Welcoming the festive season to our home

 I am acutely aware that November is drawing to a close & Winter & the festive season is approaching. I always welcome Winter, the frosts that make everything glisten & glow, the feeling that the garden is resting, the approach to the festive season, the feeling of community when neighbours are out & about, dropping cards through letterboxes, the anticipation of time with nearest & dearest ....  

This has been such an upside down year that I wanted to bring light, warmth & hope in to my space. I have made a start to the decorations about the home, a gentle rhythm moving things in to place in an unhurried, purposeful way, aware that Covid_19 has taken so much away from us this year already so we have to do what we can do to keep an even keel. 

I love the warmth of candle & fairy lights & the glow from the warm colours of winter - the metallics, greens, reds, gold. I bring in winter foliage too - the traditional holly & ivy as immortalised in the carol, as well as while hellebores, also known as Christmas roses - these herald winter time. 

Many of you will know from previous years, that one of my Elective Home Ed Mums has made & gifted me a front door wreath / garland for years. I always really look forward to its arrival because it is a welcoming sign that it is time to prepare for the season ahead. 

A second one for the back garden, it is on the chimnea & it can be seen from the conservatory, the dining room & kitchen. I am so blessed to have two gorgeous ones ... 

I used some of the extra holly branches to prepare a tray for my Advent candles - 4 candles, 1 for each Sunday in the run up to Christmas. Holly & Ivy - so traditional ... 

I am so blessed to have these wonderful handmade gifts again. It feels festive. I will be misting them regularly with water to keep them looking good & once a week, the front door one is taken off & placed on the lawn where it is watered then put back on. I find this keeps it looking fresh for weeks ... 

Have you started your preparations or are you trying to stay traditional & waiting for at least Advent? Tell all ... 

Thank you for your company, each & every visit & comment is much appreciated, 

Dee ~💕~

My front door wreath is lovely as always ...

Hi everyone,

I have been away on a little girlies jaunt with a friend to Riga. I realised that I have not shared my beautiful front door wreath with you.

It is always a gift from a lovely students Mum Linda. I shared some of the previous ones on a post last year - my-door-is-ready-with-gift-from-heart so pop along & see the others on the links.

This year, once again, my special door wreath arrived. I am always excited to add ribbon & put it up because it represents the start of Christmas for me.

I use warm white battery powered LED lights on the bushes by the door, they come on for 6 hours each night then go off again, perfect for just adding a welcoming touch. 

I hope your festive preparations are going well. Do you have fresh garlands & wreaths in your home at Xmas? Thank you for stopping by & taking the time to read & comment, 

Dee ~♥~