Counting down to Christmas - with an advent candle ring

“An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing”

— Samuel Smiles

When I was a kid you didn’t get chocolate in advent calendars. You just opened the little cardboard doors and had a little picture. That was it. If it was a particularly good advent calendar, we closed the doors and saved it for the following year! 

These days it’s a whole different ball game. Those well known Christmas characters of Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol have their own sugar loaded cheap chocolate offering. You can also get cheese calendars, gin calendars, beauty products calendars and even a dog biscuit one!

But what are these calendars all about? Of course they are a countdown to Christmas. A reason to get excited early (as if my kids need any excuse - and over sugared treats are not the ideal pre breakfast snack!) 

Traditionally they mark the weeks of advent. “Advent” means “coming” in Latin, so Christians mark the four Sundays and weeks before Christmas to prepare for the coming of Jesus. 

Since the 17th century they have used the advent candle ring to mark the passing of these weeks. They would create a circle of evergreen foliage with four candles - each week lighting a candle to celebrate that week. 

And the candles would stand for:

Hope Joy Peace Love. 

Hope, joy, peace and love. Are they not the four words that we repeat like a mantra day after day in this ever so troubled year? Our mindful affirmation as we head towards Christmas. None of us really know what Christmas will look like this year but whatever happens what we really want is hope, joy, peace and love. 

Samuel Smiles, an author, whose quote started this blog off, believed that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws - and that was nearly 200 years ago. But how apt are those very sentiments in these modern times?

So treat yourself to an all fresh, all natural advent candle ring from Church Park Flowers so you can be ready for the first Sunday of advent on the 29 November and light that candle for hope. 

Hope that this Christmas will be filled with joy, peace and love - after all surely this year we deserve it more than ever. 

All natural Christmas Advent Candle ring

Have yourself a 'natural' little Christmas!

“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.”

— Annie Leonard, Proponent of Sustainability

 Unfortunately we are still living in an age of mass consumerism, where landfill and single use plastic are top of our conscientious minds. Over the festive period it is estimated that we in the UK generate 30% more waste than usual. Tons of wrapping paper and glittery Christmas cards will end up in landfill, around one in ten Christmas gifts are unwanted and will end up discarded. And even those thoughtful gifts that are treasured – how many are packaged in unnecessary amounts of plastic packaging?

Not good eh?

So, the theme of this years Church Park Flowers Pop Up Christmas Shop is natural, green and recyclable.

All Christmas wreaths are being made with British sourced sustainable moss and foliage – most of it local. The wreaths will be completely compostable with no plastic used in any of the adornment.

Table, centrepiece and tree decorations are all natural and recyclable and new for this year will be recyclable Christmas wrapping paper.

Apparently last year we used enough Christmas wrapping paper to get us to the moon! (220,000 miles worth) with over 85% of it unrecyclable by local councils. The Church Park Flowers Pop Up Christmas Shop will be stocking a variety of recyclable gift wrapping and presentation ideas to make your gifts this year stand out in style whilst being kind to the environment.

To follow through on this green and recyclable theme I’ve decided to republish last years Christmas Pop Up Shop blog post. I thought it was a good one – so why waste it!!?

“In the circle of life, its the wheel of fortune, its the leap of faith, its the band of hope, Till we find our place. on the path unwinding in the circle, the circle of life”

— Sir Elton John

Sir Elton John knows how to write a good song. There was a poll aired recently on TV rating his best songs. I must admit I didn’t watch it or know which one won but if you ask me I would go for “Don’t let the sun go down on me”. The live duet with George Michael on Live Aid in 1985 brings me out in goosebumps every time. 

But I digress. I chose these lyrics as my opening quote as they sum up two subjects that are monopolising my life at the moment. 

It’s a leap of faith, it’s a band of hope

So once again I’m taking the plunge into high street retailing. The Church Park Flowers pop up shop is back. Now in its fifth year - I know! - I am venturing to pastures new. This year I can be foundinI a new home in Bideford! Unfortunately there were no free units in Butchers Row, Barnstaple this year - my home for the last four years - which is such a shame as I had great affection for that little row of shops, my fellow shopkeepers and my customers. But I never know what is going to be available. So with a lot of leg work, cold calling and a little help from some friends, I have managed to find a little shop in the heart of Bideford. Number 4, Mill Street. I guess being my fifth year means it’s not such a leap of faith as it has been. But that little voice of doubt always sits on my shoulder whispering; will people find me, will people buy my wreaths and decorations for their homes, is it the right decision. 

Put my positive hat on and it’s a different story. Mill Street Bideford looks a great place to be. Full of independent businesses and lots of new customers to lure into my festive grotto. Some new this year, others been there for yonks. I’m sure it will be a very friendly place to be. I love being somewhere I can meet the public. Working mostly from home in a workshop in the garden can be pretty lonely at at times - so an opportunity where people can pop in just for a chat - and hopefully spend some money - is very welcome in the winter months. 

And of course it’s Christmas. I love Christmas. My little pop up shop is a tiny slice of a natural rustic Christmas. Twinkling lights and (unlit) candles. Pretty sparkly ribbons galore. And the scent - well where do I start: pine, eucalyptus, cimamon, orange slices. It’s potpourri on a massive scale!

Circle of Life

The best seller of this pop up enterprise? The natural Christmas wreath. It's circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end. From a christian religious perspective, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreathes, symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly, ivy, spruce are all good winter growing evergreens. Add some eucalyptus and rosemary for scent and you have a pure “green” wreath. Fresh for the festive season, all British grown, but of course fully biodegradable afterwards. See, the circle of life manifests itself again!

A selection of wreaths in different sizes and styles will be available to buy at the Pop Up shop. Or order something bespoke.

Want to make your own? Then the shop is the place to come to buy all your materials: copper rings, moss, foliage, reel wire, cones, dried citrus fruits, ribbons and plenty more beside. All the sundries and natural supplies you need to make your home truly Christmassy. Advice and tips always given freely!

So it may be a small temporary space but again in the words of Sir Elton John:

“There's more to be seen than can ever be seen. More to do than can ever be done”

Church Park Flowers Christmas Pop Up Shop

4 Mill Street, Bideford EX39 2JT