We have been busy crafting and decorating in festive ways around these parts.
We made orange pomanders while listening to Harry Potter. We cut out star shaped applesauce ornaments {see recipe at bottom of post}. We sliced and strung orange slices in doorways and windows along with our paper snowflakes. We collected red berries and wild grape vines from the yard. I made a tiny paper bunting garland that stretches from one end of the house to the other. We listened to each and every Christmas cd we own and played many a Christmas movie while we puttered away. Not to mention slicing my finger and stapling my thumb.
And we talked. We talked about what we want Christmas to be. We talked about the traditions we want to begin and Christmas morning breakfast of waffles and crepes. We talked about Solstice celebrations we would like to introduce. We talked about ways in which we can extend the warm feelings on into the week between Christmas and New Years with puzzles, pajamas and cider.
Though rationally we know and believe wholeheartedly that this time of year has become far too commercialized, it is still a hard habit to break without some effort. Though we have certain ideas for what we want the season to be about, not everyone in our lives shares the goal. There are still those people who wish to do the traditional {for lack of a better word} gift exchange with items neither party would buy for themselves. It turns into a rather funny little dance where everyone exchanges 50 dollars for the sake of trading. Everything must be even and no one left out even though the money spent is often in vain.
We are politely asking family to not buy Poppy the endless amounts of princesses and plastics that would usually be showered upon the first grandchild. Our space is small and we want her to use her imagination at play. So I will include some links, for those who insist {with good intentions} on buying gifts, to online stores that are more in line with our values, will stand the test of time, and perhaps one day be passed on to future generations: Nova naturals , Natural Kids, Bird and Little Bird, & Beebee Mod
Our Gifts for Poppy:
Handmade Blocks
Perfect Pantaloonswith ribbon on the hem
A mama-knit pixie hatand scarf
Branch blocks
A basket of texture {I will share photos when done}
A special ornament {yet to be chosen}
And perhaps a handmade tutu
We still want to exchange gifts, but we want them to be handmade {by ourselves or other talented folks}. We want them to inspire us. We want them to be things that bring us closer to our authentic selves and life uncommon. So we have decided to use this time to list some of the more frivolous and beautiful things we have pined for over the course of the year with a few surprises in the mix. And though these boots are beautiful and something I have wanted for years, they are spendy and the money would do better in our savings account than on my feet to be honest and responsible.
So the journey continues as we drop all of our Christmas baggage at the door and learn how to pack lighter for the season so that we are free to frolic and merry-make as the season was made for it!
Applesauce Ornaments
1 cup applesauce
1 cup cinnamon (I used quite a bit more to be able to roll easily)
2 tablespoons ground cloves
Mix ingredients together all ingredients until you get a dough that can be rolled out
Cut out shapes as you would for sugar or gingerbread cookies
Use a skewer to create holes for hanging
Place on cookie sheet and put in oven on lowest temp possible until stiffened
decorate as desired and hang with twine or ribbon
e.
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