Step into Christmas
A fresh look at how to dress your tree
Take your tablescape up a level
Sarah Squire’s pick of beautiful British gifts
Create your own bespoke Christmas wreath
I’m delighted to share some of our tips for the festive season: ideas for dressing your tree, stylish ways to enchant your dinner guests with our ‘tablescaping’ finishing touches, a guide to creating a bespoke Christmas wreath and our pick of beautiful British gifts.
Visit us in-store for stunning decorations and an inspiring range of gift ideas to suit all the family. With many more of our products available online this year, you can also shop from the comfort of your own home. Whether you visit us in-store or browse online, you really can complete your Christmas at Squire’s.
From our family to yours, we hope you have a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sarah Squire
Dressing your tree
There are so many options when it comes to picking a theme for your Christmas decorations, whether you go for a luxury feel with sparkling ornaments and lavish golds, or the traditional palettes of red, white and green. This year we've embraced the natural world and gone for a woodland theme with cheeky squirrels, whimsical toadstools and glittering ferns.
Dressing your tree
There are so many options when it comes to picking a theme for your Christmas decorations, whether you go for a luxury feel with sparkling ornaments and lavishes golds, or the traditional palettes of red, white and green. This year we've embraced the natural world and gone for a woodland theme with cheeky squirrels, whimsical toadstools and glittering ferns.
Step 1
The first job is to add the lights, unless you have opted for a pre-lit tree! Often, the hardest job is unravelling the lights after a year in the attic. The trick is to remember on twelfth night to wrap them up neatly, ready for the following year. And always test them before you place them on the tree!
Step 2
When you have the lights in place, the best method of dressing the tree is to start at the top and work your way down, using the biggest baubles first.
Step 3
Once you've attached your decorations, step back and identify any 'dark' areas. These can be filled with ferns, fronds, bows or flowers, depending on your theme.
Sophisticated dining
Your Christmas dinner is an hour away, the roast potatoes are browning nicely, a bottle of fizz has just been opened...
It's your last chance to finesse the table
Sophisticated dining
Your Christmas dinner is an hour away, the roast potatoes are browning nicely, a bottle of fizz has just been opened...
It's your last chance to finesse the table
Everyone wants their Christmas dinner to look as good as it tastes, and a gorgeous tablescape is the perfect backdrop to the most important meal of the year.
Follow our simple tips to impress your guests even before the food arrives.
The scheme
Christmas doesn’t have to be about the traditional palette of colours. Choose a colour that makes an impact, or a theme that matches the decor of your dining room.
The centrepiece
The perfect centrepiece is impactful, but doesn't take up too much valuable space on the table that will be needed for the food!
The centrepiece can of course be Christmas themed, but you may prefer to go for a classic design like one of our golden candlesticks that can be used again and again, all year round.
If you don't fancy candles, you could use a vase filled with fairy lights to add a rainbow glow to the scene.
The essentials
Remember, your plates and glasses are as much a part of the tablescape as the decoration. Opt for the classics if that's what will best compliment your table, or you could add colourful, or themed plates to bring the table to life.
When it comes to glasses don't make do with an everyday tumbler; whether you're drinking red, white or rose, the shape of the glass really does add to the experience and flavour so have a variety of styles to hand if you can.
The finishing touches
It’s easy to underestimate the impact of a napkin, while functional, it can also add a pop of colour to the table. Ours match with the table runner to tie the place settings with the rest of the tablescape.
We also love a napkin holder – a great way to add a finishing sparkle to the scene – but if you're a dab hand at folding, get creative with your presentation.
Beautiful British Gifts
Our team are always on the lookout for new local suppliers and were delighted to come across local Surrey resident Victoria Eggs’ hand-drawn homewares. Victoria’s designs are, in her own words, “snapshots of special moments in time we wish to cherish for ever and gift to those we love”. All Victoria’s products are made in the UK using water-based inks, ethical supply chains and recyclable materials. The wildlife- and garden-themed ranges we have chosen are unashamedly pretty in an understated and elegant way.
