String lights in the trees, throws on the grass and bring the indoor cushions outdoors.
Use lanterns and night lights to create a glow and light a campfire.
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Great as a present for a man in your life!
]]>The stars, tree and Father Christmas are handpainted and are crafted in Indonesia. Very lightweight for the tree with contemporary feel. Folk or Mexican look.
Paper chains are the wholesome easy craft project to do with kids of any age. It's fun watching the chain grow and grow! With a 10 metre pack it should keep the kids going.
Just look under the collection 'Christmas'
]]>I think I'm in my element planning for one, once you get the theme going it can lead to all sorts of ideas. I wanted healthy food and less of the sweet stuff but I succumbed.
My tip is (sounds stupid ) but write every little detail down in advance and if you are buying things for party bags do it at least two weeks before so you will get it in time. Pass the parcel took me an hour to prepare ( with my 4 year old helping), she kept licking the sweets that were going in the layers so it took ages!
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I arrived just after a festival holiday and the streets were full of decoration, it was fantastic.
]]>The Galungan Ceremony - 10 February 2016One of Bali’s major festivals celebrates the return of Balinese gods and ancestors to Bali. For ten days, Balinese families will entertain and welcome with prayers and offerings, along with ceremonies to cleanse and balance the inner and outer energy of the island. Galungan features, among other things, barong dancing from temple to temple in the village. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The origin of Galungan is a mystery, but essentially it is believed to be the beginning of the week in which the gods and ancestors descend to earth, and good triumphs over evil.The holiday is celebrated by the fitting of 'penjor', tall bamboo poles beautifully decorated with woven coconut palm leaves, fruit, cakes and flowers, on the right side of every house entrance. People are attired in their finest clothes and jewels on this day.Intensive PreparationsThree days before Galungan – on Penyekeban - families begin their preparations for Galungan. "Penyekeban" literally means "the day to cover up ", as this is the day when green bananas are covered up in huge clay pots to speed their ripening.Two days before Galungan - Penyajahan - marks a time of introspection for Balinese, and a time to make the Balinese cakes known as jaja. These coloured cakes, made of fried rice dough, are used in offerings and are also eaten, especially on Galungan. This time of the year finds a glut of jaja in every village market.A day before Galungan - Penampahan, or slaughter day - Balinese slaughter the sacrificial animals that will go into the temple or altar offerings. Galungan is marked by the sudden surplus of traditional Balinese food, like lawar (a spicy pork and coconut sauce dish) and satay.On Galungan Day itself, Balinese devotees pray at the temples and make their offerings to the spirits. Women are seen carrying the offerings on their heads, while men bring palm fronds.The Kuningan / Kulungan Ceremony - 20 February 2016This festival is held ten days after the Galungan Festival, signifying the closing of the New Year holiday. On this day special offerings made of yellow rice and special dishes are offered; every family compound and temple looks amazing with ornaments. This is believed to be the ascendant day - when ancestral holy spirits and deities return to heaven.
What is it about wood that is pleasing?
Use them on a picnic, wraps kebabs dippers. It's making me hungry.
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