9 Simple and Intentional DIY Holiday Gifts

There's still time, dear ones! We have scoured the Lovely Wild archives for a few of our favorite DIYs this holiday season. From herbal beard oil to hand-painted moon phase flags, each of these simple and intentional gifts can be made in a single afternoon. A lovely excuse to slow down and breathe deep and work with your hands. All you need is a few supplies and a fresh cup of peppermint tea. Oh, and a few inches of fresh snow if you have it. 

Sending all my love to you and yours, sweet friends. 

xo,

Release + Receive :: A Winter Solstice Ritual for the Month of December

What is it about darkness that can make us so uneasy? Perhaps it's the thought of what might be lurking in the shadows. Or an instinctive impulse not to stray too far from the safety of the fire. Maybe it's simply a deeply-rooted, deeply-human fear of the unknown. Of that which we cannot see.

But there is great healing to be found in the dark, if we are willing to step into it. If we allow our eyes to adjust and our senses to heighten. It's where we dream, after all. And incubate. And rest. And look towards the stars. It's a place of deep transformation and magic. 

The Winter Solstice marks the darkest point in the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. A time that asks us to send our energy downward. Underground. Into our roots. To tap into the wealth of nutrients and healing that lay beneath the surface. 

This beautiful ritual was created and shared with me by the lovely Bridget Ambrose of becrowbe. Bridget is an Intuitive Reiki Master, Integrated CranioSacral Practitioner, Energy Medicine Healer and all around modern mystic. What I love about her ceremony is that it is practiced the entire month of December. A wonderful way to stay conscious and mindful during the holiday season. To clear out any residual negativity and make space for the abundance of the new year. To honor the darkness, and welcome back the light.

The only thing you really need for this ritual is five large white candles. Everything else is totally optional. Bridget and I have put together a list of suggested stones, scents, and rituals to work with each week, but also encourage you to follow your intuition. Your ceremonies can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. You do you, loves. 

Each week, we invite you to light the candle for that week, as well as all the candles from the previous weeks. Sit in quiet meditation for a few minutes with the associated mantra. Maybe do some gentle journaling, or pull a card if you feel called to. Make a special cup of herbal tea. Practice self-care. Whatever feels good to you and your body. By the Winter Solstice on December 21, you will have all five candles burning. Continue to light all the candles every night, from Solstice through New Years Eve. 

December 1 - 7. This first week you will actually light two candles, one to release that which is no longer serving you, and another to call in love and healing. You can choose to light both these candles on the same day, or to separate them into different ceremonies. This is a lovely way to ground and cleanse your space as you initiate the Solstice Ritual. 

Release Meditation:  I am grateful for my shadow teachers and I surrender the patterns that are no longer serving me…

Focus on clearing any negative energy you no longer want in your life.  If you feel you need a fresh start or want to clear the air of any heaviness, start the process by burning this candle. Visualize it burning and composting that which is no longer serving you. I sometimes like to sweep the house or work with cleansing herbs.

Receiving Meditation: I open my heart to receiving love freely from self and others and I honor those walking this earth with me…

For the second candle, focus on opening your heart to give and receive love.  This candle surrounds you with the essence of love and harmony.  It can also be used to create passion or love possibilities and allow self-love to flow freely. This can also be used as a energetic candle, choosing to light it for a period of time when a love energy in your space is desired.

Altar Suggestions: Red or pink, rose quartz, rose oil, rose petals, ylang ylang to elevate the affectionate energy. Sage, cedar, celenite to cleanse.

Ritual Suggestion: Call in cleansing energy and loving self care with a candlelit herbal bath or shower. We recommend sprinkling in epsom salts, lavendar or sage for cleansing, and rose petals for love. Turn off all the lights and bathe by candlelight. Pour yourself a glass of lemon water. Let the healing water melt away any negativity or tension you may be holding on to.

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December 8 - 14. This week you will light the third candle, as well as the first two which were lit last week.

