Sit pretty at Christmas
THE death of the dining room is announced on a regular basis now that fewer families eat together but the rise of open-plan kitchen-living rooms means most of us still have the option to sit down at a table for meals and special occasions. That is good news for those who like to push the boat out at Christmas and create a dining setting that’s a feast for the eyes, whatever you’re eating.The festive season is the chance to splurge on some lovely new cutlery, glasses or table linen, or perhaps even some new dining chairs as the trend for mismatched furniture grows.
But before decorating the table with hard-to-recycle sparkling plastic, it’s worth considering a more natural look.
Interior designer JoannaWood suggests using holly and ivy from your garden or real Christmas tree off-cuts to decorate your Yuletide table, with a few baubles and tealight candles if there’s room.
Hobbycraft has seen a rise in sales of eco-friendly decorations this year and its plastic-free Christmas crackers kit is an excellent way to get children involved in preparations for the big day.
It also sells biodegradable glitter that youngsters can sprinkle all over their festive masterpieces and themselves, so you can have a sparkling Christmas with a clear conscience.
And if you’re having friends for a Christmas meal it’s nice to use handmade place cards: “Try using pine cones as place card holders,” says Joanna, “it is a simple yet tasteful way to bring nature inside and add a little festive spirit to the table.”