When I discovered the concept of an occasions bin, I knew that I had to get involved. Founded by Shakira over at Occasions by Shakira, when I saw what she was putting together, I felt like I’d found a kindred spirit.
You see, I have always loved picking up seasonal goodies. Novelty cups, cute napkins, items to add to snacks that just make them a little bit more fun… but I never know what to do with them. They end up sitting in a drawer, gathering dust, unused.
Enter, the occasions bin!
Thanks to Shakira’s creativity, she’s come up with a way to make use of all those gorgeous seasonal goodies, over and over and over again.
But it’s not just about buying and using seasonal items for the sake of it. Having an occasions bin on display, with all of those items in reach, means you can add a little seasonal magic to every single day. Who doesn’t want to make a Tuesday morning a little more exciting with a novelty straw in their juice, or shaped sandwiches in their lunchbox? Who doesn’t want to try and find a bit of magic in the mundane?
Occasions bin help with intentional memory making
I have always loved making a big deal out of holidays. My best friend told me I “should have been American” because in the UK, people don’t seem to go for holidays in the same way I do! From Valentines to Christmas, Bonfire Night to Easter and anything in between, I love to celebrate it all.
And I’m always so sad when the holiday is over. So I choose to make them last longer. In my house, Valentine’s is no longer 14th February. We celebrate from the 1st of February, with the help of an occasions bin.
For up to a month before the holiday, we are using novelty plates and cups, having holiday themed snacks and receiving gift baskets. A lot of people think this is ‘extra’ or perhaps even unnecessary, but for me, it’s about making some intentional memories. Not to mention how much fun I have putting it all together, too!
We live in a world full of doom and gloom, now more than ever. Why not make every day a little more magic by making fun shaped sandwiches using a cookie cutter from my occasions bin? If it means Jett can look back on his childhood with some magical memories, then great! And it’s not just him – it adds some magic to my own memories too!
One of my favourite quotes is “they might not remember, but I’ll remember”, and this really applies with occasions bins. He may not remember it all now, but I’ll remember the heart shaped pancakes we made for Valentine’s, or packing him a love themed lunch for the childminders. It’s magic for him, but it’s magic for me too.
What do you put in an occasions bin?
Occasions bins can be filled with anything that will add a bit of seasonal magic to your every day! Some of the things you might include are:
- Shapes cookie cutters
- Plates
- Napkins
- Straws
- Cocktail sticks
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Snack pots
All you have to do is make sure the items in the occasions bin match the holiday!
Remember, you don’t have to just buy one-use items. A lot of the items in my occasions bin are reusable and will be used year in, year out – such as ceramic dipping pots, reusable straws and themed cooking utensils. We don’t want to create a load of waste, or buy tat that really won’t be used, so plan ahead and think about what really will be used and enjoyed.
Some of my favourite places to get seasonal items are Homesense, Hobbycraft, The Works, TK Maxx and Flying Tiger, not to mention all the small businesses I follow on social media too!
This shouldn’t add extra pressure to your life
Making and using an occasions bin should be fun. It should help with intentional memory making, it should put a smile on you and your family’s faces. If it’s becoming a source of pressure, or just ‘another thing to do’, then don’t do it! Making an occasions bin won’t be for everyone, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to do it just because some other parents are. If you’re not having fun, the joy and magic will be lost and the whole concept is ruined.
Remember, no pressure. No expectations. Do what you want to do! Make memories your way.
Will you add this tradition to your seasonal celebrations?
Whatever the reason for an occasions bin, you can have a lot of fun with it! I am so happy that Shakira founded this amazing tradition and shared it with us all, so we can all make some intentional holiday memories in our own homes. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out her blog for tonnes of other holiday traditions and creative ideas.
Will you be making an occasions bin? Let me know!
Love from,
Florence Grace
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