Hello gorgeous! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here at Lace n Ruffles HQ. I've got my Christmas 'wish-knit' sorted, and have got a cabinet full of natural beauty products dropped in for the party season - woot! How's your holiday preparation looking? While I absolutely adore Christmas traditions such as scoring bargains at pre-Christmas sale, sipping warm mulled wine and listening to Michael Bublé Christmas album, I've shaken things up a tad bit this season. Here're the things I'm doing differently to throw (part of) Christmas rulebook out the window and to keep it all fun and exciting.
Who says Christmas tree has to be red and green? When I was in Hong Kong for Christmas last year, a 10-feet tall Tiffany & Co. blue and silver Christmas tree out the front of their flagship store had my jaw dropped to the floor! Lavish and opulent with Tiffany & Co. jewelleries and elaborate Christmas ornaments dangling 10-feet high, it was kind of like the fairytale Christmas tree for grown-up girls. I have to admit I'm pretty obsessed with all things Tiffany blue, if you've seen my recent lookbook here and here you'd know for sure! And it's got me inspired. Perhaps I could create my own miniature version of a Tiffany & Co Christmas tree at home.
I was a lucky bunny as the team over at Super A-mart furniture store has got me spoilt with a gift card just in time for my tree project. I picked up this white LED light tree from my local Super A-mart store which is perfect as the centrepiece. A tree with fairy lights attached ready for hanging Christmas ornaments - winning! The best thing about it ? It's also a jewellery tree for my Tiffany & Co. collections - quite handy for the party season, right? And when Christmas is over, simply take off those ornaments and it can stay as a jewellery tree and the centrepiece in my lounge room.
Oxfam Unwrapped Oxfam Fair Trade Shop Australia UNICEF Inspired Gifts WWF Animal AdoptionsConfession: My pantry is already overflowing with Ferrero Rocher, chocolate brownies and Rocky Road (okay, trust me half of those I bought are for gifts!). While choco temptations are too hard to resist for the festive season, I try to stay away from sugary drinks - after all, my healthy living motto is all about striking a good balance and indulging once in a while in moderation. When I was in Europe for Christmas, you'd see me having a bowl of sugarless chai latte everyday. For a healthy festive drink recipe on steamy summer days here in Australia, I simply can't go past my favourite iced tea! I used a pack of vanilla tea I bought from Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, and took inspirations from a beetroot vanilla cake recipe I came across. The subtle sour taste of beetroot powder and sweet vanilla aroma are just match made in heaven! Of course, beetroot powder also gives my iced tea a gorgeous ruby red shade for the festive touch! Not only is beetroot great as a substitute for cranberry juice if you're after a twist on the tradition, it also boosts stamina and contains powerful anti-oxidants for your body. Your guests who arrive with a hangover from last night's party will for sure love you for this energizing iced tea recipe!
4 tablespoon of vanilla tea (loose tea leaves)
In a large teapot, brew vanilla tea in boiled water for around 5 minutes. Allow it to cool down in room temperature for 30 minutes. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds and beetroot powder to the teapot, stir well and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Make around 500 ml. Ahhh - refreshing!
I got a call from World Vision last month for their Christmas Appeal to sponsor a child in the less fortunate families, and that was by far the best Christmas present ever. I bought my husband a gift of giving to this adorable 4 year old girl Oyunerdene and her family who live in Mongolia. Four weeks later, we received in the mail the cutest handwritten note and a drawing of Christmas tree from Oyun. That's the most heart-warming present handmade with love from thousands of miles away! For $48 a month (honestly, it's less than what you'll spend on a pair of shoes!), the reward is immense. I've always been a supporter of World Vision because they're very transparent with where the funds from supporters go, which is over three-quarter toward their field programs and advocacy work. It's a delight to know that my donations not only reach my sponsored child's family, but also to their communities to change systems and policies that help break the poverty cycle. A Christmas gift that keep giving back for years to come - seriously, what not to love?
Here're a few other wonderful charity gift ideas:
So tell me Dear Readers, are you celebrating Christmas a bit differently this year? From home decor to festive recipes and gift ideas, how do you put a twist on Christmas traditions? Dazzle me with your inspirations in the comments below, or tag your festive photos using #lacenruffles for your chance to get a shoutout on our page!
Until next time, have yourself a little merry Christmas.