The Eclectic Person’s Guide to Christmas
Wreaths, Decorations, Trees, Games, Christmas jumpers, Cards & Candles.
Last Year I did an Ultimate Guide to Christmas, which included gift ideas, decor, food, fizz and more, but it was long, so this year I’ve broken it up into smaller, more manageable chunks for both you the reader and me the writer/researcher. On Sunday I’ll be sending you the first of my gift guides and there will be a separate post on canapés and fizz coming up soon too. If you missed it, then here’s my prepare and freeze ahead Christmas dinner guide.
I have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde approach to Christmas decor. On one hand I adore the simplicity of the traditional natural fresh green foliage, simple red velvet ribbons, brass bells and warm white lights. But, at the same time I’m drawn to all that glitters, shimmers and sparkles, as well as candy cane stripes and cute mice made of felt. So years ago I decided to throw out all the rules and just be me.
I’m not one for over-arching themes. I have done loads of them for brand work, but in real life I like my decor to be an eclectic mix of things that we have collected over the years. There’s something very comforting about the tradition of hanging each ornament and reminiscing about where we were when we bought it, or who gave it to us. I see christmas ornaments as heirlooms that we will one day pass on to nieces, godchildren and nephews, each one a precious treasure.
That said, I do have many decorations, far too many for one tree, so we tend to have quite a few trees in our house and I suppose each one might have a mini theme. The main tree is a riot of colour, glitter and light and although there is repetition, it’s more of a joyful jumble of everything we love. Then we have the wooden Scandi tree that Mr. C made so we could hang all of our annual Swarovski ornaments (more on that later). There’s a twig tree, which tends to be adorned with homemade, slightly hippy, natural and dried fruit ornaments and so it goes on and on. We have our American friends flying over this year and they will be expecting enormous amounts of over-the-top jolly festooning, so I had better get cracking.
Here’s my list for 2024 of decorations, wreaths and trees. There are no affiliate links here, just things I have tried, have bought recently, or want. I’ve also added in my favourite games, some christmas jumpers, festive cards and candles. Enjoy! This is a free post for all to read, but it has taken an eternity to put together, so do please leave a heart, a comment and a restack to show your appreciation. This Sunday’s Gift Guide will be partly free and partly for paid members. There’s 20% off my annual membership at the moment, so why not treat yourself.
This is email will be too long for Gmail due to all the photos, click on view all, or read it in the app or the web.
Garlands and Decorations
Wreaths and wreath kits
I try as often as I can to include small businesses and Franny’s work is utterly beautiful. I’ve bought a similar wreath to the white one you can see above earlier this year and I can vouch for the quality. Franny’s style is wild, nature-led, borrowed from the landscape. Each wreath is unique, a mix of fresh and dried evergreens, twigs and seedheads on natural vine bases and fully sustainable.
40 - 50cm £65/50 - 60cm £75 - Plus p&p. (Around £20). Please Dm on Instagram @frannygbrown or email: frannygbrown@gmail.com Website: https://frannygbrown.wixsite.com/mysite
The Tree
I always used to insist on a real tree and actually, we do still buy a small real spruce for our kitchen/dining area. However, as the years have gone by it has kind of fallen to me to decorate the house for Christmas. I love it, so that’s not a complaint, but I do like to decorate the whole house and with quite a number of trees it can take forever. So, to take the stress away I bought a faux pre-lit tree eleven years ago. It’s still going strong and B&Q still sell it now. It’s called The Thetford. It definitely stands the test of time.
It’s also important to note that a faux tree needs to be used for ten years or more to overtake the environmental benefits of a real tree. So, I’m winning as I’ve done my eleven years. It’s a real showstopper of a tree too, with 600 LED lights and standing 7.5ft tall. The branches are incredibly realistic and you can go one step further by adding scented sticks hidden within the tree. They’re called Scentsicles and once you’ve bought them you’ll never look back!
Christmas Cards & Candles
You might remember Evoqua candles from my Best Scented Candles for 2025 Guide. I didn’t include this as I wanted the test to be the same for all the brands. However, I am super impressed with The Evoqua Candle Warmer and Wickless Candle Christmas Bundle - £72. With gentle warmth, it coaxes the fragrance from the wax, filling your space with a lingering, comforting scent that lasts.
Christmas jumpers
Games
Personally, I think the best games are the free ones. I prefer it when no one gets too intent on winning and everyone can just have a good old giggle. However, my favourite to download is Heads Up and to buy it’s the hysterically funny Bank Attack and Pictionary Air. This year I am also looking at: The Chameleon, Sweary Bingo, which I think could huge fun and Karen - if you know, you know.
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Such a lovely read, JP! Totally on board with the 'doing me' Christmas: As much natural greenery as time, energy and space in my cottage allows, but plenty of Christmas delights; sparkling, repaired and homemade, that bring back the annual flood of memories and reminiscing. I love all your links supporting some fabulous businesses, long may Christmas be about spreading love and kindness as far as we can. Oh and SOO late to the party, I only managed to read 'The Holiday' article a few days ago, but it was BRILLIANT!
What a comprehensive guide post, JP! My parents' faux tree has had a good innings, over 30 years, and so many decorations which I'm presently going through, now Mum's gone, so full of nostalgia. I love how you gift your guests Swarovski crystal ornaments, so special. I'm very happy to see the Sweary Bingo game. Any excuse!😅 And, strangely, I find myself suddenly interested in Christmas jumpers, who knew ???especially the Ralf Lauren one.
Thank you for sharing. And thanks so much for including me in your Christmas list. It means the world!
Happy Wednesday.
Frannyx