We are in desperate times. It’s the sad truth. Yet we all live in hope and that is what makes us human. We must more than ever love our fellow beings and be kind to each other even though we cannot be as close as we would like. People have likened this experience we are all going through to the horrors of WW11 but even then people could touch each other, hold each other, love each other. We may not have bombers overhead but there is another kind of killer hovering in the air. It is in times like these that we need the magic of Christmas more than ever but many are being denied the chance to enjoy this special time. With good reason. To protect ourselves and others from the lurking danger which seeks to steal our breath. What can we do? Where can we go? We have social media, we have T.V.s and some of us even read real books. We can go anywhere in our heads and we can dream the dreams of a perfect world but can we make ourselves believe it? Some would say altered reality is a possibility but with me I always go back to the simplicity of the past. Every Christmas I have taken a photo of objects bundled together to represent a Christmas message. I love everything vintage and so give everything the vintage touch. It’s a mindful exercise. Being in the moment. Being creative doesn’t have to cost. It’s the arrangement of items and the sight lines that make it all work. Alfoil is a great one for decorations. Colourful tea towels look great draped on a table, sideboard or window ledge and native flowers bunched together are always a treat. You can pick them from the garden or flowers hanging over other people’s fences. Even street trees offer beautiful branches you can use.