It’s summer and the air is suffused with the sound of honeybees. They’re feasting on nectar and pollen from so many flowering plants, filling their bellies and baskets with the raw materials that will become honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly. And we’re feeling intensely grateful for their tireless trips back and forth from the hive, the food crops and forests they pollinate and the healing products they share with us. Thank you, bees.
What are you grateful for?
As the year draws to a close and a new one blossoms, it’s the perfect time to count our collective blessings.
We’ve created a short list of prompts that, like a strip of ‘starter comb’ in a honeybee hive, will help you fill in the blanks with sweetness and thanks.
This is a fun activity to do with your friends, family or loved ones, taking turns to answer each prompt around the table. Or you might like to kick off your shoes and sprawl in the cool grass beside a river, quietly journalling.
Christmas gratitude prompts
Who or what can you give thanks for in the following categories?
The people who support you.
The folks who feed you.
The creatures who nourish you.
The place that holds you.
The kind words that keep you going.
We look forward to hearing your reflections and sentiments in the comments.
What are we thankful for?
As we Bees look back over our shoulder at the year that was, we offer gratitude to…
The people who support us.
It’s a heck of a time to be in business, but our Bees community – in Tasmania, across Australia and over the seven seas – have shown us so much love and support. Thanks to every single one of you out there! To those who pop into our bricks-and-mortor store in historic Salamanca, Hobart, those who shop online and take the time to leave radiant reviews, those who devour this blog… we treasure your trust and custom.
The folks who feed us.
Food is life, and without farmers we’re toast. To those who tend the soil, plant the seeds, milk the goats, dig the spuds, pick the flowers, harvest the seaweed and check the hives, we give thanks. In our eyes there’s no distinction between ‘food’ and ‘beauty, and we source the same homegrown local ingredients you’ll see at the farmer’s market or fancy deli for our products. Particular thanks to the Stephens family for their commitment to free and wild beekeeping; the legendary Van de Winckels at Marleen Herbs, the original organic herb whisperers; Ashbolt Farm for their luscious and luxe local olive oil; the Spreyton crew for their scintillating apple elixirs; the endlessly patient people at TasSaff who pluck individual crocus stamens by hand so that we may soak in the magic of saffron, and so many more local producers.
The creatures who nourish us.
We’ve already mentioned bees, the unsung heroes of that little thing known as our business, and that slightly larger thing called the global food system. Worker bees are female and live for about six weeks. Queen bees, or “Mum”, can live for up to ten years and lay 2000 eggs per day – no wonder she has an entourage to feed, groom and pander to her every need! Drone bees are the dudes and, well, they raid the pantry and go on a once-off mating spree in the sky before falling to earth with a smile on their face. Bees are fascinating and fundamental to our survival – but like so many creatures – big, small, domestic and wild – we rarely pause to appreciate them. This year we pay our respects to all the beings who quietly support our wellbeing and ecosystems.
The place that holds us.
Oh, Tasmania, our island sanctuary! Introverts love Tassie because it has a big, deep moat between it and civilization. The world loves Tassie because it symbolises something real and earthy and authentic – and also the moat. We love Tassie for her unapologetic ruggedness and understated people, her icy winters and dazzling sands, her elemental contrasts which spark brilliant ideas and great art, and yes, her Pinot Noir. We’re especially thankful for our cool temperate climate, rich soil, clean clear waterways and air that’s purer than pure. The vitality of this island is palpable in our products, and boy oh boy are we grateful to call Tasmania home.
The kind words that keep us going.
We are real people making real products for other real people! But sometimes it’s easy to lose that sense of connection – especially when you scale up from selling creams out of the boot of your car (Jill circa 1990) to having an online store and a team of staff. When we receive your feedback – kind emails, sweet reviews and the occasional letter (!) – it makes our day. Nay, our decade. Besides the joy of handcrafting beauty care with a conscience, what gets us out of bed in the morning is hearing that our products really truly help. That they ease the inflammation, soothe the irritation, free folks from chronic or debilitating symptoms that undermined their quality of life. These are the good news stories that light us up, and we are extremely grateful that you take the time to beam them our way in these busy times.
So thank you, thank you to everyone who was part of the Bees ecosystem this year. We can’t wait to see you in 2025.
Our favourite reviews of 2024.
Gosh you’re a creative and articulate bunch. We adore every single piece of feedback we receive – even the constructive stuff – but this handful of rave reviews really gave us a buzz.
Suzie (about our Voodoo Shampoo Bar) ~ I am beyond words to describe how absolutely astounding your products are. I am 57 and have thick, course and extremely dry hair… used to be blonde but mostly grey now. I have been using purple shampoos for years to take away the yellowness and to tone. Within 1 wash I could see the instant effect of the shampoo bar for coloured hair. Have been using for a couple of weeks now and not one sign of yellowness plus squeaky-clean hair! Plus, on top of that your conditioners have made my hair silky smooth like never before! I honestly cannot thank you enough.
Catherine (about our Light Moisture Cream) ~ Love, love, love. I can’t remember when I first started using the Leatherwood Honey & Coconut Light Moisture Cream. Probably enough years ago that I was still in the recommended age demographic and when I was suffering badly from eczema. I’m way past that now, the eczema has cleared up, and this is still my go-to moisturiser. I’ve tried the heavier creams and they’re lovely too, but I just keep coming back to the light cream for day, night, summer, winter – occasionally supplementing with Liquid Velvet. Please Beauty & the Bees never stop making this cream, I’m going to keep needing it for at least another 25 years.
Kristen (about our Tasman Cleansing Bar) ~ This is probably the best soap I have ever used for my dry skin. I virtually don’t even need moisturiser. And I love the scent.
Michele (about our Botty Butter) ~ I first found this product in 1999 and used it for all my four babies. I subsequently found it perfect for all sorts of dry skin issues with young children and even for post op wound scar softening for one of my children. It is the perfect texture, non irritant and very protective. In thirty five plus years of working with Mothers, babies and young children I have never found anything better.
Ashlyn (also about our Botty Butter) ~ This is what I get people when I find out they’re having a baby. I have an unhealthy obsession with the botty butter as it has been so good. Now loving it for baby #2 but I confess, I obsessively tell people about this stuff when they’re pregnant like I’m trying to get them to join a cult.
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