| If you want a warm, homely Christmas this year, go | | | | degrees Fahrenheit or at Gas Mark 'half'. Bake until |
| for a traditional Christmas decorating theme. Never | | | | they are hard, but not browned. Use the cooled slices |
| mind about all those ultra-modern, white trees, black | | | | to create garlands, hanging tree decorations, or |
| trees, pink trees, cerise and aqua decorations ... | | | | combine with pine cones and nuts, in festive-style |
| invest in simple, traditional Christmas decorations, that | | | | bowls. |
| you know you will enjoy, year after year. | | | | Festoon your tree and your home with decorations in |
| The fresh scent of a real Christmas tree, just | | | | traditional Christmas colors -- reds, greens, golds, |
| encapsulates the whole spirit of Christmas. A real | | | | silvers and bronzes will give a cozy, traditional feel. |
| tree will be a fantastic focal point for your traditional | | | | Don't be afraid to jazz it all up a little, with accents of |
| Christmas decorating theme. But, do think of those | | | | blues, or modern pinks, turquoises or black. |
| pesky pine needles, that you will be finding in your | | | | Continue your festive color scheme for your |
| carpet for months ... modern, artificial trees look | | | | Christmas table. Use colored table cloths, napkins and |
| beautiful and realistic, last for years, and can be much | | | | table runners -- layer these up over fresh, white |
| less hassle. So you choose ...! | | | | cloths. Create your own napkin rings, with a red |
| Whether or not you choose a real, or artificial, | | | | ribbon tied around each napkin. Fasten on a simple |
| Christmas tree, gather loads of greenery, to bring | | | | Christmas decoration, such as a snowflake, or a star. |
| into your home. These short, dark, winter days, are | | | | You can even include a piece of card with your |
| an ideal time to bring a touch of nature into your | | | | personalized Christmas message, for each guest. |
| home. Choose traditional, seasonal greenery -- holly, | | | | Decorate your festive table with garlands of |
| ivy and mistletoe. Add a little extra this year too -- | | | | greenery, candles and crackers. Get creative, and |
| include some 'exotic' eucalyptus or sea holly -- to give | | | | make your own center-piece for your Christmas |
| some variety and personality to your festive | | | | table. Try filling jugs with greenery, or combine |
| greenery. Create wreaths to hang on doors and | | | | greenery and candles in small pots, decorated with |
| walls, and drape garlands around stair banisters, and | | | | pretty, Christmassy ribbons. |
| over the mantelpiece. | | | | Place assorted church candles in a large bowl, platter |
| Make your greenery glow -- add some pretty fairy | | | | or tray, then decorate with greenery, pine cones, |
| lights into the arrangement. Simple white lights are | | | | nuts, orange and lemon slices, and even Christmas |
| best for a relaxing and traditional feel. You can also | | | | baubles. Why not try placing your candle in a storm |
| add lots of candles and tea-lights -- but be very | | | | lantern, glass vase or bowl, then filling the base of |
| careful where you position them, and keep fire | | | | your container with trails of ivy, or small colored |
| safety firmly in mind. | | | | baubles. |
| A creative and fun, traditional house decorating idea, | | | | Don't forget to hang your stockings by the fireplace. |
| is to create decorations and garlands from orange | | | | Then relax, put your feet up with a glass of wine |
| and lemon slices. Slice the fruits into slices | | | | and a nice mince pie. You've decorated the house for |
| approximately half a centimeter wide. Bake the slices | | | | Christmas, you know it looks beautiful ... but now, |
| in the oven, at 120 degrees Celsius/Centigrade or 250 | | | | what about that Christmas shopping...? |