Christmas was a bit of a nightmare last time around. As always, we left everything to the last minute so our Christmas tree was the last one standing at our local supermarket. It was lanky and bald, and stood in the corner of our lounge as a stark reminder of how totally unprepared we were.
Sadly this set the tone for our entire Christmas. The kids presents were all hastily selected from Amazon and furiously wrapped the night before, and the turkey dinner was eaten atop the least stained tablecloth we could find, with mismatched wine glasses, and crackers leftover from the previous year. Gin helped inject some fun into proceedings, but I’d describe the entire day as lacklustre.
So this year I’m determined do Christmas properly, especially when it comes to dressing the house. I’ve already started throwing out the usual tat and have started buying some bits and pieces that will help inject some long-overdue Christmas cheer.
Tree decorations
From left to right: ROW 1 Vondels Silver Diamond Spikes Bauble £3.99 / Floralsilk Gold Jewelled Christmas Starburst £6.99 / Festive Silver Glitter Dove £1.99 / Vondels White & Silver Diamonds Glass Bauble £3.99 / ROW 2 Floralsilk Birch Wood Reindeer Silhouette £4.99 / Vondels Pearl Glass & Sequin Fireworks Bauble £3.99 / Kaemingk Antique Gold Deer Hanger £1.99 / Vondels Pink Glass Sequined Bauble £3.99 / ROW 3 Kaemingk Gold, Green and Blue Glitter Crystal Single Bauble £3.99 / Edelman 31cm Gold Glitter Deer Christmas Hanger £9.99 / Kaemingk Plush Pearl/Glitter/Sequin Christmas Peacock £39.99 / Vondels Black & Gold Sequin Glass Bauble £3.99 / ROW 4 Kaemingk White Glitter Angel Wings on Clip Christmas Hanger £2.99 / Vondels Champagne Gold Glitter Leaves Glass Bauble £3.99 / Kaemingk Soft Gold Assorted Design Single Bauble (choice of 3) £1.99 / Kaemingk Silver Glitter Angel Wings on Clip Christmas Hanger £2.99
Against Craig’s protestations, I’m going for a mix of heavy glitter and jewelled baubles this year, and will be seriously overdoing it with lights. As a tinsel-phobe, for me it’s all about adding enough colour, texture and statement pieces to distract from any bald spots in the tree’s branches. I’m head over heels in love with these glittery mini reindeer hanging Christmas decorations from Taskers, and their glass bauble collection is just stunning.
The all-important Christmas table
From left to right: ROW 1 Ato Set of 3 Champagne Candle Holders £19.99 / ROW 2 Peggy Wilkins Arietta Champagne and Gold Napkin - 4 Pack £14.99 / Peggy Wilkins Arietta Champagne and Gold Runner £24.99 / Edelman Large Transparent Diamonds £2.99 / ROW 3 Premier White Flower Napkin Rings - 4 Pack £4.99 / RCR Melodia Crystal Champagne Flute - Set of 6 £14.99 / Premier Silver Flower Napkin Rings - 4 Pack £4.99
I’m also planning a winter wonderland table theme, and it’s sure to beat the socks off last year’s travesty. I’ve got my heart set on polished silver candelabras, goblet candles and pretty napkin holders on crisp white linen. It might be totally unpractical with my two little ones, but Christmas is once a year and I’m shooting for an altogether more grown-up feel this time - you never know, the kids might just surprise me!
At night, I’ll move all the candles into the centre of the table into a nest of battery-operated LED fairy lights. This should give us a nice warm glow for board games & chit chat. It might sound costly, but once again Taskers have some seriously affordable tableware to get your table looking the part for less.
Around the house
Clockwise: Premier Set of 3 Gold and Ivory Illuminated Christmas Parcels £29.99 / Flame 45cm Silver Plated Reindeer Head Christmas Wall Decoration £39.99 / Noma 80 Warm White LED Jewelled Stag Head £49.99 / Premier Snowy Reindeer Illuminated Christmas Vase £14.99 / Flame LED White Church Christmas Scene £24.99 / Kaemingk White/Grey Assorted Kids with Reindeer Hat Holding Lantern Christmas Figure £34.99 / Flame 90cm Traditional Standing Christmas Santa in Tartan Coat £49.99
If a Christmassy table just isn’t an option for you, then a few carefully positioned statement pieces in the family room are sure to create the right ambience for festive get-togethers. There are so many LED wall ornaments, vases and Christmas scenes available at Taskers, from the more traditional, to the modern. The bejewelled stag’s head has definitely caught my fancy, as have these gorgeous wire-framed presents. We’ve definitely come a long way from the hideous 80s paper ceiling decorations my parents had when I was a child.
Whatever theme you’re going for, remember that Christmas décor is an investment. I’d recommend starting early, and thinking carefully about the number of guests you’ll have, as well as future Christmases to come. Make sure the bulk of your purchases can be used all year round to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth too; charger plates, glassware and cutlery sets can all be used to dress your table for dinner parties throughout the year so are great long-term purchases. The same goes for candles, LED lighting and many other decorative bits and bobs. See? There’s simply no excuse not to treat yourself this Christmas…
Merry Christmas everyone!
