Happy Holidays!
We live it, love it, beg it to come...the season of love has finally arrived, a time for hope, love and spending time with those you care about.
Odette and Derek are preparing for ornament day, one of the most magical days in Chamberg's calendar. It's a time when people come together and share treasured memories. These moments are captured in ornament form and then shared on the Kingdom Christmas tree!
Odette and Derek have had a very special ornament made for Alise. The day she was presented to the Kingdom was a momentous occasion. However this ornament doesn't show the huge crowd of people, hundreds of balloons or grand decorations, it captures the three of them after she had been presented when Derek lifted his daughter up high and ran down the palace hall with Odette laughing and smiling beside them. A simple family moment, filled with love and laughter...a memory that they will always cherish.
Families around the world will be celebrating the season in their own unique ways. Derek and Odette always enjoy the tradition of Ornament Day but they also look forward to spending time with their family by one of the roaring fires in the castle.
How will you enjoy this magical season? Are you seeing family and friends? Maybe you are enjoying a cozy night with a festive movie - perhaps "The Swan Princess Christmas"?
The Swan Princess wishes you all a SWANderful holiday season!
Keep reading for a SWANtastic recipe and festive fun!
Princess Presents - A SWANtastic Gift Guide
Odette has put together a seasonal gift guide to help you with your festive shopping for friends and family! Filled with new merchandise releases as well as showcasing old favorites, there's sure to be something to catch your eye!
The Swan Princess Christmas vinyl was released on National Princess Day just a couple of weeks ago and is the perfect way to add some music to the Season of Love and enjoy a SWANtastic sing along!
Filled with the SWANtastic soundtrack of Odette's very own Christmas movie and pressed with a festive theme, be sure to add this to your holiday celebrations!
Our range of plush toys are a gift that can be enjoyed by both our young and young at heart fans! SWANderfully soft and filled with personality, it's as though the characters from the movie are sitting right next to you - who will you choose?
Odette's necklace is instantly recognizable to fans across the world and continues to be one of our most popular pieces!
This SWANderful accessory is a great way to show your love for The Swan Princess and carry a piece of the movie memory with you or to add that finishing touch to a fancy dress/cosplay!
Our SWANtastic art cels give you the opportunity to own a piece of movie history!
These hand painted cels were used to bring the beloved story of The Swan Princess to life all those years ago. With a huge selection of scenes and characters available, there's a SWANderful option for every fan!
Another vinyl makes it into our SWANtastic showcase. This one contains the music from the original movie and is pressed in a pretty pink
Be transported to the magic of the first movie as you listen to "Far Longer than Forever" and all of your other favorite songs!
Our SWANtastic store is filled with even more SWANderful items so click here to explore more!
Swanderful Snowy Lights
Odette loves it when it snows and the Kingdom is covered in a glittering white blanket. Seeing the snowflakes catch the light as she looks out of the window always feels so magical to her.
These SWANderful lights capture the beauty of a snowfall and the magical feeling of Christmas - making them a perfect decoration for celebrating the Season of Love.
You Will Need:
• Mason jars
• Scissors
• Spoon
• Paintbrushes
• Twine
• Epsom salt
• Mod Podge Satin
• Fir branches – you can collect these from your garden, during an outdoor walk or from a local park and then trim them using scissors
• Small wood slices
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Flameless/LED candles
Method:
1. First you need to prepare the jars by cleaning the glass with mild soap and warm water. Dry the jars as much as you can then leave to one side until completely dry.
2. Add the Epsom salt to a large plate (make sure to use a disposable plate or one that you only use for crafts).
3. Add a medium layer of mod podge to the outside of the jar - this will dry quickly so you need to work quite fast.
4. Place the mason jar on its side in the Epsom salt. Roll the jar in the salt to cover all the way around, pushing down slightly as you do so.
5. Lift the jar up and use a spoon to add salt to any errors that aren't covered.
6. Set to one side until completely dry.
7. Now cut a length of twine and start to wrap it around the lip of the jar. When you are halfway through, tie a knot and then continue wrapping the twine before securing it with another knot or a bow.
8. Carefully take your hot glue gun and use it to stick the fir branches and small wood slices to the front of your jar on top of the knot or bow that you made with the twine.
