DIY festive decor
This can be so much fun (especially with some Christmas carols in the background to keep up the spirits)
Here are our top three Christmas crafts that you can do as a family:
Pine cones
Pine cones add a very earthy and rustic feel to a dinner table setting. You can arrange this as a centrepiece or part of a floral arrangement. You can create your own tree decor with pine cones, or spray paint them gold for an elegant look. The ideas are endless; choose something that works with your style. Alongside the pine decor, you can use cinnamon sticks, aniseeds and dried orange to compliment a coffee table display.
Stained ‘glass’ (This is something for the kids)
You will need:
Plastic lids from tubs of yoghurt, dips, Tupperware etc.
Wood glue
Various food colouring colours
Toothpicks
Steps:
1. Pour the glue in the plastic lids and swish it around until the entire
surface is covered.
2. Drop the food colouring onto the glue and then 'paint' with the
toothpicks.
3. Allow to dry.
4. Once dry, you can pull the colourful glue creation out of the lid and use
it as a stained 'glass' decoration or a sun catcher in the window.
Advent Calender using brown bags
Even though Advent isn’t big in SA, it’s actually a beautiful way to usher in the Christmas spirit. As we wait for Christmas, we try and count our blessings for the year and the people in our lives by giving them a small gift every day, starting four Sundays before Christmas. What is really special about an advent calendar is that it helps you gain peace as you prepare for Christmas, instead of getting caught up in the crazy shopping and commercialization of the festive season.
You can start your calendar any number of days before Christmas; ideally it’s 24 days before Christmas.
What you will need:
24 brown paper bags
String or cord, long enough to sustain all the bags
24+ wooden pegs
Printable numbers
Craft glue
24 assorted activities, treats or inspiring messages for the calendar bags
Instructions:
Start by printing off the numbers.
You can also create your own using a marker pen and some wrapping paper if you prefer.
Simply fill each bag and hang onto the string. (Use strong nails or hooks to suspend the string – making sure it can take the weight of the bags.)
If you have something that doesn’t fit into a bag or is too heavy, write a little note inside and simply collect it for your loved one. You could even provide them with a treasure map to find it.
(Advent calendar brown bag inspiration via: http://craftbits.com)