Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Taken from ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds...'

Well, for any parents out there, we know that last line may be a little bit of a fabrication, ho ho ho!

Hermoine here, part time BellaCrafter / full-time Mummy Elf.  It’s no secret to my family and friends that I am one of those Christmas crackers.  My tree has been up for weeks and house adorned with festive decorations that would leave Mrs Claus wondering if she had missed the memo that Christmas had arrived. 

Christmas means so many different things to us all but the meaning for me is one of spreading that extra bit of kindness and joy.  Be that sending a card to a friend you haven’t seen all year, a batch of homemade mince pies for the lollypop lady  or simply a wish to someone you pass in the street!

It is almost as if there is a promise of magic in the air at this time of year and the magic begins for me with the putting up of the Christmas tree and lights. This is probably one of my favourite things about Christmas and began when I was a small human. 

We would head out a week or two before Christmas and cut down our own tree, wrapped up warm, flask of hot chocolate at the ready.  Then we would be washing sap off for days after, haha!  There is something quite wonderful about that Christmas tree smell and of course finding needles for months after!

I have the fondest memories of decorating the tree as a family, although now as a parent, I appreciate the added ‘joy’ of decorating a tree with small humans, hehe! We would of course always make some decorations for our tree, something I continue to do with my daughter, making our own tradition, and it brings a whole heap of joy hanging them up each year.

What I have loved about being at BellaCrafts this time of year is chatting with customers about their Christmas makes and I am so inspired by all the wonderful things that are made.  One lady in particular popped in to buy some materials to make her very own Elf and she very kindly shared her creation...I have to say I am a little smitten!

Of course, for all us crafter's Christmas is one the biggest event of the crafty calendar so we thought we'd take this festive time as an opportunity for our team to share their favourite thing about Christmas! 

Our Victoria has also been very busy with her own Christmas makes and wanted to share some of her favourite things about this time of year....

"Well, now, how do you choose your favourite thing about Christmas?! The decorations, the food, the atmosphere, family and presents... Being from a family of six children, Christmas has always been that magical time that we all get together and I think it is being able to get together will all my family and just spending time together that makes it the most wonderful time of the year for me. 

You can guarantee that there will be lots of cheese eating, board games and an awful lot of laughter in our house on Christmas Day and now we have lots of little children in the family, the laughter just gets louder!

This year I have been busy organising the Family Christmas Party which we usually enjoy with our Aunties, Uncles and Cousins. In an attempt to be Mrs Claus herself, I've been making mince pies and my own Crackers with the sets from BellaCrafts. It's been so much fun hunting for little gifts that suit all my family down to a tee and making them feel as special as they should do this Christmas time! I also may have included a few personalised jokes this year!!

Now that most of my party planning is done, I am counting down the days until Christmas Eve when I'm usually lucky enough to have the family come along and paint Christmas pottery at the barn with me on the last day before Christmas! It's always lovely looking forward to them coming in, though are, well, a little more talented than others! I think my poor Dad has never recovered from how much we teased him about his hideous angel which has now become one our favourite Christmas decorations. Happy counting down everyone and Merry Christmas!"

Yes that's right, she did say we are open Christmas Eve! In fact, we are only closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day! Apart from that we are here for your crafty needs all through the season so please do pop in and see us!  

Katie has been making her own gifts and cards this year, and beautiful they are too!  Here are some of her thoughts about Christmas...

"To me, for last few years especially, Christmas has become more and more about the experience of the festive season, the things we do, moments we share and memories made. “We” meaning the important humans in our lives. It’s about showing more gratitude and appreciation towards what we HAVE. Christmas is a warm and cosy feeling."

Couldn't agree more Katie.  It is a time to be grateful and take pause.  I have found crafting to be a great tool for this.  The very act of making gifts give an extra warm feeling too.  Not to ruin too may surprises but we have seen some amazing presents being created in The Barn this year...you must have been very good girls and boys!

There is still plenty of time to pop in to us at and make that something special or just enjoy some family time together! In fact we are super excited for our 
 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and 'New Year' parties which are a perfect family treat including crafts and party tea. 

 

Booking is essential for our craft parties and School Holiday Club but as always, you are welcome to pop in anytime of day to create with any of our 'drop-in' activities, for crafty advice and supplies! 

Now, Jane, our newest crafty recruit is somewhat of a Christmas Crafting Queen. This last weekend she ran a 'Felted Elf' workshop...aren't they gorgeous (Elf and Lili, one of regular small human BellaCrafters).

For Jane, Christmas has always been about crafting:
"Be it getting excited to have new paints as a child to a spiragraph, a sewing box, shakeamaker....and the year of the resin kit, which gave me huge headaches!  There were craft books and bits of felt and candle making kits, everyone always knew what to get me!

As an adult I’ve always liked to give ‘doing’ presents I’d rather the kids made a mess than sat in front of a tv.  

Christmas is also about the games! Board games are a must! Lots of noise and competition!!

And finally the tree full of memories and the cooking and baking to make it perfect for the family!"

Now for our Jo and her festive faves, 'Christmas for me means traditions!!! 

I love all the lovely memories that have been built over the years from being a child and now I can keep them going with my own little girl too! 

A traditional Christmas for my sister and I as children would be setting the table on Christmas Eve with homemade place cards and crackers for all the family then a Christmas film and early to bed in new pyjamas - of course!"

We also have some lovely Christmas Crafting goodies, festive tissue paper for wrapping and boxes to fill with your (my) presents!  Do come and say hello if you get the chance, we'd love to see you!

