*Disney to donate £10 for every Disney memory shared*

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In the true spirit of Christmas, Disney Junior will donate £10 to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for every memory shared as part of the Million Disney Memories campaign for the month of December!

How wonderful is that?

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GOSH is asking the nation to share their first Disney Memories as part of our special Million Disney Memories campaign, in partnership with Disney Junior.

And, for every memory posted in December, Disney Junior will generously donate £10 to the charity up to a total of £1 million.

Whether it’s a first trip to Disneyland, crying your eyes out watching Bambi or gathered on the sofa eating mince pies whilst watching Beauty and The Beast on VHS, each memory will be turned into a vital donation for the children’s hospital charity.

How to share your memory

There are three simple ways you can share your memory:

Add it to the Disney barometer on Facebook

Email it to million@disney.co.uk

Send a tweet to @_DisneyMemories

It'll only take a moment but you'll be helping make a huge impact on the work of

Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The more memories collected, the more Disney will donate!

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My first memory of Disney is of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.

It was my first trip to the cinema aged 3 & I went with my friends family.

The parents were friends with my parents & I went with the mother, my little best friend & her 2 sisters.

It was the most magical experience ever. Being in such a big space with red velvet chairs & red velvet curtains & seeing this wonderful Disney cartoon on a huge screen!!!

If I remember rightly I think I did fall asleep for the end but I was only 3!

*giggle*

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I have shared my memory with Disney via twitter so go & share yours with Disney & help the wonderful Great Ormond Street Hospital!

*Merry Christmas Everyone*

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*eek*

Can you believe it is Christmas Eve!!!

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I thought I would take this opportunity to share a few photos of our decorations this year.

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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas sharing good times with your loved ones.

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Have a wonderful time everyone!

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And to my wonderful husband James ...

*Happy 7th Anniversary*

All my love to you ...

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*These Make Christmas for Me!*

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Two of our favourite Christmas shows from our childhood that both James & I have to watch every year are The Box of Delights & The Children of Green Knowe!

These really do make Christmas for me, they are such Christmassy shows & I remember how exciting it was to watch them as a child in the run up to Christmas!!!

Watch The Box of Delights opening above!
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The opening did kind of scare me a little but in that good exciting way!

How wonderful is that music, ooohhh it just takes you off to a far away world doesn't it?

James bought me The Box of Delights book last year along with it's prequel The Midnight Folk, both written by John Masefield.
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Currently we have two Box of Delights episodes to watch yet & we have to start on the Children of Green Knowe but it is so wonderful to watch on Christmas Eve!!!
Oh I can't begin to tell you how I love these two childrens drama's they are sooooooo wonderful & are Christmas to me!

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Do you remember these wonderful festive shows?
Do you have certain things you have to watch each & every Christmas?
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* A few Christmas Crafts*

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Assembled in minutes out of common home supplies — star cookie cutters, silver paper clips, and red twist ties — this charming creation is a cinch to craft.

On a flat surface, arrange cutters into a circular shape as shown; clip together where stars touch. Carefully flip wreath over and secure the same spots with additional paper clips. Tightly twist ties around these sections as shown. Evergreen sprig optional.          

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Create noteworthy ornaments that show off favorite songs.

Copy sheet music; then gather scissors, white glue, ribbon, cording from a trim or crafts store, and a corrugated cardboard box (break it down and peel apart the layers to reveal ridged sheets). Cut out stars (see template below) from cardboard and music; tie bows of cording; layer stars and bows as shown; glue. Once dry, glue a ribbon loop to the top back of each ornament to hang.

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Skip traditional popcorn and cranberry garlands this year, and take a cue from the Sugar Plum Fairy: Colorful candy strands are a magical way to dress your mantel or tree. To create these sugary swags, all you need is a sizable stash of wrapped treats and an ordinary office stapler. Simply staple the ends of the wrappers together in a regular pattern. (For dramatic dips, make sure the garlands are at least double the length of the surface from which you will drape them.) Use candy of one color for a monochromatic look -- or, for a more playful statement, mix and match a variety of shades. Once you've strung the pieces together, pin or tape the ends and sections to the mantel. Finally, be sure to place a few dishes of chocolate and candy nearby, so guests won't be tempted to snack on your delectable decor.

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You can whip up these mini men in minutes. Roll pieces of marzipan into balls and dip them into confectioners' sugar; connect with toothpicks. Use marzipan dyed red to shape the hat and scarf and dyed orange for the nose. Finishing touches: brown toothpick arms and tiny chocolate chips for the eyes, mouth, and buttons.      

