10 Free Crochet Patterns for Festive Christmas Decor

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to embrace the festive spirit than by creating your own crochet decorations? Whether you're a seasoned crochet enthusiast or an eager beginner, we've curated a selection of 10 free patterns to help you craft beautiful ornaments for your home. Get ready to transform your house into a magical winter wonderland with these creative and fun projects!

1. Advent Calendar - Wall Hanging Tree

Kick off the Christmas countdown in style with this exquisite Advent calendar shaped like a tree for wall hanging. This innovative project blends functionality with festive décor, featuring 24 tiny pockets to conceal daily treats.

What makes this project special:

Difficulty level: Intermediate-expert

Estimated time: 15-20 hours

Pattern from The Turtle Trunk, one of the most inspiring crochet designer I've seen so far.

2. Crochet Christmas Bauble

Add a personal touch to your tree with these adorable handmade Christmas baubles. This simple pattern will allow you to create unique ornaments that you can cherish year after year.

Why you'll love this project:

  • Quick to make - perfect for last-minute gifts
  • Excellent way to use up yarn scraps
  • Endless possibilities for color combinations

Difficulty level: Beginner-intermediate

Estimated time: 1-2 hours per bauble

Pattern from Briana K Designs

3. Christmas Tree Garland

Create a warm and festive atmosphere with this charming Christmas tree garland. Perfect for decorating a fireplace, a stair railing, or even as a table centerpiece, this garland will bring a touch of magic to your interior.

The advantages of this garland:

Difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate

Estimated time: 3-5 hours depending on desired length

Pattern from Hooked on Patterns

4. Granny Square Christmas Stocking

Revisit the traditional Christmas stocking with this original granny square pattern. Not only will it be perfect for slipping in gifts, but it will also become a decorative piece in its own right.

What makes this project charming:

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Estimated time: 6-8 hours

Pattern from Michelle Moore (MJ’s Off The Hook Designs)

5. Gingerbread House

Bring a touch of sweetness and whimsy to your decoration with this adorable crochet gingerbread house. Perfect as a tree ornament or as a decorative element on a shelf.

The highlights of this creation:

  • Cute and detailed design
  • Doesn't melt like a real gingerbread house!
  • Can be used as decoration year after year

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Estimated time: 6-8 hours

Pattern from Elisa’s Crochet

6. Christmas Tree Coasters

Add a festive touch to your moments of conviviality with these Christmas tree-shaped coasters. Practical and decorative, they will protect your furniture while bringing a warm atmosphere to your gatherings.

Why you'll love them:

  • Quick and easy project, ideal for beginners
  • Perfect for using up yarn scraps
  • Can be made in different sizes

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Estimated time: 30 minutes to 1 hour per coaster

Pattern from Drops Design

7. Holly Square

Holly is an essential symbol of Christmas, and this crochet square perfectly captures its essence. Use it to create cushions, blankets, or even festive placemats.

The assets of this pattern:

  • Classic and elegant motif
  • Versatile - can be used for many projects
  • Excellent exercise to practice different stitches

Difficulty level: Beginner-Intermediate

Estimated time: 2-3 hours per square

Pattern from Through The Loop

8. Mini Christmas Wreath

These cute little crochet wreaths are perfect for adding a festive touch to any space. Hang them on your doorknobs, use them as place cards, or give them as gifts.

What makes this project special:

  • Quick to make - ideal for last-minute projects
  • Requires little material
  • Possibility to customize them with different decorations

Difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate

Estimated time: 1-2 hours per wreath

Pattern from Sarah-Jane

9. Candy Cane

A classic Christmas decoration, the crochet candy cane will bring a touch of tradition to your decor. Hang them on the tree, use them to decorate your gifts, or create a unique garland.