Meditation: I open myself up to the infinite source of creativity and inspiration from spirit and honor the impulse to follow where it leads. Every day I am creating healthy cells, vitality and a wonderful life...
 

Focus on unlocking a creative flow and accessing a confident source of inspiration from the Universe. Imagine it flowing into your being effortlessly. Use this candle to stimulate an artistic venture and create a visionary perspective.

Altar Suggestions: Orange, orange calcite crystals, oranges, bergamot essential oil, art supplies, or images that inspire you.

Ritual Suggestion: The second chakra responds to all of your wild, wonderful and difficult emotions. Its real essence is creativity or change. The moment we think of something different to do, we are creating. If you always walk or drive the same route to work, purposefully pick another route. Even playing music or dancing stimulates the creative center. You can dial up the creative energy in your space by creating these simple Dried Orange Garlands or Cloved Pomanders. The scent of oranges is also believed to inspire happiness and positivity.

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December 15 - 21. This week you will light the fourth candle, as well as the three previous.

Meditation: I open myself up to receiving from the infinite universe as I am worthy of prosperity and abundance…

Focus on manifesting success and good fortune into your life and creating a world of unlimited possibilities. Envision an endless river of abundance and prosperity flowing towards you. This is the perfect candle to burn to attract a new opportunity in your life or accelerate your desires.

Altar Suggestions: Green, patchouli, jade, citrine, green aventurine, incense, cash or coins, healthy plants.

Ritual Suggestion: Abundance Journaling :: Pour yourself a special drink and find a quiet place to journal. Light some candles. Get cozy. Practice feeling grateful for the places you have already been, and for the circumstances that brought you to where you are in life. It’s never too late to realize your dreams. Now is the perfect time to begin. Commit to the adventure of you. Imagine what you want and feel that you have it. Appreciate your life as if everything you want has already happened. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Fall in love with the feeling, not the how. Find even small things about yourself and others to appreciate. Maybe you can appreciate the way your morning coffee smells, or the warmth of a coat or the way a person holds a child’s hand. Begin jotting these down in your journal.

Here are some examples of what you might write to manifest your own abundance:
I’m a happy, healthy person and I will always be successful.
I am wealthy beyond measure.
My life is transforming in important ways.
True happiness lives in my life now.
I now allow the universe to send its unlimited treasures my way.

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December 21 (Winter Solstice) - 31. This week you will light all five candles.

Meditation: I love and honor my connection to spirit and the Universe…

Reinforce your spiritual connection with a white light of purification and peace. Use this candle to express love and gratitude toward the Universe. This can also be used as a energetic candle, choosing to light it only for a period of time when a spiritual connection in your space is desired, perfect for meditation.

Altar Suggestions: White, quartz, amethyst, frankincense, feathers, antlers, cedar, representations of light + dark, cranberries, evergreens, elements from previous weeks altars.

Ritual Suggestion: Gather with dear ones around a fire (or just the five solstice candles.) Make a special hot cocoa for kiddos or this lovely golden turmeric milk for adults. On a small slip of paper, have everyone write down one thing they would like to release for the coming year. Safely burn the slips of paper in the fire, releasing them to the dark.

Keep lighting the candles every night from Solstice through New Years to close the ritual.

So much love and gratitude to Bridget Ambrose for sharing her magic. To schedule a healing session with Bridget, (which I highly, highly recommend) please reach out to healing@becrowbe.com. You can also follow her everyday sacredness on ig @themysticbecrowbe and @becrowbe. 

Happy December, dear ones.
xoxo,

Apothecary :: New Moon Herbal Dream Pillows

I've been having the strangest dreams lately. Dreams of stones and bones and old forest women. Of moons and mountains and ancient skeleton keys. Dreams heavy with a symbolism I can never seem to untangle. Songs that slip through my fingers the moment after I wake. Perhaps it's the lulling hum of our old ceiling fan. Or the warm breeze fluttering in the bedroom curtains. Or the late summer lightning flashing over the mountains. Whatever it is, it has been pretty magical.

There is something undeniably intriguing about the etherial nature of dreams. Perhaps that's why humans have always tried to decode them. To find meaning and symbols amid the bizarre and tangled plot lines. To interpret the images like runes spread upon a table. It makes sense when you think about it...dreams take us to the delicate space between our conscious mind and unconscious spirit. They allow us to peek below the veil. To see what might be lurking in the quiet corners of our psyche. To remember things our soul knows, but minds have forgotten.

This Sunday's New Moon in Leo is a particularly auspicious moment to look for the messages hidden in our dreams. The New Moon asks us to set intentions. To turn our gaze inward. To get very quiet and very clear about what it is we are trying to manifest. These simple Herbal Dream Pillows come together in just a few minutes and are a lovely personal ritual to honor the lunar cycle and connect to our subconscious. The herbs listed have been long prescribed by folklore for deep sleep and vivid dreams. To quiet the mind and soothe the spirit. To peek into the space between.

Wishing you a dreamy New Moon, dear ones. 

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Supplies:

- Small linen draw string bag

- Lavender (for relaxation)

- Rose Petals (for love)

- Chamomile (for deep sleep)

- 1 bay leaf (for prophetic dreams)

- Lemon Verbena (for light and happy dreams)

- Sage (for cleansing and protection)

Instructions:

1. Start by dip-dying your muslin bag. I used some lovely indigo dye I had rolling around in the back of my craft closet. Follow dye instructions and allow bag to dry. Once dry, I used a small glass to trace the new moon with gold ink. 

2. Add your dried herbs to your moon pillow. There is really no precise formula here. Just add small amounts of each herb, smelling as you go until you reach your desired mixture. Follow your nose on this one. Don't forget to toss in a bay leaf or two to inspire prophetic dreams.

3. Place dream pillow beneath your pillow and breathe deep.

xo,

Slow Coffee :: Homemade Rose + Vanilla Bean Iced Lattes

I have been thinking a lot about time lately. How we spend it. How we value it. How we never seem to have enough of it.

We live in a culture that idolizes "busy" and pencils in happiness for a later date...for some fabled time in the distant future when the work is done and the bills are paid and the to-do lists have finally been conquered. It's so easy to forget that we are only allotted a few fleeting hours on this planet. That they will pass no matter how we choose to spend them. That time is a precious and non-renewable resource.

Lately, I have been falling into the trap of "busy." Hook, line, and sinker. Days have been blurring into weeks, and weeks into months, and it isn't until a friend sincerely asks, "What's new?" that I realize I haven't been making time for any of the things that bring me joy. That I have nothing to say except, "Oh, you know...just working a lot." That I have been so caught up in the day-to-day grind, that I have forgotten to actually enjoy life.

So for my birthday this year, I am promising myself the gift of time and committing to carving out a little space, each and every day, to live slowly and mindfully. To start manifesting the creative projects that have been rolling around in the quiet corners of my mind for the past few months. To make things by hand. To play. To plant. To make room for the quiet daily joys I so often rush past. 

And this means I'm going to need to get real cozy with the word "no" (something I have historically been terrible at.) I'm starting to realize that slow living is as much about saying "no" to things that don't serve you, as it is about saying "yes" to things that do. Prioritizing, lovelies. Cutting out what's not essential. Simplifying. Like Marie Kondo-ing your closet, but with your planner. 

So to mark my renewed commitment to slowing down and celebrate the first few glorious days of spring, I made a batch of these lovely Rose + Vanilla Bean Iced Lattes. Infusing the almond milk with whole vanilla bean and rose petals takes a little more time and a little more love, but really, don't all the best things? The end result is floral and creamy and refreshing and barely sweet. The perfect addition to a sunshiny morning spent lounging on the patio, ignoring your inbox. 

