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December: where light and atmosphere meet
Most of us have already put up the Christmas tree, after a busy Sinterklaas period (a festive holiday we celebrate here in the Netherlands). The tree always brings a particular atmosphere into the home. Whether you’re alone or surrounded by family, Christmas is a time of light and togetherness.
The magic of the Christmas tree never really fades
As a child, I remember the magic of picking out the tree. Rows of trees lined up on a field, the scent of pine in the cold air. I wandered between them as if walking through a forest, searching for that one perfect tree with the right shape, enough branches, and a top strong enough for the star.
Now that I have a family of my own, it’s my children who choose the tree. They run between the rows with the same excitement I once felt, pointing at every tree as if it’s the most beautiful one that has ever existed. At home, they help decorate; small hands hanging garlands too high or too low, smiling proudly at their own creation. And as I watch the light dancing in their eyes, I realize the magic never really disappears.
It simply changes shape. Into light.
Light takes on meaning in December
Light carries a special meaning in December. The balance between darkness and light feels more tender this month, more present.
An unexpected moment during the Ribelle photoshoot
During the product shoot of the Ribelle Clear Brass, something happened that I hadn’t fully expected. The room was filled with the soft sound of glasses clinking and the click of the camera. Outside, the air had that familiar November heaviness: grey and damp.
When the first Ribelle was lit, the room warmed in a way you could feel. The flame reflected against the glass and cast a golden line across the table. Everything fell quiet for a moment. Even the camera seemed to wait.
There was something human about that little flame, as if it knew this was its moment. The Ribelle didn’t just shine; it softened the light. Since then, the Ribelle belongs to December for me.
It brings the same kind of glow you felt as a child, when everything seemed simpler and one single flame could fill an entire room.
Cylinder: light with character and a personal touch
That same photoshoot led to another idea. While we extinguished the Ribelle with the snuffer, the table stayed filled with glass: rows of Cylinder Clear Brass and Cylinder Clear Chrome, each with their own character.
One warm and classic, the other cool and modern. Together they formed a quiet harmony of light and reflection.
Looking at that smooth glass surface, I thought: you could tell a story here.
The power of a handwritten message
With a chalk marker, the lamp becomes personal. A small drawing, a name, a wish — whatever fits your moment.
It’s simple, but the effect is powerful. An oil lamp with a handwritten message is not just a gift; it’s a memory that continues to glow.
A wish for a partner.
A memory for parents.
A message for grandparents who prefer light over things.
And when the flame finally burns, the words light up too — as if they’re writing along with the story of December.
Light that softens, warms and connects
Light in this month feels soft, forgiving.
No matter how the year has unfolded, the moment the flame moves and the glass brightens, everything seems a little lighter. The Ribelle and Cylinder collections remind me that beauty can be simple: a bit of oil, a wick, and a spark.
From setting the table together, sharing stories, or simply sitting in quiet company.
Let the light burn — for those who are here, and for those we miss.
Seize the moment.
Warm December greetings,
Sanne