The advantages of this project:

  • Simple but iconic shape
  • Perfect for using up red and white yarn scraps
  • Can be made in different sizes

Difficulty level: Beginner

Estimated time: 1-2 hours per candy cane

Pattern from Punto Art Design

10. Snowflake

inish your winter decoration beautifully with these delicate crochet snowflakes. Hang them on windows, on the tree, or use them to create a sparkling garland.

What makes these snowflakes charming:

  • Delicate and elegant design
  • Perfect for practicing crochet lace stitches
  • Can be made in different sizes and colors

Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced

Estimated time: 2-3 hours per snowflake

Pattern here

Conclusion

As we conclude this journey through festive crochet projects, I hope you've found inspiration to create your own unique Christmas decorations. Each stitch you make infuses your home with warmth, creativity, and personal touch.

Remember, crochet is more than just a craft; it's a meditative practice that can provide a peaceful respite during the often hectic holiday season. I encourage you to savor each moment spent with your yarn and hook, allowing the rhythmic motions to soothe your mind and spark your imagination.

Why not turn your crochet sessions into cherished moments? Join us at our upcoming Crochet & Knitting Party - the perfect place to celebrate the holidays in December and learn crochet in a festive atmosphere! It's an ideal opportunity to meet fellow crafters, share tips, and create beautiful decorations together.

Whether you're a beginner eager to learn or an experienced crocheter looking to share your skills, our party welcomes all levels.

You'll have the chance to work on some of the projects featured in this article, guided by friendly instructors and surrounded by holiday cheer.

Wishing you endless creativity, joyful stitching, and a holiday season filled with the love and pride that comes from creating something truly special. Happy crocheting, and may your festive season be merry, bright, and beautifully adorned with your handcrafted treasures!

I look forward to seeing you at the next Crochet & Knitting Party - where holiday magic meets the art of crochet!

Sewing Responsibly: A Guide to More Sustainable Sewing

In our current world, the concept of "ready-to-throw" has become the norm. We live in a consumer society where clothes are often designed to be used for one or two years and then thrown away. This mentality has a significant impact on our environment and natural resources. However, it is entirely possible to resist this trend and become a responsible seamstress. How to do this, you ask? Here are five tips that will help you use sewing in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

1. Repair your clothes

The first tip is simple but effective: repair your clothes instead of throwing them away when they are torn or worn out. For many, the first reaction when a garment tears or loses a button is to throw it away and buy a new one. However, with some basic sewing skills, you can fix these little problems and extend the life of your clothes.

This is a skill that can not only save you money but also help reduce waste. Indeed, every garment you repair is one less garment in a landfill. Also, repairing can breathe new life into your clothes and add a personal touch, a new style: yours. Imagine how satisfying it would be to wear a garment that you have repaired yourself!

2. Upcycle

Upcycling is the art of taking something that is no longer used and transforming it into something new and useful. It's a great way to reduce waste and be creative. For example, you can turn old sheets into handbags or old jeans into cushions. Or even, your grandmother's old tablecloths or curtains that remind you of your childhood can be transformed into accessories for your home. A vintage and modern decoration at the same time.

This practice not only gives a second life to items that would otherwise have been thrown away, but it also allows you to create unique pieces with fabrics that you already cherish.

Also, upcycling allows you to create custom items that perfectly match your tastes and style. It's a great way to personalize your home or wardrobe while being environmentally friendly.

During sewing workshops, we use a lot of second-hand fabrics: fabrics bought at flea markets, or from your old wardrobes, or even when we exchange our fabrics. This allows for a greater variety of fabrics, textures, and colors.

3. Restyle your clothes

If you're tired of a garment, instead of throwing it away, why not try to transform it? You can cut, dye, embroider... the possibilities are endless! By restyling your clothes, not only do you extend their lifetime, but you can also give them a new look that better matches your current style.

Restyling clothes is an excellent opportunity to express your creativity and personal style. Plus, it's a great way to make your clothes unique and stand out. So, the next time you get bored with a garment, think about transforming it instead of throwing it away!

