The Shape of Things to Come

Ok, so although we haven't even got the festive season over and done with, in our house our thoughts have already turned to our upcoming nuptials and the DIY projects that involves,diy projects for our home and Easter, Halloween and Christmas 2014 projects.

Look out for our wedding wand tutorial, reading corner make over, Easter egg hunt tips and more...

See you in 2014!

                         M xx

Tip of the Day

For those of you with presents still to wrap. Write the receipiente name somewhere discreet on their presents before attaching the gift tag. This way if the gift tag comes off you'll still know who the present belongs to!

                            M xx

Make a Christmas Pomander

With the school Christmas holidays fast approaching I'm always on the lookout for festive craft projects that I can do with with the kids.

One thing we look forward to making every year are our Christmas pomanders. Super easy and fun to make these will go down a treat and leave the house smelling very Christmassy.

You will need

Oranges

Ribbon

Cloves

Cinnamon 

Star anise

Skewer

1) Wrap the ribbon around the orange in any style you want but remember to tie it at the top and leave the loose ends.

2) Use the skewer to pierce the orange where you want to put the cloves then insert them. You could follow a pattern or place them randomly, be as creative as you can.

3) Once your happy with the way the cloves are arranged, attach the cinnamon to the loose ends of the ribbon and tie a know.

4) Slip the ribbon through the back of the star anise and push it down the ribbon to the cinnamon stick.

5) Tie the loose ends into a bow and hang around the house.

That's it, you'll now have some beautiful Christmas decorations and a wonderful smelling house!

                           M xx

What Does Christmas Mean To You?

In our house it is officially Christmas! The tree and decorations are up, the kids are enjoying their homemade advent calendars, the festive baking has begun, cards are all ready to post and present wrapping has started.

I look around the house at some of the decorations that I've had for many years and memories come flooding back of past Christmases, the fun, the laughs and the feelings they recreate and it gets me thinking what does Christmas really mean to each of us?

As a not particularly religious person Christmas doesn't hold all of the Christian beliefs for me, however, there are elements which I think can be universal; goodwill to all, love and general positivity. Then there are the other elements that really make Christmas for me. The simple things, like snuggling up with the family to watch Christmas films, making homemade gifts for friends and family, creating new memories whilst remembering old and creating traditions for our family unit are just the tip of the iceberg.

I have to admit that I am Christmas crazy but I feel it's one of the rare times of the year that kindness prevails and almost anything can happen if you just believe in the magic of Christmas!

So while I now go back to planning the rest of Decembers activities for the family please just take a couple of minutes to answer the question...What does Christmas mean to you?  

M xx

One Down, 3 To Go!

Every year I pledge to make the children a homemade advent calendar and every year I end up dashing around the shops like a woman possesed to try and find 3 suitable calenders on 30th November. Not this year! This year I am being super organised and have begun making them already. To be honest, the hardest part was choosing from the hundreds of creative ideas to suit each child.

Little monster was the easiest to choose for so his is the first to be made.

Suprise Box Tree Advent Calendar

You can make this using any colour card but we opted for Christmassy green and red

You will need

Card

Scissors

Double sided tape or glue

Cardboard (optional)

Treats to fill

How to Make

1. Draw or print 24 cube templates on the card and cut out

2. Score the card along all of the folds and flaps and fold into a cube shape.

3. With a pencil, mark a cross on all of the flaps that will need adhesive.

4. Unfold the cube and put double sided tape along all of the marked flaps.

5. One by one, remove the tape backing and stick the cube together.

6. Repeat this process for all 24 boxes.

7. Once you have made all 24 boxes it's time to assemble them. With the lids facing the front start to build a Christmas tree shape using double sided tape or another adhesive to stick the vibes together(use the picture as a guide)

8. OPTIONAL Once you have created your Christmas tree attach the entire shape to a piece of decorated cardboard. How you decorate it is entirely up to you. You can either punch two holes in the cardboard and hand up or leave it to stand.

9. Write or use stickers to number each box. This can be done in number order or randomly.

10. Finally, fill each cube with a treat. I've opted for a mix of sweets, chocolates, toys and craft items.

As little monster has decided he wants to use Christmas stickers to finish decorating his calendar there isn't a finished picture yet of his advent calendar completed but follow me on Twitter or check out my Facebook page for the end result.

Are you planning on giving your child an advent calendar this year? Will it be chocolate filled or are you opting for something healthier?

M xx

Weekly Meal Planner

Here is what I'll be offering up to my boisterous bunch this week

Weekly Meal Planner

Monday

Vegetable chilli with rice

Tuesday 

Salmon and green bean pasta

Wednesday

Chicken and mushroom pie with new potatoes and seasonal veg

Thursday 

Ratatouille 

Friday

Creamy coconut curry with noodles

Saturday

Mini Christmas dinner (we have people coming over for a Christmas make and bake afternoon so it seemed fitting!)

Sunday

Lamb casserole

What will you be serving up this week?

M xx