New homeowner? Looking to make your house a home this Christmas? It’s that time of year again, and UK retailers are bursting at the seams with festive treats to adorn your home for the season.
With so many Christmas decorations on offer, it can often be tempting to go overboard when buying. If it’s your first Christmas in your new home and the purse strings are tight, stick to a budget or agree on four or five essential features to invest in and save the rest for next year.
Investing in these core features will ensure the family coming home for Christmas will have a fantastic time with you.
1. Buy a Tree from a Christmas Shop
Whilst the aroma of a fresh pine tree to fill your home this Christmas is appealing, artificial trees are much more economical, lasting for Christmases’ to come, and much better for any four-legged friends who may not take too kindly to needles in their paws. This John Lewis 6ft Festive Fir tree looks the part and is a festive steal at just £40.
2. John Lewis 6ft Festive Fir Tree £40.00
Many trees now come with built-in lights, too, saving you the task of buying lights as an added extra and the fiddley task of wrapping them evenly around your tree. Tesco’s 6ft pre-lit Christmas tree is just £35 online.
Tesco 6ft pre-lit Christmas Tree £35
3. Christmas Decorations in Multi-packs
When we had Christmas in our first home, multi-pack decorations were a godsend. Decide on a theme, choose a colour, and pick a pack of decorations. While individual decorations can give a personal touch to your Christmas tree, they can be expensive, and when you’re first starting out, watching the pennies is important. Remember, decorations can always be replaced over time.
Check out Marks and Spencer’s bumper pack of 100 traditional Christmas baubles for only £15. The retailer often runs three-for-two for two offers on Christmas decorations, too, so it is worth taking a look
4. Christmas Candles
There’s nothing like the scent of Christmas to get you in the mood. Candles are ideal for adding a warm, festive atmosphere to any room (just don’t leave them unattended). Lily Flame’s Merry Christmas candle is infused with winter spices and fresh ginger and has a burn time of 35 hours. The price of this candle at John Lewis is £9.
A personal favourite, Yankee candles come in a variety of Christmas scents. They are slightly more expensive than Lily-Flame, at £21.99 from Debenhams, although they give you 115 hours of burn time.
5. Festive Furnishings from a Christmas Shop
Making your house a home this Christmas doesn’t have to be all about traditional decorations—soft furnishings are increasingly on trend. From cushions to throws and ornaments, you can deck out your home with a festive touch without breaking the bank.
Marks and Spencer’s chenille stag cushion would look right at home on a cosy armchair. Team with rich red cushions and tartan if you’re going for the ‘more is more look.
Marks and Spencer cushion £12 Throws are a great way to add texture to your home this Christmas. They’re perfect for cosying up on chilly winter evenings, too. This tartan-inspired throw from John Lewis is £40. Drape it over a sofa or armchair to add a festive touch to your living room.
However you make your house a home this Christmas, remember to enjoy the experience of decorating your first home for the festive season.