Your Home Christmas Made Easy Your Home Christmas Made Easy

Whatever your Christmas style, we have a host of great ideas and tips for the festive season. From this year’s biggest trends – Evergreen Hues, All is Bright, and Black and White Ball (see p7) – and flavoursome new recipes (flick to p83), to decorating tricks and classic crafts (starting on p29), I know you’ll find something within this annual issue to get you excited for a very special, very homely Christmas. Purse-friendly solutions are at the heart of our recommendations this year, with 20 clever spending hacks on p69 and gorgeous gift ideas for every budget, starting on p14. You’ll find lots of price-conscious shopping pages throughout, with thrifty ways to use what you already have, forage for natural decorations or tweak your décor ever-so-slightly for maximum festive impact.…

Style it right • Look out for motifs from nature to carry throughout your décor – stags, trees and berries are spot on.• Use natural elements, such as foliage, rattan and hessian.• Break up the greenery with hints of red and gold to bring warmth and sparkle to every corner.• Carry the look to the sofa and bedroom by switching up your cushions and throws for ones with this must-have hue; subtle festive designs keep the finish more refined. TOP TIP Elevate your tablescape with lots of layers and textures. Stack ceramic plates on top of wooden charger plates and woven placemats for extra interest…

Style it right • Look out for wavy shapes and patterns in everything from candles to glassware, to give this scheme a playful feel.• Inject hints of the year’s key colour, Digital Lavender, to bring this pretty trend right up-to-date.• Ensure this dopamine décor trend hits the spot with a flourish of pastel baubles to brighten up your tree and beyond.• Choose a pre-lit tree with a snow-topped finish to enhance this soft chic look. TOP TIP For an airy, eclectic look, mix vibrant purples, blues and pinks with one or two shades in your décor and let them influence your choices when shopping for your scheme…

Style it right • Look for modern shapes and sleek designs finished in black, white or gold to bring this look up-to-date.• Choose a deep, dark green tree or fully embrace the trend and pick a black one to really make the gold and white touches pop.• Add fun additions, such as gold nutcrackers and festive signs, for a light-hearted celebration of the season.• Make use of white fairy lights to brighten dark corners and make the gold in your scheme sparkle.…

Stuck for the perfect gift? Let our guide inspire you, whether you’re looking for a bit of luxury or a fun stocking filler…

If you could ask for any gift for Christmas, would power tools be on the top of your wish list? For DIY enthusiast, Leanne Lim-Walker, she would love nothing more than a circular saw from Santa this year. ‘If I could ask Father Christmas for anything, it would be power tools for my next decorating project,’ she explains. ‘I love making over my home and enjoy doing all the hard work myself.’ When Leanne and her fiancé, Paul, moved into their three-bedroom house in Norfolk, she was excited to start flexing her DIY skills. ‘We had been renting before and I was limited by what I could do to the place. Owning our first home gave me the opportunity to test out my design ideas so that our new home…