Festive finishing touches
Add a final flourish to your home for Christmas with these merry and bright decorative details...
1 Put on a lovely wintery welcome in a hallway.
Bring a touch of outside magic indoors and invite guests into a frosted wonderland with snow-kissed wreaths, garlands and mini trees - the more foliage the merrier! Line the way with welly boots overspilling wrapped presents for a cute country take on the traditional stocking.
2 Decorate shelves with baubles and decorations.
Give everyday cabinets a seasonal makeover with hints of shimmer and sparkle. Fill vessels with an eclectic array of decorations in a variety of tonal colours and sizes with just a hint of Scandi style. Sprigs of foliage add fresh, festive pops and act as great space fillers.
3 Warming scents.
Create a cosy and opulent atmosphere with fragranced orange and cinnamon candles set alight inside burnished and bronzed lanterns. Stagger lanterns and candlesicks in varying heights along a console or dining table for maximum visual impact.
4 Create a drinks and nibbles station.
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Serve warming port hot toddies by decanting port into a handsome decanter and topping up with hot water from attractive flasks. Serve in folksy mugs with fruit and nut snacks.
5 Get personal.
Layer classic plates on rattan chargers and top with chalkboard name tags on seasonal foliage and nuts. Treat each guest to a pretty fabric-wrapped cracker to finish off this gorgeous place setting.
6 Bake festive treats.
NOTHING beats the smell and taste of fresh-from-the-oven mince pies! Whether your preference is for shortcrust or puff pastry - there's no better time to don your apron and get baking a delicious selection of sweet treats for holiday visitors to enjoy.
Feeling inspired..? Visit the Country Homes & Interiors homepage for more Christmasy decorating ideas!
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
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