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From: Good Housekeeping

*Country Christmas Look*

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I love this relaxed Country Christmas look.

With it's mis-matched furniture & clean white walls it is a perfect relaxed country Christmas look for entertaining isn't it, especially at Christmas when you may need extra chairs & even tables in some cases for guests!

The painted trestle table is a perfect 'emergency' or entertaining table isn't it?

If you paint all the furniture in shades of white they will of course all look totally at home with one another. Pop on a pretty table cloth & your good to go!

I also think I spot a Hanging Heart Candle Holder in the fireplace & you know where you can get those from don't you, yes Vintage Amethyst of course, just pop along *here*

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This pretty room is from Country Homes & Interiors via the House to Home website.

Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm

*Candy Cane Cocktail*

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Oh my, hows this for a festive tipple!

A Candy Cane Cocktail!!!!

How cute is that little teeny weeny candy cane on the glass!!!!

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It is from the ever wonderful Martha Stewart & here is the how to ...

Ingredients

1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish
2 ounces strawberrry vodka
4 dashes white creme de menthe
2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

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*Spiced Cranberry & Orange Relish*

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This is one of the recipes I love from the book & blogged about yesterday.

Spiced Cranberry & Orange Relish.

This is soooo lovely, I haven't got around yet to making any this year so I'm afraid only a quick snap shot out of the book as a photo.

I will have to get some made this week though as it is my favourite!

This recipe makes about 450g.

Ingredients:

225g frest cranberries

1 onion, finely chopped

150ml port (although I think I generally use what's in the house at the time!!!!)

115g caster sugar

finely grated rind & juice of 1 orange

½ tsp english mustard power

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp cornflour

50g raisins

How to:

♥ Put the cranberries, onion, port and sugar in a pan. Cook gently for 10 mins until tender.

♥ Mix the orange juice, mustard, spices and cornflour together. Stir them into the cranberries.

♥ Add the raisins and orange rind. Allow to thicken over the heat, stirring with a wooden spoon

and then simmer for 2 mins.

♥ Cool, cover and chill ready for serving.

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I have made this for other people & they seem to love it as much as me.

Much nicer than cranberry sauce from a jar for your Christmas dinner.

I have also served it for parties to accompany a cheese board & it is delicious with cheeses too.

Hope you love it too!

 

*A Christmas Companion*

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This is my wonderful 'A Christmas Companion' book.

It comes out every Christmas.

It was a Christmas gift from my Mum about 12 years ago & the funny thing was is that the year before I had borrowed it from the library & loved it & so had borrowed it again that year too & my Mum didn't know!!! So when I received it as one of my Christmas gifts I was delighted as I knew it would be in use year after year!

It is a huge book, full of wonderful festive recipes & crafts. Some of the crafts are slightly dated now as the craft world has come on in leaps & bounds over the last few years hasn't it, but when I look through the crafts in the book they are almost like a starting off point & you think of ways to change them to make them into more wonderful things.

There are also some sweet craft ideas to do with children too.

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When I was looking through it this year I was saddened as of course this is the first Christmas without my Mum here but then it dawned on me that this is one of those wonderful books that I would like to pass down to any child I have in the future & hopefully their children too. Although tastes & fashions will change, I hope it will be a wonderful representation of a family Christmas & how I received it one Christmas from my mother & hopefully some of these recipes will stand the test of time & perhaps become good old family recipes!

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*A Festive Wellyboot!*

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Oohhh just how cute is this!?!?

I found the idea on the House to Home website.

I don't think it will replace the traditional stocking but it is a really cute way to display pressies!

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Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

*Closing for the Holidays!*

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Today is the last day for Christmas shopping!

The Vintage Amethyst boutique will be closed for the holidays from 6pm tonight!

So if you are wanting to place an order please make sure you do it today!

*Thank You*

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*What would I like for Christmas ...*

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Perhaps Holly Golightly's house?

The Manhattan brownstone where Holly Golightly lived in Breakfast at Tiffany's has gone on the market for $5.85 million!!!!

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The four-story house played a big role in the 1961 movie, which starred Audrey Hepburn as socialite Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Varjak, an aspiring writer and new neighbor who serves as her love interest.
While the exterior was used in many shots, it's unclear whether any of the interior was featured in the movie.

But I don't mind, I would so love to live there!

Shall I put it on my Christmas wish list?

