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Friday 12th December 2025
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✨ Warm Welcome
Hello my friends, and happy December.
I’m writing to you today with a warm cup of tea beside me, fairy lights glowing, and the rain lashing off the windows here at our little house in the country. It has been such a full, busy, bright season — full of joy, full of making, full of creativity… and yes, full of exhaustion too.
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And so today’s letter is a little different. A little slower. A little gentler. And the last one you’ll receive from me in 2025.
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✨ From Our Little House in the Country
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind — finishing the attic work, decorating, Christmas Craft Markets, restocking candles, posting orders, helping with school and stables and all the usual December bits.
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I’ve loved it all, but I’ve also felt myself reaching that point where the season starts to blur. Where the to-dos grow louder than the twinkly moments. Where the tiredness settles in behind the eyes.
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And the last thing I ever want — in my home, in my work, or in this community — is to rush through December without actually feeling it.
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So I’m taking my own advice.
I’m slowing down.
Just a little.
Just enough to breathe again.
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Which is why this will be the final newsletter of the year.
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But don’t worry — there is so much still coming your way.
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✨ What’s Coming Up on the Blog
Even though the newsletter is taking a little holiday rest, the blog most certainly isn’t. There are new posts scheduled right up to Christmas Eve, and every day of Twixmas.
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🎄 Tuesday’s new post — a fresh seasonal piece - The Simple Joy of Giving
🎄 December 21st — The Gifts of Darkness and Light (which also happens to be our 20th wedding anniversary 💛)
🎄 Christmas Eve — a special reflection on presence, wonder, and the quiet magic of December 24th
🎄 December 26th–January 1st — A Twixmas Letter every morning
Seven short, reflective notes to accompany that in-between stretch of the year… a gentle way to pause, look back, and look forward.
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And if you’re in the mood for festive reading today, you can find all my Christmas posts here:
👉 Christmas 2025
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There’s everything from slow-living rituals to cosy family nights, seasonal drinks, movies, baking, traditions, and more.
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✨ A Quick Note on the Podcast
You won’t see a new podcast episode this Sunday.
I want to give each episode the space, thought, and heart it deserves, and this week simply didn’t allow for that — and that’s okay.
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But there will be two more episodes of Seasonal Notes before Christmas.
One early next week, and one the following weekend.
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Then I’ll take a short winter break, returning mid-January to carry us through the rest of winter and into spring.
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✨ Looking Ahead to 2026
One small change:
From January onwards, the newsletter will arrive every second Friday instead of weekly.
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This gives me the breathing room to bring you richer, more thoughtful notes without rushing — and to keep building the blog, the podcast, and my little candle business at a pace that feels good and sustainable.
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I think it will be a really positive shift for all of us.
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✨ A Very Merry Christmas
Before I go, I want to say something I’ve been feeling so strongly these past few weeks:
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When I started rebuilding this blog and community just over a year ago, I could never have imagined where we’d be now, a wonderful community on Instagram, a growing candle shop, a podcast, and thousands of small, steady moments of connection with you.
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Your kindness, encouragement, messages, comments, orders, shares, and quiet support have meant more to me than I can ever say.
You have been a bright part of my year.
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From our little house in the country to yours…
I’m wishing you the warmest, cosiest, most meaningful Christmas.
May it be full of small joys, gentle moments, and the kind of memories that stay with you long after the decorations come down.
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Merry Christmas, my friends.
Ciara xx
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What Are You Filling Your Life With?
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What are we filling our lives with? A reflection on attention, ordinary goodness and learning to notice what deserves more room in the lives we're already living.
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A Slower Life, Right in the Middle of a Full One
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Slow living doesn't necessarily mean having a slow life. An autumn reflection on intentional living, seasonal rhythms, full family days and learning to notice the life that's already happening around us.
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Slow October: 31 Simple Ways to Cosy Up Your Days This October
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Welcome to Slow October — 31 gentle invitations to notice the season, find little moments of comfort and connection, and enjoy the heart of autumn. Download the free illustrated and large-text October calendars plus the October Journaling Reflections page.
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When the Days Feel Like Themselves Again
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There’s something lovely about summer days losing their edges. But as autumn returns, I’m rediscovering the quiet comfort of the week finding its shape again — Friday feeling like Friday, Sunday feeling like Sunday, and ordinary life settling back into its familiar rhythm.
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Not Everything Ripens at the Same Time
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On a soft, drizzly September morning, the apples, pears and blackberries offered a quiet reminder: not everything ripens at the same time. A seasonal reflection on change, readiness and learning to let life unfold in its own time.
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Embrace the calm side of Christmas with 12 simple self-care rituals designed to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what matters. From morning gratitude rituals and mindful winter walks to candlelit baths and early nights, this post celebrates a slower, gentler December filled with warmth, balance, and peace.
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Bring joy and laughter to your home this holiday season with 20 festive family night ideas. From cozy Christmas movie marathons and baking together to themed dinners, creative games, and gratitude rituals, these simple, inexpensive activities help families reconnect and celebrate the true spirit of the season — warmth, fun, and togetherness.
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Make December 24th truly special with these 10 Christmas Eve traditions. This list is full of simple, meaningful ways to bring calm, connection, and festive joy to your home — from baking and candlelight dinners to reflective gratitude rituals and family games. Slow down, savor the magic, and create memories that last.
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Whisk up some holiday cheer with 15 Christmas baking ideas — a mix of cookies, cakes, and festive treats perfect for family days, gift boxes, and cozy winter weekends. This collection includes classic gingerbread, spiced fruit cakes, chocolate-dipped biscuits, and other easy bakes that fill your home with warmth and joy.
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Turn off the screens and turn up the joy with 20 screen-free Christmas evening ideas for the whole family. From baking together to candlelit dinners, festive crafts, and heart-to-heart chats by the fire, these simple ideas help you reconnect and savor the season without digital distractions.
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Looking for meaningful ways to connect this Christmas? Here are 25 cozy and creative activities that bring families and teens together—from movie nights to handmade gifts. Simple, slow, and full of heart.
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Get inspired with 25 festive Christmas drinks to suit every taste — from warming mulled wine and creamy eggnog to sparkling mocktails and spiced hot chocolate. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet night by the fire, this list has a delicious drink for every moment of the season.
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Not every gift needs a price tag. These 15 meaningful, zero-cost gift ideas are heartfelt, homemade, and perfect for a slow, cozy Christmas season.
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Looking for the perfect Christmas movie to enjoy with your teens? Here's a handpicked list of 12 festive favourites—from classics to action to cozy feel-good films—plus where to stream them in Ireland, the UK, and the US.
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Looking for a slower, cozier way to enjoy Christmas? Here are 20 simple hygge-inspired rituals to bring warmth, calm, and meaning to your festive season—candles, quiet moments, and all the little joys.
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Craving a calmer festive season? Here's how to have a slow and simple Christmas—filled with meaningful moments, cozy traditions, and space to truly savour the season. A beautiful, grounded take on the holidays.
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