My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love an excuse to
decorate, bake and have quality time with family and friends—which are all
essential to having a fulfilling and happy life if you ask me. That sentiment
sort of goes along with this quote that I like to refer to often, and one I try
to live by:
Life is a challenge - meet it!
Life is a dream -realize it!
Life is a game -play it!
Life is love -enjoy it!
Christmas makes me happy, and so
does being creative and spending time with my boys. This time of year in
Seattle, it is crisp and cold outside—and also so beautiful. I love to dress
the boys up in hats, gloves and a warm coat and take walks or go to the beach
and let them run around. I love even more the cherry cheeks they get from being
in the cold. We just went down to our local beach and gathered some driftwood
for Christmas decorations. We will put it back after Christmas because you are not
supposed to take it (did you know that?!), but that just means we get another
trip to the beach, which is great!
When we look for wood for decorative
purposes, it is important that it can stand stable on the ground and that there
is a flat surface on at least one side. Once you take it home be sure to let it
dry for a day. In the meantime, go to a craft store and get some model clay, (the
air-drying, less expensive type), and gather any other non-permanent items you
think might compliment the color and texture of the driftwood. Some examples are
dried roses, branches, leaves, cones. If you use branches, cut the branches in
uneven lengths, then place a bunch of clay on the log and press it down so it sticks.
Then, you can place a candle on top and build the decoration up from there.
This is a fun task for both you AND
the kids. It’s festive, it’s creative, and it’s a great way to make an
inexpensive, homemade decoration that you can enjoy for the entire holiday
season. If you don’t have wood then you can use a plate or a nice platter and
some parchment paper to protect it and you can make your decoration on that.
Here are some examples for
inspiration. I love how they fill up the room and make it all warm and cozy.
You really just want to sit and enjoy it with some Christmas cookies and cocoa.
Ideally, snow would also be falling outside and my sons cuddling next to me on
the couch! Try out these decorations and send me pictures of them—I would love
to see!
