Mandy's Christmas Decorations!

I have been collecting these stars for years and they look amazing from the road.

I just love decorating my house at Christmas, my family all come home and I want it to be as welcoming and cosy as possible. I start up by lighting the front room window with star lights that I have been collecting over the years, when people drive past they slow down to have nosy. I also have a wonderful collection of old and new glass baubles and these I hang from the mantle piece, the light from the fire and candles twinkles in them.

I always have a real tree and cover it in redwork!

I always have a real tree but some of my garlands are artificial, I use them as a base and add a few sways of fresh ivy through them to make them look authentic. My tree has all the Redwork on it and as many lights that I can find working !!!! No glitter or tinsel here, the white against the green looks just lovely. I add sprays of gypsophila once its finished to fill in the gaps, this looks like snow. My tree also has as many angels on it as I can persuade to be there!

I change all my cushion covers to Christmas ones and fold themed quilts over the back of the chairs and settee. Wall hangings go up over the pictures. The kitchen has a brighter red 50s theme, a bit more kitsch. I make a bay leaf garland to go across the shelf above the Aga, this is also where we dry the oranges and cloves the Grandkids have made, the smell is amazing. From the garland I hang gingerbread cutters, wrapped cinnamon and jelly moulds. The kitchen is important as it is where everyone hangs around so it needs to be special.

I’ve been collecting paper garland for ever and put these all up in the conservatory, intertwined with lights, they look very special in the evenings. This is where we eat our Christmas dinner so the table gets the redwork treatment as well, placemats, wineglass lights and, our new for this year, crackers!!

My decorations are not complete without a Nativity Scene

It all seems like a lot of hard work, but I love it, I love fiddling and making little vignettes on any surface that’s spare.  I know this may be a bit extreme but if you love making things and taking time to show them at their best, it will give you pleasure. Love what you do, love what you make! 

Happy Christmas, Mandy xx

Download Mandy’s Christmas Decorations blog here