Innholdsfortegnelse for Homestyle Christmas 2024 i HomeStyle Christmas Special

The countdown is on! Our favourite time of year is here and we can't wait to give our homes a festive makeover. Make the most of the whole of December with our decorating and styling ideas. Choose from our pick of this year’s trends, whether that’s Alpine Cabin (page 8), Heritage Shimmer (page 10), Fairytale Christmas (page 12) or Festive Maximalism (page 14). We've gathered the very best of the high street and boutique brands to inspire your decor and create a look you'll love. With ideas for each room (and the garden, see page 20), you'll soon have your home guest-ready. Flick to page 54 for an inspiring real home and page 48 for great guest room ideas, then take a look at our features on pages 22 and…

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT Okay, so we may not all be fortunate enough to have a luxurious log cabin to retreat to for Christmas, but it’s super easy to give your doorway or porch a similar feel. Twig-style trees add a festive effect without being overwhelming, while a couple of pretty star lights will look gorgeous either fixed to the wall of your house, or propped up on the doorstep. OH CHRISTMAS TREE A contemporary take on the traditional outdoor tree, these glowing gems will create instant impact. Choose between three different sizes to suit your space, or display the trio together! SLEIGH RIDE We love the idea of a glowing reindeer and sleigh on the front lawn, and this cheerful chap really looks the part. It has 10 light…

01 Liven up your display Switch up the look of your bookcases and display cabinets by re-styling them with festive decorations, like lanterns, nutcrackers and scented candles. You may have to set aside a few books (we suggest removing anything mentioning ‘self-improvement’ – that can wait until January) or try stacking them vertically to create space. 02 Layer-up leafy lighting Your tree isn’t the only plant worthy of a glow up this season. Place battery-powered candles next to house plants to really show off the shapes of their leaves, or add pre-lit foliage sprays to existing faux bouquets. If you can’t find a pre-lit spray which suits your taste or budget, twist some cheap, battery-powered fairy lights around branches pruned from the garden or collected from the ground in a local park…

• Use a deep blue or navy tablecloth to transform your table and provide the perfect base to build this look upon. This will also help to make your golden accents pop, giving a decadent feel. • Give existing dinner sets a boost by layering plates and bowls with a golden charger at the bottom, then topping them with blue napkins or crackers. • Keep your table decorations simple and effective with a wreath in blue and gold, or use golden sprigs arranged alongside tea light holders and carefully selected tree decorations for a sophisticated finish.…

• This colour palette oozes sophistication for a more grown-up setting. Sparkling silvers, soft greys and crisp white make for a chic combination. • More is more with this look. Layer the tablecloth with a runner, then add placemats, chargers and plates for a lavish feel. Natural linen, cotton, felt and textured ceramics bring in further interest, while glassware etched with a subtle, festive pattern provides pretty detailing, too. • Embrace the elegant feel by adding place name cards at each setting alongside a natural frosty flourish for the perfect finishing touch.…

Oh so cosy Once you’ve chosen your festive bedding, complete the look with a cosy rug, some cute ornaments and a bedside lamp. Add some simple decorations to the walls for a low-cost but lovely way to inject some festive cheer. Paper chains and paper ornaments are simple and fun to make, and easy to hang up for instant impact. Time for a shelfie If the bedroom shelves are looking a bit tired, give them a colourful update with a lick of paint, then style them up with Christmas ornaments, baubles, books, pens and pencils. These cute characters make a fun display, while iridescent and mirrored baubles catch the light, adding a touch of sparkle. Snuggle up Kids love to feel cocooned and comfy in wintertime, especially when they’re waiting…

YOU WILL NEED • clear fillable baubles• dried flower posies• ribbon INSTRUCTIONS 1 Take the dried floral bunches and separate them. 2 Push the dried florals into the baubles – you can use tweezers to move your florals around the bauble to your liking. 3 Thread the ribbons onto the tops of the baubles, tie them to secure, and hang them from your tree, banister or garland. You could also add some personalisation by hand lettering onto the baubles with a white Posca pen to gift to friends and family…

TOP TIP Feathers make a great addition to a wreath. Check your local craft shop for a range of styles YOU WILL NEED ● wire base● roll of wire● foraged greenery● dried stems, thistles and feathers INSTRUCTIONS 1 Head out and forage for your greenery base. Look for things like pine and ivy – you could also buy a bunch of eucalyptus from your local florist or use herbs, such as rosemary, to give your wreath a scent. 2 Tie your wire to the wreath base and keep the roll attached. At this point, you could add moss to your base and wet it to give your greenery a water source throughout the month. Or, if you are happy to spritz it daily, you can leave out the moss. 3…

TOP TIP Spritz the foliage throughout the season to keep the leaves and buds looking healthy YOU WILL NEED ● foam sphere● wire● dried oranges● thistles● foraged greenery (you could buy one large bunch of eucalyptus from the florist then forage sticks, interesting stems, ferns, berries and grasses – look for foliage with movement, height and different tones of green) INSTRUCTIONS 1 Cut a foam sphere in half, then cut each of these halves into a ⅓ and a ⅔ block. Wet your foam so the foliage has a water source. 2 Place the larger foam segment at the end of your mantelpiece, then sit two smaller segments next to it. Begin adding in your eucalyptus, pointing the stems upwards to create height on the big segment, then flowing to…

Christmas mocktail PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes SERVES 1 INGREDIENTS ● ice cubes ● 1 tsp chopped ginger ● 1 tsp dried cloves ● 1 tsp star anise ● 1 tsp ground cinnamon ● 1 tsp lemon juice ● double shot alcohol-free gin ● 3 tsp Lyle’s Golden Syrup For the rim ● 2 tbsp Lyle’s Golden Syrup ● 2 tbsp Tate & Lyle’s Pure Cane dark brown soft sugar METHOD 1 Fill your shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients. Put the lid on and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. 2 To decorate the rim, put 2 tbsp of golden syrup on a plate and dip the rim of a martini glass to coat it. Put the dark brown soft sugar on a clean plate and dip the…

TOP TIP Make use of foliage from the garden to create natural displays; nestle with co-ordinating pillar candles and baubles for a cohesive feel to your decor GET THE LOOK… • A snow-tipped tree is the best place to start with this trend; giving that freshly cut from the forest vibe in an instant. Bring the tree to life with baubles in all shades of green. Adding detail with sprigs of white or gold berries and the odd feathered friend can provide the perfect finishing touch. • Dialling up the textures for this trend is key for creating a cosy space to relax and enjoy the festivities. Drape faux furs on dining chairs and benches – super soft chenille or teddy cushions and chunky knit throws are all must-haves. Add…

COLOUR POP If colour is your thing, head straight towards this vibrant look. Take your pick from Dobbies’ great selection of faux and real topiary, and dress with brightly coloured baubles for a scheme that’s sure to brighten up the neighbourhood. TWINKLE, TWINKLE There’s no doubt that some carefully chosen lights can transform any entrance. If you don’t have steps on which to layer up your decorations, a few upturned wooden crates can be just the ticket to create a stylish display of varying heights for extra impact. NATURAL WONDER This chic, au naturel vibe proves that the ‘less is more’ philosophy can still make an impression. Create your own oversized wreath with fresh foliage, then add a simple ribbon for hanging on the door. Some outdoor lanterns and a…

If you love bright colours, then why not go all out at Christmas? A hot pink tree will suit maximalist schemes perfectly – drape in gold tassels and a mix of novelty baubles for a kitsch look. Or, add one of this year’s hottest trends – bows! Add metallic decorations to this midnight blue tree for a show-stopping look. It would create a dramatic statement in spaces with an Art Deco scheme and rooms painted in moody hues. Create a temporary festive display by piling up presents on a sideboard in a pyramid shape, then top with a light-up star and add battery-powered lights. It’ll discourage little snoopers from taking a peek at their presents too! For a chic, Scandi-inspired look, we love this pre-lit tree. With its faux snow-tipped…

• Look for kitsch festive designs on everything from plates and glassware to linens and baubles, to really bring your tablescape to life. Have fun with this look, mixing patterns in the same depth of colour so that they work alongside each other effortlessly. • Gold makes a great accent to anchor this colour explosion, so use it for your cutlery and for decorative touches such as candle holders and tea lights. • Bows are popular this Christmas and the dining table is a great place to use them with colourful effect. The bow designs on these plates are perfect, and can be used all year round. Alternatively, use satin and velvet ribbon to add DIY flourishes of this mini trend to napkins, decorations and glassware.…

TOP TIP Why not get some friends over for a mulled wine, nibbles and cracker-making night. It’s a great way to swap fabrics and ribbons for unique designs! YOU WILL NEED • gingham fabric• cardboard rolls• hot glue gun• ric rac ribbon• velvet ribbon INSTRUCTIONS 1 Lay your cardboard roll out onto your fabric and cut it to fit – make sure you have excess fabric at either end as, once tied, this amount of excess will shorten. 2 Cut two ric rac stripes to fit both ends of your fabric and attach using your glue gun. 3 Add a line of hot glue to the cardboard tube and wrap the fabric around. You can use excess tubes to keep the whole length of fabric in place. 4 Run a…

