Category Archives: Christmas

Christmas, Just saying

How we Made a Reindeer for the Garden

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We made garden reindeer by attending the reindeer making workshop at Wimpole Estate.

Ciaran, from the gardening team, made it look easy as he demonstrated how to do it.

How to Make Reindeer - Wimpole Estate Gardener

Now it was our turn to create a creature. We gathered up the materials:

  • A log for the body
  • A smaller log for the head
  • Four long sticks for legs
  • A shorter stick for the neck
  • Two sticks for ears
  • A conkers for the nose
  • A pine cone for the tail
  • Twigs for the antlers
  • A mallet
  • Glue
  • A nail to attach the nose
  • A staple and wire to attach the tail

Materials to make a reindeer

Ciaran had kindly drilled the holes already so we just had to fill the holes with glue and set about assembling our masterpieces.

Wooden reindeers
The finished product!

Transporting two  reindeer in a Renault Clio was probably the trickiest part.

One reindeer went to live at the Moomins’ house and the other was released into the wilds of our garden where it was soon greeted by the other residents.

Rabbit and reindeer
When Pongo met Twiggy

 

Saying hello nicely
Saying hello nicely!

Fozzy greeted the reindeer nicely and then decided she needed to get to know it a little better by sniffing it’s bottom.

Dog sniffing wooden reindeers bottom
Getting to know the reindeer better!

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas, Just saying

12 Ways to get in the Christmas Spirit

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You’ve heard of the 12 days of Christmas. Well here are the 12 ways of Christmas.

12 ways to get in the Christmas spirit:

1    Watch your favourite festive movies. I can’t wait to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas! And if it’s on TV you might even get to see the annual heart-warming John Lewis advert or the Coca-Cola truck during the ad breaks too

2    Count down the days. Make an advent calendar to give yourself a special treat each day. It could be a chocolate, a biscuit or a beer.

3    Visit a Christmas market. The hustle and bustle and smell of gluhwein and bratwurst will get you feeling festive. Find Christmas markets, grottos, the Coca-Cola truck stops and other festive events here.

4    Put up the Christmas tree and decorations. The more tinsel, lights, glitter and sparkle the better!

5    Drink Christmas beverages. I’m a sucker for marketing ploys and get way too excited when Starbucks release their red Christmas cups. Warm up with a Christmas spice coffee blend or if you prefer something stronger, relax with a mulled wine, Advocaat or a warm mug of hot spiced cider.

6    Bake! Fill the house with merry smells by making mince pies, Christmas cake or the Christmas pudding.

7    Wear a Christmas jumper. Cute, classic or funny, you’ll be sure to raise a smile and help spread the Christmas cheer! Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day is on Friday 16th December 2016.

8    Go to a pantomime. Christmastime means panto season. I’m not sure why as Aladdin, Robin Hood or Dick Whittington aren’t particularly festive tales but anyway, get down to your local theatre or village hall and enjoy some audience participation. Where’s the grumpy humbug? It’s behind you.

9    Listen to Christmas songs. Put on your favourite Christmas album, turn the volume up and have a good old singalong!

10    Wrap up presents and write out cards. Those festive scenes and the thought of your loved ones opening their gifts will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

11    Take a tour of decorated houses. Some people go all out, lighting up their houses and gardens with inflatable Santas, lit up snowmen and flashing lights. Show your appreciation by leaving a donation in their charity collection box if they have one.

12    Enjoy a party. Whether it’s with your friends, family or work colleagues, wear a silly hat, pull crackers and tell bad jokes. It’s all part of the fun.

Merry Christmas!

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” Dr.Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!