Mindful Activities: Easy D.I.Y Festive Decorations

Making easy DIY festive decorations as a mindful activity

Switch off the T.V and put down the electronic devices!  These cheap and easy homemade decoration ideas can be quiet mindful exercises for your child to focus on, or bonding time if you want to join in!  Have fun making some Christmas decorations this season, but make sure they’re being done with intention and love!  Avoid a time with a lot of distractions, except perhaps nice background music, or of course connected conversation between those doing the activities.  AND these ideas can also be modified for different celebrations throughout the year! Enjoy 🙂

Tree Decorations :

fimo christmas tree decorationThere are many different ways of decorating trees from painting your own glass balls, stitching felt into different shapes, to tying ribbons to the branches.  But 2 tried and tested favourites from my kids yoga classes are fimo and plain wood shapes you can draw on.  With oven baked fimo I would advise making flat stars, hearts, circles etc as they are lighter to hang and easier to put a hole through for the string! On top the flat base (I made a ‘glow in the dark’ heart base in the photo shown, which looks beautiful at night and kids find extra fun) you can use other colours to decorate it with shapes, initials, words etc. Simple wood shapes that can be coloured with pens are also another way of having personalised decorations around the house.

christmas paper chainsCeiling/Walls:

Paper chains are a cheap and easy way of making a bigger impact with your decorations. And they can keep kids concentrating and quiet for ages!  Buy at least 2 large sheets of each colour of cardboard you’d like to use.  Cut 3 – 5cm strips out of the cardboard and then test the size of ring you will want to see whether you cut each strip into 2 or 3.  You will need child friendly glue and a glue friendly surface! Demonstrate that you should take 3 DEEP BREATHS while pressing the paper for the glue to set, before moving on to the next strip.

Windows:

christmas stickerssnow spray windowsStickers on windows or walls can be done too quickly to be a mindful activity, so try to make the placement of the sickers the main focus of the process.  They are however easier to get rid of by peeling, than the next option!  Snow spray can give a beautiful effect during the festive season, especially if you cut out your own stencils and it’s done with time and focus. To make removal easier try to wipe the window clean with alcohol or vinegar after 3-4 weeks.

Mindful counter tops & window sills:

waterless snow globeWaterless snow (or glitter) globes are a great home made decoration for any age!  Simply buy plastic decorations that fit inside your upside jar, once glued on to the lid!  When the glue is completely dry and the object is secure, pour 1cm of fake snow or glitter into the bottom of the jar.  Twist the lid securely back on the jar and then turn upside down! When you shake it, remind children that the snow/glitter represent our busy thinking brains.  The idea is to let the ‘snow’ settle to the bottom and be still, just as we try to relax, focus and still our minds.

Around the house:

Sticking balls to lamps, mirrors and frames is an easy way to decorate a space.  However to make it mindful, the person needs to take some time and concentration as to where the decorations are going to be placed, and in placing them there.  There needs to be focus and intent and make sure it’s not rushed through.  However it can be fun too! Put some music on, tell some jokes,talk to one another. BUT make sure that you’re focused and present on the task at hand, and the people you’re with!
Charlie's signature xx

 

 

 

 

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Charlie Stewart-Brown

Charlie Stewart-Brown

Charlie began practicing yoga over 27 years ago as a recommendation for her severe anxiety, and has been teaching for over 15 years to people of all ages and abilities. With over 1300 hrs of training and 22,500 hrs of teaching, she is also the lead trainer on the Indiv Yoga 200 hrs YTT & RCYT Kids Yoga Teacher Training Courses, having certified over 400 students worldwide.  She is the voice of the ‘Yoga and Mindfulness Program’ on British Airways long-haul flights, has spoken at many seminars and corporate workshops, and runs exclusive yoga and meditation retreats during the year.

Originally from London and having worked in New York and Lisbon after her Psychology degree, she has since settled  in Switzerland with her husband, and dedicated her life to expanding her knowledge of the science of yoga, mindful meditation and better physical and mental health.

Over the years Charlie has trained with some of the most renowned yoga teachers around the world (David Swenson, Shiva Rea, Anne-Marie Newland, Leslie Kaminoff, Sadie Nardini, Sonia Sumar etc) certifying in Hatha, Sivanada, Ashtanga, Childrens and Family Yoga, Yoga for the Special Child, & Inner Engineering with Sadhguru. She has become highly respected for her successful work in yoga therapy, especially for Autism, ADHD and other behavioural and developmental syndromes. She has also talked at some of the biggest corporations in Switzerland and the annual SGIS (Swiss Group of International Schools) Conference on implementing Mindfulness in the work place and the education system.

Charlie holds the highest yoga qualifications as an ERYT500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher), RCYT (Registered Children´s Yoga Teacher), RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher) and YCEP (Yoga Continued Education Provider) with the Yoga Alliance, and has developed Indiv Yoga™ to bring a more physiological, therapeutic and individual approach to yoga. Indiv Yoga™ Switzerland is a RYS (registered yoga school) and RCYS (registered children’s yoga school) providing Yoga Alliance teacher training certifications of the highest professional standards.

The focus of Indiv Yoga™ is to provide the benefits of yoga to every type of individual, using its teachings to achieve physical and mental balance, and diminish the anxieties of modern life for adults and children.

Read her online testimonials and qualifications for a feel of her knowledgeable and friendly professionalism.

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