TOP TIP If copper isn't your thing, once your hot glue has dried and your letters are secure, you could spray paint your topper in a colour to match the rest of your theme YOU WILL NEED • copper wire• glue gun• scissors• pen• paper INSTRUCTIONS 1 Write out your tree topper word on a piece of paper. Play around with your letters, making sure they touch each other. Cut and bend your wire to match your lettering. 2 Using a glue gun, bond the wire together where the letters meet. 3 Finally, wrap a length of wire around your finger to create a spiral at the bottom – this doesn't have to be neat – and then secure this to the lettering.…

YOU WILL NEED • wire base• roll of wire• foraged greenery• velvet ribbon This project follows the same formula as the foraged wreath, but with a vintage twist to tie it up INSTRUCTIONS 1Head out foraging for your greenery base, look for foliage like pine and ivy – you could also buy a bunch of eucalyptus from your local florist. 2 Tie your wire to the wreath base and keep the roll attached. At this point, you could add moss to your base and wet it to give your greenery a water source throughout the month. Or, if you are happy to spritz it daily, you can leave out the moss. 3 Create small bunches of mixed foliage, mixing textures and leaf shapes to create depth and interest. Begin attaching…

TOP TIP For a cohesive look, use candle holders that complement the shades in your florals If you want something a little more permanent, make your centrepiece with faux florals and foliage instead YOU WILL NEED ● white taper LED candles● gold brush marker● ribbon● foam sphere● pampas grass, dried hydrangeas, bunny tails or any other large dried florals● natural sundries set, £10 for 58 pieces, Hobbycraft INSTRUCTIONS 1 For the painted candles, use the gold brush marker to add small stars along the bottom of the candle, made out of a cross with two diagonal lines through the middle. Add small dots between the star motifs. 2 Choose your colour theme and cut ribbon, then tie it around the mid point of the candles in bows with long tails…

Christmas Cookies by Hannah Miles, published by Ryland Peters & Small (£14.99) Photography © Ryland Peters & Small Iced mitten cookies Let’s start with your base! These adorable mitten cookies can be tied in pairs for a fun gift. If you don't have a mitten cutter, simply cut out a mitten-shaped template from card and cut the dough around it using a knife. PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes plus cooling time COOKING TIME 12 minutes MAKES 10 INGREDIENTS ● 60g soft dark brown sugar ● 115g butter, softened ● 1 heaped tbsp full-fat cream cheese ● 170g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting For the decoration ● 350g royal icing sugar, sifted ● 4-5 tbsp soft shredded coconut Equipment ● mitten-shaped cutter (optional) ● large baking sheet, greased and lined…

Lunch menu Starters • Baked onions with creamy mushroom and tarragon filling v gf • Christmas Day salad • Salmon mousse • Spicy swede soup with ginger vg • Beetroot blinis with vegan smoked salmon and kimchi vg • Purple carrot, fig and pearl barley salad vg Mains • Raymond Blanc’s perfect roast turkey with gravy • Salmon en croûte with horseradish cream • Squash and chestnut galette v • Stuffed squash roast vg gf • Nut patties with cranberry orange sauce vg • Root vegetable pithivier vg Sides • Leek, parmesan and hazelnut gratin v • Herb-salted roasties gf • Spinach and hazelnut stuffng v • Morello cherry, cranberry & port sauce vg gf • Black treacle and pepper glazed Brussels sprouts vg nf • Roast brassicas and butter…

Leek, parmesan and hazelnut gratin PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 10 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 8 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, halved ● 540ml double cream ● 110g unsalted butter ● 3 cloves garlic, peeled ● 6 sprigs thyme ● 110g whole toasted and peeled hazelnuts, plus 2 extra tbsp ● 180g grated parmesan ● salt and freshly ground black pepper ● squeeze of lemon (optional) ● 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs ● 1 tsp chopped fresh chives METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas mark 5. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice and water to make an ice-water bath. Add the leeks to the pan of boiling water and cook until bright green and…

