💫 10 WONDERFUL THINGS TO MAKE, DO AND CELEBRATE IN DECEMBER 🌜
Two quick announcements before I dive in: 1) My planing and goal setting e-course, The January Life book, is open for pre-sale now, until Friday, so if you want to give yourself (or a loved one) a fantastically deep and life-changing start to the year, encompassing both work and personal stuff, then head this way.
2) My last workshop with tickets available (the others are sold out) is on Saturday 7th in SE London. Make an everlasting wreath with me and Nadine from Workshop ltd.using one of Nadine's gorgeous handmade brass rings.
December's Sunday Supplement!
Welcome, December, month of shimmer and moonlight. And happy first day of advent! The festive winter season is well and truly underway and we are feeling rather merry and bright about the whole caboodle. Autumn and winter are my busiest work season, and friends often ask if by the time Christmas comes I am done with it. But the answer to that is nope! I love it! More foliage! But I have been thinking about January too, and the whole new decade she will usher in.
As always we are opting for a simple Christmas focused on experiences, rather than ‘stuff’, and taking conscious steps to make things easier for ourselves in the coming weeks. For us this looks like keeping the calendar as free as we can, marking in rest days after workshops, and opting to stay home this Christmas and New Year. We want to create magical moments for the kids based on being with the people we love (although obviously, present joy is high on the list too!). Last night we hung up our advent branch (!) In each fabric pouch we put an activity card and occasionally a little chocolate coin or gift. I no longer do this in advance, and instead do a few days at a time. It has activities like a torch walk in the park to see the moon and stars, baking, Christmas film, decorate the tree, make gifts for family, donate toys.
I am also being extra boundaried as an act of self care, and for the sake of my mental health. It doesn’t always come easily but, like anything, the saying no and resting gets better with practice, and allows for so much more joy. There are potential anxiety/depression triggers all over the place at this time of year for me, from the increase in work to the increase in social and emotional expectations, to the anniversary of my mums and my mother in laws death. But the lots of sleep and saying no thing is, shockingly (!), really helping. For anyone who finds this time of year hard (I acknowledge that it can be a hell of a lot harder than i’m finding it) I want to say hey, and send virtual love.
So here is to a wonderful winter, one in which we can rest and sleep and honour our boundaries. A winter that’s nourishing, one in which we are able to see the quiet, often ignored magic of the season.
Here are 10 wonderful things to make, do and celebrate in the month ahead!
Celebrate the Solstice on Sunday 22nd. Put the date in your diaries and do something to celebrate the shortest day of the year; and the fact that we’ll enjoy more light from this point. We love celebrating the solstice. We’ll go for a walk, cook a big roast and give gifts to the kids. They open less from us on Christmas Day but still lots from family and friends. Celebrating and marking the solstice just fits with our family values although we celebrate both!
Say no. I know, it sounds a bit curmudgeonly. But, tis the season for …. social obligation. This can be lovely (call on that neighbour or friend) but it can also be stressful. Maybe you don’t have to say yes. And if you really do, then balance it with lots of restorative and nourishing company, and time for the things that bring you joy.
Make! Decorations, simple gifts, wreathes…Christmas is a wonderful opportunity for creating; so let your creativity flow IF you have the time and energy. (Really; there’s nothing worse than stressed crafting, trust me) Oh, and I have two online wreath classes right this way. 😉
Light the candles in the mornings and leave them lit until lunch time. Don’t wait till you have guests either, you deserve it too!
Give. Go through kids books and toys with your children and encourage them to give things away they no longer play with. Do the same with your own stuff. A 'Reverse Advent 'is such a wonderful idea (not mine!) where you gather a box of items to give away.
Volunteer or donate. Look up your local food bank or shelter and see if there’s any slots that need filling or things they need. Donate to domestic violence, homelessness, or suicide charities- sadly this is their busiest time of year.
Go outside. Yes, it’s cold, but there is nothing nicer than the woods in winter. Or the beach, for that matter. Don your woollies and a good vest and gulp down that crisp, frosty air.
Try to have a low impact Christmas. Shop local, or better yet, and perhaps rather radically, don’t shop at all. We try to make or simply agree not to buy gifts, and have drastically reduced who we buy for. Go for experiences like spa days, cinema trips, memberships, e-courses, workshops. Buy eco and avoid amazon too, but really, the kindest thing we can do for our ailing planet is to simply buy less altogether.
Sleep. Sleeeeeep! Winter is nature’s sleep and we should take note. It’s the loveliest and most restorative act of self-care we can give to ourselves. December can be such a busy month but don’t forget to carve out rest time. See if you can clear the calendar to give you and your family some ‘nothing’ days. Get the blankets out and light those candles.
Sing! It’s increasingly rare that we sing as part of a group, but it’ can be surprisingly joyful. Belt out a carol, join a community Christmas sing-along, or head to your local church. The Christingle service is my favourite service- candlelit and scented with clove-studded orange’s.
December blessings to you all,
Hannah x