4. Keep your fabric scraps and old clothes

When you sew, it's inevitable to end up with fabric scraps. Instead of throwing them away, why not keep them for future projects? You can use them to make patchworks, padding, sewing accessories, makeup remover wipes, etc.

The same goes for your old torn clothes that are no longer possible to repair: keep the fabric if you like it, and you can use it to make small accessories like children's toys.

By keeping and reusing these pieces of fabric, you not only reduce waste, but you also always have materials on hand for your next sewing projects. It's a great way to maximize the use of your resources and minimize waste.

During sewing workshops, we always keep the fabric scraps, and they are regularly used by other students throughout the year, this is part of the spirit of the workshops.

5. Buy fabrics only with projects in mind

Finally, another tip for sewing more responsibly is to buy fabrics only when you already have a project in mind. It can be tempting to buy fabrics simply because they are beautiful, but if you do not have a specific project to use them, they will probably end up taking up space in your stash and never be used.

By buying fabrics only when you have a project in mind, this will help you avoid buying fabrics you don't need and will help to reduce waste. Plus, it will help you stay organized and not feel overwhelmed by a fabric stash that keeps accumulating.

In conclusion, by following these tips, you can not only sew more responsibly but also save money and reduce your environmental impact. Sustainable sewing does not only mean being respectful of the environment, it also means being respectful of yourself and your space. So, why not give it a try? Sustainable sewing is not only better for the environment, but it can also be a source of satisfaction and creativity. So, get your needles ready!

Upcycling: An ecological and creative practice

In today's world, it is increasingly important to look for ways to reduce our ecological footprint. One of the methods that is gaining popularity is upcycling, also known as creative reuse. This practice, which is much more than a simple trend, is a creative movement that finds new uses for objects that we might otherwise throw away. It's an ingenious way to reduce waste, while creating unique and personalized items.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is a process of transforming useless or unwanted materials or products into new materials or products of higher quality. In other words, it's about giving a second life to objects by transforming them into something new and useful. It's the opposite of downcycling, which is the process of converting materials or products into new materials of lesser quality.

A common example of upcycling is transforming old clothes into cushions or rugs. We can also mention the art of transforming old wooden pallets into furniture. These examples show that upcycling is not only an ingenious way to reduce waste, but also a way to create unique and personalized items.

Upcycling is also beneficial for the environment. It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites, and it requires less energy than manufacturing new products from raw materials. It's a practice that extends the lifespan of objects and contributes to minimizing our ecological footprint.

Furthermore, upcycling promotes creativity and innovation. It allows each of us to become a creator by finding new and original ways to use the objects around us. It offers an opportunity to personalize our spaces and our lives by creating objects that have meaning and a story.

5 applications in upcycling

Upcycling can be applied in many areas of our daily life. Here are five possible applications of this ecological and creative practice:

  1. Interior decoration: Upcycling can be used to create unique and personalized decorative objects. For example, an old photo frame can be transformed into a pretty wall shelf, or an old ladder can be reused as an original towel rack. Old glass jars can be transformed into elegant vases or candle holders. With a little imagination, you can transform almost any old object into a new decorative item for your home.
  2. Sewing: Upcycling can also be used in the field of fashion and sewing. For example, an old shirt can be transformed into a pretty top, or worn jeans can be reused to create a trendy handbag. This not only allows you to create unique clothes, but also reduces the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills.

3. Children: Upcycling is a great activity to do with children. Egg boxes can be transformed into boats, toilet paper rolls into racing cars, and old t-shirts into backpacks. It's a fun and educational way to teach children about the importance of recycling and preserving the environment.

4. Cooking: Even in the kitchen, upcycling can have its place. Glass yogurt pots can become spice jars, jam jars can be used to store dry foods, and eggshells can be used as seed starters. It's a way to reduce kitchen waste while creating useful and aesthetic objects.

5. Travel: Upcycling can be integrated in many ways into our travels. For example, old maps can be transformed into travel notebooks or bookmarks. Old sheets can be used to make travel laundry bags. Even old travel guides can be transformed into notebooks to document your adventures. It's a way to make your travels more sustainable and creative.

