Christmas Craft

In many Catholic traditions, Epiphany (January 6th), symbolizes the last day for Christmas celebrations. Epiphany Eve (January 5th), in the Italian culture, "La Befana" goes out to visit the children of Italy. In this folklore, the Befana is a witch-like lady who fills the socks of good boys and girls with candy and gifts (usually chocolate, nuts and oranges). It's a cute little tradition that is very similar to the gift giving of the more familiar Santa Claus.

Given that the Christmas celebrations are still being held in some cultures, there is rather simple and crafty idea that you can do during this time. It has turned out to be a holiday tradition in my home.

The sight and smell of certain foods can conjure up memories of times past. For me, there are particular smells that remind me of the winter holiday season.

Begin with an ordinary orange.

 

You will also require a handful of cloves. Pierce the orange with the cloves all the way around the surface of the fruit. (You can also get craftier by creating patterns around the orange.)

The orange and cloves together will create a natural air freshener which will leave your home smelling spicy and warm.

Also, don't worry about the orange going bad. The cloves will actually petrify the fruit and turn it into a hard ball.

This Christmas tree looks good enough to eat!

December is here and Christmas is almost upon us. I love this holiday season, as there are so many good things to eat.


Since I've spent a good part of the year writing about food, I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to have a food-related Christmas tree?" So, I decided to decorate our Christmas tree with all things food. You wouldn't believe what we found!


Little panatone and pandoro boxes can be found at many grocery stores and bakeries that cater to the Italian market. These bread-cakes originate in Milan and are fantastic.

Candy canes were and easy go-to...

...as were sugar cookies.

I decided to tie up some cinnamon sticks to provide a seasonal scent.

Hangable chocolate ornaments can be found anywhere;

as can fruit ornaments, like apples, pears...

...and grapes.

So far, the menu looked boring. I needed to get creative, and fast!

I found these tiny liquor bottle lanterns at the LCBO (liquor store). I love the fact that they are red and green.

These cookie-cutters looked nice enough to hang.

I learned that it is a German tradition to have a pickle ornament somewhere on the tree. Apparently, the one who finds it gets a special gift. Personally, I like my pickles on the side. So, that's where it went.

I found these adorable gingerbread men measuring spoons at Pier One. This tree was either going to look disgusting or gorgeous. There was no turning back now!

Here's where I got crafty. I found these glass decorations at Michael's (a craft store) and I thought, "Let's fill 'em!"

The possibilities were endless! Here's what I put together (going clockwise from the top left):
- tri-coloured pasta
- red chili peppers
- hazelnuts (filberts)
- dried apples

- Israeli couscous
- mung beans
- wheat
- hibiscus tea
- red and white rice
- coriander seeds

- cloves
- jelly beans
- coffee beans
- fennel seeds

- popping corn
- dried chickpeas

However, I think my favourite ones were these three little tins from Maxim's de Paris (bought in Paris). They are filled with delectable praline chocolates. Yum!

Here's the final result: