Finishing touches to light up your Christmas

Are you ready? By now I imagine you all have your halls decked with boughs of holly, fairy lights a-twinkling and baubles strategically placed. If like me you've gotten a little bit caught up in the chaos of Christmas then don't worry, you aren't the only person not to have put those finishing touches to your grotto.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2010, 11:23 BST
Updated 21st Dec 2010, 11:23 BST

Because let's face it, just getting your home ship shape to even begin the process of decorating takes a lot of time and energy. Let's begin with lights. If you have any left-over lighting from the tree this year – use it! Hang at the windows, drape around big house plants, trail up the banisters and twine around bed frames – you really will be astonished at what a difference they make. The decorating of doorframes is often overlooked as they are normally left until the tree has been positioned, but don't fall into the trap of leaving them bare, as they are the entrance to your grotto. Tack ivy and lengths of tinsel here and there to get a lovely mix of the twinkly and the traditional.

I bet there are a fair few of you who have a few stray tree decorations left unhung too! You know the ones, those left over at the bottom of the box waiting to have their hangings replaced, or maybe they didn't quite match the colour scheme you were going for on your tree? Set a little time aside and complete the job by attaching some invisible sewing thread to them, then collect them all together to make a fetching front door display – wreaths are so pass. Hang stray baubles from the bedstead of children's beds, as well as fixing them round door handles to guest bedrooms for a festive, welcoming touch. Save stray pieces of greenery such as holly and mistletoe to use as a cute little place setting when entertaining. Cards are often a bit of a nightmare especially if you are popular. I find simply hanging some red or gold ribbon the length of the wall and fixing the cards to it with double sided sticky tape works a treat. Mini pegs are a great way of attaching cards to a piece of string hung up in a hallway or kitchen, or if you have a vase of twigs or snow berries you can peg the cards to these, making a Christmas card tree. There are also loads of great cardholder designs to choose from on the high street so it could be worth investing in one of these. So, place that final sprig of holly, hang that leftover bauble and display those fairy lights – then sit back, sip your mulled wine and enjoy Christmas!

YP MAG 24/12/10