*wink*

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*A White Christmas*

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Isn't this pretty?

Wonderful festive inspiration from House to Home.

Liven up a mantelpiece with a fresh-looking Christmas display. Use vintage-style lettering to spell out your festive message, add twinkle with fairy lights, and finish with a few sprays of mistletoe. Classic decorating, minimal effort.

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I know I posted this festive bed last year but I think it is pretty enough to look upon again, don't you!

Hang an array of stockings in different colors and textures at the foot of the bed to incorporate the holiday spirit into this room.

From Country Living US

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Isn't this a fun table setting idea for Christmas?

Decorate your table for a party with mini sparklers.

Stick them into large chocolates or desserts for a surprise display, then light them just before guests enter the room!

For the final finishing touch, scatter metallic foil stars across the tablecloth for an extra glam look

From House to Home

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This is pretty.

This doily tree-topper conjures images of folktales and snow-dusted forests.

Find out how to do this *here*

From Martha Stewart

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Give guests a token of your love by baking little biscuits and placing them on their plates.

Tie the ribbon around the plates and napkin for a professional finishing touch.
From Ideal Home

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How lovely is this?

Snowflake doilies!

A cascade of vintage handmade doilies treated with fabric stiffener forms a fanciful snowfall in the window.

From Martha Stewart

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I hope you like these pretty white Christmas inspirations as much as me ...

Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm

*Pretty Christmas Tree Inspiration*

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How adorable is this festive photo!

It is pretty inspiration from Matha Stewart.

'Consider a monochromatic scheme.
For this tree, we used only red and white ornaments to create a festive display.'

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*Linen Scented Hanging Christmas Trees*

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Well it is almost Christmas, not long to go now & Vintage Amethyst will be closing on Friday

for the holiday so this will be the last week for shopping.

It also means that it is the last *Product of the Week* for a few weeks too & this week it is these

really lovely linen hanging Christmas trees!

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These are absolutely lovely Christmas decorations.
Pretty red hanging trees made from linen with a pretty embroidered front which is finished with some snowflakes & pretty buttons including adorable heart shaped buttons.
The trees hang from a pretty red & white gingham hanger & each tree is scented with cinnamon & cloves which gives a lovely Christmas aroma.
These are also available in a natural colour too.
Each tree measures 15 cms tall excluding hanger.

They are only £3 each & they are also available in a natural colour too!

Find these red trees *here* & the natural trees *here*

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*Candy Cane Marshmallows*

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How pretty & adorable do these Candy Cane Marshmallows look from

the homemaking goddess that is Martha Stewart?

'Give out homemade treats that are great in hot cocoa -- or straight from the bag.

Peppermint marshmallows are easy to make; they get their red swirl from a quick marbleizing technique. Follow our recipe, then package them in small cellophane bags to show off their good looks. Fold the top of each bag over once, and staple it shut. Use a small hole punch on either side of the staple. Thread a length of red twine through the holes, and knot it in front. Pull one end through a gift tag, and finish with a bow.'

Pop along *here* for the recipe for these cuties!

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Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

*Pretty Sea Inspired Christmas Tree*

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I just love how pretty this Christmas tree looks.

It is from Martha Stewart & here is what they say ...

'Channeling childhood summers spent on Cape Cod, crafts director Hannah Milman created a from-the-sea tree. These shell ornaments are dusted with two shades of glitter and blended for a dazzling ombre effect.'

Find out how to make these decorations just pop along *here*

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*Festive Pretties*

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There is still time to buy some pretty Christmas goodies to make your home all lovely & festive this year.

I thought I would post a couple you may not have seen.

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Above we have a really sweet festive Christmas Wreath.

The wreath is made from twisted willow & features a handpainted wooden hanging heart with a cute little button on. The wreath is finished with a bow of festive red & white gingham ribbon.

A really lovely festive wreath to hang on your door this Christmas or alternatively just place on the fireplace mantel, dresser or shelves, this wreath looks equally good hung or standing.

These are a bargain at only £4.50 & you can find them *here*

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Also I have these really cute red & white gingham hanging hearts which are just pefect to add to your Christmas decorations.

Hang from door or drawer knobs on the edge of mirrors or pictures or simply just hang from your tree.

The heart features a large wooden button with a bow.

Such a sweet Shaker style decoration which would be perfect all year round too!

These are only £2 each & you can find them *here*

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Vintage Amethyst is open for just over a week now & will be closing on Friday 16th December for the holidays, so be quick to do your Christmas shopping!