In sum, upcycling is an ecological practice that encourages creativity and sustainability. It gives a second life to objects and prevents waste, while creating something new and useful. It's a way to consume more responsibly, while demonstrating imagination and ingenuity. By adopting upcycling, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and beautiful world.

Kreadoe: My 5-day Creative Adventure

Get ready to dive into my Kreadoe adventure, a memorable event that took three months of intense preparation. Here's an in-depth look at these five days of wonder, creativity, and passion for crafts.

The Kreadoe experience

Kreadoe, for those unfamiliar with this fascinating event, is a fair dedicated to crafts and DIY. I had the amazing opportunity to participate with my own market stall selling handmade products with my dear friend Paula from Little yarn tales. It was a beautiful adventure shared with my dear friend Paula from Little Yarn Tales. In addition to our market stall, I had a space dedicated to workshops, a true haven of know-how and sharing.

Workshops: a mix of colors, threads, and flowers

With over 250 participants and 50 workshops given, the experience was simply grandiose. I had the opportunity to organize several types of workshops, each offering a unique and enriching experience: pebble painting, crochet initiation, and dried flower creation.

Pebble painting workshop

This was the first time I gave this workshop and it was a great success. Our pebble partner, Blijsteen, had provided us with beautiful little pebbles in advance. So, I was able to prepare the workshops in advance with my mom, who had come to spend three weeks in Utrecht for the occasion (she comes from the south of France). We imagined designs for the workshop, prepared the paints (especially the color mixes), and cut out the sticks that we use for dot painting.

The pebble painting workshops were held every morning from 10:00 to 11:00. However, visitors were asking us all day long if they could participate in this workshop. Given the enthusiasm for this workshop, I am already planning another workshop in January 2024, in Utrecht.

Crochet Initiation

The crochet initiation workshop was a huge success. To ensure individual attention to each participant, I had limited the session to six people.

Participants had the chance to learn the technique of crochet by creating a rectangular coaster, a perfect project for beginners. It allows understanding the basics of crochet: how to mount a chain of stitches, perform a basic crochet stitch (tight stitch), work in rows, finish the project, and cut the thread.

Participants had the chance to learn the technique of crochet by creating a rectangular coaster, a perfect project for beginners. It allows understanding the basics of crochet: how to mount a chain of stitches, perform a basic crochet stitch (tight stitch), work in rows, finish the project, and cut the thread.

Of course, it is difficult to dive deeper in a one-hour workshop. That's why I encourage all participants to continue their crochet learning at the free crochet club that I organize once a month in Utrecht, or during the crochet lessons that I offer throughout the year.

Dried Flower Workshops

Participants had the unique opportunity not only to learn but also to create their own dried flower hair clips and wreaths. This activity allowed them to add a touch of natural beauty to their daily lives, incorporating elements of nature into their creations. For the Kreadoe event, I designed a special edition of these workshops: a condensed 45-minute format, offered at half price compared to traditional workshops.

This gave participants the opportunity to select from a wide range of floral elements: flowers of various colors, pampas, eucalyptus leaves, and much more. Inevitably, the success of these workshops exceeded all my expectations. It was incredibly rewarding to see so many people actively engage and show real interest in the art of dried flowers. I am convinced that the participants will continue to create, using the techniques learned during these workshops to embellish their daily lives.

The market stall: a showcase of creativity

The fair was scattered with numerous market stalls, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere. Our location was in the last hall, hall 7, which meant that we had to cross the entire fair every day. This gave us the opportunity to observe a multitude of market stalls offering an impressive variety of products.

Kreadoe, in particular, was a real paradise for DIY and craft enthusiasts. Everything was there, from wool to stamps, patterns, markers, paint, and DIY books. It was fascinating to see how wide the product variety was, even though most of them were not finished objects.

Paula and I had decided to focus mainly on two types of sales: handmade finished objects and DIY kits. It was a deliberate choice on our part, as we wanted to balance our offer and reach a wider audience.

Looking at the final balance, we noticed that there was not a big difference between the sales of one or the other type of product. However, if we were to look at the details, it would seem that Paula's crochet patterns were more successful in terms of quantity sold.

The experience of having a market stall at a fair is something unique. It offers exceptional visibility and we both greatly appreciated this experience. Unfortunately, I was not able to participate actively in the sale itself, as I was in charge of managing the workshops during this time. However, this experience was just as enriching and I look forward to being able to repeat it in the future.

My Review as an Exhibitor:

Despite the fatigue and long preparation, I can say without hesitation that it's really worth participating in this fair. It's an experience that I highly recommend to anyone who has a passion for crafts and DIY. The sense of community, shared enthusiasm for creation, and the opportunity to meet so many fantastic people make this event an unforgettable experience.

In summary, Kreadoe was a rewarding experience, dotted with unforgettable moments and inspiring encounters. I am looking forward to repeating the experience, and I hope to see you there next year!

My favorite Craft stores in Utrecht

As you know crafts are my passion. This is why I strive to find the best places and websites to supply myself. I like when it is good quality but also at a good price. In this article, I will tell you my favorite places in Utrecht to shop for equipment. I hope this will help you get started in some DIY projects.

Best places for sewing materials

Ria’s fournituren: a small shop hidden in the city

A very small shop in the city center and yet very very well equipped. Ria’s fournituren is located in the alley that starts from the Vredenburg place and joins the famous Oudegracht street.

Its entrance is barely noticeable and yet the shop will provide you with almost any sewing accessory: bias binding, lining, lace, scissors, buttons…. The only item I can't find there are the sewing machine feet (only sold in stores that sell sewing machines).

The prices are reasonable and the quality is very good. If this is your first time sewing, I suggest you bring your list and stock up there. You will be very well received, with sellers who speak Dutch and English, who will be able to advise you and present you with the different options. It is also appreciable because we do not have this luxury when we buy at the, often crowded, fabric market.

Lapjesmarkt: the famous fabric market

The famous fabric market in Utrecht and the biggest in the country, the Lapjesmarkt is 400 years old now. It is held every Saturday from 9AM to 1PM on Breedstraat and Begijnhof.

You will find dozens of stands every week. From one end to the other, you will be able to supply yourself entirely for your sewing projects. They sell accessories, fabrics of all colors, all materials and all prices. The quality is there!

Some stands even sell coupons for €1 or €2. Enough to carry out beautiful projects without having to invest a lot of money. A little break on the sunny terrace of the Café De Stadsgenoot is in order, or for those in a hurry but the gourmands, it will be the opportunity to have a hot chocolate and a pastry to take away at Life's a Peach at Hardebollenstraat which is located at the half of the market.

For sewing enthusiasts, I advise you to take large bags to bring back your finds, it is sometimes difficult to resist these pretty fabrics at 2€ per meter! Go there around the 9-10 a.m. opening, to avoid the crowds and therefore long queues at each stand.

Crochet and knitting materials

Zeeman, the budget chain

This inexpensive chain store offers many possibilities when it comes to crochet or knitting. Indeed, you will find yarns varying from 1 to 5€. The value for money is quite satisfactory. Restocking is random so if you see any yarn you like, make sure you have enough to complete your project.

Sticks and cups: the little wool shop in the city center

A small shop in which you will find everything you need for your crochet or knitting projects. Quality balls of all colors and materials. On the other hand, the prices reflect the quality of this store.

Crafts of all kinds

Sostrene Grene - especially for wool, flower wreaths and paint

When you enter a Sostrene Grene shop, it’s almost impossible not to buy something! I really like this store because it is dedicated to creative arts and at a lower cost. You can find a lot of things there at a reasonable quality and a low price. I particularly like to buy yarn of wool there because they sell beautiful colors and interesting textures (Wool, Mohair). I also supply the wreaths when it comes to the flower wreaths or christmas wreaths workshops.

Pipoos

Of course the Pipoos store which is located on Oudegracht in the city center is a store 100% dedicated to crafts of all kinds. You will find anything to do any creative activity there. The prices are not very competitive, it must be admitted, but the quality is there. Although the store may seem small, it is very well stocked and has a great variety of products.

Action

Action stores are not specialized in crafts and yet they have a whole department dedicated to DIY. You will find anything you need to knit, crochet, paint, make collages, write on textiles, make bead jewelry, create personalized cards, draw, etc. All Action stores offer this crafts department. In Utrecht there are several shops, in the city center the store is located inside the Hoog Catharijn shopping center, on the Centraal train station side. The prices are really competitive. Attention they work by arrival and by season. So if you see something you like, stock up!

Floral wreaths

Intratuin, gardening store

To make the floral crowns, I advise you to buy plants from Intratuin. a rather well-known gardening store, which offers affordable solutions for decorating wreaths.

Flower market

The city's unmissable flower market, located on Place Janskerkof every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whether in summer or winter, this is where I get my plants and flowers all year round. The prices are average and the flowers are fresh and beautiful.

During the Christmas period, you can also find everything you need for fir branches and other Christmas wreath ornaments.

Enjoy your crafts shopping!

With these few store tips, I hope you will find what you are looking for for your creative projects this year. Do not hesitate to share with me your finds and your favorite stores, I am always curious to discover new places in the city.

Vegetarian Christmas dinner

Let’s be a bit more inclusive this year for Christmas by providing vegetarian options!

As a vegetarian of course I wanted to write this article but also because I can see a lot of people struggling for the Christmas dinner when they invite over some vegetarian guests.

I wanted to give you some options to cook a very easy and simple dinner for your friends and family, with maybe less animal products. Of course it’s not part of my usual craft field, but it’s part of the creativity you have to develop.

The classic French menu for the end of the year celebrations

Christmas is a holiday in France during which we usually dine on a lot of dishes rich in animal products.

As a starter there are often oysters and seafood, accompanied by salmon or shrimp. Then there is the traditional goose or duck foie gras. A delight for the taste buds but a terrible breeding practice for poor animals. Then the main course is usually made up of poultry: turkey, capon, goose… it all depends on the number of guests. Accompanied by potatoes. This is followed by the cheese platter with good bread, and the sweet ”bûche”/cake made up the dessert.

In short, Christmas is very plentiful in France and it is not always easy for a vegetarian like me to find something savoury and indulgent to eat.

The vegetarian menu for the holidays

So here is a gourmet and vegetarian menu that should delight you for the end of the year celebrations (but not only!). The idea is to adapt your usual meal to the vegetarians who are at your table.

The starter

As a starter or as an aperitif, you can offer eggplant caviar or tapenade toast. I often find eggplant caviar finer and tastier for a holiday menu. This will easily replace foie gras toasts. There is also “vegan foie gras”. A kind of vegan foie gras. Each brand has its own recipe but my favorite is the faux gras from the Gaia brand. It is sold in the Netherlands, France and Belgium.

The main course

Rather than making a special dish for your vegetarian friend, why not just take the poultry off their plate and replace it with some mushrooms and chestnuts? This is usually hearty and tasty enough for your guest. Being vegetarian does not necessarily mean that we want to replace meat / fish in our dishes at all costs. We are happy to only have what we consider “accompaniment”: vegetables and starches.

Cheese and dessert

As for the rest of the meal, if your guests are vegan then there are various vegan cheeses on the market. Do not ruin yourself, very often at this stage of the meal the guests are not really hungry anymore...

Finally, the dessert can consist either of a traditional yule log, or of fruit and chocolates. It is increasingly easy to find vegan products (like logs or vegan cakes) in stores, but you can also make your own vegan dessert.

I hope that through this article you will find the inspiration you need to cook vegetarian or vegan for the holiday season.

