Creating Christmas

I love Christmas.  Being the youngest in a family of six I always felt that everyone grew out of things a little earlier than I would have liked, and  I always wanted Christmas traditions to go on longer than my older siblings.  So one of the great blessings of having my own family is the chance to create our own christmas traditions and scenes.  Baby boy is old enough now to really understand and grasp all the Christmas stories and symbols, so its made this year even more special.

This is how our first week of the Christmas season went:

The first thing to come out was the Nativity scenes.  On the last Monday night in November I bought out a beautiful wooden nativity scene and we went through all the characters and how they related to christmas.  We sat as a family and talked about Mary and Joseph, and of course baby Jesus.  It was a great start to the season.   

That Friday night we put blankets on the floor, popped some popcorn, turned off the lights and watched a christmas movie. (This year we watched 'Arthur Christmas').  It was so much fun!

Then on Saturday we put up the Christmas tree and lights outside.

Did I mention that I love Christmas?

 

Recording Christmas

The first Christmas I was married, my mother-in-law showed me their family Christmas journal.  It recoreded all their Christmas's over the years, including what they did, who they spent it with and what family member's received from Santa and others.  That year (over 9 Christmas's ago) I started our very own Chirtsmas journal.  I keep it really simple, no fancy scrapbooking, which helps ensure I fill it in even when it is such a busy time of year.  I record what each person receieved (and from whom), and where we spent Christmas.  Add a photo or two and my journal entry for the year is complete.

It is a really simple idea, but a great record of our family. 

...Christmas crazy

I have been saving toilet paper rolls all year.  I don't think I have thrown one away...all a part of my plan to wrap my gifts really cute this year.  That's not crazy is it? 

On a different topic baby boy and I went christmas card shopping this week...when I do buy Christmas cards I always try and get them from here.

It's coming...Christmas

I love this idea for re-useable valcro 'paper' chain, and can imagine baby boy wanting to spend time putting it together all by himself.  Will I make it in time for this Christmas though??

 (Picture from 'nap time crafts'). 

Merry Christmas!

Green decorating

With Christmas literally round the corner, and me coming off my recent Halloween binge I though I would post about some ideas for 'green' decorating.  It really isn't too hard to think of some reusable and green decorations which also have the bonus of saving money too.

So here are my top 5 green decorating ideas:  ( I don't think I have made a list on my blog before...this could be a first ;0)

1. Use e-invitations or make your own from stuff at home.  

I love making handmade invitations and who doesn't love getting real mail, but if you are going to send in the mail, try and use paper and craft products from around the home.  I also always end up with leftover Christmas cards every year and it was only recently that I realised I can use them the next year...because even though they won't all match, none of the recipients will be comparing there cards so they won't know that they don't match...I have a bit of a matching fetish.

When I do go down the e-invite/card route my absolute first stop is pingg.   This site has such cute invites and is so easy to use.  You set up your event and all the invites, reminders and thankyou cards will be sent out automatically for you...and it's free!

2. Use classic plain coloured table pieces that will suit all themes. 

Examples of this includes, glass jars, white platters and cake stands.  I have a few plain classic pieces and with a few ribbons and handmade labels I can colour code these to suit a birthday, baby shower or Christmas.  

 

3. Choose a colour or theme.  

It is so much easier to decorate with a colour theme, and it means that simple household items can then be pulled in to be 'pseudo' decorations.  For example, for a recent going away shower I used a red theme and was able to decorate with red flowers, apples, table runners, ribbons and lollies that I had in my house at the time. I pulled it all together with some cute handmade labels and it looked like I was decorating all day...but literally took me 15 minutes.  I love this site for party decorating themes...although I don't have anything like the talent you will see on this site.

4.  Try to use washable table wear insted of throw away.  

Now I must admit I do struggle with this one...but it does depend on the size of the party as well.  If it is a small gathering I try to wash and reuse, as the alternative is just so wasteful and should only be used when necessary...or when I just can't cope with more dishes.  If you really have the budget for it you can get some great biodegradable throw aways.  I think I might look into these further for Christmas.

5.  Don't buy useless one-use cheap items.  

In the spirit of using less stuff, I have really tried to cut down on a lot of 'made in china' type decorations that are designed for one-off use and don't serve a real purpose..this includes glow sticks, party poppers,  streamers, balloons and literally anything else that you usually throw away at the end of the event. (sorry, I have a hatred of glow sticks).  I now only buy decorations that I value enough to store away to use the next year, and will suit multiple occasions if possible.  It also helps if you have a designated decorations box that you can always find easily each time you need to use it.

So there's my first list...now I need to start thinking about Christmas and how I can practice 'green' decorating this year...Has anyone seen a solar powered Christmas tree (My brother will love that one ;0)

And what about fairtrade Christmas gifts, now there is another topic altogether..