Top 10 Tips for Parents

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On How to be Creative while being Cost effective at Christmas
By EK Wills

Is your Christmas celebrated as a traditional one or do you like to mix it up with some creative changes?
These budget and eco friendly options make the festive season fun for the whole family.

1.  Make your own tree creation –three different options
2.  DIY and decorations – three variations
3.  Home made advent calendars – four easy steps to follow


Non-Traditional Trees
In our house, we have had a variety of Christmas Trees for different years to keep them involved in creating our festive look. The bonus is that it is eco-friendly and budget friendly, too.

1. Candy cane stripe:
A sweet version of a Christmas tree is easy to create with red and white crepe wrapped around a branch (from your yard and its leaves removed) and placed in a red bucket. Decorate with the kids’ craft they made at school/daycare/home (see next section). This is the ultimate DIY Christmas theme for kids.
2. Colour themes
Using a branch of your choice (again from the backyard tree and leaves removed), spray it either white/silver/gold. This can be varied each year using a different coloured tinsel to completely change the look while still using your other regular decorations.
(pic of Miranda spraying)
3. Potted Plant
If you have a favourite plant in a pot, this can be transformed into your Christmas tree with your selection of decorations without having to cut any trees or branches – and it can be used again next year. Or buy a Christmas tree in a pot to be more in line with tradition but not have to get a new tree each year.


DIY Decorations
1. Decoration Collection
Get the kids to select one new bauble or decoration to purchase and add to your collection. When they are little, you can help them to choose and, as they grow, they enjoy selecting their own to add their own creative touch.

2. Homemade tree decorations
One option is to make tree decorations as a craft activity. This can be as simple as drawing on paper with ribbon to hang them or making food decorations like popcorn strings, candied orange slices and cinnamon stick bunches.
3. Kids’ craft
One way to keep kids entertained in the lead up to Christmas is with craft activities. 
They can show off their drawings of reindeer, snowmen, angels or trees or get crafty making wool pompoms. With a collection of tinsel and coloured pipe cleaners, they can make trees or anything they imagine. Felt is a good option to create angels like this one and can be glued together easily.


Homemade advent calendars
Rather than buy a pre-filled advent calendar this year, try creating one tailor made for your child.

Christmas craft calandar


1. Calendar base
Felt is a good foundation for your calendars. It holds its shape, does not need stitching at the edges and felt figures can be added by pressing them on for a new image design every year.
You can cut up old santa sacks as your base depending on how large you would like to make your calendar or you can source felt from a craft store like Spotlight for smaller versions, too.
2. Felt pockets
Enough felt (preferably in another colour is required to make the pockets and they can be glued or sewn on to the base.
Sticky felt numbers make a good option for the pockets and virtually anything can be added for more decoration: other craft pieces or make your own.
3. Create a scene
At the top of the calendar, be sure to allow enough room to create a felt scene that the kids can design before putting their advent up each year. It could be Christmas related or any theme they choose.
4. Filling fun
Now you can fill your advent pockets with handy items for school (rubbers, pens) or Christmas themed items (baubles to hang on the tree one day at a time), sweet treats or maybe a few of each.


Wishing you a joyful festive season!

Make sure to email me if you would like a recipe for Candied Orange and tips on making cinnamon bunches and nut baubles.

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