Celebrating National Tree Week

National Tree Week (November 27th – December 5th, 2022) is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the beauty and importance of trees. From their majestic presence in our gardens and parks to their contribution to the environment, trees are truly amazing. To celebrate this special week, we’ve put together some fun and engaging activities for you to enjoy.

1. Leaf Embossing

Capture the intricate patterns of nature with leaf embossing! Here’s what you’ll need: clay, a rolling pin, and some beautiful leaves. Wrap up warm and go for a walk in your garden or local park to collect leaves of various shapes and sizes. Once back, dab the leaves dry and plan your picture. Roll out the clay to your desired size, place the leaves on top, and roll over them gently. When you peel the leaves away, you’ll see their beautiful imprint in the clay. Let it dry and then paint your masterpiece!

2. Name the Tree

Gather everyone around the table for this tree-themed guessing game. Each person takes a turn describing their favourite tree. Encourage them to share details like whether it blossoms, if it bears fruit, or if it loses its leaves in autumn. The rest of the group tries to guess the tree as quickly as possible. For a fun follow-up activity, head outside and take photos of trees and fallen leaves. Once back inside, look up the tree names and interesting facts about them. Websites like Tree Council are great resources to learn more about different species.

3. Plant a Tree

If you can, plant a tree to mark National Tree Week. Whether it’s a small fruit tree in a pot or a larger one in your garden, you’ll be contributing to the environment. Alternatively, you can support tree-planting charities like Trees for Life, which offers many ways to plant trees, even creating your own grove. It’s a fantastic way to give back to nature and support rewilding projects.

4. Decorate Your Christmas Tree

As we move into the festive season, it’s time to get those decorations out! Put on some Christmas music, check the lights, and have fun decorating your Christmas tree. Involve everyone in this joyful tradition and celebrate the season together.

Mince Pie Recipe

Nothing says Christmas like the sweet aroma of freshly baked mince pies. Here’s an easy recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Large jar of mincemeat (approx. 600g)
• 2 Satsumas, segmented and finely chopped
• 1 apple, finely chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Icing sugar for dusting

For the Pastry:

• 375g plain flour
• 260g unsalted butter, softened
• 125g caster sugar
• 1 egg (for glazing)

Method:

1. Mix the flour and butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and mix. Gradually add cold water, using your fingers to combine until the dough isn’t sticky (if too sticky, add a little flour).
2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles with a pastry cutter to fit a lightly greased muffin tray.
3. Place the pastry inside the tray, add a few pieces of apple, a scoop of mincemeat, and top with satsuma pieces and lemon zest.
4. Roll out the remaining dough to create lids for the pies. Place them on top and brush with beaten egg. Pinch the sides together and press a fork into the top for decoration.
5. Bake at 220°C/Gas Mark 7/Fan 200°C for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or cold with custard, cream, or a cup of tea.

November & December Highlights

• St. Andrew’s Day – Celebrate the patron saint of Scotland on November 30th.
• Birthstones – November’s birthstone is citrine, symbolizing warmth and happiness. December’s birthstones include tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise, all shades of cool winter blues.
• Football Fever – The World Cup kicks off on November 20th, with England’s first match against Iran on November 21st.
• Advent – Advent begins on November 27th and ends on Christmas Eve. Get ready for the festive season by making or decorating an Advent wreath!

In the Garden As the weather turns colder, it’s important to keep your bird feeders topped up with nuts, suet, and seeds to support local wildlife. If you have avid birdwatchers, check out our Hobby Bundle for bird-watching supplies.

This Month’s Activity Ideas

• Advent Wreath: Create a beautiful Advent wreath using evergreen branches and leaves (real or crafted from foam, felt, or paper). Lay them flat and place four candles to represent the four Sundays of Advent—Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. For added fragrance, decorate with cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and rosemary.
• C.S. Lewis Birthday Celebration: On November 29th, celebrate the author’s birthday by reading or watching The Chronicles of Narnia. Host a discussion session afterward, and kick off the festive season with the magical world of Narnia.
• Baking Fun: Join in the holiday spirit by helping the chef bake some mince pies! Baking is a fun and stress-free activity, and many will enjoy reminiscing about their past Christmas baking experiences. Ask the chef if you can try making Christmas biscuits like shortbread or gingerbread too.

Monthly Round-Up

As the festive season approaches, we’ve been busy with your orders for Christmas art and craft activities! We’re linking the November and December newsletters together, knowing you’ve got a full schedule ahead. We’ll be back in the New Year with fresh ideas to keep you active after the holiday feasts!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support.

Latest Products

• England Football Supporters Pack: A great gift for football fans, especially with the World Cup just around the corner! Product code: ESP8
• Christmas Message Window Stickers: Add a festive touch to your home with these window stickers, perfect for greeting guests. Product code: XMWS
• Cross Stitch Kit – Sleeping Fox: A lovely needlecraft kit for nature lovers and those who enjoy sewing. Product code: CSK5
• Karaoke Disco DVD: Get into the party spirit with classic 70s disco hits. Perfect for your festive celebrations! Product code: KDVDD

Final Whistle

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, use our Share My Cart feature! Simply add a product to your cart, click on “Share My Cart,” and email it to a family member who can purchase it and have it delivered directly to them.