Ah, December… the month when festive spirit takes over and handmade creations really come into their own. Whether you fancy making your own Christmas gifts for loved ones this year, or you need a moment of creative me-time amongst the chaos – we’ve got ten ideas to have yourself a very creative December.
1. Create a mocktail. With lots of merriment around at this time of year, why not experiment with some new mocktail flavours and bring some festive cheer to your December – without the headache! Berries are great for their rich Christmassy colour. Winter spices, especially mixed with apple or orange, give a warming comfort. Fresh herbs are great for adding an interesting depth of flavour. Get creative and try something different.
2. Decorate a bauble. Whether you’re team fake or real, you can’t have a Christmas tree without baubles, right?! *Well, yes, of course you can (you do you) – but go with us on this one. Handmade decorations are so special. Not only do they look gorgeous (hopefully!) but they often hold so many memories or sentiment for years to come. Pick up some blank baubles from your local craft store and get creating. Ceramic, wooden, glass… there are lots of different options out there which you can then paint, stick things to, or try something unique.
3. Make paper stars. Speaking of decorations… paper stars are a lovely creative project for December, and look great hanging around your home. Search online for origami stars or froebel stars, and you’ll find loads of inspiration and guides.
4. Write a festive poem. If you don’t often put pen to paper, poetry might feel a bit daunting – but what better excuse to try something a bit different, than Christmas. Whether you keep your finished piece for your eyes only or end up printing it out to go in everyone’s card, getting in the festive mood and finding the perfect words to express the season, can be a wonderful creative activity.
5. Bake some biscuits. Shortbread, cookies, biscotti, florentines… the internet is full of wonderful recipes (some more complex than others, so just choose carefully). Great to enjoy yourself at home, but even better to give as homemade gifts. Place the cooled biscuits in food-safe bags and tie them up with an on-trend Christmas bow.
6. Make clay decorations. Did you know, you can make your own cornflour clay/dough? It’s really simple (search online for recipes and tips), and you can create all kinds of Christmas decorations. From little ornaments for your tree to unique gift tags or place names. Of course, if you don’t fancy making your own dough from scratch, you can always buy some readymade airdry clay from a craft store. Either way, once the decorations are dry, you can paint them to add extra detail, or even add some gold leaf for an extra special touch.
7. Make a garland. Tension rod garlands are a BIG trend again this year, but, whether you want to go right across your room or keep things a bit simpler and make something pretty for your mantle piece or stairs – a homemade garland is a gorgeous way to go. Pick up a small fresh tree from your local supplier (to cut into smaller pieces) and some eucalyptus from a florist, and you’ve got the base foliage sorted. Or, if you’d rather have something you can use year after year, there are some great faux garland greenery options online. Add lights, baubles, pine cones, wooden beads… anything you like really… and you’ll have a beautiful and unique piece for your home.
8. Create a hot chocolate station. Make future you really happy by creating a little hot chocolate station now, ready for all those chilly December evenings watching Christmas movies or when you need to warm up after a wintery walk. Marshmallows, wafer rolls, toffee/fudge bites, caramel sauce, sprinkles, mint chocolate sticks, mini gingerbread biscuits, white chocolate buttons… so many yummy possibilities you can have ready to hand. Then, all you have to do is make your hot chocolate, grab your spray cream from the fridge, and head to your station.
9. Knit or crochet a scarf. Depending on your experience and amount of free-time, this might not be something you’ll finish before Christmas (so perhaps don’t count on giving one as a gift, unless you’re confident), but knitting and crochet are great crafts for winter nights snuggled up inside. Make it your project for the season and, before winter is out, you’ll hopefully have a unique and handmade item to keep you warm outside.
10. Decorate your windows. Grab yourself a set of paint markers (make sure they’re ones suitable for glass), and start drawing. From cute rows of gingerbread houses to father Christmas and his reindeer flying across the sky, the possibilities for what to paint are endless. If you’re not a confident drawer, just keep things simple – a scattering of stars or snowflakes can look really pretty.
We could keep going with more ideas for a creative December (there is so much inspiration out there!), but we know how stressful this time of year can be, so finding a moment to be creative can be hard, and we don’t want to overwhelm you with ideas. However, creativity can be great for your wellbeing so, if at all possible, try to make ‘time for a creative project’ something that’s non-negotiable in your busy schedule. Sure, the gifts need wrapping and the house needs cleaning but… you can’t pour Christmas magic from an empty cup. Be kind to yourself.
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