Collaborative post
When Christmas gets closer most of us start spending more time indoors, and that’s when you notice if your home’s not as comfortable as it could be (especially if you know you have guests arriving!) The darker evenings and all of the extra things that come into the house, like piles of presents you’ve bought for people and rolls of wrapping paper everywhere can make the space feel a bit busy or unfinished. But a few practical updates now can help you enjoy the season properly and can make your home feel ready for a busy December. Here are some simple ways to get things cosy for Christmas without making more work for yourself.
Decor
Let’s face it, the whole aim of Christmas decor is to make your home feel warmer and more inviting, one of the best ways to do this is start with the things you actually use and touch every day. Cushions and blankets make a huge difference to how comfortable a room feels, so swap your cushion covers to deeper seasonal colours and soft fabrics. All of the supermarkets and bargain shops like B&M and TK Maxx have tons of them at this time of year. A big cosy throw is great for over the sofa in December, it makes everything look more festive and might protect your sofa from any spills and things that can happen over Christmas like chocolate and red wine! Decor looks better when it replaces something that’s already out instead of adding more things to the same surfaces, so take away a couple of your usual bits and put Christmas pieces there instead. Like if you already have frames up then swapping the prints inside them is such an easy way to make a room look different without having to buy new. It also means you’re not having to find space for more items and adding clutter which is handy if you dont have lots of spare space. When it comes to floors they’ll always feel much colder in winter especially if you’ve got laminate or tiles down, so adding a rug gives you something softer underfoot. Even a small rug in front of the sofa can make a noticeable difference, it just helps the room feel ready for the time of year when everyone’s home more and sitting together in the lounge. Even if you cant have a rug down for practical reasons the rest of the year (like because you have pets and it will be difficult to keep clean) you could always get one just for December and store it away with your Christmas stuff. Bedrooms can feel a lot cosier with just a couple of small changes, and bedding is usually what makes the biggest difference. Swap out the duvet to a thicker tog, and maybe treat yourself to some warmer bedding. ‘Teddy’ fluffy bedding is everywhere in the shops, fleece and brushed cotton are all really good and will keep you warm. You dont necessarily have to go with a festive print if you want to use it all throughout winter. And don’t forget good quality curtains to keep out the drafts and the bright winter sun if you’re having any cosy movie days.
Scents
Seasonal scents are one of the quickest ways to make the house feel like Christmas because you notice them straight away when you arrive home. Warming smells like cinnamon vanilla or pine are always good, put them in places where people will actually notice it like in the hallway for when you first get in or on your desk. Reed diffusers work well in bedrooms as they’re a bit more gentle, whereas things like plug in air fresheners can be a lot more powerful especially if you crank them up to the max setting. There are so many Christmassy scent combos you can find these days.
Lighting
Lighting really does make all the difference once the daylight disappears, and that’s pretty early in the day at this time of year! So it’s worth making sure the rooms you use most don’t end up feeling dark too early, getting the lighting right is what will make things feel cosy. You never want to be using your main ceiling light for relaxing, invest in some lamps but most importantly it’s the bulbs that need to be right. Warm white bulbs are usually the best choice in winter because they avoid that harsh washed out look you sometimes get from cool LEDs. Having your lamps set on a timer means the lighting is already sorted for the evening without you thinking about it. This is especially handy when you have a load of extra lights to turn on over Christmas like the tree, any outdoor lights or light up decorations you’ve got. Fairy lights give such a cosy glow so at Christmas why not make the most of them, they don’t just need to be on the tree. They can go around a bookcase or along a sideboard and give a bit of light in corners but without taking up any space.
Food and drinks
The food and drinks are some of the best bits about December, most of us let ourselves indulge a bit and enjoy all of the nice treats we might usually try to resist! You don’t need to go massively overboard but nice food will definitely make you feel more festive and nostalgic as well, if you’re reusing recipes from when you were younger. A slow cooker is such a good option for hot chocolate because it keeps it warm for hours, and you can just let everyone help themselves when they want a treat. Milk and chocolate melt together slowly so you’re not rushing around with different pans, and a few marshmallows or sprinkles make it feel extra festive without much effort at all. Having a little hot chocolate station looks fun and it’s practical too because everything’s in one spot. A tray with mugs spoons and toppings keeps the counter tidy, and sealed tubs or jars stop things going sticky or stale which is exactly what you want when you’ve already got enough to clean up in December. It’s such a nice way to offer a warm drink if family or friends drop in, and you don’t need to be buying loads of fancy ingredients for it to feel special.