Last year we created 12 Family Traditions Wreath Calendar. We sold it in our shop and via Not On The High Street but this year we thought it will be nice to make it available for everyone. At least in sense of sharing our ideas behind the calendar and following our suggested traditions. 

The idea behind this less traditional calendar is to slow down in time before Christmas and spend it with your family and friends. To remember people who are not as fortunate as you and enjoy time together. There are eleven traditions and one book in our design was left to encourage you to create your own one. 

Each book was made of 4 pages, the top two were printed with traditions and suggestions and the remaining pages were blank leaving space to add your own thoughts and comments.

Our design was made of small booklets that were then attached to a wreath. But you can write these on a piece of paper, fold it and put it into a Wooden Christmas calendar, envelopes, little boxes or just use them for your ideas. 

Here are some of our suggestions to make the time before Christmas more meaningful and pleasant.

1. Go on a family walk

* Enjoy some fresh air on a crisp winters day! take a bag & collect sticks, leaves, pine cones and make your own festive decorations when you get home. 

2. Make Christmas Treats for the birds & Squirrels

*Cover pine cones in peanut butter and roll in birdseed. hang them outside and watch the wildlife enjoy some festive treats too!

3. Put on a Christmas Music & Dance

* Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry, Step Into Christmas by Elton John, Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade, Baby its Cold Outside by Dean Martin, last Christmas by Wham, Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea, Must be Santa by Bob Dylan, River by Joni Mitchell...

4. Donate to a local charity & visit someone lonely

* Buy food and donate it to your local charity or food bank. Sort out toys and books that are outgrown & donate them to a children's charity. Make or buy a gift for someone lonely in your street or town. 

5. Get the family together for games nigh

6. Make Orange & Clove Pomanders

* Take firm oranges and stud them with whole cloves. That’s it! If you want your pomanders to last, store in a paper bag for a few weeks. Use lots of cloves which are a natural preserving agent. The cloves will draw out the juices and they’ll shrink in size.  Dusting with cinnamon helps, too.

7. Try a Christmas Tradition from a different country

* Research traditions from other counties and try to add one to your list

8. Watch Christmas Movie

* Wonderful Life, Wizard of Oz, Polar Express, Love Actually, The snowman...

9. Make a fancy hot chocolate

* Add marshmallows, sprinkles, peanut butter, candy canes, alcohol

10. Write a Christmas letter to your loved one

* Write a letter about the year. Include highlights, challenges, changes, and hopes for the upcoming year. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you. 

11. Snuggle Up & Read Christmas Story

Enjoy this wonderful pre-Christmas time, because Christmas is not just about presents but spending time as a family and having fun together. 

*The first photo of the wreath was taken by Not On the High Street for their last year Christmas catalogue. (2018)