✨A COZY CHRISTMAS (minus the stress & clutter!) | affordable holiday decor christmas gift ideas 2024

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Repeat after me: I DO NOT NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES IN ORDER TO HAVE A COZY, JOYFUL HOLIDAY. Today I'm sharing with you some cleaning and decorating for Christmas and Thanksgiving as we work together to spruce up our homes and say no to the pressures of society to have things look new, pinterest-worthy, and "perfect." Give me all the nostalgia (and financial freedom) or re-using

How I make my beeswax candles:
(affiliate links)
Supplies:
Heat- resistant Jars: thrifted, repurposed, recycled jars I have on hand!

Instructions:
On low to med-low heat 1/2 lb of beeswax pellets in a saucepan or double boiler, being careful not to overheat the wax. You’ll want to pull the pot off the head as soon as the last tidbit gets melted.

Dip the bottom of your wicks into the melted wax pot and push securely onto the bottom of your candle jar. I use a chopstick to add the pressure while I wait for the wax to set. Once set, gently twist the end of the wick around a horizontal chopstick or skewer and rest it on the top of the jar to keep wick in place for the rest of the pour.

Pour the rest of the candle. Adjust the position of the wick to ensure it is centered as the wax cools and sets. (Slightly un-centered wicks are actually not that big of a deal so don’t sweat a couple millimeters!)

Once the wax is fully set (I usually wait 12-24 hours after pouring) you can trim the wick to 1/4 inch above the top of the wax. Light, keep attended and enjoy!

Trouble shooting:

Wax cracks after cooling:
-Ensure you’re using 100% pure beeswax (not mixed with soy) for an even set.
-Don’t pour wax that is too hot (cool it to just-before setting temp)
-Don’t pour wax into containers that are too cool (the cold jar will “shock” the hot wax and it will contract too quickly

Wick “tunnels” into the wax too quickly:
-Again, 100% pure beeswax will give you the most even burn especially when paired with un-waxed 100% cotton wicks. These burn at a cooperative rate while consuming the beeswax as the fuel.

Jar breaks while pouring or burning the candle:
-Be sure to pick a jar that can take the heat! I recommend using old candle jars (almost guaranteed to hold up) or canning jars (these are made to be heated high enough for canning purposes.)

Candle is smoking:
-Your wax is a blend and not 100% pure beeswax (may contain fragrance to make it “smell” like beeswax, but beeswax shouldn’t ever smoke when burning with a cotton wick.)
-Your wick is made with synthetic fibers and you’re basically burning micro plastics.

Christmas clean and decorate with me | Christmas decor ideas | easy Christmas decorations | Christmas decor inspiration | affordable Christmas decorations | Christmas DIY | minimalist Christmas

Hey! My name is Natalie and I love sharing about my life as a mom and homemaker/homesteader. Around here we embrace the coziness in the chaos and the magic in the mundane. I believe simple joys and a home filled with love (not STUFF) are more important than "keeping up with the Joneses." I'm glad you stopped by! I hope you find some encouragement and gentle motivation and a cozy corner of the internet that's full of peace.

🎄♥️GIVEAWAY!!!!🎄♥️
Giveaway is now CLOSED!
WINNER: @karacarson8326

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[karacarson]

Chicken pot pie pasta!!!

I have been watching you since I was a teenager and you had the boys. I am now 21 and pregnant with my 2nd baby. I tell my husband all the time how you have impacted us! Thank you!

[cherylmccauley]

Can’t believe there are people out there that don’t like fairy lights! 😮
Love the decor! So cozy ❤

[tenntea]

Who doesn't like fairy lights?! They're classic and make everything so cozy!

[adriennehart]

I was kind of starting to want to overhaul my Christmas decor after spending some time on Pinterest 😅 and then I thought of you and how your kids love seeing the same decor every year and I changed my mind. I really do love it. I realized I can love someone else’s decor but also love mine. And the fact that mine has a nostalgic feel is what makes it so special to me.

Chicken pot pie pasta

[-God-Is]

Our mosque catered thanksgiving today for one of our local kitchens for the less fortunate. It was incredible how quickly the food and warm clothes were gone. It puts into perspective just how many people are struggling- and how fortunate we are to have holiday decor/a house to decorate/etc. thank you Natalie for giving us this important reminder each year ❤️

[claudia_christianmommy]

Chicken pot pie pasta!
I’m a stay at home mom who homeschools my 3 little ones from 1st, kindergarten and a toddler 2. I am a first generation Christian who gets so much encouragement from your videos. You remind me each video that being a mom is such a gift of the Lord, and stewarding the home in a godly way is so tangible in our current world.

[simmiedavissimmiesings]

I don't always post here, but I want to thank you for sharing about your physical conditions. You helped me become aware how my skin sensitivities are triggered by clothing material, even tags in clothes. Im so much happier since I have decluttered my wardrobe. Happy holidays to you all. I just relocated, so seeing you here is home this year for me. God bless you all!❤

[debbiepalmer]

I love fairy lights too, they give a different feel to other lights. Definitely a key part of my Christmas décor.

[ChristinaRae-Ann]

✨✨✨
I love all of your videos but there’s something special about your holiday ones. They just make me happy 😊
The giveaway answer is the chicken pot pie pasta factor box.
I love a good pot pie so that sounds so good 😋
Happy holidays Bennett Family!

[cardinal]

Your channel is such a change of pace! So very relaxing, calming and uplifting! Thank you so much! I 🧡 how you handled the comment you had about the twinkle lights. It was a nice reminder. You seem so lovely!

[rondakrichards]

✨️ ✨️ thank you for all your posts and videos. You and your family and loved ones are on my prayer list. Such a privilege to pray for others, knowing the power of God ❤️‍🔥

[Coastalgirl]

I love fairy/twinkle lights!!! Whoever said that really needs some extra love for their inner child who is obviously barried sooo deep down!!! 💗 I've never heard of chicken pot pie pasta before! But if it's your favorite, it must be delicious!!!

[OMGitsaClaire]

I’m a fan of fairy lights and my therapist told me they’re actually really good in the winter for people with SAD because they add nice ambient light and just make people happy. So fairy lights are therapist approved!

Also, I needed a new Christmas tree star this year and hated all the ones I saw in stores, so I’m making one this year out of the cardboard from cereal boxes etc. some hot glue, and some gold paint. All of which I already own.

[taheera]

I love how calm your videos are, even with being so honest about the chaos that is happening all around! That Chicken Pot Pie Pasta sounds absolutely amazing and so cozy feeling, as do the other meals!

[mavelinnunez]

Love ur videos so calming n relaxing to watch. N I totally agree u do not need to keep up with the Joneses. U do what u love n what feels right for u n ur family. Keep those same traditions going ur kids will always cherish those memories n creating them. N the answer to ur question is: chicken pot pie pasta. 🙂😘

[IngridEstrada-jvmj]

Love your videos and the person you are! ❤ Chicken pot pie pasta is your absolute favorite Factor meal currently.😊

[ashleygrefer]

Your videos are so encouraging and calm! They are my favorite to watch as a homeschool Christian Mama!

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

[jenniferraber]

Chicken pot pie pasta❤
I would also love to hear what you are giving Weston for Christmas or maybe ideas for guys in general.

[BeccaCatherman]

Chicken potpie pasta. Love your simplistic nostalgic approach to the holidays. Makes me very excited to start traditions with my fiance!

[laurenbarton]

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta!! Sounds delicious! I’m pretty sure that would be my favorite too! Thanks for always giving encouragement to do what we have time and energy to do. As a full time work and full time homeschool mom it’s the encouragement I need to do the best I can! ❤ From our family to yours Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁🍽