The holiday season seems to have flashed before my eyes, and somehow, we are almost at its end. Today, we celebrate Orthodox Christmas with my parents, so I am taking the first week of January, still a bit slower, trying to grab every glimpse of the holiday glow left in the air.
The end of the year often feels like reaching the finish line of a marathon. With winter luring us in with its shorter days, we arrive at December carrying the weight of the past year—exhausted and yearning for a respite. And yet, December has a way of bringing its chaos, with shopping lists, decorations, and packed schedules threatening to overshadow the simple joys of the season.
This year, I decided to take Christmas holidays slowly, and embrace every little moment this season brings along. With my toddler experiencing Christmas for the first time as an active little explorer (last year he was just a baby), I wanted to create a season steeped in warmth, simplicity, and magic—not just for him, but for our entire family and the friends who visit our countryside home.
A Season of Nostalgia and New Traditions
Christmas for me is a season steeped in nostalgia—a time to relive the warmth of childhood, the joy of cherished memories, and the flavours that bring loved ones back to our tables. Every year, I find myself returning to the recipes my mother and grandmother lovingly passed down, dishes that have become the heart of our holiday traditions.
There’s a comfort in the familiar smells and tastes of Christmas. For me, it’s my mother’s stuffed chicken, a centrepiece of our holiday table, and the desserts that I learned to make by watching my grandmother. These recipes are more than just food; they’re a connection to the past, a way to honour the women who shaped my love for cooking and celebrating.
At the same time, Christmas is also about making new traditions—especially with a toddler in the house. This year, we have created moments that will hopefully become lasting memories: crafting decorations by hand, baking cookies together, and foraging greenery from our property to adorn the house.
A Home that embraces Imperfection
There’s something comforting about imperfection. Especially in a countryside home, where every crack and creak tells a story, I find beauty in the unpolished and the organic. For Christmas, I leaned into this aesthetic, layering textures and warm colours to make the house feel cosy and inviting.
Nothing was too perfect or overly planned. The garlands draped unevenly; the bows tied in quick loops. But that’s what made it beautiful. It felt authentic, lived-in—much like the year we’ve all experienced, with its ups and downs.
We made paper stars and garlands, their delicate folds and organic shapes adding a whimsical charm to the space. The fireplace became the heart of our home, with hot cocoa in hand as we watched the flickering flames. Greenery from our land—evergreens, bay leaves, and olive branches—filled the house with an earthy aroma, adorning mantels, doorways, and tables.
To add warmth and a touch of colour, I turned to dried oranges, their jewel-like slices glowing in the soft winter light, and tied everything together with colourful bows. These simple, cost-effective decorations proved that Christmas doesn’t need to be expensive to be magical.
A handmade and embroidered stockings my mom gifted everyone last year. A beautiful heirloom and my favorite decoration.
A perfect family craft - paper snowflakes made from lace doilies, adding magical touch to your home.
Sugared, frosty fruit were my favourite homemade decoration of the season - brining those Martha Stewart 90s vibe that I love and will lean into even more when decorating. I have always admired her way of making home naturally beautiful and perfect, with all the secrets and tricks for elevated homemaking.
Holidays with Son De Flor
This holiday season, I embraced classic designs in my wardrobe too and during the holidays I wore a beautiful dress from Son de Flor - a perfect gift that came in the mail just in time for celebration. The dress I received from Son de Flor is stunning—a perfect reflection of their timeless aesthetic that I’ve always adored. It’s crafted from a luxuriously soft linen that drapes beautifully, skimming the body in a way that feels both elegant and effortless. The color is a muted, classic terracotta tone—a shade that belongs to every season and every moment.
Their beautifully crafted dresses evoke charm and quality that could be found in the pieces my mom and
grandmother used to wear, which makes it even more special and a must have in every wardrobe.
If you’re looking for a dreamy, timeless, and beautifully made linen dresses, I warmly invite you to explore the Son de Flor world.
A New Chapter in 2025
As I write this, I realise this will be the last post written on Hungry Apron. 2025 brings a lot of changes on the work spectrum, and our rebranding is one of them.
As we step into 2025, I’m excited to share that this will be a year of transformation and creative exploration for me. I’ll be diving even deeper into the creative waters, experimenting with new content ideas and formats that hopefully will bring fresh inspiration to you dear reader and all my beautiful community —more on that very soon!
In January, we’ll unveil a reimagined Hungry Apron. While food will always remain at the heart of what we do, the new focus will capture the essence of countryside living in all its beauty: homemade recipes that celebrate tradition, countryside interiors and renovation, gardening plans and much more.
Hungry Apron will become a true celebration of everything our countryside life gathers. I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
Here’s to a year of creativity, connection, and appreciating the simple pleasures that make life so rich. 
