Use gifts as decorations
Once you start to receive presents from friends and family, rather than simply bunging them under the tree, you can use them as decorations.
Gift boxes and smaller wrapped presents look fab when hung from a window ledge or draped up the stairs, off the bannister. Plus, you receive a reminder of the exciting stuff that’s to come when the big day arrives!
Get creative with a personalised "Merry Christmas" banner
Give the gaudy, gold-coloured “Merry Christmas!” banners or bunting a break this year, and opt for something much more unique.
If you fancy getting crafty, you can make your
Or add a personal touch to a high-quality and professionally-made banner, with your very own message and photo - thanks to our friends at Party Pieces!
Illuminate your Christmas with light-up signs
Even at Christmas, days can be long and arduous, but what better way to remind yourself of the joys this season brings than by investing in a few light-up signs?
They’re relatively cheap, usually powered by batteries (and can, therefore, be placed anywhere) and enable you to spell out words, sayings or messages of your choosing.
Adding a few lit-up festive words around the house should put a smile on everyone’s face.
Tap into tradition by hanging stockings
With today's modern decorations - including fibre-optic trees, LED snowfall projectors and self-driving sleighs - you mustn't forget to hang a humble stocking.
Traditional stockings hung from the fireplace are one of the most endearing signs that Christmas is on its way.
Get some personalised Christmas stockings, add name tags to them, and put them on show for all to see.
Decorate with fond festive memories
Take a look back through your photo albums and pick out a few favourites from Christmases past.
These photos will make fantastic decorations. You can hang them from the same fireplace as your stockings, drape them over the bannister, or wedge them carefully into the branches of the tree. There’s nothing quite like spotting those old memories when Christmas comes around again.
Celebrate your baby's first Christmas with our enchanting "Baby’s 1st Christmas" light-up photo frame.
Try some tiny trees
Whether you are opting for a large living room centrepiece - or don't fancy the drag of putting a massive tree up, decorating it, then taking it down a few weeks later - consider adding some smaller Christmas trees around your home.
Miniature Christmas trees are not usually expensive, and most come pre-dressed. Some even have built-in lights, powered by batteries.
These are a great alternative or complement to a big tree!
Put your own stamp on it, with bespoke tree ornaments
Make Christmas your own way, with personalised decorations.
If you or someone you know is celebrating their baby's first Christmas, mark the very special occasion with a beautiful red shiny glass bauble, made just for you.
This is a personalised keepsake to be treasured forever, presented in an elegant clear box.
Create a new Christmas tradition, while helping your home stand out!
Make your own 'joy'
The word ‘joy’ is used a lot at Christmas, but rather than opting for your bog-standard ‘joy’ ornaments, why not create your own?
Grab an old bit of wood, clean it, paint it white and use red paint to add the letters ‘J’ and ‘Y’ to it. In the space where the ‘O’ should go, you could even add a wreath. Hey, presto - your own festive sign!
Display your Christmas cards
Most people simply find a spare surface in the living or dining room and place all their Christmas cards there. But that’s not very creative or interesting, really, is it?
You can do an awful lot with the Christmas cards you receive by turning them into beautiful decorations for your home. Hang them from curtain rails or create a collage on a chalkboard that’s dressed with lights. Don’t just place them on the table!
Add candle-lit centrepieces to tables
You may already have candles throughout your home - but at Christmas, you can go “candle mad”!
Add centrepieces to each of your tables by gathering a bunch of differently-sized and shaped candles. Keep them lit (safely, of course – and only when you’re there!), and it’ll be like you’ve instantly flicked the “Christmas switch”.
Alternatively, pick up a festive reindeer table ornament from our friends at Party Pieces for £20.99. Crafted from wood and metal, this gorgeous tealight holder depicts a tranquil winter forest scene.
Decorate your potted plants
Your Christmas tree doesn’t have to be the only piece of greenery in your home that benefits from some festive decoration.
Why not add baubles, tinsel and lights to your other household plants? They needn’t miss out on the festivities, and it’s a great way to spread Christmas cheer throughout the home.
Whether you’re skipping the Christmas tree this year or just want to decorate every inch of your space, Party Pieces has the perfect kit to bring festive fun to your potted plants.
It also makes for a great stocking filler or extra gift!
Bring some festive magic to your bedroom
(I know what you're thinking - not like that!)
Instead, remake your bed for the season, topped with with a festive quilt.
It isn't particularly expensive and it's a lovely way to make your bedroom feel all Christmassy.
You’ll be reminded of this wonderful time of the year at both the end and start of the day!