Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Christmas branch and a little advent

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Our Christmas branch went up yesterday. I added a few more ornaments to the collection, and keeping with the tradition I started last year, there was a new decoration for Saskia (the Paper Boat Press bird pictured), one for me (a small photo frame with a picture of my Granny), and this year, as it will be the first without K's father, I bought him a ceramic 'remember' star (also from Paper Boat Press). We're going to light 3 little tea lights underneath the branch every night until Christmas Eve, and there are a few strands of solar powered fairy lights strung up along the balcony and around our tree sculpture (a bare cherry blossom) in the back courtyard. It's as simple as that.
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In mid November Kelly and I sent a special package across the seas. This year will be the first time that our dearest friend (and my cousin) will be overseas for Christmas, away from family and friends...and she's carrying a little baby. We gathered, thrifted and crafted 24 little gifts (for her and the little one), wrapped them in brown paper and twine, and attached cards with 4-letter hints for each present. We had so much fun planning the advent gift and bundling up the package, but the real joy is in knowing that our friend will feel loved (and missed) every day. 

(J, if you are reading, stop now! Spoiler alert!)...
There were fabric-backed baby face washers, bonnets, a cushion cover for the nursery, a pair of vintage egg cups, a small Possum Magic board book, a liberty-esque eco shopper, a string of mini bunting, handmade christmas ornaments, some American dollars for a dessert date, a soft cotton Marquise baby singlet, and other lovely goodies. We made about half of the gifts ourselves, bought a few, and thrifted the rest. It really was as easy as pie to gather the items (especially given that we split the task) - and surprisingly inexpensive (of course the postage cost was a crazy amount). Isn't it true that there is more delight in giving?

20 comments:

  1. Claire, your Christmas branch is delightful. I adore your new ornament additions and the sentiment behind them. Love anything Paper Boat Press.

    What a thoughtful, giving friend you are. Your cousin is going to feel extremely loved indeed, what a sweet gesture finding and wrapping such sweet gifts for her and her bub. I'm sure she will shed several tears of happiness and be really touched by your Advent packages.

    Thanks for all the comments you've left for me tonight, your gift suggestions were fantastic! x

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    1. Oh I hope they were helpful! Thanks for your kind words (in all your recent comments). I know that she was pretty touched by the package x

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  2. The "heaven and nature sing" ornament is divine!

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    1. I think some of the pbp stuff made it to Anthropologie in the States? x

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  3. What an incredibly sweet gift for your cousin - I bet she will bawl her eyes out when she opens it to see all your love and affection and generosity - I know I would have when living overseas!

    Your post also reminded me how much I love Paper Boat Press and I'm off to peruse their beautiful wares.

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    1. I just wanted her to know she was missed (especially this time of year)...Hope you found some pbp treasures x

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  4. You will have made your cousin's christmas just magic! What thoughtful and utterly beautiful gifts. And your branch is all kinds of lovely...especially with the beautiful sentiments surrounding it. Wishing you a weekend of light and love :) xx

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    1. You have no idea how much fun it was to put together. An absolute pleasure, really. Thanks for the beautiful kind words x

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  5. you are amazing and your cousin will be giddy with each one of these tiny treasures. x ashley

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  6. We love Paper Boat Press here too - I could buy everything! The gift you and Kelly made for your cousin is amazing - she will be delighted opening up her little packages every day this month! Such a lovely friend (and cousin) you are. It's true though, I think giving is much more fun than receiving. x

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    1. Oh me too! I do have to hold myself back on that site!....I love the challenge of present hunting - and the lovely rush of happiness when it's truly appreciated x

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  7. So lovely! What a beautiful thought your cousin will treasure. And the tree looks gorgeousl xx

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    1. We had a Christmas stick for years growing up and I always thought it was so lame....but now, I'm all about the branch! x

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  8. so beautiful- what a beautiful tree and collection of goodies :) xo em

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    1. I am going to find it hard to take it down....I love looking at it! x

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  9. Oh so pretty and delicate! Lovely traditions - I have the PaperBoatPress stars for each of my kids (with name and year of birth) - I looove them! What a kind and thoughtful gift for your friend too... how sweet is that! she will be overwhelmed w gratitude!

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    1. I think they make a beautiful, beautiful tradition. She's a talented lady, miss pbp...I do know that she will be extremely grateful - it couldn't go to a more loving, appreciative soul x

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  10. Again, in awe of these photos, and that is just the most beautiful gesture - your friend is going to love it so much!
    Ronnie xo

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    1. Thanks lovely! I've had a few messages from her and she's loved the gifts so far (especially the dessert date money - such a good excuse!) x

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