Pohutukawa - the New Zealand Christmas Tree...

Todays post is all about the pohutukawa.

I thought I would share these photos I took yesterday, 

then you can see what my Christmas season looks like.

My snow is red!

Created by the beautiful pohutukawa needles that cover the ground under the trees.

It is summer here, so the photos look a bit hazy as the heat and humidity were extreme causing a visual haze.

The Pohutukawa is a native tree that is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

That's because it is flowering during the Christmas holiday season from November to January.

Legend says if it flowers early it will be a long hot summer.

  The flowers are bright, bright red...

Very Christmasy don't you think?

 The stunning flowers cover the tree.

 The trees can grow in the most precarious positions as they have an epiphyte tendency.

You can see this here as there are many on this rocky hillside,

which are just beginning to bloom.

 Where I live on the coast of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, 

in the North Island of New Zealand, there are thousands (or more) of these beautiful trees, which are from the Myrtle family.

Putting on an awesome summer display, much to the delight of all who enjoy their vibrant display, creating a food source for the nectar-eating birds.

 It is thought these trees can live up to 1000 years, and can grow up to 25 metres in height!

 Pohutukawa  - 

The New Zealand Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas friends.

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Glitter branches for last minute Christmas decorating...

One can never have enough bling!

And the shelf in the lounge was desperately plain.

But at the last minute, and in the midst of Christmas madness, what can one put together DIY style, in the jingle of a bell?

Glitter branches of course!

Simply spray adhesive glue onto a branch 
sprinkle with glitter in the colour, or colours of your choice.

Put aside to dry.

 Once they are dry to touch place in your decor.

 I put mine in a small French Country pot
and tucked some Christmas themed fabric around the the base of the branch.

Viola!

An easy-to-do 'nature meets glitter' bling masterpiece.
And I LOVE it!

Especially when the sun shines through the window and makes it sparkle!

So does Ella...

Who has found a comfy napping spot amongst the burlap tree skirt!

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Cinnamon stick & berry jar candle...

You can never have too many candles...

so lets create a cinnamon stick jar candle.

 I can hear you say - this ones been done a million times...

But I think mines just a bit special 

with a cute plaited jute bow tie,

and accent berries.

 Plus the cinnamon sticks have been spaced 

so you can see the candle in the jar

All you need to create this is a small jar,

a small candle,

Cinnamon sticks

jute string

and some artificial berries.

 I used a dab of hot glue to hold the cinnamon sticks in place,

and plaited three strands of the jute string.

Twirl the jute string around the jar twice, and tie a bow.

Then I added the berries,

 which were already pre-wired.

Now it is ready to light!

Let me show you the book table while we wait 

for that delicious aroma to start as the jar warms up from the candles flame...

This year I'm using a lovely French style coffee table, 

 to display some very special Christmas books.

It sits beside the red Christmas tree...

You can find out how to make the simple burlap bows HERE.

Can you smell the cinnamon now?
The cinnamon stick and berry jar candle is gorgeously Christmas.

It's pretty cute to look at, and fabulously rustic too.

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