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How to add a touch of festive cheer to your kitchen

Without doubt this coming Christmas will be unlike any other. None of us know yet what guidelines will be in place when we come out of this second lockdown and who we will be able spend the days before, the days after and Christmas Day itself with.

One thing we do know however, is that most of us enjoy indulging more than usual and treating ourselves to some extra special food and drink over the festive period. Our kitchens really do come into themselves, becoming the heart of our home and the focal point during the festivities – it’s the one room where family members happily gather to feast on mince pies, pinch a bit of turkey and raid the fridge.

It is easy however to forget the room that serves us so well throughout the festive period when it comes to decorations. Hallways, lounges, family rooms and dining rooms get plenty of attention as they are festooned with baubles, cards, tinsel, and the Christmas tree. Whether you have a stand-alone kitchen or a more open plan kitchen-diner, there are plenty of ways to bring joy into this all-important room without having to give up precious space.

Wreaths: More commonly placed on front doors, wreaths can equally be used indoors and are a great way to welcome family and guests into your kitchen. An alternative to a vertical wreath on the door is a horizontal wreath hanging from the ceiling. Adorn with ribbons and baubles and you have a eye-catching centre piece for the room

Storage: A couple of weeks before Christmas, put away the everyday storage jars, cake tins and containers and bring out your festive storage items displaying them proudly on your work surface, shelves, or breakfast bar. Make sure a decorative theme continues across the containers otherwise ensure colours are festive and complement or coordinate.


Decorative buffet: Time to get the buffet out. Rather than fill the table with plates and bowls all on one level, create interest by raising the heights of feature items such as quiches and salmon or perhaps use a tiered cake plate to display mince pies and stollen . Use a table runner across the length of the table to add some glamour and if you have space, take a tall, clear vase and either fill with fairy lights or arrange some lengthy twigs (which you could spray silver or gold) and use to hang baubles.


Festive ornaments: Ornaments work well in a kitchen as they are small and discreet. Small wooden trees, themed prints, wooden reindeer, and bowls of baubles can be dotted around on windowsills, shelves, and worktops. Try and keep colour theme consistent and aim to keep reindeer or tree theme, for example, in keeping with the rest of the house.


Temporary bar: If you have a storage / shelved area in your kitchen, remove everyday items and create a dazzling display space for coloured glassware, and a selection of beautiful bottles and your favourite drinks. Finish off with some twinkling lights or candles. Keeping these attractive items out on display rather than hidden away creates a warm and hospitable feeling.


Natural foliage: Another simple and cost-effective idea is to bring some of the festive outdoors in – collect holly, mistletoe, spruce, and ivy and use to hang on pelmets, cornices, or windowsills. This can suit both rustic and more modern styled kitchens but can only be done a day or so in advance otherwise the foliage will wilt in the heat.


24th Nov 2020