Win Christmas Fair tickets
WITH just a few weeks until Christmas the festive panic is starting to kick in. We asked the organisers of the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair, which takes place at the SECC, Glasgow, from November 17–20, to share their top tips for turning your home into a winter wonderland. 1. Get organised in advance so you can relax and enjoy the festive build-up. 2. This is the darkest time of the year so add sparkle to your home with some clever lighting.
Everyone loves fairylights on the tree but adding them to your mantelpiece or wrapping them around your banister creates a festive glow that can flow from room to room. Drape them across the tops of shelves or even above cornicing for a gorgeous glow. 3. Bored of a large Christmas tree stuck in a corner? Experiment with a few smaller trees dotted around the house. Artificial, smaller trees are great for adding festive cheer to other areas of your home such as the hallway, upstairs landing and even your bedroom! 4. Get the youngsters involved in making home-made decorations. You can pick up some great tips at the Craft and Create Room at Country Living Christmas Fair including making Gingerbread Garlands, Scenty Snowballs and Festive Lovehearts. 5. Safety comes first. We all love candles but with kids and tipsy relations milling about they can be dangerous. Invest in some flameless battery-operated flicker candles. 6. Break the colour rules. Everyone associates Christmas with red and gold, but there are no rules. A tree covered with different shades of blue baubles and decorations gives a modern edge. 7. Dine in style. Having a sparkly, pretty table really sets the scene for the Christmas meal.
If you can, set the table the day before so you have plenty of time and can enjoy it. You’ll get lots of ideas at the Cookery Theatre at Country Living Christmas Fair. 8. If you want more than just a few lights hanging from the exterior of your house, invest in some freestanding rope lights in festive shapes such as reindeer and Santa to give a festive edge to your front lawn.
Or instead of the usual wreath on your front door, get one with LED lights that will glow in the darkness, welcoming your guests.
9. Cards. Be creative in displaying your cards and don’t just stick to the lounge. You can buy beautiful card holders or try making your own. Tack up some satin ribbon to hang your cards in the bedroom, use sparkly fridge magnets to display cards in the kitchen or colourful clothes pegs to attach your cards to string in the hallway. 10. Take a trip to The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair for more inspiration and ideas.
There are more than 300 of the UK’s finest craftsmen and women together under one roof to offer unique gifts, decorations, crafts, food and inspired interior ideas to help bring that magical Christmas sparkle to every home this festive season.
You’re sure to enjoy your day at the SECC. For further information or to book tickets call 0844 581 1385 or visit www.countrylivingfair.com/glasgow
We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away for The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair at the SECC, providing entry for Thursday, Friday or Sunday. For your chance to win, email comp@sundaypost.com or write to Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair Competition, The Sunday Post, Suite 6, Skypark, 8 Elliot Place, Glasgow G3 8EP by Friday, November 11, stating your name and address. The first 10 entries selected at random will win a pair of tickets. Usual competition rules apply.