By Kate Hodges
23rd November 2018
EVENT – New Issue!
We’re so excited about our new issue of The Green Parent magazine, which settles gracefully on newsagents’ shelves this weekend. It’s all about self-care and nurture, rest and finding support during the colder months. Craft your own Christmas gifts, find out how baby wearing can change your life, use traditional wisdom to keep your family well, sit with your family and carve wooden elves, and be gripped by the stories of the under 16s dedicated to saving our planet. Plus a free Gift Guide, packed with ethical goodies to tuck under your tree. Warming, inspiring, fortifying. Subscribe or buy a one-off copy here.
MAKE Twiggy Jiggy
We always seem to have a healthy stick collection gathered from walks. Why not use yours for nature-inspired art projects? Painted twigs look so lovely in a jar, and are super-simple for kids of all ages to make. Puppets made of sticks are not only fun to make, but can be used over and over again to create stories and shows. Or why not make your own fairy-sized house and furniture? We love these twiggy chairs. Alternatively, nature crowns are one of our favourite art projects – create these headpieces inspired by the world’s best known wooden fella, Stick Man.
RECIPES Pudding on the Glitz
It’s Stir Up Sunday – five weeks before Christmas, and the day on which you’re meant to make your Christmas pudding - find out all about its traditions and history here. There’s an excellent vegan recipe for traditional pud here, but this year, why not try something a bit different? This orange and chocolate version is a festive alternative, or try a raw vegan and paleo recipe. Alternatively, why not make a vegan Christmas cake? Don’t forget to make a wish as you stir…
EVENT Branching Out
National Tree Week runs from November 24 to December 2. It’s a chance for communities and individuals to celebrate the wonders of branch and bark, get their hands dirty, and join in events that contribute something positive to the local treescape. Take part in tree dressing events, storytelling, tree planting, or wintery walks across the country (find one near you here). Alternatively, why not visit your favourite tree, or find one and create a new family ritual – it’s a brilliant way of bonding. Or be inspired by our pieces on reforesting the world with your family, learning through trees, and raising children with a love for trees.
EVENT Winter Words
The Hay Festival Winter Weekend is the frostier, scaled-down version of the main summer literary festival. The weekend starts with a warming country dance party in the festival tent. Over the next few days, you might go on a tree walk, create a Christmas lantern and join the procession towards the Christmas light switch-on, make vegetarian Indian street-style snacks, join a Woodland Trust expert on a walk to a castle through the woods, or join a Bollywood dance workshop. Plus, of course, there are plenty of talks and readings from authors including Kate Humble, Gina Miller and the incredible Ziauddin Yousafzai. Some events ticketed, some free, full programme here.
Picture of Stick Man Crown from mamamiss.com