9. Add your chosen light (LED or candle) to the jar and watch as your decorations capture the magical glow of a winter.
SWANtastic Cinnamon and Ginger Yule Log
Yule logs are a popular festive treat during the Christmas season! This SWANtastic twist on a yule log recipe will add some festive flair to your seasonal snacks and is perfect to enjoy with family around a roaring fire as the snow falls outside.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
• 100g plain flour
• 50g light brown soft sugar
• 75g caster sugar
• 4 medium eggs
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 25g unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp black treacle
• 25g ground almonds or ground hazelnuts
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch salt
For the Pecan Praline:
• 50g caster sugar
• 50g lightly toasted pecans or hazelnuts
For the spiced meringue buttercream:
• 250g unsalted butter, softened and diced
• 175g/6oz caster sugar
• 3 egg whites
• 3 pieces stem ginger in syrup, drained and finely chopped, plus 2 tbsp syrup
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
2. Grease and line a 9x12in (23x33cm) Swiss roll tin.
3. Carefully melt the butter and then set it to one side to cool slightly.
4. Whilst the butter cools, place the eggs, both types of sugar and treacle in a large bowl and whisk together until the mixture increases in volume and becomes thick and pale (but very light).
5. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, spices, ground almonds and a pinch of salt.
6. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture.
7. Gently add the melted butter, folding it into the mixture.
8. Pour the mixture into the tin and use the back of a spoon to level the top.
9. Bake on the middle shelf for approx. 12 minutes until the cake is well risen and springy when touched.
10. Allow the cake to rest in the tin for a couple of minutes before turning it out onto a sheer of baking paper.
11. Carefully peel the lining paper off the cake.
12. Start from a longer end of the cake and gently roll it up with the baking paper (so the paper is rolled inside) then set to one side to cool.
13. Now you can start on the pecan praline. The first step is to line a tray with a piece of baking paper.
14. Next, pour the sugar into a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of water.
15. Set the pan over a low heat and allow the sugar to dissolve (without stirring) and bring it to a boil. Allow the mixture to continue cooking until it turns into an amber colored caramel, making sure to swirl the pan every now and again so that it cooks evenly.
16. Add the toasted nuts to the pan of caramel and gently stir to coat the nuts before allowing the mixture to cook for another 30 seconds.
17. Quickly pour the nutty mixture onto your lined tray and allow it to sit to one side until hardened and completely cool.
18. Finely chop the praline (or use a food processor and pulse chunks until fine). You can store this in an airtight container until you are ready to use it.
19. Next you need to make the spiced meringue buttercream. Start by setting a heatproof bowl over a pan of water on the stove so that the water is simmering (make sure the bowl isn’t touching the water).
20. Add the egg whites, sugar and a pinch of salt to the bowl, along with a tablespoon of water. Whisk together until the sugar has dissolved completely and the mixture becomes foamy.
21. Continue cooking for approx. 4 minutes, whisking continuously, until the mixture has thickened and trebled in volume. It should become a bright white color and be hot to the touch.
22. Carefully pour the mixture into a bowl and use a hand held mixer on a medium-high speed for approx. 4 minutes until your mixture increases in volume and has a thick, stiff, glossy consistency (it should also be cold).
24. Add the butter to the cooled meringue mix in gradual stages, making sure that you continuously beat the mixture. When all the butter has been added, continue beating until the mixture is smooth.
25. Now add the cinnamon and stem ginger syrup. Whisk to combine.
26. Next, carefully unroll the sponge cake.
27. Evenly spread 3 tablespoons of the meringue buttercream over the top of the cake.
28. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the praline and two-thirds of the chopped stem ginger over the buttercream layer.
29. Roll the cake up into a tight roll.
30. Transfer the Swiss roll to a baking tray and place in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes.
31. After chilling, transfer the cake to your chosen serving board/plate.
32. Use the remaining buttercream to cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream. You can use a palette knife to keep the sides smooth and even create swirly patterns on your cake.
33. Scatter the remaining praline and stem ginger over the cake before allowing to chill for another 20 minutes - then you're ready to serve your Swiss roll!
It's December and the birthday we are celebrating this month is none other than the brave and loyal Prince Derek! This makes Prince Derek a Sagittarius zodiac sign and a Blue Topaz birthstone
Sagittarius are known for being generous, curious, and energetic with a great sense of humor.
They love to be outdoors and are very adventurous.
They are also impatient and will say anything, even if its a bit tactless.
They are honest and love to explore other places and cultures.
The Blue Topaz symbolizes wisdom and is used to find the perfect way to get success.
No wonder Prince Derek always knows just how to save the day!
Is your birthday in December or do you just love the color blue? Purchase your Blue Topaz Gemstone Heart Locket here!
About The Swan Princess
The Swan Princess is based upon the folk tale and ballet, Swan Lake. The story is transformed into a playfully fun adventure with exciting music, lovable forest friends, and of course, the handsome Prince Derek. The Swan Princess, Odette, has stayed true to the original fairy tale princess with her kindness, grace, and loyalty.
Three reasons you should follow us on Facebook 1) Get a behind-the-scenes look as Princess Odette and Prince Derek continue their adventures 2) Be one of the first to be notified when new products are released and 3) Share your Swan Princess stories and tales with other die-hard fans.
