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

How the brunch stole Christmas! • GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD FOOD: A RELAXED FESTIVE BRUNCH BRINGS TOGETHER SOME OF THE BEST BITS OF THE SEASON IN A SIMPLE, SOCIABLE SPREAD

Things to want and wish for • Homeware, books and treats from some of our favourite small businesses and makers, featured through the year

Markets, events and fairs

Bookshop browse

PLEA SURE IN STORE • Places to Shop: Independent Lifestyle Stores Across the UK

FIRESIDE STORIES • Nature Tales For Winter Nights edited by Nancy Campbell

WITNESS TWO TINY SNOWFLAKES BECOME ONE • You might already be familiar with a six-sided snow flake, but there are actually an infinite number of different types!

My day in cups of tea • Slice the fruit cake and get the kettle on, we head to Lewes to find out how lantern artist Michelle Dufaur spends her December days in cuppas

December Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Not just for Christmas • AMID THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE, SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THOSE WHOSE SEASONAL JOBS RAMP THINGS UP ANOTHER NOTCH OR TWO. MEET THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO MAKE OUR CELEBRATIONS SPARKLE

Contented winter • It can be easy to think of this as a time when little happens in nature but by tuning into the month's micro-seasons we can enjoy a quieter, calmer side of December

Veg Patch Pantry • GROWING YOUR OWN, GETTING OUTSIDE AND COOKING UP KITCHEN-TABLE DISHES, KATHY SLACK SHARES HOW TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOURS FROM HER GARDEN PLOT

Seeking serenity

MY CITY * INNSBRUCK • LEA HAJNER WELCOMES US TO A CITY AMONG THE ALPS WHERE URBAN LIFE BLENDS WITH THE LOCALS' DEEP LOVE FOR THE MOUNTAINS

COULD-DO INNSBRUCK • Lea's favourite places in the city

Sugar and spice. • … AND ALL THINGS NICE. SWEET TREATS INFUSED WITH GINGER ARE AS FUN TO MAKE AS THEY ARE DELICIOUS TO EAT AND DRINK

ANNUALS FOR THE AGES

A simpel thing…

FINDING THE FAIRYTALE FOR FREE(ISH) • FESTIVE OUTINGS DON'T NEED TO BE PRICEY TO BE MEMORABLE. WITH A LITTLE IMPROVISATION, YOU CAN CONJURE ENCHANTMENT IN EVEN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACES

MODERN ECCENTRICS • The swing dancers

WHAT I TREASURE • The snow globe

PASS THE PAPER • SNIP, STICK, PAINT, FOLD – TRANSFORM LEFTOVER WRAPPING PAPER INTO PRETTY DECORATIONS

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words from poet Brian Bilston

MID-CENTURY MADE • RUDOLPH, FAIRY LIGHTS, CHRISTMAS TELLY AND TINSEL IN YOUR HAIR – WE'VE THE MID-CENTURY PERIOD TO THANK FOR MANY OF TODAY'S TRADITIONS

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE • Bringing nature indoors: it's what every home needs

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME • FESTIVE BAKING, HOMEMADE DECORATIONS AND SLEDGING – TIMELESS WINTER TRADITIONS LIVE ON IN THIS FINNISH WOODEN HOUSE FULL OF THE WARMTH OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

WRAPPER'S DELIGHT • MAKE THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTS GO EVEN FURTHER BY CREATING YOUR OWN PERSONALISED WRAPPING CLOTHS AND PAPERS

THAT'S A WRAP! • Three furoshiki techniques to try

My place • THE CORNERS OF OUR HOMES THAT MEAN THE MOST. THIS MONTH: LIGHTS THAT TWINKLE

THE MONTH IN MINIATURE • We challenged you to write your (very) short stories inspired by...