My Christmas Decorating Tip

There's something truly magical about this time of year. Gathering your loved ones close to share food, wine and precious moments together; celebrating old traditions and creating some new ones. This year, I think we have all realised the importance to cherish this precious time together and make it even more special than ever.  

Here's how I plan to make my home welcoming to my Christmas guests this year. Cue flickering candles, the scent of eucalyptus and log fires, the clinking of glasses and some mulled wine on the stove. That's only the beginning...



DINE WITH STYLE - If ever there is a time to make a special effort with the table, it's at Christmas. And for me, this always begins with beautiful table linen and napkins. When I was growing up, my German Grandmother would always use beautifully starched white table linen with silver napkin rings. My linen bubble tablecloths and napkin sets are a contemporary twist on this. I'll be using the teal bubbles on my table this year to tie in with my Christmas crackers.



TREATS ON THE TABLE - We spend so much time at the Christmas lunch table, I like to make sure that there are lots of treats on small platters or in mini bowls for people to  help themselves to. We often open our presents after lunch so small platters with chocolates, Christmas cookies or mince pies is essential in our house!



RIBBONS ARE NOT JUST FOR PRESENTS - This year I'm taking things up a notch in the dining room with the decorations and will be using velvet and satin ribbons in shades of green and silver tied on my chandelier. You can never have too many bows as far as I'm concerned and I love the effect these elegant streamers make as they dance in the candlelight above the dining table. I've mixed in some fronds of eucalpytus too.





DRESS THE MANTLEPIECE - Budvases with fresh eucalyptus mixed with berries or thistles always look wonderful on a festive mantelpiece. Add a few flickering candles to make the atmosphere extra special.



DON'T FORGET TO SCENT THE HALLS - As well as a visual treat, I like my home to be a sensory experience too so I'll always have a scented candle burning as my guests arrive to mingle with the scent of eucalpytus in the air. My Black Peppercorn and Raspberry Scented Candle has a delicious, warming fragrance which blends beautifully with the pine needles from the Christmas tree to brings a little bit of Alpine countryside indoors. The candles also make great presents as you can use them as a bud  vase once the candle has finished burning.

I'm obsessed with Violette FR's Bisou lip formulas (both the Bisou Balm and newer Bisou Jelly). It's a lipstick meets balm formula and gives such a pretty sheer finish with the signature 'bouche mordue' (just bitten) look. So French. So chic. If you have teen girls, they'll want one too.



Stylist turned footwear  designer,  Tabitha Simmons' collaboration with Next has some beautiful Mary Janes which start at £65. My favourites are these studded pointy toed Mary Janes which I'll wear  so much over the holiday season.



I love these paper trees from Paper Dreams which are all hand-crafted from sustainably sourced paper. They come in lots of different sizes depending whether you want supersized ones for for your dining table or minis for the mantelpiece.



I have so many compliments when I wear my Roscida Heart Hoop earrings from Otiumberg. Made from 14kt gold vermeil, they look great dressed down with a boyfriend shirt but work equally well with a velvet dress or something more party-ish.



The Kensington Paperie has quite simply the most beautiful wrapping paper I've seen in this country. The ultimate in chic wrapping and efficiency, their stylish kits provide everything you need to create the most exquisitely wrapped presents. I'm obsessed.