It’s time to gather + celebrate

The countdown to the festive season has begun — a time to connect, celebrate and restore calm after a busy year. As we welcome this joyous and refreshing time of year, join us in counting down with the below festive-inspired elements of matter, with a wild twist. The idea is to gather with your nearest + dearest each week and enjoy creating + making to get into the festive spirit.

Week One | Earth Element | Wild Foraging Wreath

This one’s fun for the whole family. Head out to gather + forage dried grass, branches or leaves to create a festive wreath to be hung in your home.

Materials: 

• Two copper wreath frames in the size of your choice (the bigger your frame, the more dried grass you’ll need)
• Craft / fine florist’s wire / any bendable wire
• Different types of dried grasses, branches, twigs + leaves – the more, the merrier
• Scissors for trimming your branches

Method:

Use the craft / florist wire to join the two copper frames together by wrapping the wire around them in 4 places. In order to make the frame stronger, try to get the copper joining pieces evenly spaced out around the rings.

Arrange your foraged material into bunches of about 20 stems and wrap each bunch in the middle twice with florist wire, with the free ends on either side. Trim the stems to about 2 cm below the wire.

Use the free ends of wire to attach the bunches to the copper frame. As you go, make sure to overlap the bunches to cover the stem of the previous bunch.

Keep going round the frame, overlapping the bunches, ensuring you create a curve with your bunches. When you come back to the beginning, carefully tuck the last bunches under the first ones. Take your time and just move the first bunches slightly to one side so that you can slot the last ones in, then carefully move them back. The aim is to make the join invisible.

Now it’s time to hang your wreath. Make a small hoop out of florist wire and attach it to the top of the copper frame at the back of the wreath. Use a drawing pin to pin it to the wall, or simply hang it from a hook. 

Week Two | Water Element | Wild Passionfruit, Sparkling Water + Rum

Taste the flavours of Miavana with our Tropical Mojito recipe. A wonderfully refreshing drink made using sparkling water as the mixer, you’ll be transported to paradise. For a non-alcoholic version, simply skip the rum.

Ingredients (makes a pitcher):

• 4 limes, quartered
• 50-60 mint leaves
• 1 1/2 cups passion fruit syrup
• 2 1/4 cups rum
• 1 1/2 cups club soda / sparkling water

Steps: 

Add the lime and mint leaves to a 32-ounce pitcher.
Use a muddler to smash the lime and bruise the mint leaves.
Add the passion fruit syrup and rum. Stir to combine and refrigerate until very cold.

To serve: Add ice to individual glasses and top with 4 ounces of chilled Passion Fruit Mojito mixture and top individual servings with 1 1/2 ounces of club soda / sparkling water. Garnish with a lime wedge, additional passion fruit pulp and mint leaves. Serve, sip + enjoy.

Week Three | Fire Element | Wild African-Sunrise Doughnut

Doughnuts made over the fire? We simply can’t think of anything better. Whether you’re home or away for the festive season, snack on these African doughnuts that only take 5 ingredients to make. Guests who visited our properties in Zambia this year may recall enjoying these at breakfast and tea time.

What you need:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 + 1/3 water
• Oil
• Pan + Fire

Method:

Mix all dry ingredients together until well-mixed.
Slowly add the water until your dough is smooth. Add more water or flour as needed to ensure the correct texture.
Cut dough into equal pieces.
Fill a pan with enough oil that will be used to deep fry the cut dough and heat over the fire.
When the oil is hot, place the dough pieces into the oil and cook until brown on all sides.

Week Four | Air Element | Wild Restorative Breathing

Small changes often make the biggest difference. Take time to slow down during the holidays with this 5-5-5 breathing tool, which has proven to assist in restoring calm during stressful situations.

• Inhale very slowly through your nose for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5.
• Exhale very slowly through your nose or mouth for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5.
• Wait for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5.
• Repeat the process three more times (1 minute total).
• Notice the calmness settle in.
  
  As you head into 2023, keep this one in your back pocket to practice on a daily basis – all you need is 1 minute + a quiet space.
  

FOLLOW THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Experience this season to connect with us

travel@timeandtideafrica.com

or contact your current Time + Tide travel designer