Ingredients:

*Please note, like many of my recipes, the amounts here are merely suggestions. Feel free to adjust to your taste. Makes enough for 2.

- 2 cups organic almond milk (soy, coconut or dairy would also work beautifully)

- 1 whole vanilla bean

- 3 T of organic food-grade dried rose petals 

- 2 cups cold brew coffee or fresh espresso shots

Instructions: 

1. Freeze cold brew coffee in ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes. This will keep the ice from watering down your latte as it melts.

2. Add almond milk to a small pan. Using a sharp knife, cut vanilla bean length-wise to expose the tiny seeds inside. Scrape the inside flecks of vanilla bean into the pan of milk, then add the empty husks to the milk as well. Add rose petals.

3. Heat pan over low heat until it begins to simmer. Once the creamer simmers, remove from heat. Cover and allow to steep for 30 mins - 1 hr. (The longer you steep, the stronger the rose flavor will be.)

4. Strain creamer into a clean jar or bowl to remove vanilla bean husks and rose petals. Those gorgeous little flecks of vanilla bean will stay in the creamer. Chill in fridge.

5. Add coffee ice cubes and fresh espresso shots (or cold brew coffee) to highball glass. Add creamer to taste. Garnish with crushed rose petals.

xo, 

Apothecary :: Mood-Lifting Lemon + Rose Winter Tea

I learned a deep love of tea from my mother. Growing up, every morning before school I was cheerfully greeted with a tiny steaming mug of English Breakfast and a thick slice of homemade pumpkin bread. It's her answer to just about every scenario. Bad day at work? Tea. Horrible breakup? Tea. Being audited by the IRS? Double tea. To this day, the first words out of my mother's mouth every morning are, "Let me make you a cup of tea." Before "good morning." Before "hello." Before anything - tea first. There's a woman who has her priorities straight. 

So it's no surprise that a cozy cuppa is my go-to when I am in need of a little comfort. I don't think I'm alone when I say these past few weeks have been...challenging. The political and meteorological climate, combined with a marathon of sunless grey days has left me feeling a bit lost. Untethered. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Let's be honest - January is always a little brutal, but this year felt particularly rough.

In life's more difficult seasons, it's especially important for us to double down on self-care. In order to show up for each other and the world, we first need to fill our own tanks and hold space for ourselves. Brewing a cup of soothing herbal tea is a wonderful exercise in daily self-care. I love the act of mixing the fragrant herbs, boiling the water, quietly meditating as it steeps. This simple ritual feels so grounding and restorative. A momentary time-out from the daily chaos. One of my favorite recipes for this time of year includes lemon balm and rose petals. The lemony flavor is bright and cheerful while the rose adds a lovely floral note and the smell of spring. Both have been long prescribed by folklore to lift the spirits and chase away the mid-winter blues. 

So let's all take a moment to slow down and breathe deep and drink some flowers. Here's to a brighter month ahead, dear ones.

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients

- 1 part organic edible rose petals

- 1 part organic edible lemon balm

- 1/2 part organic edible linden leaf

- 1/2 part dried lemon peel

Instructions

1. Loosely measure out all ingredients in a bowl. You can use a mortar and pestle to break up any large pieces if necessary. The ratios here are merely suggestions so feel free update according to taste. I would recommend experimenting with a few pots of tea to see what you like before mixing a large batch. 

2. Store in an airtight jar or tin (these also make lovely gifts!)

3. Use 1 tsp of the mixture per cup, or 2 - 3 tsp per pot of tea. Pour boiling water over strainer with tea and let steep for 3 minutes. I like to use this opportunity for a little mini-meditation.

4. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon. Breathe, relax, enjoy. 
 

xo,

DIY :: Dried Orange Garland and Cloved Pomanders

When I think back on childhood holidays, my earliest memories are wrapped in the warm glow of white candles. I see baskets of apples and hot waffles with jam and garlands of happy gingerbread men in the window. My father teaching me to ski in our driveway. Making salt dough ornaments in a cozy mountain hytte with my mom and siblings. Long nights and endless snow. We left Norway when I was only seven, but the quiet simplicity of a Scandinavian Christmas planted deep seeds I still carry. 

The Norwegian concept of koselig, similar to the Danish hygge, is one that has no direct translation. It can be used as both a noun and a verb and essentially captures the cozy contentedness you feel when you warm chilly feet by the fire or gather with dear ones over a candlelit dinner at home. Koselig is simple and handmade and nurturing. It values the little things. The important things. Like fresh coffee and good friends and cozy slippers. In many ways, koselig is the original art of slow living.

When it comes to the holidays, I love to make our home feel warm and welcoming and koselig. I tend to keep decorations simple and handmade. Foraged juniper boughs. Straw ornaments. Endless white candles....you get the idea. I always make a few batches of these dried orange garlands to hang in windows and gift to friends. The winter light shines through them like little stained glass windows and makes me smile. Little drops of sunshine to brighten the dark winter days.

This year I also took a stab at making simple orange pomander balls to bring in the scents of winter. You guys - I don't know how I have never tried these before! First off, they smell incredible. Warm and spicy and Christmasy. And the super complicated DIY instructions? Stick some cloves in an orange. That's it. Done. They look lovely hanging on the tree or in a happy bowl on the kitchen table (where I may or may not have grabbed one as I rushed out the door for a last minute hostess gift.) Everybody wins. 

Some years it's all too easy to get lost in the hustle of the holidays. To get overwhelmed by the commercialization and travel itineraries and endless to-do lists. To lose sight of the quiet moments that make this season magical. I think we could all benefit from slowing down and cozying in and lighting a few more candles. It's the most koselig time of the year.

Happy Holidays, lovelies. Hope your week is warm and fuzzy. 

Supplies

- Oranges or mandarins

- Wooden or metal dowel

- Twine or ribbon

Instructions

1. Cut the oranges into very thin slices (about 1/4" if you can). Some will be thicker than others. Just remember, the thinner the slices, the less time they will take to dry.

2.  If you don't have a food dehydrator, I can't recommend them enough. It has quickly become my favorite kitchen tool. I purchased this one on Amazon a few years ago and we get a ton of use out of it for everything from kale chips and fruit leather, to dried herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. This thing pays for itself in time and deliciousness. 

Dehydrator: Place the orange slices on the drying racks of your dehydrator. Set the temperature to 135° F and leave to dry for 12 - 14 hours. Flip after about 8 hours. You'll know they are done when you press your fingernail into the slices and they crack or crunch a bit. Make sure they are fully dry and not sticky or soft. 

Oven: Preheat the oven to 170° F or as low temp as it will go. Place the oranges on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven, leaving the door propped open a few inches. Bake for 3 hours, then flip oranges. Continue to bake until they fully dry out (usually about 8 hours.) I would recommend checking in every hour near the end until they reach the desired texture and lose their stickiness.
Note: I haven't used the oven method in years since we purchased our dehydrator. You may need to add or decrease baking time depending on the size of your slices and your oven. It goes without saying, but always babysit the oven when it is on for extended periods like this. 

3. Once the oranges are fully dry, use a wooden or metal dowel to poke one hole on the left and right side of the orange. Make sure they are parallel, as you will be threading the twine through them later. I like to place mine in the top third of the orange.  

4. Weave your twine through the holes to string the orange slices together. I like to hide my stitch on the back side of the orange.

5. Hang in a window where the winter light can shine through. I also hang any extra slices on the tree or use them to spruce up my wrapping!

Supplies

- Orange or mandarin

- Whole cloves

- Ribbon to hang (optional)

Instructions

1. Push the sharp end of the cloves through the skin of the orange or mandarin. Create a simple design by studding the cloves around the orange.

