Feeling festive yet?

Are you thinking it’s too early to be talking about Christmas? I promise you, it’s not. By the time you read this there will only be nine weekends (at most!) until it’s here. So think of us as your wake-up call, if you need one, and your guide to putting in a little effort early to make your day shine extra bright. When you want ideas, Megan Morton is your woman. So it was a magical day shooting with Megan and her friends Rachel Burke and Rachel Castle, plus sausage dog Sydney. Turn to page 42 for the story, including simple (honestly!) craft projects and ideas for fuss-free celebrations. There’s even a decoration that turns into a drink! We’ve also done the hard work for you on the shopping front, with our edit of thoughtful gifts from page 52, plus gift-wrap, cards and baubles aplenty. And if you’re a baker, you’ll want to check out the home-cooked gift recipes and packaging ideas on page 142.

If you’re absolutely not ready for Christmas, there’s plenty more to keep you inspired. Our homes this month include a classic Palm Beach cottage repurposed for a family, an all-white home in Byron Bay decorated with the help of local artisans, a river boat on the Murray that the owners use to cruise to lunch spots, doing a spot of kayaking on the way, and a converted barn in France, all rustic exposed beams and brickwork. Enjoy the ride!

With The Block wrapping up, Shannon has his final say on the good, the bad and the ugly of each apartment. Shelley Craft opens the doors to her garden studio in Byron Bay and we look at thinking flexibly in the design of your home so you can fit in more than one generation down the track. Because family’s the most important thing – not just at Christmas. We hope you enjoy the issue.