Christmas Day is always a double celebration as it’s also my Birthday! It was always Christmas presents in the morning, a delicious Christmas dinner with the family and then the day would turn into a Birthday celebration so more presents for me and generally more food and family and friends to party with! Boxing Day brings one of my favourite and naughtiest traditions - Birthday Cake for breakfast and we still do this now - my daughter, Lily loves it! 

We have also started some new traditions of a Christmas bauble advent calendar! This has been a great way of including our love of craft and all things Disney at the same time, making things for the tree together..."

And here's a snap of our lovely lot enjoying some rare chilled out time together at the Christmas meal, crammed in between bauble painting at the shop! 

 This is my first Christmas working at BellaCrafts, and it really has added some extra sparkle for me seeing so many families come in to make gifts and memories together.   For me, aside from a fabulous tree, it really is an excuse to spend time with loved ones and show how much they mean to us, and this gift costs nothing.

Please do call us, email or send us a message on facebook, we'd love to hear from you! Further details can be found on our website:

https://www.bellacrafts.co.uk/book-here

What an amazing year it has been, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our BellaCraft friends for your continued support over this past year...we wouldn't be who we are without you!!

We hope you have the most magical Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Ho Ho Ho, Hermoine xxx

Christmas Wooden Scene

Wow, it’s November. Just where has this year gone!?

If you’re anything like us you are running out of time getting everything sorted, but you still want to make the most of the upcoming festive period and after excessively pinning Christmas crafts you want to make something, but are worried it will take up that Christmas shopping or planning time.

Well… fear not we have a simple Christmas Craft which will work beautifully as a gift for a friend, family member or simply enhance your home made Festive décor!
Using our stunning yet oh so affordable chip boards couldn’t be any simpler. We have so many styles to choose from, we have chosen the reindeer assortment (our particular fave). 

Simply press the shapes to elevate them from the boards. Be careful to not to apply too much pressure or they may snap.

Begin by selecting the colour paints you wish to work with. Little tip, using Acrylic is recommended, these will mean just one coat of paint is needed and vibrant colours with depth!

We opted for classic Christmas shades! What colours will you choose!?

Begin by coating your wooden shapes in your chosen colour paint, ensure you paint both sides in order to give an even spread of coverage.

Allow some drying time before building the wooden shapes. In the mean time decorate the bases of the 3d shapes using the same type of paint. We have opted for a seasonal green and red polka dot décor!

Ensure to keep the shapes flat and not built whilst painting! Christmas is not Christmas without a little sparkle, so use a glitter paint to coat over  the top of the Acrylic colour. This will add a festive feel to your shapes. The more glitter the better in our opinion…
Once completely dry simply slot the festive characters into their base. Align the slots. So simple! You are left with a stunning scene for all your festive needs.

Be sure to pop in store to visit our full variety of wooden chipboards. We have some stunning products for this festive period. 

We hope to see you In store, shopping, crafting, enjoying a workshop, see what we have running here:https://www.bellacrafts.co.uk/book-here/workshops/

 Merry Christmas from us!

Much Love

The BellaCrafts Team

Lantern Parade

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Let Every Day Be Christmas - Norman W. Brooks

Yes, 'it's beginning to look a lot like'.....as catchy as 'Baby Shark', those Christmas songs will be ringing in your head in no time! (and possibly now Baby Shark, apologies).

Hermoine here, part time BellaCrafter and part time Elf (#ibelieve). Well, the Elf bit may not be entirely 100% true but my love of Christmas certainly is.  This time of year brings with it many things and for me, it is an excuse to spread a little more joy and reflect on all the things that we can be grateful for. And let's not forget the cosy nights with twinkly lights, warmed mince pies and mulled wine!

Christmas is also another excuse (as if we needed to tell you) to get your crafting on! And what better way to do this than to gather as a group and create something memorable.  It just so happens that we may have just the activity lined up for you too!! It's Lantern Parade time!

Every year we love teaming up with Winchester Cathedral to host Lantern Making Workshops ahead of their Christmas Lantern Parade! The spectacular parade takes place on Thursday 29th of November in the Cathedral grounds and is an absolute sight to behold. 



The lantern parade really is a thing of magic and for us marks the beginning of the festive season in a beautiful way.  We are always left in wonder after each lantern is created as each one is so unique.  The only limit is your imagination. Every year we host workshops to help you create whatever you choose with this beautiful tradition of shaping willow! We include all materials plus our team will provide you with advice on planning and creating your very own lantern! 

Please see details of dates and prices below and ring to book your place: 

Sunday 18th November 9:30am -12:30pm or 1-4pm 

Saturday 24th November 2.30pm - 5.30pm 

Plus every day after school starting Monday 5th November 3.30-5.30pm 

To book your place today or for further information, just click on the link ho ho here: Lantern Parade Booking 

If you can't make our lantern making dates or want to create at home or as a group then pop in to pick up a kit in store, available now. 

We've seen all sorts of designs from Minions to stars, Christmas trees to fish, Batman to a tardis! Where will you get your inspiration from? It could be your favourite film, animal, book or something just wonderfully Christmassy! 

Whatever you are planning to create, come along and join us! We will be there on the evening of the parade to join in the festivities and cannot wait!! Judging of the lanterns will be begin at 6pm at the Cathedral, followed by carols and a procession before heading back to the Cathedral grounds (for mulled wine at the Christmas market of course). We'd love to see you there! For more details about the Cathedral and the parade to visit their website here: http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/

For more information on the parade itself visit: http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/ or contact us anytime.

As always, remember, we are here 7 days a week for your crafty (Christmas) needs, advice and supplies so pop in, call us, email or send us a message on Facebook, we'd love to hear from you!

Until next time my BellaCrafts friends

Ho Ho Hermoine xxx