Spicy swede soup with ginger PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4-6 INGREDIENTS ● 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil ● 1 brown onion ● 1 garlic clove, peeled ● 3 medium-size white potatoes ● 3 large carrots ● 1 large swede ● 2 stalks celery ● 2.5cm piece fresh ginger ● 2 vegetable stock cubes ● 600-800ml water ● salt and pepper to taste To serve ● dairy-free yoghurt ● chilli flakes ● croutons (optional) METHOD 1 Add the oil to a large saucepan over a medium heat. Roughly chop the onion and garlic and add them to the pan. 2 Peel and cube the potatoes, carrots and swede. Chop the celery and add the veg to the saucepan. 3 Peel and roughly cut up the…

01 SET YOUR BUDGET Before Christmas gets underway, calculate how much you’re able and willing to spend. Take into account everything from the gifts you need to buy to travel costs, food and drink, and even the postage costs for your gifts and cards. This sum will depend on how much you’ve already saved in your Christmas kitty and how much you can spare in the run-up to the big day. Once you’ve decided on your budget, think carefully about each element and work out where you can make savings. 02 PLAN, PLAN, PLAN… It’s all in the early list-making. Once you know how much you’re willing to spend, make a list of your non-negotiables, from food and drink to a train trip to see Granny. Refer to your list when you…

Step up Give your staircase a seasonal makeover by decorating each tread with clusters of battery-powered candles and lanterns. Wind a pre-lit faux foliage garland around the banister for extra sparkle after dark. If you have space for a tree in your hallway, opt for shatterproof baubles to trim it with or stick to lights only to prevent accidental breakages. Set the scene Create a pretty vignette on your hallway windowsill using your favourite festive decorations. This simple, but elegant Nordic-style display features light-up mini cabins for a magical glow after dark that will enchant your guests when they enter your home. Small and perfectly formed Perfect for pint-sized hallways, this elegant, slimline pencil tree is ideal for creating a big impact with a small footprint. Its built-in warm white…

Get co-ordinated Ensure your festive decorating scheme flows effortlessly through your home by styling your dining space to echo the look of your Christmas tree. A rich palette of traditional hues transitions beautifully to the dining table, and it’s easy to achieve this particular colourway using festive table linens; layer up tablecloths, runners, placemats and napkins for instant impact, without having to replace dinner sets or glassware. We love the idea of tying coloured ribbons to glassware stems, too, for a carefully considered finish. Let there be light Lighting plays a key role at this time of year, and you can use it to great effect at the dinner table to cast a magical, atmospheric glow as you enjoy your feast. Look for pre-lit decorations to add to each place…

• Embrace a more traditional festive scheme with a palette of greens and natural wooden tones. Incorporate leafy designs, stags, robins and other woodland favourites to help bring the scheme to life. • Add textural details with natural materials, such as woven placemats, wooden platters and cutlery with wooden handles – they’re the perfect addition for enhancing this rustic table scheme. • Use a natural wreath or garland boasting pine cones, berries and seasonal flowers as your centrepiece to elevate your table’s scheme. Keep it more sophisticated by placing glass tea light holders carefully among the foliage, or give it a cute touch by nestling a few woodland characters.…

Playful prints You can’t go wrong with classic stripes in clashing colours, as this bedding set from Habitat proves. Bands of red, pink and green create a fun, festive vibe, but will also work in other seasons, too, depending on how you style the space. Bring in shiny baubles, sparkly lights and cosy textiles to amp up the Christmas feel, then switch out for floral accessories come summer! Nordic neutrals To transform a neutral scheme into a winter wonderland for guests, a Scandi theme is the way to go – look for faux foliage to hang over the bed, Christmas cushions for a touch of pattern, and wooden accessories to add warmth. Blankets and snuggly throws are another way to add layers of interest to any bedroom lacking character, especially…

TOP TIP This is a simple activity that the kids will love helping out with in the run up to the big day. Plus, you'll have a sweet keepsake for Christmases to come Draw inspiration from the colours and patterns around your home for a set of baubles that will complement your scheme YOU WILL NEED ● gouache paints● size 3 paint brush● ceramic baubles● pot of water INSTRUCTIONS 1 Take your favourite colour – we chose ochre – and paint the top of the bauble and thick stripes going down the sides. 2 Using a secondary colour, add small dashes and singular star motifs made up of crosses with further cross lines through them. 3 For the second design, choose three colours and paint wavy lines down the bauble,…

