Natural and homemade Christmas Decorations

 Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Natural and homemade Christmas Decorations

I have always loved the tradition of bringing greenery into the home at this time of year to make festive decorations. Branches of fir, holly and ivy are woven between bannisters, tucked behind picture frames and garlanded along mantle shelves, bringing the festive scent of pine in with them and perhaps a sprig or two of mistletoe above the door as well. The Victorians embraced the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, but the origin of this tradition is probably a much more ancient one, linked to renewal and life. Mistletoe grows upon the branches of other trees and can be spotted as bright green living balls of colour against the dark bare branches of its host tree, where the leaves have died and fallen away. The solstice approaches on the 21st of December marking the shortest day and the longest night. Branches of evergreens representing the traditional ancient symbolism of everlasting life remind us that we are part of the seasonal cycles of nature and that as the year draws to a close, a new year is forming all around us.

“From ancient times, the solstices and equinoxes that quarter the year have each been celebrated as a culmination of part of the sun’s rhythmic journey. Folk customs indicate the general feeling that these were critical moments of transition, that the natural forces of the heavens alone might not meet the needs of the time, and that therefore the support and involvement of earthly communities should be invoked.”  All Year Round by Ann Druitt, Christie Fynes-Clinton and Marije Rowling has some lovely suggestions for making table centres, garlands and even a Yule staff, and this treasured book has become a well-loved and essential source of inspiration and creativity in our home.

Treading lightly on the earth and using natural materials in creative process is very important to me, on the 6th of January known as the Twelfth Night, when traditionally all greenery is removed from the house, I will place the branches on the compost heap and leave them to naturally become part of nourishing the garden and providing shelter for all the tiny unseen, but vital creatures that dwell in the soil.  I also really enjoy the tradition of placing the Christmas tree in the garden and decorating it with homemade treats for the garden birds, who so appreciate a little extra food at this time of year.

Each year, in our family we like to create new decorations for our Christmas tree and windows, we make window stars in jewel bright colours in all sorts of shapes and sizes, the patterns in All Year Round are great to start with and cutting out paper snowflakes is always hugely enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. They look so beautiful against the dark glossy leaves and branches of the greenery. We also have much loved decorations sewn from felt, crafted from straw and carved from wood, which we greet like old friends each year the Christmas box is unpacked. Making anew each year reconnects us to the season and the festival of Christmas with its message of gathering together to celebrate. Crafting brings us moments of presence and connection in the busy run up to the Christmas festivities. Using paper and card to create decorations means that our creations are more environmentally sustainable and can be safely recycled when we have finished enjoying them. 

Materials

Pencil

Okonorm Eco all purpose contact glue

Scissors

Paper - Poetry recycled paper

Large Star punch

Wooden beads

Paper string

Needle

Cotton thread

Six pointed star template

Hanging Star snowflake

 To make a star snowflake hanging decoration draw a six pointed star onto your chosen colour of card. (There are lots of star templates available free to download to get you started).

To make the points of the snowflake you will need three diamond shapes, you can make these using your star as a guide as the points of the diamond will be the same as the top and bottom points of your star.

Cut out all of the shapes and fold each diamond in half.   

 From the folded centre of each diamond cut a line toward the point finishing about 2cm from the tip.

Open the diamond and slip the cut over three of the points of the star, with a point in between each of the three diamonds.

When you have constructed your snowflake, carefully make a hole with the needle and thread a cotton hanging thread onto the top point of the star.  Hang on a branch and admire!

Star garland bunting

Cut a length of paper string about a meter in length.

Using the star punch start making a collection of little starts from your chosen colour of paper.

Fold four stars in half and start glueing them together placing the paper string in the middle as you secure the last two stars together.

 You can also space them out with flat stars glued together in between, wooden beads also look very pretty.

This year we chose a colour theme of red, green and white for a very traditional feel to our decorations.  Little white stars are strung onto paper string to create stands of bunting for the tree reflecting the season’s clear starry nights and white paper snowflakes speak to the children’s ever present hope for snow!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with joyful connections

Katherine

@appletree_community