Christmas Tidings

Wishing you all a joyful Christmas

and a wonderful New Year!!!

Thank-you following me on this fun journey! 

Melissah xox

Images via Homelife {edited by Country Style Chic}

Twas the Night Before Christmas

 

 

  Wishing everyone

where ever you are,

a safe, healthy and happy Christmas.

May all your dreams come true in 2012!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

A Traditional Christmas

Reveal in the warmth and exuberance of a classic country setting where santa red and mistletoe green fill the house with a sense of tradition. Smell the scent of the fresh pine needles from the Christmas tree, warm spices wafting from the kitchen and the delicious aromas of Christmas puddings bubbling on the stove top and turkey roasting in the oven. Hear the sounds of children laughing, dogs barking and if you close your eyes you may even hear the sound of the sleigh bells ringing!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Swedish Christmas Inspiration

 

When I browse through my favourite blogs I always fall for the Scandinavian Christmas posts - I love the picturesque snow laden scenery, the sleighs, ice skates, toboggans, snowmen and the romantic notion of Christmas in the snow! The colour palette is always fresh and simple - lots of white with grey and beige and a touch of silver for a little sparkle or a splash of red for a pop of colour. They have an innate sense of style and their houses always look so stylish, warm and inviting.

Melissah

Images via 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7

A Country Style Christmas

 

What a lovely romantic vision of an Australian country Christmas this is. A collection of mismatched furniture is thrown together under a shady tree in the garden. The setting is relaxed and informal, even the horse feels at home! You can expect a big hearty spread with plenty of food, some good home cooking and some generous, old fashioned hospitality!

Melissah xox

Images via Homelife {Country Style Magazine}

Christmas Magic

There is a whole lot of magic at this time of year - particularly with little kids, you can see it when their faces light up at the thought of Santa coming with a sleigh full of gifts on airborne reindeer - that's enough to get anyone excited! Then on top of that decorate the house with twinkling lights and shiny baubles, pile presents up under a tree and fill the house with the smells of the best home cooking and we can all feel the magic of Christmas!

Melissah

Images via 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6a, 6b

A Nordic Style Christmas

One day I would love to experience a Christmas in Sweden in a white cottage with a cosy fire filled with soft candlelight and the smell of the turkey roasting in the oven. The snow would fall softly on the window pane and outside kids would be laughing as they build snowmen, throw snowballs and pull each other around on wooden sleighs. I would decorate the table with spruce and pine cones, lots of candles and gifts would sit neatly wrapped under a small fir tree cut from the forest and dragged back home through the snow....! Okay I'm getting carried away but it paints a lovely picture of a Christmas that's far removed from an Aussie one!!

Melissah

Images via 1, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 8

A Natural Christmas

 

Now here's a lovely natural, earthy palette for some Christmas inspiration for gift wrapping, table settings and decorating. I like the idea of using natural materials such as pine cones, twigs, nuts and foliage as part of the decorating scheme - it gives the house a nice warm, country feel especially against a backdrop of candlelight.

Melissah

Images via 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6

Candy Cane Ice-Cream

Now here's a great idea for the kids on Christmas day, especially if you have kids like me who don't like Christmas pudding soaked in brandy! If you don't have an ice-cream maker then this will be the perfect recipe for you. I am going to cheat and use softened store bought ice-cream then swirl chopped up candy cane through it before refreezing. I am going to scoop individual balls into Chinese soup spoons with crushed cane sprinkled on top. Sounds easy enough and the kids will love it! For the recipe check out this fabulous blog 'Call Me Cupcake'

Melissah xox

Images via Call Me Cupcake

A Christmas Dessert Bar

Make your Christmas extra special this year but putting on a dessert bar - it is sure to be a huge hit ... and not just with the little kids!!! I'm thinking it may even be easier than it looks. Keep it simple pick two colours to match your Christmas theme. Throw a table cloth over a trestle table so it covers all the legs. I made my own using white damask from Spotlight. Arrange a collection of white platters, glass jars and cake stands and away you go! Fill up jars with color coordinated sweets, arrange cakes and pastries on the plates, print off some cute labels and voila you've created a masterpiece! If you are time poor like the rest of us take advantage of fabulous store bought goodies and cut down all the baking time and kitchen mess!

Melissah

Images via Mrs A In The Cove