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21st December 2020 5 Tips for the Perfect Christmas

Christmas is here! Whether you’re smugly sorted or frantically fretting, there isn’t much left to do now but enjoy the chaos of the festive season. But if you do need a few extra handy hints on making your Christmas extra special, look no further! We have come up with a list of ways that you can make the most of your holidays without the additional stress.

1. Put together a playlist
Whether you’re having guests over or not, the perfect party playlist is absolutely essential for Christmas revelry! Take some time out to craft a playlist that will tick everyone’s boxes – sure, it’s probably going to be an eclectic mix and you might not love everything on there, but just imagine the joy on your family’s faces when their favourite songs come on!

2. Make it a team effort
Cooking the Christmas dinner is a lot of work, so divide up the roles to make it easier and stress-free. Have one person peel the vegetables, someone to make the desserts, someone to take care of the dishes, someone to set the dining table, and someone to handle the cooking. Easy!

3. Create some new traditions
Christmas is all about embracing traditions, so why not come up with a few of your own this year. Head to the sea for the Boxing Day swim you have thought about so many times before or spend Christmas Eve carolling or handing out gift boxes for people who are less fortunate.

4. Avoid the politics
Families are known for getting into beef over the Christmas period, so make it a rule that any previous issues are dealt with (or ignored!) prior to the big day. Alternatively, take the dog out for a walk if things start to get awkward!

5. Enjoy yourself!
There is so much lead up to Christmas that it can feel like huge stress, but actually, it’s a time for letting go and enjoying yourself. Remember to relax on the sofa and take some time to have fun.

Looking for new furniture for your home? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.

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19th December 2020 Festive Table Ideas

From the twinkling lights and sparkly tinsel to the holly wreaths and shiny baubles, there’s no doubt that decorating for Christmas is a magical experience. So it makes sense to dress the table in much the same way that you dress your tree! Putting the dining table at the centre of the family celebrations is what makes Christmas so special, so here are a few ideas to bring a little sparkle to your feast this festive season.

Use nature

It is a long-standing tradition to bring evergreens into the house during the winter months, so make them the centrepiece of your display. Forage for holly, pine boughs, and red berries to create a beautifully natural (and free!) look that will complement the rest of your festive décor. You can also place bunches of festive flowers around the space and seasonal fruits to maximise the natural look.

Light candles

Whether you’re using an ornate candelabra or a few tealights floating in a bowl of water, candles bring a glittering warmth to a table that is undeniably inviting. Make sure you have plenty of spare candles to keep the atmosphere going well into the night.

Pick your shades

Use the colour palette of the season to create a beautiful space that guests want to soak up and stay in. Gold napkin holders, rich mulberry tablecloths, and green placemats are a great way to make a dining table feel festive and alluring.

Make crackers

Save the planet and your wallet by crafting your own crackers from cardboard rolls, fabric, and sweets. Place a sweet along with a handwritten cracker joke inside the roll, wrap fabric around it and tie the ends off with ribbon or twine.

Set up a drinks station

The dining table can get pretty laden with food, décor, and crockery, so it’s a good idea to use a side table or credenza to store the drinks so that guests can help themselves. Don’t forget to add some flowers and foliage to this space, too, so that it continues with your theme!

Looking for new furniture for your home? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.

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17th December 2020 5 Ways to Have a Homemade Christmas

If your wallet is already groaning at the thought of an expensive festive season, you’ll be pleased to know that you can create a truly magical Christmas without breaking the bank!

So, if you would like to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy town centre and spend your time with the family instead, why not stay at home and make your decorations and gifts wherever possible. Save your pennies, hone your crafting skills and make some magical memories with a homemade Christmas.

1. Make your own cards
Instead of buying shop-bought cards this year, challenge yourself to make your own using things you already have in the house. Broken decorations, cereal boxes, ripped wrapping paper – once you get crafting you will be amazed at the cards you can create!

2. Make your own wrapping paper
A lot of wrapping paper can’t be recycled, so instead of adding to the landfill, make your own wrapping paper with brown paper bags, paint, and some stamps made from potatoes.