TOP TIP Pierce the top of any leftover orange slices, thread with ribbon and hang on your tree YOU WILL NEED • wire wreath base• dried oranges (you can make these yourself)• hot glue gun• velvet ribbon INSTRUCTIONS 1 If you want to dry your oranges instead of buying, preheat the oven to 125°C/115°C fan/gas mark 1 and begin cutting the orange into 1cm thick slices. Lay a sheet of baking paper over an oven-proof dish, pop the oranges onto the paper and put them into the oven, baking them slowly for 2-3 hours. Check how they are doing about an hour and a half in, turning them over so each side can dry out. Once dried and crisp around the edges, remove from the oven. Leave to cool. 2…

YOU WILL NEED • natural fabric like cotton, linen or canvas• black fabric paint• household items including a wine cork and toilet or cardboard roll• paint brush You could add a little note to each gift with ideas on how to reuse your printed wrap INSTRUCTIONS 1 For the first design, paint your cork end and begin printing across the fabric, joining the dots together. 2 Print another line of the cork print just below the first one and then double space before printing your next two lines. 3 For the second design, paint the edge of your cardboard roll and begin printing across the fabric. You can either create a more formatted pattern with equal spaces between your prints, or add different spaces and have some circles closer and…

Salted caramels PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes, plus cooling and overnight setting COOKING TIME 30 minutes MAKES 24 caramels INGREDIENTS ● vegetable oil ● 70g butter, plus extra for greasing ● 200ml double cream ● 150g Lyle’s Golden Syrup ● 240g Tate & Lyle’s Fairtrade Pure Cane Caster Sugar ● 2 tsp sea salt flakes METHOD 1 Butter a loaf tin, roughly 19x9x7cm in size. Line with baking paper, with plenty of overhang on the sides and ends of the tin, then lightly brush the lined tin with vegetable oil. 2 Place the butter and the cream into a saucepan over a low heat and bring it to a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside. 3 Place the golden syrup and caster sugar in another saucepan and set it…

Christmas grazing platter wreath PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS ● fresh herb sprigs, such as rosemary and bay ● dips, chutneys and pickles ● olives ● mixed nuts ● selection of sliced continental meats ● selection of soft and hard cheeses ● salad, such as cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, celery ● mini breadsticks and savoury crackers● fresh fruit, such as figs, blueberries, grapes, clementines, pomegranate seeds ● dried fruit, such as dried apricots and dates METHOD 1 Take a large, round, flat platter or chopping board. Snip sprigs of rosemary and bay and arrange around the edge of the platter. 2 If using dips, chutneys, pickles, olives or nuts, decant into small, shallow bowls and place evenly around the platter. Put a larger bowl with a dip in…

Baked onions with creamy mushroom and tarragon filling PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 30 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 2 small-medium brown onions ● 2 small-medium red onions ● 1 tbsp olive oil ● 200g chestnut mushrooms, chopped ● 1 garlic clove, crushed ● 5g tarragon, chopped ● 40ml vegetarian white wine or vegetable stock ● 75g crème fraîche ● salt and pepper, for seasoning ● 300g spinach ● 2 tsp butter METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Trim the root hairs from the base of the onions so they sit upright. Leave their skins on and make a lid by slicing horizontally through the onions about 1cm down from the top. Replace the lids, wrap each onion with foil, place on a…

Baked Alaska PREPARATION & COOKING TIME 1 hour 10 minutes, plus freezing SERVES 10 INGREDIENTS ● 900ml tub Asda Really Creamy triple chocolate ice cream ● 900ml tub Asda Really Creamy vanilla ice cream ● 120g slice Asda Extra Special Panettone Classic For the chocolate orange sauce ● 200g dark chocolate, chopped ● 50g butter ● 200ml milk ● 1 orange, zest cut as a large strip with a peeler For the Italian meringue ● 100g egg white ● 200g white caster sugar ● 75ml water ● 1 orange, finely zested ● cook’s blow torch METHOD 1 Line a 1 litre pudding basin with clingfilm. Beat the chocolate ice cream in a large bowl until loosened but not melted (you could do this in a free-standing mixer with a paddle…

This 'serve yourself' dish is a real crowd pleaser that’s sure to leave them wanting more! Pulled turkey tacos PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks ● olive oil ● 1 tsp each cumin and smoked paprika ● salt and pepper ● 1 tbsp honey ● 1 lime, juice and zest ● 700g cooked leftover turkey, shredded ● 50g sweetcorn, drained For the refried beans ● 1 small white onion, peeled and finely chopped ● vegetable oil, for frying ● 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped ● 2 tsp cumin ● 1 tsp smoked paprika ● 400g black beans For the salsa ● 1 small red onion, thinly sliced ● 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ●…

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