EP // 82 Enjoy a Simple Homemade Christmas 🎄

Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and the warmth of family traditions. This year, let’s embrace the homemade spirit by creating a charming Christmas atmosphere using natural elements like orange slices and other delightful crafts. This podcast will guide you through crafting unique decorations, festive treats, and heartwarming gifts—all infused with the essence of the season. Grab your scissors, glue, and a hot cocoa as we dive into the merry world of homemade Christmas! 1. Gathering Your Materials To get started, you’ll need a few essential materials to create your decorations and treats: - For Décor: - Dried orange slices - Cinnamon sticks - Pinecones (natural or painted) - Twine or ribbon - Craft glue - Scissors - For Treats: - Ingredients for cookies or gingerbread - Festive sprinkles or edible glitter - Small mason jars or bags for packaging - For Gifts: - Blank gift tags - Decorative paper - Craft materials for personalizing gifts 2. Creating Dried Orange Slice Ornaments Dried orange slices add a beautiful, natural element to your Christmas décor. The process of making these ornaments is simple and rewarding. Ingredients & Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). 2. Slice oranges into 1/4-inch thick rounds. 3. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 4. Bake for 2-3 hours, turning them halfway through, until they are dry but not burnt. 5. Once dried, use a skewer to create a small hole at the top of each slice for hanging. 6. Thread twine through the hole and hang them on your tree, mantel, or around your home. These will not only look stunning but will also fill your space with a light citrus aroma. 3. Crafting a Cinnamon Stick Bundle Next, let’s create a rustic decoration that will complement your dried orange slices: cinnamon stick bundles. Instructions: 1. Gather 3-5 cinnamon sticks and tie them together using twine or ribbon. 2. Attach a dried orange slice or a small pinecone to the bundle for added charm. 3. Use these bundles as chair decorations, table centerpieces, or even as gift toppers. These bundles capture the scent of Christmas and add a touch of elegance to your décor. 4. Baking Festive Treats No Christmas is complete without delicious treats! Consider baking cookies or gingerbread with your family. Simple Gingerbread Cookie Recipe: Ingredients: - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon ground ginger - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened) - 3/4 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup molasses - 1 egg Instructions: 1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. 2. In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the molasses and egg. 3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. 4. Refrigerate the dough for about 1 hour. 5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and roll out the dough on a floured surface. 6. Cut out shapes and place them on lined baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until firm. 7. Let them cool and decorate with icing and sprinkles. Package them in mason jars with a festive ribbon for a personal touch! 5. Personalizing Gifts with DIY Touch Once your decorations and treats are ready, it’s time to wrap your gifts. Gift-Wrapping Ideas: - Use plain brown paper and decorate it with stamps or doodles. - Attach a bundle of dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks to your gifts for a beautiful, aromatic embellishment. - Handwrite gift tags with heartfelt messages. These simple yet personal touches will make your presents memorable and cherished. Merry Christmas 🎄

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Alicia