Did you know that it’s an old tradition in some European countries to give extra food for the animals and birds at Christmas? In fact, some say that it may even bring good luck / a good crop for the following year.1 After the struggles of 2020, we definitely need some Peace on Earth and good will for the coming year. In this post, we’ll discuss a few simple craft projects for the birds that you can enjoy this holiday season while staying in our travel nurse housing.
Fully furnished travel nurse housing solutions
Photo by fred tromp on Unsplash
After a long, exhausting work-week at the hospital, it’s nice to come back and destress in front of the television. Our travel nurse housing is fully equipped with all the amenities you need, including an HDTV, leather recliners and more. In addition, our Shreveport LA condos feature kitchen areas with pots & pans, silverware, stove etc as well as comfortable beds and a bathtub for soaking your tired feet.
Create some fun and relax in your home-away-from-home this Christmas
But let’s talk about another way you can infuse some fun into the coming holiday week. How about making a bird feeder or wreath for the birds? Here are some ways you can encourage feathered friends…
- Make some birdseed ornaments and give them to a friend. If you want to hang some from a tree near your condo, please check with Debi first to make sure it’s okay. You’ll need some cookie cutters and yarn. The ornaments are made from seed, flour, corn syrup and gelatin, with water added as well.
- What’s easier than using an orange rind for a bird feeder?! Simply cut an orange in half, juice or otherwise remove the fruit from the center and thread some twine in three different corners to make a hanger for the empty rind. Then, fill with some birdseed from a local Walmart or grocery store and hang! This tutorial has helpful images for more information.
- If you’re looking for a project that’s a little more substantial, how about making a popsicle stick bird feeder? This article features some pretty unique options, including one that looks like a porch swing!
- Another option for a fun craft for the birds is to make a “nesting wreath” for your front door. Essentially, this is a wreath made up of small, soft items that birds can pluck from your door and use when they make their nests. Take a look at this website for an idea and then create your own!
Of course, please also make sure to research the items you’re using to make sure they are safe for birds and won’t cause them any harm. Fishing line can be a problem for birds as well as Xylitol (found in some types of peanut butter).2
To learn about the types of birds found in Louisiana, look at this article on the BirdWatchersDigest.com site or on the Audubon Louisiana site.
Sources: (1) https://fronteraaudubon.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/traditions-of-feeding-the-birds-at-christmas-time/, https://wildbirdstore.com/2015/11/12/scandinavian-tradition-for-the-birds/#:~:text=A%20Holiday%20Act%20of%20Kindness%20Towards%20Birds&text=They%20believe%20that%20if%20you,has%20practical%20and%20symbolic%20origins., http://cybergramsworld.com/FeedtheBirds.html, https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/a-scandinavian-tradition-for-your-birds/, (2) https://www.audubon.org/news/help-feed-birds-diy-wreath