2. Hang to dry with ribbon. As the orange dries out, it will fill the house with a spicy, wintery aroma.

xo,

DIY :: Bay Laurel Eucalyptus Wreath & the Dark Days of Winter

For thousands of years, the approach of winter was a dire, fearful time for humans. It meant famine and illness and death were on the horizon. That the world would be plunged into relentless cold and darkness and that not everyone would survive. It was a time to huddle together. To batten down the hatches. To hide away and hold on till spring.

December (and the winter solstice specifically), marked the pinnacle of this desolate season. But many cultures also used this as a time to celebrate life and light in the face of the encroaching darkness. To gather with loved ones around the fire. To feast and sing and share what little we had squirreled away. To celebrate the simple fact that we were still alive. Now don't get me wrong, humans have plenty of flaws, but I think there is something deeply beautiful about that. That on the longest, coldest nights of the year, when all was quiet and frozen and bleak, we shined our flickering lights into the vast darkness and found joy. 

I love that you can still find remnants of these ancient rituals in our modern holiday traditions. Little echoes of forgotten customs. We still hang lights in dark windows. We feast and sing. We bring in evergreens that don't mind the cold. Perhaps one of the most ubiquitous of these symbols is the humble wreath. There are many theories on the origin of this tradition, but my personal favorite is that the hearty evergreens and circular shape represent eternal life in the face of winter. We hang them in our doors and windows to remind our neighbors, "It's alright, friends. Even on the darkest days of the year, something green remains." What a lovely thought.

I made this simple wreath with bay laurel and eucalyptus and an old embroidery hoop. Nothing too fancy. Just simple supplies, a little time and a cup of peppermint tea. It felt good to slow down and breathe deep and play with plants for a while. A nice slow segue into the bustle of the holiday season. 

Happy December, dear ones. Here's to sharing and celebrating and shining our little lights. So much love to you. 

Supplies

- Hearty greens (I used branches of bay laurel as my base. They hold up nicely and smell amazing)

- Smaller greens & berries for texture (I used gunny, blue and seeded eucalyptus as well as a few dried pepper berries)

- Embroidery hoop of any size

- Floral wire

- Ribbon

Instructions

1. Start by cutting your bay laurel branches into more manageable lengths. I cut mine into roughly 1 foot sections. The size of these will depend on the size of your embroidery hoop. I set aside a few small sprigs to fill in any sparse spots later.

2. Play with the natural curve of the branches to find where they want to lay on the hoop. Word to the wise: don't try to fight the natural curve of the branches. Let them lay how they want to lay and work around their natural shape. Bay laurel lends itself beautifully to a circular wreath. Using segments of floral wire, begin wrapping the branches in segments around the hoop. It's okay if the wire is visible or there are some bare spots. You can cover these will smaller greens later. Use small lengths of wire to attach each branch in 2 - 3 spots.

3. Once you have your base greenery secured around the hoop you can start playing with the smaller greens. I wove in blue and seeded eucalyptus to fill in bare spots and cover any exposed wire. I also added a few more sprigs of bay laurel here and there. Even some pheasant feathers would be cool. There is no right answer here! Have fun and play with finding the right balance. I tend to like things a little more organic and unfussy so I left mine a bit wild. You can easily tame it with some additional floral wire if thats more your style. It helps to hold the wreath up to the wall now and then to get perspective and make sure the weight is balanced.

4. Tie a pretty ribbon or twine around the top of the wreath. You can either use this to hang it, or if you have a wreath hanger you could opt for the traditional bow. As a finishing touch, I wove in a few dried pepper berries left over from our Thanksgiving table. Those little guys last forever. 

5. Hang and enjoy! You can definitely hang these little loves outside, but I couldn't bare to be parted with the spicy, earthy aroma of the bay leaves. I opted to display ours in our front window so it can be seen from the street, but we can still smell it in the house. Everybody wins.

xo,

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