Christmas cookies

As Christmas is this Saturday, I think you will enjoy putting yourself in a christlassy ambiance by cooking these little Christmas biscuits.

If you’ve come to one of the wreaths workshop in December you might have tried some of these… and it’s all about butter and sugar!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter
  2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, with your hands or an electric mixer.
  3. Let it rest for 1 or 2 hours.
  4. Flour the surface and pull out the dough. Make the little biscuits using cookie cutters to make any shape you want.
  5. Bake in the oven for 10minutes at 210C
  6. Let the cookies cool down for a bit. You can decorate them or just enjoy them like that!
  7. You can store the biscuits in a metallic box or a jar for approximately 2 weeks… but you might eat them all before that


Tell me if you tried them and send me some nice pics!

The Vision Board

What is a vision board/ a dream board?

The vision board, or dream board is, as its name suggests, a picture in which you will express your wishes, desires and you dreams for the near future.

The more precisely these are expressed, the more likely you are to see them come true. In general, we make a vision board for the year that is about to begin or for the months to come. We can put absolutely anything we want in it.

The law of attraction

The vision board is a practical exercise in the law of attraction (The more positive you think, the more positive you attract. The more negative you think, the more negative you attract). It allows us to visualize our objectives in order to achieve them. This is a collage of visuals that represent our goals.

For example, my goal is to eat healthier. I'm going to put images of healthy dishes, vegetables, fruits, but why not also healthy people on my vision board… this will increase the chances of seeing this new healthy habit appear in my life. I will draw him to me.

How to achieve it?

To make a vision board it is important to be quiet, away from everyday life or noise. Do not think too much about your vision board in advance and above all do not set limits on what you want to put in it.

to start the vision board, you can either list the things you want for the coming year for example on a sheet of paper, or simply take random magazines (and of different types) and leaf through them.

You will thus gradually cut out images or words, or even just shapes, which speak to you and attract you.

It is not necessary to always see a meaning in it, sometimes it will reveal itself during the following year!

Be careful, the more specific you are in what you put on your board, the more likely you are to attract it to you, so don't hesitate 🙂

After selecting the images and words that speak to you, you can cut them out and paste them on a large sheet. Add, if you wish, textures, paint, colors, drawings etc. Anything that seems important to you and that you want to attract to you.

Why is it important to display it at home?

Once the vision board has been created, display it in your home. It's important to put it somewhere you'll be looking at every day.

The more you look at it consciously, the more likely you are that these elements will come true. So it is not enough to take a look at it, but really to observe it for a few moments each day.

Coming to a Vision Board workshop

let yourself be carried away by the instructions to build your vision board step by step. During a 4-hour session, you will let your creativity and your dreams shine through.

I'll walk you through the process, and we'll share this sweet moment together.

You will therefore have the opportunity to create your own vision board, by making collages, drawings, writing on a large poster. You can then take it home and display it proudly in a place you come to look at every day. Throughout the following year, you will be able to see and attract these dreams to you.

During the session, you will also share this moment with the other people in the workshop. You can come and help each other if you wish, chat, eat small biscuits and drink coffee or tea. The idea is also to spend a pleasant moment of sharing that cuts you off from your daily life. It will then be easier at this time to let your desires and your dreams speak, without thinking about it too much.

VISION BOARD WORKSHOPS

A sustainable Christmas

Christmas is a time of year when we tend to consume a lot more than usual. Although it is often part of the magic of this season, I like to think that it is also possible to minimize our impact on the planet.

A big impact on the planet

Carbon impact

In a few figures, just over the 3-4 days around Christmas, the carbon footprint per person at 650 kg of carbon emissions. That's almost half of what we should emit in 1 year to stay on course for 2050 (during the Paris COP21 agreements in 2015, an annual carbon footprint target of 2 tons per person has been set for 2050)… In addition, this figure of 650 kg per person was revealed in a study by the Stockholm Environment Institute in 2007. We can imagine that with the explosion of the consumer society in the last 10 years, we have certainly exceeded this number to reach rather 1 ton per person.

