents without needing permission.
“They’re gorgeous little boxes and they make me feel spoiled, like someone wrapped up 25 presents just for me.
“They’re packed with full-size creams, masks and weird new serums.
“I end up using most of them because I’m a sucker for soft skin but anything duplicated, or that I don’t use, goes in a pile for the gift baskets.
“It’s the best way to spread the glow.”
Flora first got hooked after trying an Espa spa calendar a few years ago.
Now she buys five or six every Christmas.
This year she has treated herself to a Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Advent Calendar (£175), Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar (£275), Harrods 24-day Beauty Advent Calendar (£250), Harrods 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar (£99), an Espa Advent Calendar (£175), the Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar (£300) and the Lovehoney Couples Advent Calendar (£299).
That’s £1,573 in total.
She said: “Some of them are gifts from generous fans, so it balances out.
“This year I’ve personally spent about £500 whereas last year it was half that.
“Really it depends on who’s feeling festive and wants to spoil their favourite model.
“A couple of years back, I spotted this stunning 125ml bottle from William Perfumery tucked in the Liberty calendar.
Flora snapped up seven advent calendars costing £1,500 in total this yearCredit: Jam Press/@fluffyfloraivy
She keeps her favourite products for herself and regifts spares as presentsCredit: Jam Press/@fluffyfloraivy
“It was a total game-changer.
“Now it’s my only scent and whenever someone asks what I’m wearing, I just grin.”
Flora’s family members don’t mind receiving items she doesn’t keep – in fact, they love it.
She said: “They think it’s sweet, actually.
“They get a treat, I get to play Santa, and no one ever clocks why I’m hoarding advent calendars.
“Each pretty gift box gets a mix of beauty goodies from the calendars, a perfume that matches them and a nice cream or two – then I add personal touches like their favourite chocolates or fluffy socks.
“I do them for about seven women in the family – it’s my secret Christmas joy.
“It warms me up seeing them unwrap full-size luxury.
“Those are their big Christmas presents and I put real effort in.
“The calendars aren’t cheap, but spreading the cost like that is cheaper than shopping on the high street for full-size perfumes and serums.
“Plus it’s a very thoughtful gift. Everything is tailored to each person.
“Not everyone knows they’re from advent calendars – but I don’t think they’d care.
“Even if they asked, I’d just say it’s Christmas magic.”
And no one has ever turned anything down.
Flora, who lives in the Cotswolds, UK, said: “If anything, people get super excited and lose their minds.”
Flora says she’s Christmas’s biggest fan and is already buzzing for this year’s festivities.
She said: “I thrive on the sparkle and chaos at Christmas – it’s magical with little ones around.
“But those calendars keep me organised amid the mayhem.
And she has no plans to stop any time soon.
The Babestation model said: “I’ll keep buying a stack every year – they’re too addictive to quit.
Flora says her family love their gift hampers with advent calendar productsCredit: Jam Press/@fluffyfloraivy
“I’m not materialistic or anything, but that little click of a luxury lid? Sublime.
“Maybe I’ll start making cute ones for my friends – mini versions with their favourite face masks or cheeky lip balms.
“It won’t be cheap, but sharing the rush feels nice.”
Even some of Flora’s fans are aware of her festive hobby.
She added: “Not everyone’s clued in, but the ones who are love it.
“Some even buy me a calendar off my wish list.
“It means for the whole of December there’s a present every morning.
“Plus come December everyone at Babestation dives into the glamour.
“It’s all about the red lips, sequined dresses and those over-the-top stockings with bows.
“It’s never about competing, we just love dressing up and giving viewers that little burst of holiday magic right through their screens.
“And if they like giving back to me, why not?”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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