At this time of year, it’s very easy to get green with festive-envy. We all know someone who has Christmas completely sewn up – they can tie the perfect bows, dress the perfect tree and have the whole bloody season under perfect bloody control from October.
Meanwhile, us normal humans have wonky trees, dodgy decorations and tremble with festive-fear at the thought of what we still have left to do.
Well sit back and relax, dear reader. Let us help you up your Christmas game with some great tips we have found for you, each one guaranteed to put the jolly back in your holly.
Christmas Tree
For some of us, only a real Christmas tree will do, but they can often end up looking past their best all too quickly. Read these tips from the guys at B&Q where they show you how to care for a real tree.
If an artificial is more your thing, then this article is for you – with so many shapes, sizes and styles to choose from, Love to Know have put together a guide on how to buy the perfect artificial tree.
Never happy with the look of your tree and wish you could dress it with a bit more style? Then House Beautiful have shared some secrets to help you dress your tree like a pro. We’ve also found some great tips from Livingetc who have written a great guide that takes you through dressing the tree step by step, including what should go on the tree first.
Festive Decorations
Decorating your home for Christmas can be expensive. However, if you are into crafting, then the guys over at Ideal Home have come up with some budget friendly ideas that still look stylish.
If you are restricted on space the team over at the The Range have some great ideas on how to keep decorating tasks joyful rather than stressful.
We all love a festive door wreath. Some very talented people have some beautiful wreaths for sale over on Etsy. If you fancy making one yourself so it matches your theme, they are easier than you think, and this video shows you how, but we suggest adding a layer of wadding to the back to protect your door from any scratches (So Just Be top tip!).
Wrapping
Some of us are ok if the gift is square, but we have all struggled at some point to wrap difficult gifts. If you have wrapping envy and want to improve your skills, then start with this simple guide to wrapping a boxed gift. If a guided video is more your thing, then this great clip takes you through how to wrap something with corners, but also how to make a pouch for more difficult items.
Maybe you just want to be able to give your gifts that extra bit of sparkle or add a touch of individuality to up your wrapping game? Good Housekeeping have shared a great list of tips that will help you to show off your creativity.
If you want to achieve that layered-origami finish to your wrapping, then check out this short video that will help you add a bit of wow.
Once you have nailed the wrapping, there is nothing nicer than a present topper. Dreaming in DIY have put together a fabulous list of gift topper ideas.
Christmas Table
The table at Christmas deserves to look beautiful, after all, it’s hosting the most important meal of the year. You might want to add a centre piece. If you have the time and skill to make your own, Hobbycraft have everything you need to create your own show stopper.
But there is no shame in buying something ready made. If you want to add some lights to the table, Lights4fun have plenty of twinkle to choose from. You could create a festive scene using decorations from somewhere like these at The Range. Or maybe take some inspiration from John Lewis who think the table should be star of the show.
Festive Tipples
From a sneaky Baileys when wrapping gifts, to a small sherry when peeling the sprouts, or a sparkly bucks fizz at breakfast, we have all enjoyed a festive tipple at Christmas.
BBC Good Food have put together the ultimate list of Christmas drinks and cocktails – containing everything from mulled wine, gin cocktails and mocktails, there is something for everyone.
Festive Finances
One thing we can all agree on is that Christmas can be expensive. Many people don’t like the commercialisation of the season and believe that the true meaning is being lost. While it’s too late to share tips for this Christmas, Money Saving Expert has shared a great guide to reducing the financial stress of the festive season. Money Nuggets have also shared some great tips on how to do Christmas on a budget.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of tips and tricks – we think we have shared plenty of ideas that will help you add a little sparkle to your Christmas this year.
SJB
So Just Be 