Well hello December and hello to you dear listener and reader!
This podcast is Episode #5 on the listening list and it includes a free coloring page download and 5 ways I will be creating some calm this month - a few inspired by nature!
Welcome to A Creative Connection with Nature and this little corner of mine in the online world with me, Louise Gale.
I am a Mixed Media Artist and most of my time here will be spent sharing the little creative ways I weave nature into my art practice. I will also be exploring and sharing little snippets of inspiration for you to explore your own.
Read the full blog post at louisegale.substack.com (if you are reading this on email, the full written content may be cut off)
So what does December bring for you?
As we begin this festive month, for many of us, life seems to get a little crazy!
Even if we are someone who invites calm into our day, something happens during this month and we can feel off kilter a little, trying to do ¨all the things¨.
I am one of those that wants to do it all, but this year, I am giving myself permission to let a few personal creative projects slide and be fully present as I visit friends and family in three countries this festive season!
We all want to make the best of the festivities, but maybe there is also something you would like to give yourself permission to leave be or let go of?
Image: A simple sketch which inspired a Botanical Mandala that found its way onto a Christmas Ornament for my tree!
I plan on taking a lovely slow approach and spending as much time outside too, rain, wind or snow! For a couple of weeks, I’ll be embracing the cosy darkness of winter, lighting candles, putting the fairy lights on (which I actually love having on throughout the year when I am up before dawn!) wearing my snuggly winter coat, drinking hot chocolate & mulled wine, eating festive treats and enjoying the ambiance of the Christmas markets. Then, things change a little, as I return to Spain for Christmas week itself… so warmer temperatures, more sunlight and a list of festivities that last until January 6th. A wonderful way to transition from the festive season into the new year.
I started to think about ways I can continue to connect with nature, invite calm into my day, stay centred and enjoy the festive season ahead! So below, I have list 5 things I plan on inviting in and I would love to hear any that you will be practicing in the month ahead.
Incase you missed it!
Also, if you missed my second book giveaway on my substack, there is still time to enter! There are also more opportunities to win, so please do subscribe to get notified for next time.
Before we dive into my 5 things… if you would like to use the calm process of coloring to help you slow down, my Free Coloring page is available for you to download below.
Download my December Nature Inspired Coloring Page
On the first of every month, I share a printable colouring page that you can download and color in. Since creating my own colouring books and printables, I have found this a lovely way to invite some calm into my day. If I have many other commitments, then I can spend simply 5-10 minutes colouring in to flex my creative muscles! I share short colouring videos over on my TikTok and YouTube shorts if you want to follow along.
Download yours here.
So here are the 5 things:
#1: Decorate your own Tree Ornaments
I just put up my tree here in Spain, ready for when I return and I love to create my own ornaments to hang on it. Below are some that I created using a wood burning tool.
Creating your own little creations to hang on your tree, put up in your home or even give as gifts this season is a wonderful way to slow down, flex your creative muscles and also celebrate the joys of the festivites ahead.
Pssst: You can actually grab my Botanicals on Wood class at 40% off (for only $34) in my Thankful sale if you fancy creating your own. We use a wood burner, paint and pressed petals!
All of my online arty classes are 40% off and bundles classes, a huge 50% off! Browse the catalog and sale here.
#2: Take a Solitary Winter Walk in Nature & Be Inspired
Leave behind the Christmas /Holiday to-do list and go for a solitary walk. This helps clear the mind and open yourself up to what is important to you. Spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue and it helps us focus on the present moment, embracing a sense of calm during a busy time.
Focus on small details as you notice the natural world around you: rain drops on leaves, the quiet of the season, the way the weather makes you feel. What flowers and leaves you see.
Winter landscapes are unique and serene. Bare trees, frost-covered ground, or a fresh covering of snow will create a magical setting that’s perfect for reflection and appreciation.
Image: Inky botanicals inspired by the winter season. We paint this in my Mindful Mandalas class.
Walking in nature will help you connect to the beauty of the season and even spark creative ideas inspired by nature's stillness. Maybe a few ideas for #3!
Of course, you can walk with a friend or loved one. I will be taking many walks this festive season with my boyfriend as we love doing this together to explore. A great way to exercise during this busy season and reward ourselves with a festive treat along the way!
#3: Add an element of hand-made into your gift giving
This does not need to be a completely hand-made gift, but making something to place your gift inside of, is creatively inspiring too!
This year, we are celebrating “Pakjesavond,” or gifting evening in Holland on December 5th, where we gift as a secret santa, (we chose a name out of a hat last month, so we each have just one person to buy a gift for) But, the main aspect is that we have to create something hand-made to place the gift inside! The surprises are usually made out of cardboard, paper, or paper mache.
Traditionally the surprises are accompanied by a poem written in the name of Sinterklaas. The poem is often short, funny, and gives a small hint to what the gift in the surprise may be. So this is what I will be doing early December in Holland!
Instead of making a surprise pressie gift box, you could also simply add some nature or hand-made to your gift wrapping, such as a cone on your ribbon, hand printed wrapping paper and you can even add your own wood slice (like in item #1 above)
Image: An idea from thehappyhousie.com blog.
#4: Bring Nature into Your Home
Make some arty nature pieces for the festive season. Collect pinecones, holly, branches, and other natural items to create festive wreaths, center pieces, or ornaments.
If you are not able to bring nature into your home, perhaps consider creating some wintery arty pages in your journal. You can spend some quiet moments outdoors or gathering festive images on websites such as Pinterest for inspiration.
Taking some quiet time to bring nature into your day will do wonders for your wellbeing. You could also journal your thoughts, sketches, or findings about the season’s beauty. This mindful activity deepens our connection with nature.
#5: Listen to festive podcasts to help you slow down
And lastly for the 5 things, every year, I LOVE to tune into the
podcast. This is available now over at calmchristmas.substack.comA gift of listening time to myself and from
to ease into the festive month ahead, listening to stories of the season, tips and thoughtful ideas to create your own Calm Christmas this year and every year.
I hope the above inspires you to create a little calm into your December and find some ways to continue to connect with nature.
Coming soon!
I am traveling during December and the holidays, but will be sharing a few more posts this month, so look out for the FREE 2025 Planner later on this month, more book giveaways and other thoughts about connecting with nature.
I also have my annual Thankful sale on which is offering 40% off all of my online art courses and 50% off bundled courses, so if you are interested in taking a class with me, this is the time to grab a spot and gift yourself (or others of course!). Sale ends on Monday, December 9th.
FREE Botanical Mandala Class
Did you know that I offer a FREE class on getting started with drawing and painting a Botanical Mandala?
When you join here, you also get 1 MONTH FREE access to 1000s of other creative classes too! Find out more here
If you are interested (or know someone else needing this) in creating some beautiful artwork to combine the healing energy of nature with the meditative process of mandala making, I hope this class is an inspiring starting point for you.
This is a mini-class with bite size lessons to get you started with this beautiful practice. Click on the link above to dive in today!
Lots of love Louise xx
* When you sign up using my link and choose to subscribe after the free trial, I get a teeny tiny fee for the referral. This helps me offer free classes to everyone, so thank you in advance for using my link.
If you’ve read (or listened) this far, I want to let you know how grateful I am that you make space inside your inbox and day for my newsletters.
I would LOVE to hear from you, so please do comment with any ways you love to bring nature or calm into your festive season. Or any thoughts on what kind of creative inspiration you would like me to share with you going forward.
Thank you for supporting the work I do by subscribing. I hope I can continue to inspire.
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