image is copyright free stock photo of the Aurora Borealis
Hello dear readers,
I’m resharing this post from last year, because I’m still wanting a Sugar Plum Fairy/Swan Maiden Winter. I shared these 20 tips for having a magical Yuletide season last year, and it is a good reminder for me again this year as the winter season is about to begin.
It’s been a while. I had fully intended on writing one newsletter per week, but alas I have not. As we are nearing the end of 2022, I’ve been reflecting on all that has happened this year. There have been a lot of beautiful things, there always are— one of my gifts after all is finding the beauty and magic in the ordinary — however there’s been a lot of misfortune this year, like ten years’ worth of terrible things packed into one year. I won’t go into all that now, but I will say that every single person I love has been struggling with something hard this year. I’d like to think that as the year ends so too does all the chaos and that next year things will swing back into balance, and we can all have a year of ease and flow. That is my greatest wish for all of us.
There’s less than a month left before we say goodbye to 2022. In the time left, and going into winter of 2023, I’m determined to experience a magical Sugar Plum Fairy Winter. Would you like to join me?
20 IDEAS FOR A MAGICAL SUGAR PLUM FAIRY WINTER
Listen to the Nutcracker Suite on repeat.
Take a walk or drive to see Christmas lights.
Decorate the house using greenery gathered from the woods, or your nearest nature spot. *tip: You can usually get free pine cuttings from Christmas tree farms if you ask nicely.
Make orange slices and cranberry garlands
Drink really decadent hot chocolate while you read a festive book or watch a festive film.
Make Christmas ornaments (I’m making a bunch of lavender sachet ones from scraps of fabric, ribbons, and pearl beads)
If there’s enough snow, make a snowman.
On a really cold day, make an ice lantern filled with cranberries and pine needles.
Craft paper snowflakes.
Make and send out Christmas/holiday cards.
Decorate an outdoor tree for the wildlife. I always fill orange and grapefruit rinds with nut butter, seeds, and dried fruit. Cranberry and popcorn garlands are popular with the wildlife too.
Put out a suet feeder for the winter birds.
Hang crystal prisms in front of windows so your house is infused with rainbows on sunny days.
Make a winter wreath for your door.
Bake cookies and bring them to your neighbors.
Dress like a character from the Nutcracker.
Have a craft-making day. I’m planning on making easy-peasy seashell candles. Just gather your seashells, tea light candles, essential oils, and a double boiler (I just use a saucepan and place the glass measuring cup in it). Take the wicks out of the tea light candles. Melt the wax in the double boiler. Add essential oils. Place a wick in one of the seashells and pour the wax in. Voila!
Make a fancy indoor blanket fort and read aloud to a loved one from the comfortable coziness of your nest (or read to yourself).
Have a winter themed afternoon tea.
Sort through your books and see if there are any you can pass on to friends. Wrap in beautiful fabric and the prettiest ribbons. Make it extra special by tucking surprises between the pages — a pressed flower, a handmade bookmark, a little love note, a photograph of the two of you, etc.
If you have any ideas to add, why don’t you pop them in the comments. Before I sign off, I want to shoutout some people. This is something I used to do in my old newsletters, and I’ve been wanting to revive this tradition. Also, scroll down to the end to see some exciting news about one of my poems!
What I’ve been listening to:
Song. Johnny Flynn is one of my favorite musicians, but this song is one I only recently discovered. I love watching this music video because it reminds me of friends in England. We used to make music together and it was always such a beautiful experience.
Podcast. Two incredible women started this podcast about creativity and mythology. It’s fascinating!
Book recommendation:
I know you might think I’m jumping the gun by sharing this when I haven’t read it yet, but Kate is a friend of mine, and I absolutely adored her first book and am quite sure I’ll enjoy this one too.
Shop recommendation:
My friend and pen pal Kelsey makes incredibly gorgeous and ethereal fairy wing earrings. They look like they’ve been crafted by an actual fairy. I remind myself they probably have been as Kelsey is one of the most otherworldly and beautiful people I know.
Magazine recommendation:
This is where I shout out myself and announce that one of my poems, Cocooning, is featured in the Winter issue of Capsule Stories. It isn’t available yet, but I will add an update the moment it is available to order.
Until next time,
Caitlin
p.s. My book, True North is available to order here.
all images are copyright free stock photos
Sugar Plum Fairy Winter
I love these recommendations! Thank you for sharing these. I hope that 2023 treats you & yours with much more kindness than this year has.
Wishing you love and healing, dear. 🖤 Your ideas are magical and thank you for the recommendations.