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December - Christmas Challenge 2022

 When I saw the clauses for the Christmas Challenge (the monthly badge for December) I knew that I would be able to do it. 

Make a festive wreath: I made a ribbon wreath which I had seen advertised last year, and I bought the supplies this year - and supplemented them with ribbons from my own stash. I think I might end up adding a ribbon bow at the bottom of it - but it is fine to use as it is. I was surprised at how long it took to fill the wreath shape I had created, but it was quite relaxing and easy to do of an evening sat watching some TV.

Make a festive ornament. Our tree has several ornaments that I have made previously, and there was a suggestion with the ribbon wreath to use a single piece of wire to make a mini wreath for the tree - which I did. The ribbons on this wreath needed a little trimming. I went to put a hanging loop on it this morning, only to discover I’d done this when I’d put all the ribbons on!

Take part in Whamageddon: I did this previously and managed to get to about 4.30pm on Christmas Eve (back in 2019). This year I did fairly well - I entered Whamhalla at 8.32pm Friday 9th December. It was playing at our fostering agency Christmas meal. I had managed to avoid hearing it at 2 other Christmas meals that week, and hadn’t heard it in any supermarkets, nor on the radio (not that I listen to the radio that often these days).

Do a good deed for a stranger: I make quilts, and donate them to Project Linus - we have a Project Linus group that meets once a month. At the start of December I was able to hand over 4 quilts I had made, and our local Project Linus Coordinator took 100 quilts to our local hospital in mid December to comfort the children in hospital over Christmas.


Handmade at least one present: I made 6 quilts - for 6 of my grandchildren, who have recently had a change in circumstances and living arrangements, so I thought they could do with a Nanny hug!

Learn about the different celebrations that take place in December around the world: I chose to learn a out Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. It was interesting to learn about the menorah and the lighting of the candles - and about the types of presents given and food eaten. With Kwanzaa I was intrigued to see it is a comparatively recent creation, a specifically African-American holiday. It is also interesting to note that it’s popularity has been waning, and that white institutions celebrate it. I had considered looking at different Christmas traditions around the world, but I considered this a little too easy - as I seem to remember creating worksheets for language lessons at the end of term - I would out up signs around the classroom with information on them, and pupils had to go round to find the answers to the questions on their worksheets - I still have them in our home office, and I know exactly where to find them! I could mention Dinner for One, and St Nicholas, and using molten lead to tell the future…

Watch a least 3 Christmas movies: The Grinch, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Scrooged, The Muppets Christmas Carol, The Box of Delights - for me it isn’t really Christmas until I’ve seen these films!

Take part in a festive event: we attend a Christmas meal at the golf club each year, with several of our friends - this year one of our friends had 2 of his children there - and they had their children. On previous occasions there have been 4 generations of his family there; we had about 20 people there. Now this Christmas meal marks the start of Christmas for me. It takes place on the second weekend of the Whiskey Foursomes competition (which didn’t happen this year due to the weather - so there wasn’t the usual rush this year), and the Appledore Band come along and play carols for us - and our table always joins in. This year was no exception, and we were on fine form - noticing how the words in their song book differed from the words we’ve grown up with (and so know by heart) - in particular the words for O Come All Ye Faithful, which had been a bit modernised. I really can’t be doing with people messing around with the words to carols, changing them to a more modern version so I stuck to those I know (for which I don’t need a song sheet!). I had prepared for the carol singing, by learning the tune and the chorus for the Appledore Carol (Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells) - the verses are those of While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night.

So - that is 8 clauses completed. We do have a gingerbread house ready to decorate, and I hope to make some mulled wine at the end of the week. I did attempt some lino cutting to make my own Christmas cards, but I wasn’t so happy with the result so didn’t end up sending them…next year maybe…


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