There has been so much festive loveliness swinging around the blogosphere this past week that today's lovely list has a decidedly seasonal feel about it, and I have to say I'm (finally) feeling it too. The tree is up and looks wonderful, I finished wrapping all the presents last night and I only have one batch of chocolate tiffin left to make to give as gifts before I'm ready for the big day. I usually try to make quite a number of gifts, but this year has been so hectic that it has been the tiffin plus some apple and cinnamon infused whisky and that's been it, but at least I've managed something.

Frost-Berries-Creative-Countryside

Let's get down to it then...

If (like me) you're still behind on your festive baking, why not try this Chestnut Bûche de Noël recipe - perfect for those of you with an aversion to the traditional mince pies or Christmas pudding.

The run up to Christmas can be stressful and manic and you can easily end up losing sight of what it's all about - check out these 10 positive things to do this Christmas week to bring you back to the moment.

Remembering happy moments and a wander to gather greenery seems like the best way to spend the winter solstice, don't you think? Head over here to read Steph's post if you agree.

The morning light at this time of the year is just beautiful. Nina's post here captures everything that needs to be said on the matter.

There's still time to get your home feeling festive, and if you're looking for some inspiration head over here for my favourite styling the seasons post yet.

Christmas-Bauble-Creative-Countryside

So without further ado, I best be off to finish making that tiffin! I won't be back on here until after Christmas and my birthday (the 27th!), so I hope you all have a magical few days. I will be singing carols with Mr CC, being joyful that I can spend so much time with family and friends and consuming far too many roast potatoes.

Merry Christmas!

Blog Signature

Well, what a chaotic few days! I succumbed to one of the worst winter colds I've had in a long time and spent a week or so just trying to make it through the hours until I could go back to bed, but I'm fighting fit again now, just in time (thank goodness) for Christmas! We had the work end-of-year meal last night and I'm meeting friends for a festive breakfast this morning so it's finally starting to feel a bit like Christmas. This time of year is so important in our family; we join together a number of times over the holiday season and are joyful in one another's company with just the food and few tunes to see us through. I like the fact we keep things quite simple, that my sister and I  have held on to annual traditions even after moving out into our own homes. So today I thought I'd share these Christmas traditions with you...

Stocking-Creative-Countryside

Reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas just before bed on Christmas Eve. My dad read this to my sister and I every year, always putting on a dramatic voice as we approached the end of the tale. We've both moved out and live with our partners, but now they read the tale to us (with similar suitable dramatic voices of course!).

Stockings in bed. Christmas without opening stocking presents in bed just isn't Christmas! Throw in a clementine, some socks, a bag of chocolate raisins and a couple of other surprises and you've got yourself the start to our Christmas morning.

Elvis at Christmas. Creeping into the living room to see if Father Christmas had paid us a visit was a thrill when we were younger, and it was always accompanied by the Elvis at Christmas album and a roaring fire to warm through chilly fingers. We've now got the record and I make sure Mr CC has this playing before I venture down the stairs.

English muffins for breakfast. I know lots of people enjoy smoked salmon, some start the day simply with toast, and others break open the bucks fizz early, but we have always toasted muffins and devoured them with lashings of butter and a glass of orange juice - the perfect start to the day.

Seconds. And thirds. And fourths... We're not the sort of family to hold back on festive food, and from my Grandma's sausage rolls to turkey and roast potato sandwiches in the evening, Christmas is a constant flow of indulgence and gorging on homemade cooking. What could be better?

Do you have any Christmas day traditions? Are you hoping to start any new traditions this year?

Blog Signature

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! True symbol of eternity!Your boughs are green through out the year, Resplendent in a life sincere.O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! True symbol of eternity!"

Christmas-Tree-Farm-Creative-Countryside

Choosing our Christmas tree is an annual family tradition. We have journeyed to the same farm each year to select a tree that will remind us that nature does not succumb to the frosts and flurries of winter entirely, and that despite the elements we can house some warmth of the earth over the festive period. The smell of the tree is evocative of winter evenings as a child spent standing tip-toed on chairs trying desperately to reach the upper branches to hang stars and baubles before joyfully shouting in my parents to show them the finished result. As I have got older, the urge to decorate and string garlands of lights has only intensified, and this year is no exception.

Christmas-Creative-Countryside

Over the weekend we selected a 7ft Nordman and it now stands in pride of place in the corner of our living room. We though Bella might find it a strange addition to the home, but so far she's not really paid much attention to it! We try to decorate quite traditionally, with some wooden decorations and a star for the top. My favourite baubles are those we have received from family members; there are a number that twinkle in the soft sparkle of the lights that originally hung on my grandparents' tree, and I love to look up and be reminded of happy times together.

Christmas-2-Creative-Countryside

I use some of the lower branches for my Christmas wreath, adding only a few pine cones and a bright ribbon to complete the effect. For an easy wreath tutorial head over and read my autumn wreath post here.

What does your home look like at Christmas time?

Blog Signature

Good afternoon! I hope you're ready for today's second post on preparations for Christmas. Next up on the preparation list is creating our advent calendar, and this year I'm using inspiration from Country Living magazine to create a bunting-style calendar to hang on the kitchen wall. I've been collecting offcuts of paper and card to use for this very purpose, and have written out twenty-four festive thoughts or tasks for each day. My sister and I used to make each other tiny gifts for each day of advent when we were younger, and I had good intentions of continuing this theme, but time - as always - has slipped away and this proved impossible. However, making the most of the festive season is what I want to focus on this year and I feel this style of calendar really helps me to achieve that.

Step One

Start by creating a template for each piece of bunting. I used the template from here to help, but it was really very simple.

Step Two

Cut out twenty four identical pieces of bunting and fold together two sides of each triangle to form a flattened cone. Fasten with sticky tape / glue.

Advent-Calendar-Steps-Creative-Countryside

Step Three

Place your thoughts/tasks inside the pocket - they are wide enough for a small chocolate if you'd like an early morning treat too!

Step Four

You can buy numbered stickers to fasten the bunting pockets, but I used labels and cut out a shape I liked before adding a gold number to the front.

Advent-Calendar-Steps-2-Creative-Countryside

Step Five

Thread some string or ribbon through the top of each pocket so they can be hung, and you're all done!

DSCF8328

Advent-Calendar-Creative-Countryside

If you'd like to include thoughts or tasks like me, here's my list:

Creative-Advent

I'll be posting a picture for each day of advent over on instagram and I'd love it if you joined in! Simply post your image on instagram or twitter using #CreativeAdvent and if a few of you join in, I'll put the best on the blog.

Blog Signature

It's that time of year again when, unless I am fully organised and ready for the festive season ahead, I start to get a little bit frantic. I am usually fairly well-prepared but this year others are putting me to shame, having already bought and wrapped all their gifts, ordered their Christmas food and got the tree up and decorated (still a bit early for my tree!). So this weekend has been designated the 'get on top of Christmas' weekend, and if I'm honest I'm relishing the idea of preparing for one of my favourite times of the year complete with warming hot chocolates and perhaps a festive film or two.

Lincolnshire-Produce-Creative-Countryside

I began in earnest last night and attended the preview of the Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair at the Showground. Complete with the smooth dulcet tones of Jazz singer Molly Amour and a complimentary glass of wine from Steep Hill wines, it was the perfect opportunity to survey the best of what the county has to offer, and I left with a number of bags and a feeling of over-indulgence after tasting one too many Lincolnshire cheeses. The show continues today and tomorrow and features demonstrations and workshops for those wanting a little crafting or baking inspiration for the weeks ahead, alongside numerous stalls bursting with local flavours and produce.

Dried-Fruit-Creative-Countrysde

Turkish-Delight-Creative-Countryside

I managed to purchase another few gifts and some tasty treats for the fridge, so I left feeling very content that the preparation weekend had started so well. Head over here for tickets for the show (£5), or alternatively buy on the door for a slightly higher price (£6). Do not miss the baklava in the second hall; I had another for breakfast this morning they were that good!

Tea-Pin-Creative-Countryside

How is your Christmas shopping going? Have you been to any festive fairs yet?

Blog Signature

P.S. Check back later for a second preparations post on creating a Christmas advent calendar!