I thought with Christmas just around the corner, I thought I’d talk about ways to bring some Christmas cheer to your home naturally. A lot of people will bring in Christmas scented air fresheners, pack on the Christmas goodies, and enjoy a few more treats than usual for the sake of the holiday. I’m not going to tell you not to do that, and just how unhealthy that is, because if you’re reading this blog post, you already know about the chemical toxins and sugars you’re putting into your system. Today, we’re going to talk about natural products that can spice up the house and gifts you can give to your friends and family.
Instead of those air fresheners, candles, and sprays that you use, use an essential oil diffuser. You can find them in all styles online easily. You can build a Christmas-ey blend, or you can buy ready made Christmas blends. Revive sells some of those. I, personally, like to build my own. But you can buy a variety of ready made blends. Peppermint is, of course, a must for the holiday season. You can also use wintergreen, orange, frankincense, cypress, spearmint, cinnamon, and bergamot. You can also look on places like Pinterest to get ideas for blends you can try. Pinterst is a major go to for me. I love it! Making diffuser blends with your essential oils will be a natural way to make your house smell like Christmas.
Also, instead of those expensive perfumes and colognes you use for your family get togethers or Christmas dates, you can make essential oil blends for perfume and cologne, as well as for medicinal purposes. They are not difficult to make, you just need a roller bottle, your selection of essential oils, and a high quality oil for dilution. I personally use fractionated coconut oil. It makes for easy roll on, and isn’t too thick to be difficult to work with. I recommend taking your blends down to two percent dilution. If you don’t dilute it enough, you can burn your skin with an essential oil like cinnamon, or you could create a sensitivity to it that could cause a rash in the future. Essential oils are extremely beneficial, but they are medicinal. You don’t want to do too much of it.
You also can make delicious holiday treats that are still high quality foods that are beneficial to you. You can find many recipes for healthy deserts. Gluten-free, paleo, keto, organic, or whatever your looking for. Again, Pinterest is a terrific go to. I recommend that if you choose to work with almond flour, you make sure that you are adding the eggs into the recipe to make sure that it holds together. Almond flour treats tend to fall apart, so you want to make sure you add in the eggs required. I’d give you an amount, but it depends on the size of the recipe. However, if you are following a recipe that calls for almond flour, it will probably tell you the right amount to use. And don’t worry, the treats made right taste amazing. They don’t have that boring, health food doesn’t have any flavor kind of flavor. My family has made healthy treats like keto donuts or scones to other family members, and didn’t tell them that they were healthy, and they couldn’t even tell the difference!
You can also make ornaments for Christmas gifts. It would also be a fun project with the kids. Take pipe cleaners, glitter, glue, and paint, and go at it. You can buy plain ornament balls and decorate them. Draw on them, glue on some decorations or glitter, and make it unique and fun. I’ve seen some pretty crazy craft gifts that some people have done. I’ve had friends that went all out, and made hot air balloons, sleds made from popsicle sticks, snowmen, and many other things. You can get pretty clever with this, and wow your friends with the results you come up with. This is also a link to another really clever way to make ornaments: https://littlefarminthebigwoods.com/Farm-Life/Entries/2013/12/3_Rustic_Christmas_Tree_Ornament.html
You can also make high quality hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Both are terrific for the holidays, and are fun for when the kids come in from playing in the snow. Plus, that’s a great thing to have at a Christmas party. My mother actually has high quality, good recipes for both of these. For the hot chocolate go to this link: https://littlefarminthebigwoods.com/In-My-Kitchen/Entries/2019/5/dandelion-hot-cocoa.html
For the Hot Apple Cider, go to this link: https://littlefarminthebigwoods.com/In-My-Kitchen/Entries/2013/12/christmas-wassail.html
I know with COVID right now, things are tough. But maybe helping each other with making ornaments, decorating the tree, listening to Christmas music, and having fun treats and drinks that are good for you, might help. Plus you can also spread the cheer to your neighbors. Take a basket of goodies and ornaments to their home. Leave it on the porch, knock, and perhaps leave a note with it. We neede to support each other during these trying times. This way, we can spread the Christmas cheer that we need to fill our spirits.
Also, go to church. Remember the reason for the season. It will be an important reminder during these difficult times. Remember the sacrifice given two thousand years ago, to all of manking. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. We need each other right now, so let’s all support each other, and rejoice in this miraculous time of year. I hope you found this week’s blog post beneficial to you, and I will see you next week. God bless you all. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!