Homemade Christmas Gifts

Lovely, homemade Christmas gifts can be a thoughtful, inexpensive alternative to store-bought. It won't take much time or money, it's fun and the recipient will feel special because you took the time to make something just for them. Try it this year and see the difference. Here's one to get you started.

Homemade Herb Scented Candles

These are not difficult. If you don't have candle molds, use tin cans or milk cartons, or pour wax into a decorative jar that can withstand the heat of a candle flame. Paraffin is easily obtainable at the supermarket in the canning section. Wicking can be found at craft stores.

Ingredients:

- 2 lb. paraffin wax, broken into small pieces
- 2 cups dried herbs or 1 fl. oz. essential oil
- 2 wax crayons for colouring (optional)
- candle wicking
- petroleum jelly
- pencils

Directions:

Melt the wax slowly in a bowl placed over a sauce hot water. (I have used a double boiler instead, on very low heat) Stir in crayons if desired. Remove from heat and add herbs as the wax cools. Coat molds with petroleum jelly. Drop one end of wicking to the bottom of each mold and wrap the other end around a pencil resting across the top of the mold. This keeps the wick centred as you pour in the wax. When the wax resembles a gel, pour into mold or container. Allow candles to set overnight, then remove carefully.

*** I have used things from my garden to put into the candles, but you have to watch as they may catch fire. I think that using essential oils is safer. *** Annie

Try giving homemade Christmas gifts this year. Fun to make, fun to receive.

Uniquely Canadian Christmas Gifts

In keeping with the theme of this blog, here are some Christmas gift ideas with a uniquely Canadian flavour. Click on any of the pictures for more information on Canadian Christmas gifts.





What could be more Canadian than maple syrup? This is a gift that you can get away with spending only $10.00. Sweet gift idea!

Another typical Canadian symbol is the moose. You can get Canadian Moose beanie babies, minted coins, books, antique posters, tapestries and more. These are definitely uniquely Canadian Christmas gifts.

For the coin collector, there are of course, mint condition releases of commemorative issue coins available for sale, as well as coin jewellery.

Don't forget about the other animals that we're known for - the Canadian goose and the beaver. The same goes for these two as far as gift selection goes. There are several things available.

We can give gifts that are truly representative of Canada. Hope this short list helps stimulate some good ideas for the recipients on your list that you wish to give uniquely Canadian Christmas gifts to.

More on the World's First Christmas Stamp

Further to the previous post about Canada issuing the world's first Christmas stamp, I found it put in a far more interesting way, HERE.

This article explains how it came to be - and why.

Canada did not issue another Christmas postage stamp until the 1960's. I'm not sure why, but 62 years is a long time between Christmas stamps.

First Christmas Stamp Was Released Right Here in Canada

World's 1st Christmas Stamp

Yes folks, that's right. We released the first Christmas postage stamp back in 1898. Personally, I'm pretty proud that we can boast that fact.

According to Wikipedia, it was a mistake. It was originally intended to be released November 9th to honour the Prince of Wales. Apparently, Queen Victoria's reaction to the idea was not favourable. The release date (and subsequent title) was changed, thereby making it the first issued Christmas stamp. I'm not sure if you can read the "XMAS 1898" on the bottom or not.

Regardless of how it came to be, Canadians did it. I can live with that.

The First Christmas in Canada

The first recorded Christmas in Canada was in 1535, near what is now known as the City of Quebec.

Jacques Carier and one hundred and ten settlers came to our beautiful country the previous summer by ship, building themselves a fortress on the shores of the St. Charles River. Their newly constructed lodgings would not protect them well in our Canadian winter, however. Inexperience in preparing for our harsh climate was also to play a part in the challenges they would face.

By the time Christmas rolled around, they had lost men to cold, were suffering from scurvy and were wary of the Native inhabitants. All was not lost for the holiday, though. Chief Donnacona regaled the settlers with adventurous tales and there was some food still, though it consisted mainly of salt meat and wilted vegetables.

I found this to be an interesting story, one that I had not come across before. The website that I found it on credits it to the Montreal Star. I can’t say if that’s true or not. There is no author name for contact.

If you would like to read the details of the first Christmas in Canada, click HERE.***

*** Update, 2012 - sorry, folks but the link no longer works.

Christmas Comes to Nunavut

I came across a website today called the Nunatsiaq News. It's based in Nunavut and I'm sure it's probably a very good e-paper. I was after Christmas stories today, though, not the current affairs of our neighbours to the far north.

What I found on the Nunatsiaq News site, was the story of how Christmas was introduced to the Inuits by missionairies, and also how today's celebrations are vastly different than even a few decades ago.

It's a great, interesting little account of the beginning, the evolution and changes, and where the Inuits are now in regards to celebrating the Christmas season. It also speaks to the sad passing of some traditions that have never returned.

To read this lovely Christmas story, click HERE.

Canadian Pioneer Christmas Decorations

Pioneer Christmas Decorations

Early settlers used what was available in Canada during the winter months. They hung evergreen boughs and garlands above the doors and mantels. If they had a second storey in their cabin they would sometimes drape the greenery over the stair banisters.

Only natural decorations were used as, a rule. Things that were on hand and easy to obtain made their way into the pioneer homes – pine cones, nuts, berries and the like. It may have been our Canadian forefathers who invented the cranberry and popcorn strings that were still used in the 20th century in some homes.

As time evolved and other materials came into use, homemade Christmas decorations were crafted from the settler’s homespun cloth and tattings. Dolls and figures were constructed of straw and yarn to add to the festival feel of the cabins.

Canadian pioneers were good at improvising with nature. Even their stocking stuffers were simple, handcrafted items that were added to a few nuts or some fruit. In those days, it was enough to get everyone into the spirit of the holidays.

Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments

Cute and delicious Christmas gingerbread

Edible Ornaments

It occurred to me that the gingerbread cookie ornaments would be a good one for kids to make. I'm not sure what the best ages would be....my kids are long gone and I don't remember what age kids are when they do what. I would think, though, that once they're in grade one or two they could probably make something out of gingerbread that they can feel proud of. I suppose that if they're good with play-doh, they'll do well with gingerbread cookie dough.

The recipe for the gingerbread cookie ornaments is in the October postings (Oct. 30th, I think). You're going to want to roll out the dough between wax paper for the little ones. Make it about 1/4" thick. Let the kids use the cookie cutter they like, and then show them how to safely and carefully trim away the scraps (or you do it and let them watch). Before baking their decorations, poke a hole through the top with a wooden skewer or something similar. I would twist it through as this will make a slightly larger hole that will stay open a bit better. You may want to check the cookies half way through the baking process to see if you need to poke the hole through again.

One the cookies are baked and cooled, let the children decorate their treasures with icing. If you don't make your own, you can buy the pre-made variety in a tube. They might be easier for small hands to use. After the child has finished decorating the gingerbread, help him or her put a ribbon through the hole and tie.

A young child will then have made something that they can hang on the tree, use as a decoration elsewhere, put on a gift, or give to someone. It will be special no matter what because you and your little ones spent time together and they'll feel like they've done this on their own.

Christmas Movies

Do you have any favourite Christmas movies? Maybe ones that you watch with your family every year, ones that have become a tradition?

We had those when my kids were young. Every Christmas Eve we would gather around the T.V. and watch A Christmas Story. I still love that movie to this day. Later, when my grandson came along, his mom (my daughter) wanted to continue the tradition with him. If I'm ever a great-grandmother, perhaps Ralphie and his family will still be entertaining ours.

Here's my preferred Christmas movie list. These are all appropriate for family viewing and below this post, you'll find some YouTube videos of each one:

A Christmas Story
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (you're never too old to watch it, in my opinion)
A Christmas Carol (1951, B and W, starring Alastair Sim - my fav version)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (hilarious!!! That squirrel and Eddy never get old)
It's A Wonderful Life

There are a bazillion other great Christmas movies, but these are my top favs. I'm sure you can pick them up most anywhere and I know that Amazon carries them.

Another movie that I like that has a Yuletide setting is Black Christmas. It was even made in Canada, filmed at the University of Toronto, back in the seventies, I think. I am not linking to this one as it is very definitely NOT for viewing by children. It's a horror movie that even scares me. Your little one would have nightmares for a month if they watched it.

Well, that's it for today. If these titles aren't already in your movie library, maybe they will become some of your family favourites for this time of year. There's a sampling below:

A Christmas Story - the original theatrical trailer

 

The 1951 Version of A Christmas Carol, starring Alastair Sim

*** This is the whole movie - enjoy! ***

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Trailer

 

It's a Wonderful Life

Canadian Christmas Pioneer Stockings

Many of the traditions of the Canadian pioneer carried through to half way or more of the 20th century. Settler’s stockings usually held nuts or an apple, as well as a smaller treasurer that would have been hand made, such as a cornhusk doll or a beautifully carved little horse complete with mane and tail.

After the year 1860 or so, gingerbread became a Christmas tradition and was sometimes included in the stockings. Of course, they were made completely by hand, being shaped by the baker without the use of modern materials such a cookie cutter. It probably goes without saying that icing bags did not yet exist to decorate the cookies with.

Whereas our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, early Canadian settlers hung theirs on their bedposts. Apparently, Santa was still able to locate and fill them, despite their distance from a mantel.

I'm not sure that in today's high-tech, consumer-driven world, that people would appreciate waking up to find the simple gifts in their socks that our fore bearers did. Then again, maybe reverting back to a simpler time when we were far happier with far less, wouldn't be a bad thing. Perhaps if we were to do that, we as a country could once again feel the true specialness of the Holidays.

Canadian Christmas pioneer stockings - maybe the time is right for a revival.