Is Christmas cancelled? No of course it isnt? December - Chapter 12 of 12
Inspirational quote:
"Winter is a time for comfort, for a talk beside the fire. It is a time for home" Edith Sitwell
December is a time of lights, scents, excitement. It can be a busy month, filled with shopping, cooking. This year, however, December is being described alot different, we are told not to mix with other households, to stay away from busy places and some think all celebrations have been cancelled. We don't agree, yes we must stay safe, wear our masks, wash our hands and be careful how we interact with others but does this really mean cancelling Christmas, telling Santa to self isolate and add to the stress levels of our children. We have this in our hands not the politicians. So we have a plan!!
What does Christmas mean? It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to celebrate the pure joy that He brought to the World. It is a time for children to search the skies for Santa and we must not let a virus ruin that. Recently, Christmas has become overly commercial with ridiculous amounts of money spent so maybe its good to reconnect with what Christmas truly is. Alot of families are worrying about seeing parents, grandparents, there must be a way to make this better, we hope so. Being together is what this time of year is about.
December is a month of Advent which begins on December 1st. The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy and peace, the candles are lit in that order beginning on the 1st Sunday of advent. Each candle has a special colour to symbolize the “coming” of Jesus.
“May you never get too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve”
Let's have a look at the wonderful month of December. It is a time when the birds are extra hungry, how lovely is it to see flocks of birds visiting your garden, remember to leave fresh water too. Our wildlife needs us, hedgehogs are hopefully hibernating if the weather is cold enough, please leave areas of the garden undisturbed for creatures to snuggle down to sleep. Leave leaves on the ground, the busy worms will drag them into your soil, hedgehogs, frogs, newts and other insects will use them as a bed so please don't be tidy. You do, however, need to remove them from your ponds as the leaves decompose to cause a chemical imbalance and you will need to clear them from paths/decking but brush them onto your borders.
For the past few winters, I've left old flower heads so that the frost can cling, the effect is gorgeous plus many tiny insects and bees will hibernate within the petals. We ve all seen how lovely spiders webs look with morning dew on them twinkling in the morning light.
December is perfect for blankets on legs, movies by candle light. Shut the outside world off and escape with a film, book, board game or your craft. Winter doesn't have to be tough, it can be a family time. How lovely do you feel - you ve been out for a walk, all cold and damp, once changed into pyjamas, socks and dressing gowns, you snuggle up with hot chocolate and toast to watch a family movie. Lets make this a time to look after ourselves and talk of plans for 2021. Make lists, dream and promise to keep this special family time protected. I truly feel that we can come out of this stronger than we were before. The politicians may not like it but its long been needed to declutter our lives, get back to what’s really important, make our own lives more secure and happy. Take away the need for the latest gadgets, phones etc and realise that our family and friends are the only important part of our lives.
So here we go, let's get started. I'm sure you know that Helpmeorganics is all about using organic ingredients in our products which have no impact on our precious planet. We must treasure our wildlife, insects, soil, trees and wild spaces. How lovely during the last lock in, that we were hearing about improvements in pollution, bluer skies, able to see the stars easier. My fingers are crossed that this happens again. Why not throw your arms around a big tree, feel the life energy which flows through it. We are all missing hugs so go on, try it.
Christmas Soy Candle
Filled with scents of Fir needle, Clove, Orange, Gnger and Lemon
We are all missing going to Christmas markets this year but we hope our online markets are the next best thing. So settle in with your mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top, here are the markets that we are attending:
Folksy Christmas Online Market 5th & 6th December
Christmas Online Market Week from 12th December to the 20th December
The last day you can order, to be guaranteed to arrive for Christmas, is December 18th
We were lucky to be chosen as a smallbiz100 in 2018, so Small Business Saturday is extra special. This year its on the 5th December. With all the closures of non essential shops, it has been a horrendous year for everyone but extra hard for small businesses. How lovely would it be if you decide to shop small this year, I can guarantee that when we get an order, I come skipping out of the office to announce it, I definitely have a smile on my face.
Small businesses are super careful where they source their gifts, many are handmade which make them personal
December 6th is also our 4th birthday!!!! I have to keep reminding myself that four years ago, I decided to create products using my recipes which are nearly 30 years old so that customers could carry on the benefits from the organic essential oils at home. Helpmeorganics has come a long way but I am so proud that we keep receiving emails and messages from people who have found solace in our Mindful blend, or slept better with our Bedtime oil. We hear from customers who have tried many massage oils to help ease their tight muscles, this is why Helpmeorganics was started 4 years ago and will continue to add products using the same 6 blends plus our seasonal scents.
Scent of the month:
“apparently i need to chill out”
Reed Diffuser to bring balance
"Help me, apparently I need to chill out"
Definition of “chill out” - “to relax after your have done something tiring or stressful”
We have blended organic essential oils of Palmarosa, Geranium Bourbon, Ylang Ylang and Lavender to help bring a balance, a moment of calm after a busy stressful day. All the oils have properties to improve your sense of well-being. Perfect to use if you struggle each month with feeling overwhelmed by PMT/PMS. The oils are not suitable for during pregnancy but the massage oil makes the perfect birthing oil as the oils have uterine stimulation properties
Did you know that Palmarosa essential oils has the same high percentage of geraniol as Rose essential oil making it perfect to relieve stress, anxiety and nervous exhaustion. Palmarosa oil is also excellent to ease arthritic pain when massaged into the area.
Palmarosa oil has antiviral properties so is a wonderful oil to help with coughs and colds. The scent is softly sweet, spicy and floral making it a joy to enjoy at home or in your massage.
We have blended Palmarosa with other balancing essential oils so that you feel calmer, less anxious and your thoughts have been eased.
“Find solace in simply standing still”
“What is the Winter Solstice?
Our ancient celtic ancestors, who feared the loss of the “life-giving” sun believed that time turned like a big wheel and that, for twelve days around the solstice, the mighty wheel stood still. It was from this word for wheel, “houl” that the word yule comes from. Lighting the yule log within their homes was a way of welcoming the gradual return of longer days and of looking forward to a new year.”
Days of interest:
1st December National Tree Dressing Day
2nd 7th Dec National Grief Awareness Week
5th December Small Business Saturday
6th December Happy 4th birthday to us
11th December National Christmas Jumper Day
20th December - 5th January Festival of Winter Walks
21st December Winter Solstice
24th December Christmas Eve
25th December Christmas day
26th December Boxing Day
31st December National Champagne Day
“Thank you for a lovely year, its definitely been an unforgettable one. We hope you have a lovely Christmas and that 2021 brings you lots of joy xx”