3. Craft a reusable advent calendar
Everyone loves their morning chocolate during December, but advent calendars also add to the problem of excess waste so craft your own reusable one and pop your favourite sweets and chocolates into each day. If you’re making them for the children, you could even add some little toys and notes from Santa.

4. Get busy in the kitchen
One of the best gifts you can give someone is your time and energy, so why not put that into practice this year and craft presents for your loved ones. From super easy chocolate truffles and infused olive oils to flavoured spirits and festive hot chocolates, there are plenty of easy recipes that will bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

5. Forage a wreath
Shop bought wreaths can get quite expensive, so save your pennies and craft your own with a foraged willow base. Gather some evergreen boughs, holly sprigs, and pine branches and weave them into your willow base. Add dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and fir cones to complete your festive door décor!

Looking for new furniture for your home? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.

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16th December 2019 How to Make Your Own Christmas Wreath

Nothing quite says Christmas like a big, beautiful wreath to greet you and your visitors at the front door. Whether you prefer glamorous elegance, minimalist chic or you love traditional styles, there is a wreath to suit every taste. The best part is that it is possible to make a wreath at home and it is a craft that the whole family can get involved in.

Create the base

The first thing you need to do is create a base to work from. The most popular base tends to be grapevine as this is sturdy and flexible and leaves you plenty of room to add your own decorations. You can also make a wreath from wire and it is also possible to use a pre-made foam wreath that you can add your favourite embellishments to.

Find your foliage

Once you have your base sorted, it’s time to find your foliage. The best way to do this is to head to your local park and forage for some greenery. Look out for fir cones, pine boughs, holly branches, moss and ivy. Don’t take more than you need and try not to damage any plants and trees in the process!

Trim the stems

Head back to your house with your haul and set about trimming the foliage so that it fits neatly around the wreath.

Wrap the wreath

Now it’s time to wrap the wreath with your foliage. Pick out a group of stems and lay them diagonally across one side of the wreath. Secure the ends with wire and continue to wrap the wire around the foliage and the wreath, leaving the ends to fan out. Add another bunch of stems and repeat. Keep repeating this process until you have covered the wreath.

Add embellishments

Here’s the fun part! Decorate your wreath with shiny baubles, sparkly lights, berries, cinnamon sticks or dried fruit to personalise it. Let your imagination run wild. Then all you need to do is hang it over your door!

Need some new furniture? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.

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18th December 2018 Getting Your Home Ready for Christmas Parties

Christmas is right around the corner, which means it is officially time to get excited about the upcoming festivities! Whether you are having the whole family round for Christmas Day or you want to be prepared for unplanned visitors, getting your house ready for guests is the first step in making sure the Christmas spirit is alive and well in your home. So here are our top tips for getting your home ready for the festivities.

Living room

The best place to start is the room where you will be doing most of the entertaining! Spend some time getting rid of clutter and cleaning in the nooks and crannies that sometimes get overlooked. Lay on extra blankets and cushions to make guests feel comfortable and warm and hang plenty of fairy lights to create a magical ambience. Have a few sturdy side tables ready for drinks and snacks and use footstools to double up as extra seating.

Kitchen

Parties always end up in the kitchen at some point or another, so plan ahead for this by creating a dedicated area for drinks so that guests can serve themselves without getting in the way of the cooking. Lay out plenty of snacks and have some music playing in the background to create the festive mood.

Guest room

Create a warm and welcoming space for your guests to relax in after the party has finished. Dress the bed with freshly laundered sheets, provide fluffy towels and keep the space free from clutter. Make some space for their belongings by clearing out a drawer or two as well as some space in the wardrobe (if there is one!). Provide extra blankets and pillows so that your guests can make themselves comfortable during the night.

Bathroom

Get your bathroom looking hotel fresh by giving it a deep clean, hiding all toiletries and cleaning products and ensuring that there are plenty of clean towels and toilet rolls. Place some new soaps next to the sink along with some scented candles to give it a luxurious aroma.

Browse our great selection of beautiful furniture online, or head down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare. Alternatively, give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.

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