I love Christmas, but as the big day gets nearer I start to wonder if I love the idea of it rather than the reality.  Its such a busy time of year, with a month full of concerts, fairs, Christmas shopping and and trying to tie up work so you can take some time off.  The joy of the season just seems to be lost when you’re stuck in a crowd at the overheated shopping centre listening to Slade on an endless loop. It would just be nice to spend some peaceful time with your family instead of rushing around ticking off lists. We had this in mind when we proposed a family Christmas craft session in the woods.

  Last weekend eight families joined us on St Ives estate to make Christmas decorations from things we found in the woods.  The weather here in Yorkshire has been wet, windy and cold this December, but I don’t think any of us noticed it as we sat together around the campfire chatting and giggling as we made wooden Santas and reindeers, wreaths and stars out of greenwood, holly, ivy and berries.  We knew some of the children from our forest school programmes but it was great to have parents with us this time, joining in and helping their children tie the string or use the tools.  Actually it was sometimes the children helping the parents – the point is they were working together!  They left with some lovely homemade decorations which knock spots off the stuff you find in the shops.  At the end we got some great feedback with many saying how now it was to spend time together, away from other pressures.  I often feel the same, that the woods are a great escape from the banes of modern life; stress, consumerism and deadlines.  Given that they are accessible, free and on our doorstep, a think a family day out in the woods should be the gift we’re all giving this holiday.