Carefully curated by Sarah Squire
Carefully curated by Sarah Squire
Sarah's top suggestions
Toasted Crumpet founder, Jo Clarke, is inspired by the stunning countryside of the Surrey Hills and passionate about bringing that beauty indoors. I already have my eye on this mini moments cracker containing a trio of mini scented heart soaps as a perfect stocking filler alongside a mini moments votive candle.
Alton in Hampshire is the home of The Country Candle Company whose stylish candle tins contain the added treat of a scattering of cloves (red amber & clove), pine needles (forest sage and pine), cinnamon stick cinnamon and apple) or orange (vanilla and spiced orange) to complement the indulgent seasonal scent.
Sussex is the home of The English Soap Company where they lovingly make their products with fragrances inspired by nature and with the environment front and centre when it comes to sourcing and packaging. A personal favourite is the fresh scented Gardener’s Grapefruit range which makes a welcome gift or a lovely little treat.
Add some festive touches to your home with these stylish hand painted cushions and scented candles in a pretty tin in wonderful fragrances such as clementine and clove, frankincense and myrrh or Pure Christmas. These beautiful flat or 3D hanging decorations based on The Nativity are hand carved in Bethlehem by a producer group based on the principles of Fair Trade working with 90 skilled carvers in the region.
Create the perfect Christmas wreath
A wreath adds festive flair to your front door through the Christmas season, welcoming guests in from the cold with a cosy and magical impact. They look classy, they smell great and they are simple to customise at home!
There’s an abundance of wreath making classes to book, and even more materials available to buy if you want to do it yourself.
Create the perfect Christmas wreath
A wreath adds festive flair to your front door through the Christmas season, welcoming guests in from the cold with a cosy and magical impact. They look classy, they smell great and they are simple to customise at home!
There’s an abundance of wreath making classes to book, and even more materials available to buy if you want to do it yourself.
Why do we hang wreaths on our doors?
The first advent wreaths were used by Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century, but the modern shape arrived a bit later. Lutheran priest, Johann Hinrich Wichern, made a wreath in 1839 using the wheel of a cart to teach children of the meaning of Christmas, and to help them anticipate its approach.
The tradition of making wreaths began centuries ago
The tradition of making wreaths began centuries ago
If we look back even further, to ancient Rome and Greece, members of society would handcraft ‘coronas’ (ring-shaped decorations) from fresh branches, leaves, fruits, twigs and flowers and then hang them on their door as a symbol of victory.
The Romans were pioneers, even in their use of wreaths
The Romans were pioneers, even in their use of wreaths
But wreaths are no longer restricted to religious celebrations, or even the festive season; spring, halloween, and autumn are also great times to decorate with a wreath. And why limit them to your front door? They can be used very effectively indoors to decorate sideboards, or hang on a mirror in your home.
Or join one of our wreath-making masterclasses* in early December where we will provide everything you need, a complimentary tea or coffee and a voucher for 10% off all plants. Such a fun activity to do with your friends.
*Date varies by centre, excludes Chertsey.
Make your own bespoke wreath
A step-by-step guide to making your own
1 A wreath: there’s a variety of plain wreaths available - or start from scratch with a pre-made ring to add foliage to. Micro-lights: cool, warm, rainbow, whatever your preference to bring a glow to your wreath. We recommend battery operated.
2 Extra foliage: Don't be shy – when it comes to foliage, more can be more, whether that's faux foliage, available in our stores, or gathered from your garden.
3 Pine cones: can be gathered in your local wood or bought in store, and used au naturel, or painted to add a splash of colour. Decorations: use your Christmas tree decorations to add more depth - we loved using the clip-on mushrooms to give a woodland feel and complement our pine cones.
4 The final flourish: If, after decorating and shaping your wreath you still feel it needs a bit 'more', a few pieces of dried citrus fruit can add a natural touch, and a great smell.
Feel inspired?
Come and visit us in-store where our friendly, expert staff are always on hand to offer advice
Picture credits: Terry Benson; Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty Images; Science Source/Photo Researchers History/Getty Images
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