Live Calligraphy in Toronto | HomeSense Holiday Express at Harbourfront
November started with such a fun and unique event! On November 1, 2026, my team and I had the opportunity to be part of the HomeSense Holiday Express at Toronto's Harbourfront, where we provided live calligraphy on personalized Christmas ornaments.
This was definitely a different experience from the usual live calligraphy and engraving events I've done, and I loved being part of it!
Personalized Christmas Ornaments for HomeSense Holiday Express
For this holiday brand activation, guests received a red Christmas ornament personalized with their first or last name in white calligraphy.
We had approximately 500 ornaments planned for the event, so having a good system in place was important, especially with the number of guests expected throughout the day.
Our team consisted of two calligraphers, myself and Minnie, and our assistant, Kody, who helped with organizing and packaging the ornaments.
How the Live Personalization Worked
What made this event unique was the flow of the experience.
Guests would register their names before hopping on the HomeSense Holiday Express streetcar. While they enjoyed their ride around Harbourfront, our team worked on personalizing their ornaments.
By the time they returned, their ornaments would be ready for pickup!
Each ornament was hand-lettered using white acrylic paint markers. Once completed, we double-checked the names, allowed the paint to dry, and carefully packaged the ornaments in clear bags with the guests' name stickers.
With the streetcar running on approximately 45-minute loops, we had to make sure everything was organized and ready before the guests returned.
It was a busy day, but having a good workflow and working together as a team made a big difference.
Behind the Scenes of a Large-Scale Brand Activation
One thing I've learned from doing live calligraphy and engraving for corporate events is that preparation is just as important as the actual personalization.
Before the event, I spent time testing different acrylic markers to see which would work best on the ornaments. I wanted to make sure the lettering was visible, consistent, and wouldn't require multiple layers of paint, especially since we were working with a limited amount of time.
We ended up using Posca acrylic paint markers, which worked best for this project.
For an event of this size, it's not just about making the ornaments look pretty. We also had to consider how long each name would take, drying time, packaging, and making sure every guest received the correct ornament.
These little details really matter when you're personalizing hundreds of items during a live event.
A Fun Holiday Experience at Toronto's Harbourfront
One of my favourite parts of doing live calligraphy is seeing how happy guests are when they receive something personalized just for them.
It may be a simple Christmas ornament, but adding someone's name makes it a little more special.
We had such a great time being part of the HomeSense Holiday Express. It was a busy but fun day, and I really enjoyed working alongside Minnie and Kody to bring everything together.
A big thank you to Maddie and the entire team for having us and for all the coordination leading up to the event. It was such a unique experience, and I'm grateful we got to be part of it!
Looking for Live Calligraphy or Engraving for Your Next Toronto Event?
If you're planning a holiday party, corporate event, retail activation, or brand experience in Toronto or the GTA, live personalization is a great way to add something special for your guests.
At Calligrafea by Karen, I offer live calligraphy, hand engraving, hot foiling, and bottle painting for corporate events, brand activations, weddings, and private celebrations.
Whether it's personalized Christmas ornaments, perfume bottles, candles, or other keepsakes, I'd love to help bring your ideas to life.
Get in touch with Calligrafea by Karen to inquire about live calligraphy and engraving services in Toronto and the GTA.
