Private post office kicks off Highgate’s live advent calendar on first December day

A privately-run post office kicked off Highgate’s live advent calendar on the first day of December.

Yolanda Kenyi with the first gift as part of Highgate's live advent calendar project at Postal Plus in Aylmer Parade. Picture: Nigel Sutton - Credit: Nigel Sutton

Every day in the run up to Christmas, a different shop will unveil a gift hidden in a festive window display in what is thought to be the first project of its kind in north London.

Postal Plus in Aylmer Parade began the festivities today by unveiling a giftwrapped box full of stationery presents.

Using a calendar “map” of the businesses taking part, shoppers are invited to write down what each gift is everyday on an entry form, before returning their answers to one of the shops by December 31.

They will then be in with a chance of winning a prize of one of the gifts that has been on display in the shop windows.

Presents will be valued at between £5 to £10, though some shops have been more generous.

Twenty-four shops in Highgate High Street, Archway Road and Aylmer Parade are taking part.

To download a calendar entry form, visit highgateneighbourhoodforum.org.uk.