Homemade Festive Decorations

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice or simply the togetherness of family this season, it's the notion of giving that I wish to bestow on my children this and every year. And what better gift to give than something you have shaped with your own hands from simple ingredients every kitchen cupboard contains. To make something from nothing is so rewarding for children, they roll the dough with love and care, sprinkle some glitter with glee and wait impatiently for it to dry so that it can be tied with pretty ribbon. And voila, a gift for family and friends that in no way buys into the rampant consumerism that we are bombarded with from late September. Yes, did you notice that too…September!

 And while the gift keeps giving as every year it is hung on a new tree and is a reminder of the hands which fashioned it, it’s important to me that we keep a few for our own tree so that the children can appreciate their handiwork over the years. And for friends who don’t celebrate Christmas or a have Solstice tree, a heart or a star, symbols of love and light,  can be hung and appreciated all year round.

 We have started a new family tradition when it comes to trees, because although it is proactive to cut down the pine trees which are invasive to our local biodiversity, it’s also lovely to plant a tree every festive season. A Yellowwood tree works really well as a Christmas tree because of its shape and leaves, they look spectacular decorated  and are even happier when planted after the celebrations! What about a yearly growing grove of indigenous Christmas trees, to offset the carbon footprint inevitable from a time of excess and merriment? Hmmm...conjures a better image than a pile of brown pine needles, hey!

 

So here is the recipe for these handmade decorations that look so beautiful hanging in a Yellowwood tree….

 

 

 Air Drying Clay Recipe

 

·         2 cups bicarbonate of soda (a whole box)

·         1 cup cornstarch (Maizena)

·         1 ½ cups cold water

·         Aprons and plastic/wooden placemats

·         Rollers and cookie cutters

·         Glitter (optional)

 

1.   Mix all the ingredients together in a small pot until smooth.

2.   Cook, stirring continuously, until it is the texture of smooth mashed potatoes.

3.   Dish quickly onto a plate and allow to cool. Briefly knead the dough to even it out. (Add some glitter to the dough for an extra bit of sparkle.)

4.   Work with it immediately once cool to make decorations. Roll out with a roller and use cookie cutters in different shapes. Use a straw or matchstick to make a hole to later thread the ribbon.

5.   Allow to harden overnight.

6.   Thread with pretty ribbon when they are dry.

 (recipe from 52 ways to Grow Creative Children by Lisl Barry)

 

And may your end of year celebrations be filled with the simple joys of cooking and eating together as a family, the warm glow that giving grants and appreciation for your Solstice, whether it be the purity and stillness of snow or the bliss of sun-kissed skin.