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Gift Time, Yule Time

© Kimberly Moore

Yule is approaching and with it comes the seasonal frenzy of gift buying and giving. It is also a great time of year to make gifts. You can combine gift making with craft lore, especially when dealing with herbs and their uses.

You may, for example, wish to make gifts using lavender. You can take linen handkerchiefs and fashion drawer and hangar sachets to keep drawers and closets smelling fresh, or make pillows impregnated with lavender to promote restful sleep. How about using essential lavender oil to make homemade bath salts, bubble bath, etc.?

If you like baking, you might consider making homemade crackers and cookies. Homemade cheese flavoured crackers are simple to make, as are gingerbread and other seasonal favourite sweets. Or how about a gift basket with homemade scones and tea? Use an authentic British recipe and couple it with some English Breakfast Tea and some herb tea on the side. You can create your own themed food baskets, such as a New Orleans style basket with French donuts and a Chicory Coffee blend. You can find recipes for all of these on the Internet. Just type in what you are looking for with the word recipe and you will find several to choose from. Take time to look for those that you think sound the most appealing and simple to make and don't be afraid to experiment with the seasonings.

You can also consider making little kitchen witch dolls and decorative besoms to give as home décor items. You can even combine the home décor idea and combine the idea with herbs by making your own scented candles to give. Consider making dream catchers to hang over children's beds as well as adults. One of our most treasured baby gifts has been a little dream catcher to hang over her crib.

You can make charms for pets and friends, using spells for good health and safety. This gives an excellent opportunity for a child to learn these skills whilst learning that doing so is not for personal gain. The giving of gifts come from the heart and teaching your child to put his heart and soul into the giving of the gift is what makes it unique and valuable, not how much it did or did not cost. Within this idea lies the true spirit of Yule, and this lesson is one that will stand your child in good stead throughout life. And speaking of giving, do not forget to leave the Yule Elf his cookies and milk. It's a long cold ride back home that night and he will be hungry!

The copyright of the article Gift Time, Yule Time in Pagan Homeschooling is owned by J. Rebecca Cougill. Permission to republish Gift Time, Yule Time in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.