Not many pennies but that does not mean we are not going to have a Christmas

It merely means that I am and will be going around things in a different way and making use of that which I already have available to me.  I am fortunate in that I have lots of things by way of supplies in my stash, including different fabrics of all sorts and also lots of haberdashery items. So I think some presents, Christmas decorations, and other bits and bobs can be easily achieved without spending a penny more.  So in that respect I am lucky.  Now if  I can get to grips with the sewing machine and embroidery machine.  They will really make a big difference.

Some decorations and displays and Christmas ornaments can of course be made from wild things, like fir cones, larch cones, twigs, leaves (skeletonised), teasels, brown paper and paint.  Fresh Greenery can be collected in and home made wreaths made. I have oasis bases and willow bases, silk flowers, ribbons.  Might need a bit of mistletoe but that can be achieved. I have a holly tree in the garden with plenty of berries.  There are twigs that can be turned into ornaments like Christmas stars or twig garlands with a little time and some string and a fine drill to drill a small hole through the twigs.

Jam jars can be turned into candle lanterns to light the garden path with tea lights and metal foil lids. If it snows it will make it more of an atmospheric sight. Ice ornaments can be made to decorate the garden up a little bit.  Seed ornaments can be made to feed the wild birds as well as fat balls and monkey nuts.  Herbs such as Rosemary can be turned into little garlands to decorate a napkin for the Christmas table.  Fresh bay leaves can be used in seasonal decorations along with Ivy and haw and rosehip berries. And holly the prickliest of them all.

Last year I bought two very large lanterns in the sale I paid £10 for the two I believe that they should have been £15 each.  They were supposed to have been used in the back door display to the house but I did not get round to it.  So this year I am very much wanting to get them out to give a little festive cheer to the back door so that when visitors come it looks seasonal.  

Sadly because of the drought I have lost both of my bay tree standards which I am a little miffed about as they were not exactly purse friendly to buy in the first place.  Will have to keep my eyes peeled as I am particularly fond of bay trees in the standard format.  I also like Box, and small miniature style trees/bushes.  They used to stand guard around the door.

I have lots of paper cutting dies, and different papers to make some cards and or labels.  I also have a large roll of brown wrapping paper with which to wrap the Christmas presents and make some individual decoration to.  There is also lots of glitter, glue, crayons, paints etc.  I think children including large children could well be in their element here.

Mincemeat, Christmas cakes, and puddings and Dundee cakes are all made along with an array of different preserves in the pantry.  Plum bread will be made about three weeks before Christmas to allow it to give.

Home made wine is on the go as well as some beer.  So I do not think that we will do too badly at the end of the day.  Just will not be expensive presents like there usually is.  However in reality I would quite like for people to make me a home crafted present rather than buy something.  Give something of themselves in the present.  I think that is what I am heading too long term but not everyone feels confident to have a go.  I grew up with a family who made presents through necessity I think but still pretty special.  My mother was a prolific knitter as was my Nan and we always had lovely thick jumpers for the winter months.  We were also encouraged to make things as well.  One year I made a spice rack for my mum.  You used to be able to get a variety of herbs and spices in tiny plastic tubs.  I had my Dad prepare a wooden base, and we drilled a recess in each plinth of wood to hold the pots.  I then covered the pots with some pretty sticky back plastic and then gave it to her for Christmas.  Mum loved that and indeed it went to a local Charity shop as all of us had our own versions of this.  I think people forget that sometimes it is not the expertise that goes into making something that is important but it is the thought that goes into the gift which is important.

One particular present I have was prepared by my step-daughter when she was about 10 years of age.  It is simply a water colour painting of some wildflowers in a small vase that she did when she was about 10 years of age.  She is quite an accomplished artist in her own right so that particular "pressie" has always ranked as a favourite I suppose because of the sweetness and simplicity of it.

We have plenty of preserves in the pantry i.e. marmalade, lemon and ginger, orange, grapefruit, bottled pears, tomatoes, pickled beetroot, mixed fruit salad, bottled cherries, different chutneys, pickled onions, Quinces, quince jelly, membrillo, Rumptopf, chilli jam, chilli sauce, spiced peaches, curds, apple jelly, spiced apple jelly, plenty of different jams, pickled shallots, picallilli, onion relish, dried fruit chutneys including Apricot and Garlic etc. etc.  So plenty to go at.  There is also plenty of stuff in the freezers.

It just will be less of a commercialised Christmas.  More homespun.  Now for the moment at least I am at home I want to take advantage and do those projects I have wanted to for so long, like collecting fresh greenery and making my own arrangements for the doors and the gates and inside the house.  Making individual decorations for the Christmas parcels, just messing around and playing and titivating and enjoying the season.  Being part of it for a change.  Polishing the best cutlery, preparing the table linen and decorations for the Christmas table.  Going the extra mile as it were.  Making everything look nice.

Note to myself though, next year though I am starting in the New Year with the preserving.  Probably more on the drying front but I intend to concentrate on the canning in the New Year doing a bit each week as I can making use of reduced items so that I can have a healthy stash of goodies for use throughout the year. 

Right had better get a wriggle on.  All this creativity is taking me away from much needed work.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

x