TAKE A SEAT

Chair decorations are a lovely touch and, with one like this, can be used year after year. To create a metal oak leaf garland you will need thin metal sheets of foil plate or embossing foil, available from Amazon or Jackson’s. Cut out the leaf shape – a good size is 5cm long x 2.5cm wide and 7cm for the stem. You will need tin snips or good scissors for this. Then use an embossing or engraving tool to mark out the veins. Attach the wire stem with contact adhesive or a polyurethane-based glue such as Gorilla Glue. To get the aged look, water down white all-surface primer or a wash of white chalk paint wax and wipe over. Bend them into shape, bind the leaves to a length of wire and drape around the chair back.

“I LOVE MAKING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM ORGANIC MATERIALS; THINGS I’VE

FORAGED FOR IN MY GARDEN OR IN MY LARDER. IT’S TRADITIONAL AND IT’S SO MUCH BETTER FOR THE PLANET. ALL YOU NEED IS A FEW BASIC ITEMS AND

YOUR IMAGINATION”

ANNIE SLOAN, colour and paint expert,

anniesloan.com

DRIED WREATH

Slice an orange thinly then put the pieces in the oven at a low heat to dry out – it makes the house smell wonderful. Then either make a wreath from foliage gathered from the garden or buy a base and attach orange slices with florist’s wire.

MINI TREE

Take an offcut from the main Christmas tree, put it in a vase and place in the hallway or on a side table. Put water in the bottom of the vase so that the tree lasts longer. Dress it with little decorations, like these sculptural paper designs from Broste.

ADVENT BAGS

Children and adults alike will love these mini Advent bags. Simply use brown paper bags, then place a sweet or small gift in each one, tie with ribbon and a sprig of pine. Add a numbered coin, available from Bungalow, and open one each day. →