Travel

Very often you will spend Christmas with your owns, i your family and it is completely understandable and part of the spirit of these end-of-year celebrations. This is why the Christmas period has such a significant impact on our beautiful planet. Indeed, while some will take trains and other means of public transport to join their families, most households will take their personal vehicle to get around. This will ultimately represent a very significant pollution during the holiday seasons, all over the world. Some families even travel by plane to join their loved ones at the end of December. On the other hand, given the number of journeys made by car compared to the plane, it is the use of cars that pollutes the most at Christmas, contrary to what one might think.

Food waste

The impact of the Christmas holidays on the planet in terms of food is essentially reflected in a disproportionate overabundance and considerable food waste. According to a 2019 study by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), throughout the year, we throw away and waste almost 17% of what we produce as food in the world. In some areas this rises to almost a third, even 50%. Food losses and waste have an estimated impact on the climate of 3.3 giga tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

Gifts and packaging waste

The impact of the Christmas holidays on the planet is also present at the level of our garbage cans, since, each year in France and in other European countries such as Germany, we observe a 20% increase in waste at the end-of-year holiday season. In addition to food waste, the culprits are gift wrap and all cardboard and plastic packaging for gifts. Very often, the papers used are used only once and are crumpled up and then thrown in the trash. Imagine all the paper (and therefore the resources used) that we would save if everyone wrapped their gifts with recycling or reusing paper from other years. The madness of gifts and the very strong belief that "you have to give a gift and a new one" remains rooted in our society. Unfortunately, consuming only new products forces production and therefore the consumption of resources. According to a Kantar study for Ebay, in 2020, 18% of French people planned to resell the Christmas gifts that had been offered to them. According to the same study, no less than 363 million euros are spent on unwanted or unpopular gifts each year. In short, it is 1 out of 3 gifts that will be bought new but will never be used. Another waste of resources.Pay attention to the quantities this year, or just eat the left overs for a long time if you’d like, but don’t waste ! There’s always the option of giving to your invités the left overs of the big Christmas dinner, if you are not able to finish everything yourself before it gets too old.

The solutions available to you

A sustainable meal, but not in quantity

If you pay attention to the food you buy, you can mostly choose local products and vegetables that are suited to the season. You can also give an extra care in buying from local providers, seasonal products and organic veggies and fruits, and even cook a vegetarian Christmas dinner!

Pay attention to the quantities this year, or just eat the left overs for a long time if you’d like, but don’t waste ! There’s always the option of giving to your invités the left overs of the big Christmas dinner, if you are not able to finish everything yourself before it gets too old.

Buying eco friendly presents

Try as much as you can to buy eco friendly gift.

No wrapping paper : use furoshikis

Do you know about Furoshiki?

It’s a Japanese traditional wrapping cloth. It can be use to wrap a present or just transport objects. It will allow you not to use to much paper this year, and it is also part of the present. A beautiful Furoshiki is already a beautiful gift. And I will make some, only on special orders this year. You can ask me for the colors and patterns I have in stock or check out in the shop.

Avoid travelling miles

If you can, try not to travel too much for Christmas as it is part of a very big pollution. If you have to travel, prefer taking the train than the plane or the car. Think sustainability. Maybe this year you don’t need to go to see your family a cross the ocean?

What we should remember…

The impact of the Christmas holidays on the planet is huge and yet unsuspected. The most important thing is to be conscious and aware when we consume for Christmas.

It is essential to remember why we celebrate Christmas even without being religious: to rest during a break, to enjoy with family and friends, to share moments together and reunite, to create memories or to show gratitude for the past year.

These reasons are not supposed to harm the planet and the environment, they are actually opposed to it. Thus, remove all the superfluous that we added unnecessarily to Christmas, to find the pure essence of this holiday: gather with your loved ones and share a great time together.