Visit the Christmas Collection *here* for sweet festive decorations & don't forget if you still need any gifts the Vintage Amethyst Boutique is absolutely full of pretty ideas, so pop along *here*

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*Festive Favourites*

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*squeal*

It is nearly Christmas!

Have you decorated your tree yet & made your home all lovely & festive?

We are doing our festive decorating on Saturday night, I'm so excited as we have a fab night with plenty of bubbly & festive nibbles with old Christmas songs playing!

Anyhoo to keep me going I thought I would share some of my festive flickr favourites!

Aren't these photos so sweet?

Do pop along & visit these talented folk by clicking the links below ...

1. white christmas tree cookies, 2. Laternenzeit, 3. silver bells, 4. White stars

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Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm

*Gifts £3 & Under!!!*

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You know you get great value gifts at Vintage Amethyst don't you?

So as the festive season is upon us I have put together a list of pretty gift ideas for

£3 & under!!!!

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This is a really pretty wooden hanging heart.

The heart is painted white with distressed edges & features the wording LOVE, the heart hangs from natural twine.

Such a lovely little gift idea & perfect for any home.

Only £3 each, find them *here*

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This is a really lovely set of 2 individual wooden hanging hearts.

The hearts are lightweight & are very rustic french in style, each hearts has a painted floral wreath & the word Love inside, they hang from twine which adds to their lovely country feel.

Only £2.50 for the set of 2 & you can find them *here*

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These are such a sweet candle holder.

Little ivory coloured pails with a heart details.

They also have a little handle so would look so cute hung from trees.

A sweet little gift idea.

Only £1.75 each, find them *here*

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A pretty way to present photos or cards.
A simple off white heart which you slot a photo or card into.
A sweet little gift idea.

Only £1.50 each & you can find them *here*

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A pretty white hanging heart.
The heart is made from zinc & the front is painted white.
The heart is finished with a sweet dimpled effect which included dimpled hearts & they hang from natural twine.
They have a lovely simple Swedish style to them & look pretty placed anywhere in the home.

These are only £2 each & you can find them *here*

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A pretty button hanging heart made with white buttons.

A simple little item to hang anywhere in the home.

A sweet little gift idea.

These are only £2.50 & can be found *here*

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A really adorable little shelf sitter with the word LOVE in white.

Perfect for any home & a really lovely little gift idea.

These are only £3 each, find them *here*

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This is a really pretty wooden hanging heart.

The heart is painted white with distressed edges & features the wording WELCOME, the heart hangs from natural twine & would be perfect in a hallway or by your door.

Such a lovely little gift idea & perfect for any home.

These are only £3 each & you can find them *here*

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This is a really pretty romantic candle holder.

A pretty glass heart with has a ridged outer edge so when a candle is lit throws beautiful rays of light all around it.

Such a pretty little item & so vintage & romantic in style.

Absolutely perfect as a pretty gift idea.

These are only £3 each & can be found *here*

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This is a wonderfully retro style mug.

The mug is cream with red vintage style lettering saying Tea Time, and who doesn't love tea time?

A perfect gift for tea lovers.

These are only £2 each & you can find them *here*

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This is a really pretty wooden hanging heart.

The heart is painted white with distressed edges & features the wording HOME SWEET HOME, the heart hangs from natural twine.

Such a lovely little gift idea & perfect for any home.

These are only £3 each, find them *here*

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How pretty will you look with this shopping bag when you head home from the farmers market or supermarket!

A really lovely bag which has a gusset botton & so had a large depth to it too, you can fit so much in this cutie!

Made from recycled plastic & so eco friendly & water proof.

These are only £2.50 & you can find them *here*

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So as you can see there are lots of sweet gift ideas perfect as stocking fillers or as 'Secret Santa' gifts!

You don't have to spend a lot at Vintage Amethyst to get something pretty this festive season!

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*Christmas Garland*

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There isn't long to go now to the big day & so this weeks

*Product of the Week* are these really wonderful

Christmas Garlands.

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This is a really adorable Shaker Style Christmas Garland.
The garland is strung & features wooden letters which are paint in cream or red with different patterns on each.
Festive gingham ribbon is tied between each letter.
This lovely Nordic garland can be hung on walls & doors & looks especially pretty strung across dressers.
So a sweet garland for the festive season.
The total length of the garland is 65 cms & each letter is 8cms high.

They are only £6.50 each & you can find them *here*

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