By Kate Hodges
07th December 2022
MAKE AND RECIPE IN THE PINES
When you’re foraging for winter greenery decorations, be sure to snip a few extra pine branches (or even steal some from your tree) to make some yule-time treats. A wintry, Scandinavian warmer, pine needle syrup is festive, sweet, and aromatic. Find how to make it here. Or try making fragrant pine-needle tea, incredibly rich in vitamins C and A and beta-carotene – best avoided if you’re pregnant, however! And, as ever, identify your species before even thinking about eating. Alternatively, take inspiration from Native Peoples and weave your own pine-needle basket; nimble fingers are a definite plus point! Found a beautiful cone? Find out how to make your own adorable piney Christmas mouse here.
EVENT MISRULE AND MISCHIEF
The dark streets of Chester will be lit up by frosty light parades this December, with the first this Thursday, and the second on the 15th. Dating from the 1400s, the parades were revived in the 1990s using the details uncovered in the council’s archives. The Lord of Misrule will be joined by a misfit gang of cooks, devils, dragons, angels, fire skeletons, ice queens and Jack Frost, as well as a roman chariot driven by a skeleton emperor, who will all gather in a fire-breathing finale. From 7pm. Find out more here
EVENT PLEASURE DOME
This Saturday’s free Festive Fun Day at the Brighton Dome draws inspiration from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and celebrates the past, present and future of the venue. Dress up as your favourite pantomime character and get your portrait snapped, make badges, listen to stories about the Dome created by sound artist Helen Anahita Wilson and enjoy a shadow puppetry workshop. Or join a daytime dance party or storytelling workshop. Some events must be booked ahead. Full programme here.
EVENT TOP OF THE DOCKS
The Museum of London Docklands is one of our favourite, relatively uncrowded, free spots in London, and it’s particularly fun at this time of year. Santa’s Victorian Grotto places are like gold dust, and sold out quickly, but there’s plenty more festive cheer. Join a family knees up this Saturday, with cockney singalongs, or an online talk about the history of Christmas food on Friday. This Saturday’s relaxed morning opening is seasonally themed, while this month’s play sessions are frosty cool! Enjoy more craft sessions and storytelling all month.
EVENT GOOD GRIEF
It’s National Grief Awareness week, organised by the Good Grief Trust (an umbrella organisation of over 800 support agencies), with the aim to normalise grief, to break taboos, and to encourage us to get talking about death and bereavement. They have produced guides of what to say and what to do to help those who’ve had someone close die, and run campaigns encouraging us to check in on our neighbours, stop for a chat, put the kettle on or go for a walk and talk. Find resources here and events including pop-up grief cafes and workshops here
BONUS: Be inspired by Money Saving Expert’s 20 free (or very cheap) ways to sprinkle some Christmas magic!
WHAT WE’RE EATING Chocolate Smoothie Bowl A super healthy, simple breakfast idea for the whole family - check out this simple Chocolate Smoothie Bowl recipe made from real food ingredients. From the kitchen of Laura Fuentes. Get the recipe here
WHAT WE’RE READING The Six Tent Pegs: “I like to use the metaphor of a tent and its pegs, to highlight the basic needs we must meet during turbulent times, so that we can stay tethered and grounded. If we don’t have our tent pegs firmly fixed into the earth, then we, just like an untethered tent, will either collapse in a storm, or indeed blow away. Each tent peg represents a simple and yet essential basic requirement for building a firm foundation and developing strong inner resources and resilience to weather the storms of life.” Read more here
