After a couple of years of pared back celebrations we’re all excited about welcoming our family and friends to celebrate the festive season with us and we want our homes to look their best. There are two camps when it comes to decorating for Christmas - for some it’s a case of the sooner the better but for others 12 days before the big day is best. Whenever you’re planning to deck the halls, we’ve put together our top tips for a beautiful and stress free holiday.
Storm Oak SBW-RL12 Image courtesy of @doingthehouseup
Firstly, choosing a colour scheme to complement your style will ensure your decorations enhance your home. You may prefer a modern take on a traditional look with green, red and gold or keep things simple with monochrome white, silver, gold. Alternatively embrace the latest colour trends with raspberry, plum and gold or pastel pink and blue with silver.
Rather than festooning every surface, decorating a single area in each room will create a restrained yet elegant design so concentrate on key areas such as the tree, fireplace, front door, stairs and dining table to give your home a cosy glow.
A real tree is a treat and looks amazing if you have room but if you’re short on space opt for a narrow artificial tree, an LED twig tree or an asymmetrical tree that will fit neatly into a corner or against a wall.
Pale Limed Oak SM-KP94 image courtesy of @hegzathome
We’ve become increasingly aware of the environmental challenges we face and Christmas is often big on plastic, glitter and waste but we can all do our bit by opting for recyclable materials or items that will pass the test of time. The great news is that retailers are also on board so there’s plenty of choice.
Taking Christmas back to its pagan roots as a celebration of the winter solstice, bringing natural materials indoors is perfect for creating a festive feel without any guilt. Why not take the family on a woodland walk and have fun collecting pine cones, ivy, holly and mistletoe. (While our floors are great for small children and inquisitive pets, some natural foliage might not be so you may prefer to avoid berries that could be swallowed.) Then everyone can get involved making beautiful rustic decorations to give your home a uniquely personal touch.
Spring Oak RL01 Image courtesy of @a_house_and_its_chows
Decorating the Christmas table will give the main event pizazz. Create a table to remember with a centrepiece of foliage, flowers and dried fruit finished off with scented candles and elegant place settings. Edible treats wrapped up in ribbon and handmade crackers with thoughtful personalised gifts are sure to be cherished and also avoid waste.
If guests are staying overnight it’s a good idea to sleep over in your spare room. You may discover that your guests will have a more comfortable stay with spare pillows or blankets, a mirror or an extension cable for additional plug sockets. Prepare a warm welcome with crisp linens and soft towels, a posy of flowers and a good book. For an extra treat, a small gift on each pillow will make your guests feel very special.
Preparing for the holiday season gives us lots to think about so perhaps our most important tip is to stay relaxed. Our advice is to plan ahead, set a budget and don’t fret the small stuff. Christmas is all about bringing people together and creating memories, leaving behind the stresses of one year and planning ahead for happy times in the next.
We hope everyone has a very happy holiday!
Lead image courtsey of @homeatfoxfield
