Move over mistletoe: the bow has officially claimed Christmas. From slithers of ribbons tied around candles, to super-size bows hanging off door-knockers, if it’s got a bow on it - it’s inherently festive.
Of course there are other ways to decorate your home for the big day; we’ve asked tastemakers and creatives around the capital and beyond for their easiest, most impactful ideas.
From relaxed mantel-dressing to effortless tablescaping, you’re sure to find something to get your Christmas decor all wrapped up. Glue guns at the ready…
Deck the halls
Picture rails and wall lights are the perfect vehicles for trailing decorations, but give tinsel the swerve and opt for something more homespun instead. The florist and author, Willow Crossley, is enjoying the meditative act of threading fresh, shop-bought cranberries with a needle. “It’s so simple, I’ve hung them off the fireplace and next I’m making them to festoon the tree,” she says.
Homewares designer Alice Palmer is a long-time fan of paper chains: “I love to buy glittery red card and hang them from the ceiling in loops. It makes a feature of the ceiling and creates great shadow effects too. I have a stash but they do get a bit squashed and my kids love to get involved, so we make new ones every year.”
Take a bow
Bow fever has taken over Glassette co-founder Laura Jackson’s east London home.
“They are one of the easiest ways to bring festive charm to your tree, table, and cosy corners,” enthuses Jackson, who created a garland for her hallway by simply gluing the edges of hand-tied bows together.
But why stop there? The cookery writer Skye McAlpine ties long skinny ribbons around champagne coupe stems (also a great way to distinguish between glasses) while Crossley jokes: “Anything I can get my hands on will get a bow: vases, napkins, foliage sprigs...”
Tying ribbon to a taper candle is a simple way to dress up your candelabra (Jackson advises using florist wire for structure) - just be sure to remove before lighting to avoid a visit from the emergency services.
Bows on steroids have been doing the rounds on social media, but if you missed out on Anthropologie's satin bow topper, and didn’t get your order in for a gingham one from Straw on Columbia Road (it is now taking pre-orders for 2025!) then Jackson suggests attempting your own.
“Grab your chosen fabric, pad the bow with bubble wrap for fullness, and secure the edges with a hot glue gun, no sewing needed.” She makes it sound so easy.
Raid the fresh aisles
Faux tat is fine, but decorating with ingredients you can then eat is clever and often kinder on the purse strings. Palmer lays stalks of brussels sprouts down the middle of the table instead of foliage, and rates clusters of radishes and bowls of pomegranates as an easy way to bring in texture and colour.
The founder of her eponymous homewares business, Rebecca Udall, will be shopping for pears, figs and walnuts which she will heap into footed bowls. And don’t limit these touches to the dining table: a cake stand stacked with Quality Street on a hallway console, or a platter laden with nuts on a side table taps into the spirit of indulgence while also looking good.
The relaxed mantlescape
A fireplace is a magnet for greenery but if the thought of even more pine needles dropping is too much to bear, take a (dried) leaf out of interior designer’s Jacqueline Mercer’s book.
.jpeg?trim=306%2C0%2C1039%2C0)
Using hydrangeas from her garden and a mix of fresh and faux eucalyptus, she freestyles by styling the stalks into chicken wire. Intentionally undone and unstructured, she ‘cheats’ for the middle by filling a wide vase with more hydrangeas.
As the month goes on she’ll add ribbons (of course, see above) and candlesticks. What’s more, it doesn’t scream ‘Christmas!’ in the traditional sense and will add some much-needed cheer come January 2nd and beyond.
Top of the table tops
Tabletop queen Udall is in the “abundant and elaborate” camp when it comes to laying the table: “It’s an opportunity to use all your favourite pieces and add unexpected items and even things that typically clash to create a layered look that isn’t too precious or contrived.”
This year she’ll be adding Christmas decorations and spray-painting bunches of peppercorns gold. Get the kids involved by asking them to write the place cards and menus. If you have quite the textiles collection, show it off by layering two together like Palmer, but if you don’t - brown craft paper works a treat, especially as you pull it off and recycle it after.
And don’t forget the tree
Caroline Kent, illustrator and founder of luxury stationery brand Scribble and Daub, has a simple recipe for the spruce: “Lights first - always the traditional warm white kind, followed by a layer of ribbons draped on the branches. No need to even tie them - they look better loose and will stay pristine for next year.”
After a tragic, tree-toppling incident in 2021 shattered many of Kent’s most treasured baubles, she set about designing smashproof decorations handpainted onto extra-thick card (think playful lobsters and cheeky cherubs). She will then add something edible, such as spiced biscuits threaded with ribbon, or homemade popcorn garlands.
A rustic straw star takes the top spot and what’s around the base is just as considered: “If you’ve made your tree look beautiful, don’t lay rubbish wrapping at her feet! I use colourful tissue paper and contrasting ribbon to wrap gifts, or brown parcel paper painted with dots of white or gold paint.”
