I am so not doing Christmas yet, but.... (help with decorations please)

[lilolilmanchester]

... every year I refuse to start on Christmas until at least November. However, our Christmas decorations are a bit sad and tired, and by the time I@vebeen in the Christmas spirit the last couple of years, all the decent stuff has gone. So might use half term to have a look. Inspiration needed please (not Christmas tree decorations, more things for round and about). Most of ours are either some sort of candle or some variation on a tree. Children are teen/pre-teen so not looking for too cutesy. Any ideas please? Thanks.

Next Directory have some lovely decorations in at the moment.

Why dont you go for the natural look and make some decs using holly branches and other greenery. Your teens may enjoy helping you make them. Wreaths and mantlepiece decs for example, or edges for pictures.

Thanks both. Yes, got a lovely bauble tree from Next a couple of years ago inscotland, will have another look. Thanks BandofMothers, I usually do have some natural decors so must remember to do them again this year (I often do an oasis with holly/fir and candles). I find that most of the decors I see in shops that I like are either candle related or tree related, so fancied something different.

How about folksy with red and white check, wooden objects, reindeer, hearts etc? We have a superb local furniture shop which always has a fab Xmas selection and I fell for the folksy stuff a couple of years ago. Last year I noted that the 'look' was now in main stream stores as well so I'm sure you'd find it somewhere.

that sounds nice Suedonim.

John Lewis has some nice bits in too - Father Christmas Russian Dolls? Previous years I've purchased some Tree decs that resembled fir cones and hung them off the end of our curtain rails (DH overestimated the length of pole needed and is too stubborn/proud to cut them to size). Lakeland have had some nice garlands previous years. We have a gingerbread man one that gets zigzagged across our internal doors.

Thanks Biscuits. Funnily enough, we have some (authentic) Russian dolls on a shelf on our landing, and was just looking at Next's Christmas ones today. Think I might get those, a bit kitsch but fun. Curtain rail decors a great idea. Thanks.

Keep them coming

You can do it cheaply, Lilolilmanchester, with red gingham and red/cream/white felt/ fabrics/paper - they needn't be Christmas products. I made a really effective mantlepiece decoration with some decorations in the form of miniature presents, stacked up, in red and white, a string of silver beads wound in and out and a string of battery lights. All cheap as chips!

I do like making own decorations but I have a ridiculous pre-Christmas schedule this year so unlikely to be able to make much myself this time. But the stack of presents sounds pretty and not too time consuming, great idea thanks.

that Goldsmith lady has written a book called "the Christmas book" there are some lovely bits in there to make earthy christmas Decs..

am going to be making some myself here

ooh, thanks, will take a look. like the idea of home made ones if I have time.

The 'presents' were ready-made, Lilolil! Life's too short for mucking about with making them yourself. I'm also partial to swathing bits of net or satin and ribbons around, stuck down with tape or pinned in place. A good centrepiece for over a mirror is to gather some fabric into a bow and tie it into shape (no sewing!) Wrap a bit of fabric around to make the 'knot' bit. Thread some matching baubles on cotton or even lametta, tie at the back of centre of the bow. Pin to wall - voila. Very easy but somehow people are impressed.

These are nice.
www.numberonegiftshop.co.uk/#1X0.

Click on Gisela Graham Christmas.

Buy Christmassy material of different designs and cut into triangles. Buy red ribbon and sew on. Christmas bunting!!

more good ideas, thanks.