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Styling the table is a joyous way to elevate your festive fare, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Laying the table to an art form to showcase your festive flair (B&M Home/PA) Celebrating the holiday season and rallying your friends for aperitifs, followed by a jubilant lunch or dinner, calls for a seating plan – and your cue to dial up the drama with the art of tablescaping. “When it comes to Christmas entertaining, the table is so much more than just a place to eat… it’s where memories

From glitzy baubles and beautiful bows to snowflakes sparkling with seasonal joy. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Make it a magical Christmas with this joyous collection of decorations (Rockett St George/PA) With the festive fervour gathering momentum and Christmas decor stealing the limelight, now’s the time to focus on those finishing touches. Especially if you’re inspired by the celebratory Chrimbo light switch-on events, can’t wait to put the tree up, or looking for that something l

Chutneys, scented pouches and decorations can all be sourced from your plot. Home-made gifts have more meaning behind them (Alamy/PA) Home-made gifts spell love, effort and thought – and it’s easy to extend that to garden-inspired festive presents. Whether you create a beautifully scented herb drawer pouch or a jar of delicious home-made chutney or jam, it will mean more to the recipient than something you’ve bought in haste from a retailer. “There’s so much to be gained from

From gleaming cutlery to fresh-smelling garlands, these quick wins from the Queen of Clean are a lifesaver. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Sparkle, shine and save time with these savvy shortcuts (Alamy/PA) Can you feel it? The Christmas lights are on, window displays have been given the wow factor, and magical displays are drawing us closer to the big day – with feel-good festive fixes topping the to-do list. Especially if you’re setting the stage for holiday hosting, decking the halls

From chic abodes to cottagecore, these decorative items will elevate the everyday, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Christmas is the perfect time to tuck a home gift under the tree (Alamy/PA) Some of the best buys are for sprucing up your space, and gifting is the perfect opportunity to style up the season with something for the home. Especially if you’re not sure what to buy a loved one; but you’re confident a interiors-based gift will give great aesthetic pleasure if it channels comf

From ‘nonna holiday’ to nutcrackercore and gothmas, here’s what’s shaping the holiday season. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Deck the halls and showcase your festive flair with these seasonal schemes (Meri Meri/PA) One of the wonders of Christmas is putting up the decorations… and foraging for those sentimental trinkets, glitzy trimmings, garlands and twinkling lights galore. But what if you’re rethinking your Christmas aesthetic; fancy a shift in style and theme, and have your heart s

It’s not too soon to start thinking about entertaining on the big day, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Kit out your kitchen with these quickie makeovers and festive finishing touches (Alamy/PA) With the festive season fast approaching, it’s time to get your skates on if a stylish kitchen refresh is on the cards. Especially if you’re hosting, and entertaining family and friends over the holidays – with a focus on seating everyone comfortably and choosing decor as twinkly as the tree. N

Spa-style bathroom decor echoes a sense of luxury, says Sam Wylie-Harris. From bathroom sprawl to sustainability, these designs will inspire a makeover (Almay/PA) When it comes to wellbeing and projects around the home, the bathroom is one of the best places to start. After all, setting the scene for some me time, pampering ourselves with some favourite smellies to reduce stress, and boosting one’s overall mood is top of the sensory checklist… especially if you’re hankering a

Housebuilder sets late October deadline for buyers to reserve and be in by Christmas Barratt David Wilson Redrow South Wales (BDWR) This October, Barratt David Wilson Redrow South Wales (BDWR) is reminding house-hunters that there’s still time to secure a new home and be settled in by Christmas. With a reservation deadline of 24 October 2025, BDWR South Wales has available homes within a range of plots across South Wales — from Swansea to Cardiff and Newport. Buyers who act q

After-dark decor to crown fright night celebrations and spooky soirées. By Sam Wylie-Harris. These Halloween-themed decorations and homewares look spooktacular (Matalan/PA) It’s one of the most anticipated dates in the fancy dress diary, and if you’re into dressing up, Halloween celebrations (October 31) are a real scream. And for a dose of devilish decorative drama, a flurry of eerie furnishings, thrilling tablescapes and themed feature walls make frighteningly good backdrop