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The Spring solstice has passed and Easter is just around the corner. Many of us are at home much more than we usually would be, so I have decided to update this post in light of Corona, and because I simply don’t have time to create a whole new one (Like so many people, i’m trying to work and keep the kids semi-entertained!) Spring can still be a huge celebration at home, even if it’s just for 1! I have been doing small things here and there, when I think of them, to decorate the house and prepare for a much smaller Easter celebration than usual. But I think it’s lovely to make it just as much of a celebration as we would if we were gathering with friends and family, in fact i’d argue it’s more important! So get out your best linen and crockery, have a forage in the garden, and light the candles. I have started a hashtag, the same name as my e-book #asoulfulgathering, please do use it if you decide to mark the occasion at home!

As a family we love celebrating each solstice/equinox. For our agnostic family, they mean more to us than the traditional Easter and Christmas celebrations, although we do celebrate those too. Any excuse for a celebration, really! The solstices/equinoxes come at the quarter points in the year so they act as useful points to review yearly plans. Marking the solstices and equinoxes also help us plan activities (marmalade making, strawberry picking, etc) and we use it as a prompt to change toys and books around for the kids. I also love styling my home for each season too, even if it’s in really small ways.

SPRING STYLING IDEAS FOR YOU

I am a big proponent of doing what you can with what you have. A bunch of supermarket daffs on the kitchen table is truly enough to bring instant Spring joy to your home. Some other ideas below

SPRING DECORATING IDEAS.

I am forever banging on about decluttering but that's because it feels great, for most people is a constant work, and because Spring is the perfect time for a house overhaul.Before you start styling, clear off the surfaces first. You can sign up for my Fresh Nest Challenge ,starting on Monday, here.
Wreathes are not just for Christmas! They symbolise the eternal cycle of life and I love having them in my home year round. You can learn to make a Spring Wreath with me in my online class, right this way.
Put flowering bulbs in ramekins, bowls or vintage pots and put them around your house. I lift them from the ground if I cant get hold of them from the shops.
Bring flowering branches indoors. Magnolia or any sort of blossom is glorious.
Put any heavy blankets and sheepskins etc in storage. Shop around your home and put out cushions in lighter colours on your sofa’s. It’s amazing how different things can feel just by swapping things around, not a penny need be spent!
Put Spring flowers around your home. Especially your bedside. If you dont have access to flowers, a couple of sprigs of greenry snipped from the garden is also lovely, and longer lasting.

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SPRING CELEBRATION IDEAS FOR KIDDO’S.

We set up a little Spring celebration for the kids near the Spring equinox, and this is very loosely been the theme for our home learning efforts since the lockdown. (Very loosely!)

We rotate our books seasonally and make a celebration of getting the new season books out. I wrapped up our Spring books in a piece of ribbon, and gave them each a little cup of mini eggs.
I will often give them one or two other small gifts too. Sometimes an item of clothing they need or something I’ve found in a charity shop (like the bunnies pictured).
We write a list of all the activities we will do in Spring. First we decorate a large piece of paper then we begin writing down what we would like to do. I usually add any scheduled day trips, or visits from family, half term activities etc. But in light of the lock down, instead we have talked about what we will bake, craft ideas, things we’d like to do in the garden, what we’ll watch, play and read. (are there any live Spring events happening? Please let me know!)
We set up a Spring scene. Frankie-Rose took it upon herself to set up her own Spring scene on one of her book shelves. It includes fresh Spring flowers, a book, some little flower fairies, and any other nature finds we come across. It also includes her prized make up bag, a princess book and a box of crackers. Love her.
We go outside! I mean, we try to go outside every day, but it’s especially lovely in Spring. Again, in light of lockdown, we are instead opening our windows as much as possible and listening to the bird song, and enjoying the fresh spring air. Or we’re going out for short 20 minute walks directly around our home, or going into our garden. I am infinitely aware of our garden privileges here. But there are signs of Spring everywhere we go and the kids love spotting them. A few years ago, illustrator Emilie Maguin designed some nature bingo’s for me but they haven’t been available to download for a while. I have now rectified that. See end of post. These are lovely aids for a short trip. Even busy towns and cities will have bird life and blossom trees.