I’m going all-out this year...

Do I love the anticipation of Christmas more moved into our new house just before than the big day itself? Very possibly. There’s Christmas. Decorating for the holidays meant something undeniably magical about all working around post-move chaos and boxes, the twinkly lights, festive scents, quirky restrictions meant we couldn’t have anyone traditions and (probably the biggest plus for over, days out didn’t happen, and everything

Join me) getting to go to town ended up a bit half-hearted. when I’m decorating the house, that I find I have every intention of impossible to resist! making up for it in a big way

this year. The house, though The Advent calendar I’ve not ‘finished’, is straighter, been making for my twins and we can invite friends every year for the last and family around for decade (they’re 12 now) is celebrations. I’ll indulge what all of our Christmas myself and take my time family traditions are decorating the house from woven around. Each day top to bottom (and then contains an Advent spilling out into the garden). activity – from easy things such as ‘listen to music’ for busy days, to This issue of Ideal Home is packed to bursting family highlights like ‘buy the Christmas with amazing ideas and inspiration. So crank tree’ (it’s got to be a real one for me) and up the festive tunes, dive in and join me in pre-booked treat days out. making this Christmas one to remember –

for all the right reasons.

The calendar gives the whole of December a rhythm that I love, with a few surprises thrown into the mix of hotly anticipated annual must-haves that bring a little joy to every day of the month. Last year, we

“Join me in making this Christmas one to remember for all the right reasons ”

HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR