Preparing for a slow Christmas

I always loved Christmas, as it is a very cozy holiday. But now as an adult I can easily get overwhelmed by stress in a month leading up to holidays. I have experienced before that the business makes me forget to enjoy the time leading up to Christmas and makes me feel like everything has been passing too quickly. So, these last few years I decided to prepare for the holidays more slowly and mindful. Doing less activities but taking my time to enjoy little moments of preparation: choosing quality over quantity.
something that I truly enjoy during the period leading up to Christmas is decorating our home. And even more than actually hanging up all the decorations I love making them. So anytime I had a few free hours I took the time to create something. For me there is nothing as relaxing as giving my hands something to do and see beauty unfold in front of my eyes. For this I mainly use materials that I found around me, with elements of nature included.
Most of the gifts I made myself this year. I really enjoy creating things and customize things to the loved ones that I'm giving it to. When I think of buying presents, I easily get overwhelmed by all the possibilities and choices and the way we are generally pushed into excessive consumer behavior. And by making things myself I have found peace in all the chaos… apart from the chaos to get everything ready in time. But I like it this way.
I filmed the process of me preparing for Christmas and tried to put it all together in a calm video with little loud noises or music. I hope that it might bring a moment of rest for whom are also looking for slowness during these festivities.
Have a lovely Christmas and a beautiful new year!
#slowliving #slowlife #mindfulliving #christmasdiy #christmasdecor

[@Anne-yw6ed]

What a uniquely and beautifully decorated Christmas home. Merry Christmas!

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you, Anne! A very happy Christmas to you too and a beautiful new year! 😊

[@helenahagstedt8953]

Beautiful work! Wishing you a very merry Christmas from Sweden!

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you so much Helena! Nice to see that someone is watching from Sweden 😊! All the best to you!

[@sleeplessstar7969]

Happy holidays from Greece! People and channels like yours bring a bright hope for the New Year ! 🙂

[@erika_katrien]

Oh thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words! I'm very happy to see that I have a viewer in Greece! May the new year bring you many wonders 😊

[@francescoperin2068]

Lovely video! Merry Christmas :)

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you Francesco! Happy Christmas to you too! 😊

[@aklilusium4341]

beautiful Merry Christmas

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you! I wish you the same! 😊

[@lindamounts2193]

What a lovely feast for the eyes. Merry Christmas and wishing you a peaceful and blessed New Year.

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you Linda! I hope that you're currently enjoying a very lovely new year too! 😊

[@MsBertha38]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you, the same for you! 😊

[@stargazer3887]

Wishing you love, happiness and prosperity! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you for your very kind wishes! I wish you all the best back! 😊

[@stargazer3887]

@@erika_katrien ❤💚🧚‍♀🦄🌹💐🍀🌠🌙😊

[@nelson9027]

Happy holidays to everyone. For me personally family is the most important during these times. I am really greatfull that I can call you my family and we can partly enjoy these days together 😊

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you Niels, I'm very happy to call you my family too! 🤎

[@roxannesl7151]

Very inspiring video! (I'm curious about that carrot cake...☺). Happy celebrations from Belgium!

[@erika_katrien]

Thank you Roxanne, have a lovely day! :)