It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

That's right, I can resist no longer... It's a Christmas related post!

                                                                                                                                                 // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

Although the trees are doing their very best, holding onto those last precious sprinkling of leaves, there's a chill in the air and a touch of glitter in the stores that tells us Santa's visit is on the nearing horizon! You know it's creeping into winter when you wake to beautiful blue stretched out across the sky, but the ground sparkles with frost. And really, in my book, there's no such thing as preparing too early for the oncoming holiday!

My gathering of inspiration began several weeks ago, in Holland, with a trip to a very festive outlet, which set in motion the rolling wheel of a production line that Mr Claus's elves would be envious of. 

                                                                                                                                                 // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

                                                                                                                                                  // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

                                                                                                                                                  // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

                                                                          Ornate Christmas village display                // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

                                                                          Ornate Christmas village display                // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

                                                                          Ornate Christmas village display                // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

I walked around this display, of the tiny Christmas village, several times and each time I noticed something different, such detailed features, I was mesmerised!! Really beautifully crafted little houses and shops, children making snow angels, buying Christmas trees. Not only was it lit up, but many of the pieces moved, including a running stream, the awesome cable cars and the windmill! 

                             Ma and Pa van Balen shopping for snow, mamma and pappa bear   // Aralia GroenRijk, Hellevoetsluis //

I love this time of year, and although this year I am on a bigger budget than ever, rather than let that spoil the fun, it forces me to get even more creative with thinking up original and personal ideas for the gifts to give my loved ones. Christmas really shouldn't be about spending lots of money and how many wrapped items sit under your tree- a lot of people in England really forget what this time of year should be about. The endless adverts luring you to spend spend spend. How about SPENDing some time with your oldies? Playing board games and eating together, Taking the little ones for rosy cheeked walks wrapped up like snowmen and snuggling up together watching movies with hot chocolate.

Making a Christmas wreath

My days have been, (and will be up till the 24th no doubt!) spent creating handmade goodies, and although I don't want to give too much away on here, I've been very busy!!