Emelia's Elf Project

Chateau is pleased to host a donation drive in participation with Emelia’s Elf Project. Donations will benefit the children and families served by the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting individuals who have experienced crimes including child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assaults in Jefferson, St. Lawrence & Lewis Counties.

From the VACJC:

“The Victims Assistance Center staff work tirelessly throughout the year to support our clients who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and other crimes. The abuse suffered by our clients does not take a break for the holidays and although the victims that we serve all come to us with different experiences, they all begin their fresh start with us. We want to ensure that every client we care for has what they need for a safe and happy holiday season.

“Emelia is our only canine staff member. She is responsible for bringing comfort and support to children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse. Because she is so important to us, we named our giving room after her! Each year during the holiday season, Emelia's Closet transforms into Emelia's Christmas Shop.”

Chateau is accepting donations of *new* socks for children & adults, to be delivered to the VACJC for the holidays. Donations will be accepted during shop hours, Wednesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm, through December 12th.

For more information, please contact Kate at chateauontheriver@gmail.com.

Enchant Your Home: Candle Magic

Chateau is pleased to share guest-blogger Hedge Witch Botanicals’ mindfulness tips to create a “hygge” home.

I love the mist and cool winds of autumn, and I look forward the sparkling snow of winter, but like approximately 3 million other Americans, I suffer from seasonal affective disorder and yearly I find myself struggling with the decreased daylight hours. (source)

I manage this in a variety of ways,* but one mindfulness approach that I have found particularly supportive is hygge, a Danish concept that has no direct English translation, but is best described as “a quality of cosiness [sic] and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Like the trend of “romanticizing your life” or a way of practicing mindfulness, hygge is “a practical way of creating sanctuary in the middle of very real life.” (source)

Call it what you will, but as we head into the darker months of the year, I am fortifying myself with these small acts of enchantment. One simple thing that always feels hygge to me is burning candles— I especially love pure beeswax candles, as they burn cleanly and remove toxins as they ionize the air. While I often light a few in whatever room I occupy in the evenings (a few tea lights around the living room makes Netflix-and-chilling feel so much more cozy!), I also like to light a single candle for a specific task. I have a votive by the sink for when I wash dishes, and another in the bathroom that I light when I’m getting ready for work in the mornings. Even if it is only a 15 minute task, I find that consciously adding an element of joy and beauty helps me center myself and take pleasure in the moment.

Find 100% pure beeswax candles at Chateau, in a variety of taper lengths, pillars, votives, tea lights, and birthday candle sizes, and light up your winter!

*Please note: I am not a medical/mental health provider, and hygge is not a substitute for adequate mental healthcare. Should you require medical/mental health assistance, please seek a licensed professional. If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.