The Simple Things

The Simple Things is a beautiful, useful, quirky and fun magazine about taking time to live well. We cover mindfulness and microadventures, eating and growing, forgotten wisdom, home life and slow moments. It's for people who love their lives but want to take the pressure off and remember what’s really important. We like tea & cake, learning stuff, being outside and the satisfaction of a job well done. Do you?

A could-do list December

Editorial

Kitchen therapy TAKING A moment • SPENDING TIME AT HOME COOKING AND BAKING CAN BE A FORM OF SELF-CARE. LOTTIE STOREY INVITES US OVER TO FEED BOTH BODY AND SOUL

As sure as eggnog is eggnog • FOR MANY BRITISH PALATES, DRINKING EGGNOG IS A HOLIDAY TRADITION TOO FAR. AMERICAN, SUSAN L SCHWARTZ, IMPLORES US TO TRY IT – IT’S ONE OF OUR OWN INVENTIONS, AFTER ALL

My day in cups of tea • We pop into the home of artist Brie Harrison to find out about how she spends her days in cuppas and the pleasure of a bit of blue-sky walking

LIGHT THE WAY • SAVOUR THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS WITH AN EASY TO MAKE ADVENT CANDLE TO ENJOY EVERY DAY

Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

MY CITY PRAGUE • CHRISTMAS MARKETS, CANDLE LANTERNS AND COOKIES GALORE ANNOUNCE DECEMBER IN THE CZECH CAPITAL. DANA HORALÍKOVÁ GUIDES US AROUND HER CITY’S SNOWY STREETS

COULD-DO PRAGUE • Dana’s favourite places in the city

Boxing Day buffet • FESTIVE FARE, FUN AND GAMES ARE JUST THE JOB ON A FAMILY DAY WHERE ANYTHING GOES

Keeping up traditions • SOME YULETIDE RITUALS BECOME ‘WHAT WE DO AT CHRISTMAS’ WHILE OTHERS FADE AWAY OVER TIME. WE MEET THE PEOPLE WORKING HARD TO PRESERVE MUCH-LOVED CUSTOMS

A winter's tale • WHETHER A GIFT FOR ANOTHER OR FOR YOURSELF, A WELL-CHOSEN BOOK CAN BRING MOMENTS OF COMFORT, CALM AND CHEER OVER THE COMING WEEKS

The box of delights • THEY SAY GIVING IS BETTER THAN RECEIVING AND, WHEN FACED WITH A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS, ABBIE MILLER AND HER SISTERS DECIDED TO CREATE SOME NEW FAMILY TRADITIONS

Follow the stars • MARK MIDWINTER BY HANGING TWINKLY LIGHTS AND TAKING CANDLES INTO THE GARDEN, THEN WRAP UP WARM FOR TIPPLES AND NIBBLES UNDER THE NIGHT SKY

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Give this comforting hot drink a midwinter vibe by adding pine needles .

A simple thing…

Calendars of promise • WHETHER PRACTICAL, CREATIVE, CALM OR QUIET, HERE ARE SOME NOVEL WAYS TO MARK THE 24 DAYS OF ADVENT

MODERN EↃCENTRICS Solstice revellers

♥ Things to want and wish for • A good shopkeeper can help fill your stockings this festive season. Here’s our pick of those supporting indie designers and makers…

Pressing pause • BY THE END OF THE YEAR WE ALL NEED A BREAK. WHETHER IT’S A FEW MINUTES TO YOURSELF OR A DAY AWAY, GIVING YOURSELF TIME TO DO THE THINGS YOU ENJOY THIS MONTH WILL HELP PREVENT OVERWHELM, SAYS REBECCA FRANK

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love SEQUINS

QUALITY STREETS • THE WAY WE SHOP HAS SHAPED OUR VILLAGES, TOWNS AND CITIES, PERHAPS NEVER MORE SO THAN AT CHRISTMAS. GATHER YOUR BAGS FOR A JOURNEY DOWN THE HISTORIC HIGH STREET

COMFORT AND JOY • A NEW HOME IN STROUD MARKED THE BEGINNING OF FRESH TRADITIONS, A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE AND A WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR CARMEL KING AND HER FAMILY

MY PLOT All the trimmings • GROWING YOUR VEG FOR THE BIG DAY DINNER IS A PLEASURE, SAYS ADE SELLARS – FROM THE SATISFACTION OF A HARVEST ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, TO SERVING IT UP WITH PRIDE

Grow your next Christmas dinner • Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, free of weeds and large stones. Add organic matter, (compost or leaf mulch) work it in, and rake to a fine tilth.

MATERIAL WHIRL • REUSE FABRIC REMNANTS TO MAKE DECORATIONS YOU CAN...