- Words by Devon Paige Smith Photography by Don Denton

On a beautiful fall day in her small Oak Bay shop, owner Deborah Baker puts the final tweaks on a holiday wreath sheB次元官网网址檚 creating by hand.

Like Deb and many small business owners all over Canada, the supply chain and climate change are top of mind this holiday season. With this past summerB次元官网网址檚 drought impacting the availability and prices of things like fresh flowers and Christmas trees, and worldwide supply chain and shipping issues delaying or cancelling delivery of holiday inventory, Deb predicts more and more people will be greening up their holidays this year.

B次元官网网址淚n our shop this season, we decided weB次元官网网址檇 focus on showing people how they can care for the earth by using natural materials, handmade items and by repurposing what they have,B次元官网网址� Deb explains, as she tenderly arranges her wreath in the front window of the shop. B次元官网网址淣ot only is it always a good time to look at how what we consume negatively impacts our world, but with what weB次元官网网址檝e faced in the last year with climate change being front and centre in BC, this is a perfect time for all of us to revisit how we can lessen our impact on the environment.B次元官网网址�

Five Fields is already centred around handmade, natural products and repurposing furniture by painting it. Many of the other items it stocks are multi-functional, like candles with reusable vessels and drawstring bags.

B次元官网网址淥ur motto really is B次元官网网址榢now where it comes from or make it yourselfB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址擨 never want to stock and sell something and then find out it wasnB次元官网网址檛 ethically made or produced with the environment in mind. We always know where everything in the shop comes from, who makes it, what conditions those people are working in, etcetera. ThatB次元官网网址檚 important to us.B次元官网网址�

With that in mind, Deb shared some of her best tips for a greener, handmade holiday season:

All about nature

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so easy to bring in nature to your centrepieces,B次元官网网址� Deb says. B次元官网网址淵ou can either purchase a few fresh flowers or some greenery, or take a walk around your yard and see what kind of clippings you can take or windfall you can pick up to add a little pop of colour to your centrepieces. For example, dried hydrangeas are beautifulB次元官网网址攖hese can be cut even after theyB次元官网网址檝e dried on the bush and they can still look amazing for months on end. This is a great way to use what you have.B次元官网网址�

For those with a greener thumb, Deb recommends a longer lasting option.

B次元官网网址淧aperwhites and amaryllis are also fantastic options for people who want to have something last through the holidays and beyond,B次元官网网址� she explains.

DIY Christmas

B次元官网网址淢ake it your own!B次元官网网址� Deb emphasizes. B次元官网网址淪tencils and stamps are the perfect way to customize things for the holidays. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 an Advent calendar made from small muslin bags stamped with the days of the month, or itB次元官网网址檚 painterB次元官网网址檚 cloth stencilled with beautiful patterns to be used as table runners, place mats, or even gift wrap, there are many ways to create your own and put your own spin on something youB次元官网网址檇 traditionally buy.B次元官网网址�

If you need a little inspiration, Deb and her small team at Five Fields also offer classes on holiday DIY and gift creation, like wreath-making and refinishing and painting furniture.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 really nothing better than a handmade gift,B次元官网网址� she says, smiling.

Handmade doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to be rustic

Again, Deb encourages, use what you have. B次元官网网址淛ust because you might be focusing on a more natural, handmade look with a lot of linen, wood, whites and creams, that doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean you canB次元官网网址檛 add a little glamour, a little pop of sparkle in there from some existing d茅cor you have, or a thrifted piece of d茅cor,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淚 personally love thrift shopping for vintage and traditional Christmas ornaments and reviving them by painting them or adding a little bit of fabric ribbonB次元官网网址攃otton, velvet, even twine for a natural look.B次元官网网址�

Refresh and reuse those forgotten linens

When light coloured table linens get stained, especially with something tricky like red wine, lipstick or tea, people typically give up and either toss their linens or bury them in the back of their linen closets, Deb says.

B次元官网网址淎 great way to give those sad, stained napkins, table cloths, place mats and runners a new lease on life is by simply dyeing them,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淧ick a colour that goes with your theme and get to it. You can also use this idea and pair it with stamping and stencilling fabric as wellB次元官网网址攃reate fabric gift wraps from old, unused linens.B次元官网网址�

Deb adds that a simple solution to nixing toxic dyes and bleaches is to simply use a mixture of Annie Sloan chalk paint and water to dye your fabric.

Tree trimmings

Some people enjoy having the same look on their tree every year, while others prefer to change it up. If youB次元官网网址檙e the latter, instead of buying all new ornaments, garland and tinsel year after year, Deb encourages you to try some natural looks instead.

B次元官网网址淪lices of wood with holes drilled in the tops make for great blanks for people who want to get creative and paint their own ornaments. Even something as simple as cotton or velvet ribbon tied on the boughs of the treeB次元官网网址攜ou can repurpose that later in the year for wrapping gifts or decorating for other holidays like ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day. Bundled dried flowers are also an easy way to elevate the look of your tree, and air-dried clay is also an easy way to get kids involved in creating ornaments for the treeB次元官网网址攊tB次元官网网址檚 nontoxic and kids love to see things they made being displayed.B次元官网网址�

And most importantly?

B次元官网网址淚 always stress to peopleB次元官网网址攄onB次元官网网址檛 overthink it. Design and d茅cor should be fun. Let your imagination run wild and do what makes you happy!B次元官网网址