Yesterday was wet…very wet. Puddles pooled along the drive and the sheep in the field behind our home looked rather miserable.
A Rainy Day and the Start of Our Simple Christmas Crafting
The wet weather meant that it was perfect weather for a little Christmas crafting. It was made extra special with my youngest daughter coming over to join in.
Making Do and Mending: Creating Handmade Christmas Decorations
In keeping with my inspired “make do and mend” simple Christmas, we set to crafting some lovely Christmas decorations. We used foraged pine cones, scraps of ribbon collected over the years, and oranges and cloves from the kitchen.
Foraged Pinecones and Simple Tree Decorations
A bit of hessian and ribbon to adorn our pinecones makes for simple, yet pretty, decorations for our tree. I love the simplicity of these decorations. I have plenty of the store-bought glass and plastic mass-produced decorations. However, nothing is quite as lovely as handmade, in my opinion.
Why a Simple, Handmade Christmas Matters Most
The best thing about crafting a simple Christmas is the time that you spend together. It’s not really about having the most stylish tree or home. Rather, it is the time we spent crafting together, which I will be reminded of each time I look at these little cones.
Spiced Orange Pomanders: A Traditional Christmas Craft
We made some spiced orange pomander balls for a little coffee table display. Adding a few lights and ribbons elevates this simple Christmas craft into something special.
Scent, Memory, and the Moments that Shape us
The house smelled so Christmassy as we studded the oranges with cloves. So many memories from years past came flooding back, brought on by the aroma.
Like the time a friend in South Africa put clove oil on her son’s sore tooth, which promptly made him sick.
Or when I used clove oil years ago in my floor mopping water because of its strong antibacterial properties.
Memories of comfort and joy, of precious friends, of time, spent making memories all stirred up by the scents given up by poking cloves into oranges – precious!
That’s what life is about, isn’t it? It’s about people, love, friendship. It’s about time. Time spent with people is what matters.
Time with Loved Ones is the Truest Gift
Sadly, my husband and I both lost our fathers in car accidents about 5 years apart. You never know when time with your loved ones is up. We need to cherish those we love, spend time with them while we can, so that we can create precious memories. These memories will most certainly pop up at the most unexpected moments, bringing joy to your heart.
That is something I want to be mindful of during this season…not just this season, always. I want to be more connected with people than with stuff.
Drying Oranges the Traditional Way
Continuing with my mission to add simple festive touches to our home, I sliced up some oranges and popped them into the Rayburn to dry out overnight. I love dried orange slices; they look like stained glass when you place delicate lights behind them!
Last year I tried to dry out orange slices in my modern convection oven and it did not go well. They were looking great one minute and then burnt and shriveled the next!
With my old fashioned Rayburn, I left them to dehydrate overnight. They were just right when I checked on them in the morning.
The long, slow, traditional way of drying orange slices seems to be better!
Bringing the Garden Indoors for a Simple Christmas Display
My husband and I gathered boughs of greenery from the garden to bring indoors. We adorned them with my dried orange slices and delicate lights. It all looks, and smells, beautiful!
With the rain still lingering outside and the soft twinkle of lights reflecting off dried oranges and evergreen leaves, our home feels wrapped in a gentle kind of magic. Not the kind found in shop windows or glossy catalogues. But the magic that comes from shared time, from simple traditions, and from hearts turned toward one another. This is the Christmas I wish to hold onto — mindful, meaningful, and rich in the things that truly last.
If you feel drawn to this slower, hand-made way of welcoming the season, I would love to walk it alongside you. Do come and find me over on Instagram, where I share little glimpses of our simple rhythms and seasonal making. If you create any decorations, traditions, or moments inspired by your own quiet Christmas, please do tag me. It would be a joy to see how you are embracing slow and simple where you are.
