Nothing spells love better than T-I-M-E. Day four of Nature’s Gifts brings you into connection by letting your hands create with nature. (Not to mention you might have some special home-made gifts to give away with love at the end).

If you look carefully at the interior design of our suites at Londolozi, to the elegant layout of our Camp Decks – you’ll find that there is a touch of minimalism to our approach. Luxury and grandeur to us, can be found through the natural elements which we try and weave seamlessly into our living spaces. Whether it be the grass rug beneath your feet, the simple addition of a few stems of greenery pedestalled by an elegant glass vase, or the kudu horn shaped side lamp which brings height and natural pattern into the suite – we find that the secret to elegance can be found in nature.

Nature inspired decor takes away uniformity, adds texture and variability, and subconsciously soothes us – so why not bring it to your Festive Season table or trees?

As the world moves away from single-use items and unnecessary products, there couldn’t be a better time to move towards nature-inspired and home-made décor. Not only will natural decor bring with it a ‘chic’ element, it will also transform your Festive Season spread into one that is unique, and carrying an African spirit. Last year you might remember that we shared with you our home-made African Christmas Tree decorations. Using the exquisite combretum pods with a touch of gold, we managed to create a visually interesting, natural, neutral and chic decoration.

This holiday season, we’d like to inspire you to bring nature into your home and here’s how:

Your Tree

Over the years the way to display a Christmas Tree in your home as evolved and we no longer need to stick with the traditional ‘pine/fir’ type tree. Instead of purchasing a big tree and having to keep it in water, cleaning up the leaves which shed, and trying to hide the bare parts of the tree – why not go for something simpler and minimalist. When you drive around Londolozi you’ll see many beautiful, interesting branches which have fallen off trees and dried out in the sun.

These seemingly useless natural ornaments make for exquisite ‘Christmas Trees’.

They are all so different and so one needs to inspect each one and look for colours which you enjoy and patterns that you find aesthetic. An important thing to remember here is to find a branch that is the height you are looking for and one which has many twigs or side branches – this way you’ll have lots of places to hang decorations and lights. Simply prop your interesting branch into a basket or pot and steady it by putting stones or rocks into the base and then string some lights around it and hang on it some of your favourite decorations – and voila, you’ve got yourself a minimalistic Christmas Tree!

Natural Decorations

Little do you realise that you are surrounded by natural decorations. On your walk through the park, a hike, or a stroll on the beach – you are bound to pass exquisite natural treasures which could add to your Festive Season decor. We are spoilt at Londolozi with intricate combretum pods, striking porcupine quills, a diversity of flowering grasses, seed pods and much more. Drying these natural elements out, adding a little gold to them and finally adding a looped piece of twine and securing it with super glue – is all it takes to make your own nature-inspired tree decorations. These decorations can’t be purchased in bulk from a store, are not uniform and might not be perfect – but what they do have is character, they are ‘limited edition’ pieces and bring the beauty of the natural world into your home. More copy to add once we make decorations. 

Wrapping

Believe it or not – there is no need to purchase wrapping paper to wrap your gifts this Festive Season. Not only is it ‘trendy’ to move away from wrapping paper – it is also an important and conscious change we need to make as people living in the 21st century. Luckily for you, there are many alternatives that can make your gifts stand out and that can even ensure each element of the gift is useful.

1.Fabric. Why not add a scarf, a tea towel, a napkin or handkerchief to your gift by using them as the wrapping paper. There are many beautiful ways to tie the fabric – like creating a furoshiki-style knot and slipping in a piece of greenery.

 

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2. Jars, Tins, Pouches, Baskets, Boxes & Flower Pots

These are all sustainable ways to hide your gift and can be kept and used by the recipient – not to mention these can make your gifts look minimalist and chic. Add a ribbon and a touch of greenery – and you’ll have yourself a unique and beautiful gift to place beneath the tree.

3. Old Maps and Newspapers

Add a vintage look to your gift by pulling out your old National Geographic magazines and newspapers which are out of date and not used anymore. Or ask your local store for any old, unsold newspapers and use these to wrap your presents. Add a red ribbon for a pop of colour.

4. Use Your Children’s Artwork

There is only so much wall space for your children’s outstanding artwork – why not use some to wrap a small gift to someone? This will be the most sentimental wrapping paper you will ever have – and your kids will be very proud.

5. Reusable Produce / Shopping Bags

With the world refusing to use plastic bags – there have been many beautiful reusable bags made by local businesses. This could also work as the perfect wrapping for your gift. Find one with the colours you are looking for and tie it closed with twine.

Your Door Wreath

If you are like me, a door wreath looks very intimidating to create! But it doesn’t need to be. Less is more when it comes to wreaths, so head out into your garden and find some beautiful greenery and get crafty. Some of our favourite indigenous greenery found at Londolozi is Wild Olive (olea africana), Silver Cluster Leaf (terminalia sericea) and Wild Date Palm (phoenix reclinata) – these look striking just on their own. As per tradition these are usually put on your front door – but why not try one above your fire place or hanging in your kitchen? We had such fun creating a wreath by wrapping flowering jasmine around some wire and simply adding stalks of combretum pods…

However you decide to wrap your gifts for your loved ones - there is still another way to add a little piece of nature to Christmas Day. We've created some printable gift tags highlighting the beautiful gifts from nature that pass us by - which are so often not noticed. Print out the tags onto card board paper (make sure to print double sided to ensure they have a back to them), cut them out, and finally punch out a whole to thread through a ribbon or some twine. We hope this tags add a striking element to your gifts. Download these tags here.

Just because you don’t live in Africa and have different natural resources – doesn’t mean you can’t create something beautiful and unique. Look out for interesting seeds and pods on your next walk, pick up little things you might find on the beach and look around your garden for some greenery.

Here are some Natural Treasures you may find in your country:

• Sea Shells
• Drift wood
• Pine cones
• Snail shells
• Feathers
• Holly

Wishing you a wonderful Festive Season – make sure to keep an eye out for Nature’s Gifts to you…

Onto Day 6…