Ever since I visited Sweden during December a few years ago, I have loved Swedish Christmas decorations, which use lots of candles, hearts, lights, and the colour red—not to mention the Julbock [Yule Goat]!
Bring a bit of Sweden into your home this holiday with this pillow that features the Julbock, Dalahäst [Dala horse], hearts, and the Swedish crown. The pillow would add some festive whimsy to your bed, couch, or armchair.
During the holiday season when we are busy filling our tummies and our stockings, it’s also nice to fill someone else’s life with joy—especially those less fortunate.
Did you know that you can share the Christmas spirit with a child elsewhere in the world with a simple shoe box? Every year Samaritan’s Purse collects shoe boxes filled with gifts through its Operation Christmas Child program, and then sends the boxes to children in countries such as Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, South Sudan, and many others. The boxes travel by plane, boat, or even long-haired yak to make their way to remote villages and children who wouldn’t otherwise experience Christmas. Over the past two decades, Operation Christmas Child has delivered millions of gifts to children in more than 130 countries.
It’s easy! Get a shoe box [or small plastic container] and decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl, as well as the age range. Fill the box with items such as small toys, stuffed animals, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, socks, and toy jewelry.
Include a $7 donation [or more!] to help cover shipping costs, and then drop the box off at your nearest collection centre during collection week [through 19 November]. If you would like to donate a box during another time, you can always send your shoe box to:
Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607
To find out more information, visit the Operation Christmas Child website or give them a call at +1 828-262-1980.
Meet Pearl the Polar Bear who is just too cute for words! This wooly is needle felted and made with pure 100% wool, and I love how simple yet sweet she is. Pearl would look great on your Christmas tree, mantle, or even on your desk at work for a wee touch of wintery joy.
As you can probably tell, we love all things handmade. There is just something so special about an ornament, piece of jewelry, or article of clothing when someone makes it with love and care and their own two hands.
Since we adore handmade goods, we’ve decided to feature an Etsy Item of the Day each day in order to share with you the sweet, festive, awesome, and silly stuff we find on Etsy.
So may I present to you today’s Etsy Item of the Day—a soft, hand-crocheted reindeer hat. How adorable!
Hello from all of us here at Northpole.com! With the weather getting ever colder and the holidays drawing nearer, we are very excited and very busy. This year we decided it would be lots of fun to share with you some craft ideas, gift ideas, and more through our Elf Blog.
With Burt hard at work in the Workshop, Bif so swamped in the Mailroom, Will keeping an eye on things in the Weather Station, Mrs. Claus baking in the Kitchen, and Bonnie keeping Bud out of trouble, Santa asked Mary and me to take the blogging reins, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
So keep your eyes on this space where we will be bringing you fun, festive ideas everyday from now until Christmas!
Brittany on Raymond’s Sporty Dream