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Christmas
I'm going to keep a kind of diary of some of the things I make and do for Christmas.
If anyone wants to join in they are welcome.
Maybe we can swap ideas. 
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First of all I collected up the pruned tendrils from my Wisteria, and wound them around each other to make a wreath.
Still needs a few more strands to plump it out, but when finished I will decorate it.
Not sure whether to go for the trad. Christmas red and green with bits of glitter, or maybe skandi type with natural fir cones cinnamon sticks etc., finished off with a velvet vanilla coloured bow!
I'll have to take a look in the Christmas craft box(es!) to see what is looking the nicest.
Next persuaded my husband to bring down the many boxes of trimmings etc., down for me to check through, and they are now stuffed under the dining table until I get to decorate the house later on.
I cant ask him to trudge them back upstairs, too much stress on the knees!
It gives me the chance to look through and see what is looking a bit jaded and decide if I should buy new.
Found the outside lights and tested some to see if still working. Yes, so arranged them strategically in the back garden.
We had cut back a large tree a couple of weeks ago, which left the view from the window a bit empty, and I didn't like it.
So we dug out a large pot, heaved it (well he heaved I steadied it) onto the sack truck and wheeled it into position.
Then stood the largest pruned branch (about 3ft) into it and filled the pot with earth to hold it in place.
The branch is nicely twisted so I spent a couple of days on and off winding lights around it to emphasise its lovely shape. Fiddly but the effect is very pretty.
Then I filled the top of the pot with some trailing variegated ivy, (being sold off at 50p a pot).
Now I've left the lights off for now, as it is a little bit early!
But I'm looking forward to seeing them everyday from my window over the Christmas period.
It's the one thing that perks me up when the clocks change and windy wet winter seems to stretch out before us.
Witzend I love your nativity people - I'm in awe of people who can knit things like this. My MIL was a great knitter and made a few knitted dolls for her GD before she developed macular and couldn't do it any more.
I've got into a never ending spiral of gnome making as I keep running out of rice so buy more then need more socks to use the rice up then run out of rice before using up all the socks and so it goes on!! I'm now making them to give away to family and friends as well as snowmen but my glue gun has just given up so that has stopped play today 
Oldandverygrey, your baby's hat will be lovely! We have a new Gdd due in early Jan - shame it'll be a bit late for a Christmas pud one. Must get around to knitting a hat, though.
Steaming along with the Advent calendar. Had trouble trying to knit the mini polar bear with the recommended fluffy white yatn - just couldn't cope with it at all - couldn't see the stitches! So just did him in basic white.
Namsnanny, commiserations on the going wrong and undoing! Been there at least twice lately - more haste less speed... but luckily the items were small.
Here's my polar bear with a satsuma for comparison. I'm rather fond of him!
MissAdventure ...One of the reasons I started this thread was because so many of us (me included) find the Christmas period difficult.
But I do like craft or growing plants, and I hoped if I showed willing others would join in and we could concentrate more on the positives and less on the negatives of the season.
So I'm really glad you like seeing the progress people are making with their crafts!
With me it's generally one step forward two back, if you see what I mean?
I've just planted some Christmas indoor Hyacinths, a bit late so I hope they will be out on time.
Would that appeal to you? They smell lovely in the house!
AllotmentLil… I might try, after Christmas. New projects are a bit daunting! 
Oldandverygrey ...Oh I love those! They look so sweet on.
I scaled them up one year, and made adult sized ones for my family and put them inside crackers!
Poor people had to wear them as a forfeit if their cracker didn't bang.
You can imagine how that went down with 20 somethings who'd spent all morning gelling and crimping their hair!!
Well, after all the wrapping cooking etc., a girl's got to have some fun 
Much as I don't enjoy Christmas, I do like seeing your crafts!
We have some very talented people here. 
Beautiful Witzend!! … It's good without the donkey etc.
I lost the plot and dropped a stitch or two and didn't notice until several rows, so I've just unpicked my knitting project!
I always make a few mistakes, especially when I get a little bit confident.
AllotmentLil … Socks are so difficult! I haven't grasped the 3 needle method yet I'm afraid. Well done you. 
This is fantastic Witzend!! You’re so talented. I love knitting too and have knitted odds and ends for this Christmas, as well as socks all year round, but you’re in a different league!
I'm going hell for leather on the Advent calendar at the moment, big backing pieces, 16 of the pockets and 9 inserts done so far. And I've mounted the backing pieces on to a thick piece of card which I found in the local art shop, I should have started it all in June! Only I hadn't found the pattern then.
Plus I still have 1 donkey and 3 sheep to make for the Nativity. The rest is more or less done - all sitting on top of the piano.
Shan't get much done for the next few days - Gdcs coming to stay for 3 nights. I dare say we'll be making fairy cakes together.
Ilovecheese … I like Delia's recipe's the most. They used to re-run her Christmas series quite often and I always watched it.
Not that I managed to make many of the items, but I tried to do a different one each time it was on.
I haven't seen it advertised this year though.
I bet the house smells nice now? [smile}
Will you managed to use up all six jars, or will some be given away?
I give you this for nothing, Waitrose mini mince pies are really good if anyone doesn't want to make their own.
I'm not against a sneaky shop bought mince pie, so long as it doesn't have that twangy after taste that some used to!
Still haven't got around to making mine yet, hence the trip to Waitrose!!
Ooooo Paris! Have a great time there.
London for a show maybe?
Leyla … It's not really clever, well I can only speak for myself.
You haven't seen the box of unfinished (translates as too difficult to cope with) items hiding in the loft!
That's what its all about really isn't it......spending time with loved ones, if possible.
Will you hibernate and just indulge in her company, or be more gregarious and visit others together do you think?
When mine went off to uni all they wanted when they came home was lifts to and from places, and when they were at home they were hungry or had hangovers!
Lucky them
Thanks namsnanny we are off to Paris and London
Always enjoy that
paddyann
I really don't have much choice.
First of all, the agency who sends me homecare help states I can only be taken to "the nearest supermarket".
Unless I want to give someone a pack of butter or a tin of beans for a Christmas gift, I have to look online.
It doesn't need to be expensive, it can't be expensive if I'm to buy it.
Even if I were able to get to a shop with gifts, I can't see them. I can still see things online.
My budget is nowhere near as large as yours, if the price of hot chocolate velvetisers is anything to go by.
I'm talking about $20 - £10 maximum, even for family, from a pension which doesn't allow for luxuries such as dental and doctor's bills, let alone Xmas gifts.
I don't know how pensioners in Scotland manage but here it's a bit of a struggle; well over half of it goes on rent alone.
Nevertheless, I'm inspired by all this wonderful craft work here and although most of it is beyond me now (sight not creativity) I'm thinking I could make some nice chocolate truffles and pop them in petit four cases.
Then I may download a box template from AuntAnnie.com she has heaps of different designs, and using old cartons, decorate with wrapping paper - and I have some ribbon in my sewing box.....
Never give up - never give in {grin]
Your knitting looks lovely - I used to like knitting but it makes me fall asleep
My knitting project
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