Decorating the home at Christmas is one of the best ways to embrace the festive spirit come December. Expert gardener and author, Sarah Raven loves to adorn different areas of a house with a festive glow through a mix of colours, flowers, plants, and ornaments.
From chandeliers and centrepieces, candles, lights, and vases to real flowers and stylish plant pots and bowls, Sarah has endless tips for creating a truly atmospheric Christmas.
Christmas wreaths
“When decorating for Christmas, there is no better place to start than with a festive staple, the Christmas wreath. The Bermondsey eucalyptus wreath & light set looks fabulous upon a door, the middle of a table, or a window sill. Dress it up with flowers and foliage for an extravagant look, or keep it as is for a more naturalistic, ‘scandi-fresh’ style. Alternatively, head into the garden and start foraging to create your very own wreath.
“Start with bracken for the base. It’s a common fern but looks beautiful in a wreath, providing a lovely burnished, honey-blonde colour. Silver birch is wonderful too and is ideal for bending and shaping the structure, while rosemary adds a divine festive scent.
“For a bit more oomph, add berries of ivy, giving the leaves a long, cold bath to preserve their freshness right up until Christmas Day. I like to top wreaths off by adding red or amber hydrangeas for a touch of colour.
A festive tablescape
“Christmas is a time to be extravagant and embrace the season’s boldness. One of my favourite ways to do so is creating a relaxed tablescape. Combine naturally foraged items like moss, conker, and pomegranate for a warm aesthetic. Try hollowing out some fruit, like a pomegranate, and using it as a candle holder. For your candles, opt for mossy green tones and Venetian reds that sit in harmony with jewelled vases and carefully placed helleborus stems.
A jolly hallway
“I love to decorate my hallway with a sweeping garland that spirals up the banister or along a picture ledge. The Bermondsey Eucalyptus Swag or Red Berry Lit garland are some my favourites from this year’s collection for a timelessly festive look. I like to pair natural garlands with baubles, golden leaves, and lights to give it that extra layer of decadence.
“Narcissi ‘Paperwhites’ is my favourite festive houseplant for hallways – a beautifully fragrant and nostalgic daffodil. Decorate narcissi with branches of silver birch or hazel at the base, and as a final touch, hang silver and clear glass baubles on the twigs for a wonderful display.
A traditional tree with a twist
“For your Christmas tree this year, add flowers into your array of traditional decorations. Dip alliums into silver paint, allowing them to dry and dot them around the tree. The different size flowers work perfectly, creating a really striking statement that is sure to draw the attention of your guests. Alternatively, go for a garden theme by placing lots of orange slices and greenhouse baubles around the tree. Finally, add some lights to create a really amazing three-dimensional look.”
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