… when all through the house, was total chaos! So, just a very quick post to let you know what’s happening on here during December.
I have been so looking forward to advent this year! I always look forward to Christmas (though it still always takes me by surprise) but this year, Christmas is going to be extra special: we are having a big family Christmas with my parents and my brother and his family (who live in Australia) and, of course, Bailey Batman Boo! Who was too young to even notice it last year, but can be involved in lots of the fun this time around. So I want to make the most of advent this year, relishing every single day.
I’m going to be celebrating advent by writing a post every day. I’ll share a little something each day of advent; the plan is to make it a little treat for you to open every day and posts will include Christmas recipes (to eat and to pamper), heartmade eco-crafting projects (for gifts and Christmas decorations) and tips for creating a very happy, heartmade Christmas.
Before we start advent, and I start this advent calendar, here are a few examples:
Heartmade Tip
Do something to countdown the days until Christmas, savour every day. (A great way to do this is with an advent calendar. Don’t rush out and buy one, you still have time to make one yourself with some last-minute heartmade ideas!)
Heartmade Project ~ Very Last-Minute Advent Calendar
We have lots of advent calendars to choose from this year (and plenty to give to friends) but this will be mine. I love the simplicity of it and the fact that it will encourage me to take a few minutes out of a hectic schedule to just enjoy the festive spirit. I think it will be uplifting when I’m tired and soothing when I’m frazzled.
And most importantly, it will remind me that simple is definitely best when it comes to Christmas, that a little time and love go a long way and that Christmas is not about things.
It really is last-minute too! Just cut a heart (or other shape) in the middle of a square of plain paper and hang with fine thread. It’ll take about half an hour to make 24 little hearts, and you could arrange them in a pretty bowl, hanging one every day – on a mini tree, a garland strung across a window, or some painted twigs, for example.
I have put this one on a twig given to me by a friend’s little boy. He found it on the way to nursery yesterday, declared, “Dianne will LOVE this!” and kept it safe all day for me. What a cutie!
But why not make one little paper heart each day. And revel in having a few minutes of time to yourself, to reflect, to relax, to recharge your batteries.
Recipe to Pamper ~ Christmas Oatmeal Bath Milk
Make yourself some of this and treat yourself to a lovely soak in the bath. Or make some and wrap as gifts for friends. Or make an extra mini one to tuck into an advent calendar pocket or a stocking.
Mix some fine oatmeal with twice the amount of powdered milk into a bowl and stir in some dried, grated orange zest (dry gently on a baking sheet in a very low oven for half and hour) and some ground Christmas spices.
Any of the following are lovely, on their own or in combination: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. Star anise look pretty too. (Or you could add some dried rose petals or lavender.) Add your spices slowly, building up the scent until you are happy with it.
Fill a small jar with your yummy mix and add a pretty fabric lid and label. Simply tip some under a running tap for a lovely bath. (Or wrap in some pretty organza and tie with a ribbon to hang under the tap.)
I’ll be back tomorrow with a little more heartmade indulgence for you! :O)
