How to create a Christmassy atmosphere

[Swearwolf]

We're hosting Christmas dinner for the first time!!! We've only just moved into a place with enough space to host. I have no qualms about cooking, but am not sure what exactly will make my house a cosy Christmas-fest.

We always have a tree and some lights in the window, might need something in the kitchen this year? Christmassy throw blanket or whatever? Our table is in the kitchen/diner, I have a table cloth and some nice candles and will go about collecting tableware. How do I make it feel christmassy? Candles, fairy lights? Smelly candles? Help!

[Neoflex]

Christmas music
Pan of mould wine on stove

[paxillin]

Music. Other than that, turkey and sprouts should be enough to make it Christmassy. Is a portly male relative coming? Dress him up as Santa.

[FitBitFanClub]

Lighting is key. No overheads (ever! Not just at Christmas), just lamps and some candles. Scented pot pourri/candles. (keep an eye on them though - we've had a couple of flare-ups). Real tree, if you can. Music playing. (Nice) cooking smells.

But the best thing is a warm, and friendly welcome to everyone as they arrive and make them feel comfortable. Plenty of food and drink on offer (alcoholic and soft).

Happy Christmas!

[FitBitFanClub]

Mould wine?

[ShowOfHands]

I'm also hosting for the first time as we finally have a house large enough. I find good smells help. I've made garlands for the kitchen and dining room, just waiting to dry out oranges and add cinnamon. The real tree will help too. I've put balls of cotton wool soaked in zoflora winter spice in the radiators so it smells Christmassy when the heating comes on. I also have gingerbread room spray.

For the table and window sills I have hyacinths just sprouting in glass forcers and the vases are all coloured glass. They'll be in bloom on Christmas day so will look and smell good and will be near other lights and candles which makes a stained glass effect.

Lots of festive lighting. Candles, fairy lights, lamps. No harsh overheads.

Agree about music. Mulled wine and spiced apple will be ready as people arrive and the fire will be lit.

DD will make sure everybody has a drink at all times which helps people feel looked after.

Mostly though it's family being together and sharing food that'll make it feel right I reckon. And enough pigs in blankets.

[ShowOfHands]

We have other decs too btw, not just garlands. The place will be awash with paperchains, Chinese lanterns, honeycomb decs, snowglobes, holly, popcorn strings, homemade wreaths, a Yule log etc.

[Novemberblues]

You can have Xmas gift atmosphere in a dimly lit room with a fire candles and something glistening.

Lighting is key first element, low, sparkling, candles fairy lights, you could do this in council municipal site and make it look lovely. Second smell... Xmas smells, candles, fir sprays.. Oranges, spices... Cloves and thirdly music. Good music. With these three right you can do anything, good food and drink on top.

[Swearwolf]

Awesome, thank you everyone! Garlands is a good idea... Looks like it's lights, candles and smells then!

[poooooooop]

Mound wine?

[poooooooop]

show I love the cotton balls dipped in zoflora!

[poooooooop]

*Mould argh!

[BiddyPop]

Mulled?!🤣

I like the cotton balls idea - I have never bought zoflora but I have a bottle of a Christmas blend aromatherapy oils which could work well. Or just use cinnamon, orange or mandarin and a single drop of pine to make a personal blend!

Yes to using lamps as much as possible rather than central lights, and maybe try lower watt bulbs in main lights if you must use those.

If you have one, light the fire/stove.

Some fresh flowers or seasonal greenery somewhere does add something too.

And music- Christmas music from cds, streamed from Spotify, etc, or some of your favourites (choral or orchestral would be nice but any favs in the background that won't offend guests).

And having a personal warm welcome. Being happy to see your guests makes a huge difference!

[NewtsSuitcase]

Yuck to mould wine, don't do that!

A bowl of oranges studded with cloves always makes our kitchen smell lovely. Cinnamon sticks hung from kitchen door knobs are lovely too (but cinnamon sticks are generally quite expensive). We have lots of paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. This year I'm also hanging a branch from the ceiling over the dining table and hanging light weight decorations from that.

[BiddyPop]

I get my spices from Asian supermarkets and they are a lot cheaper, you can get big bags of cinnamon for similar prices to 2 sticks in a jar in the regular supermarket. And you can find bags of star anise and cloves as well, to get seriously Christmassy!🎅

[Swearwolf]

These are all such great ideas, I think I have a lot of work to do!

[yasmin05]

Christmas lights and red colored theme drapes with gifts and candles plus a happy Christmas song on the background. :)