Illustration Sarah Overs Photograph Jon Perks
Christmas comes with its own special traditions for every family. For ours, the collective tree decorating marks the start of the festive period. First, is the journey to the nearby plant nursery to select the perfect seasonal spruce. Much debate will ensue as height, spread, shape and density are all closely examined – this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The lengthy deliberations almost match those when buying a permanent item of furniture; some years have even required the intervention of a trusted independent adjudicator to cast the deciding vote. With the tree finally chosen and positioned in its spot in the house, the fun can commence: Christmas tunes are selected, mulled wine warmed, mince pies handed around, and everyone has their own share of treasured trinkets that have been gathered over the years to carefully bedeck the branches. Every year we add a few more handmade baubles or whimsical characters to the collection, so that our festooned tree resembles a cross between the colourful boho and playfully created festive looks of this year (page 22). The joy of our family ritual comes as much from unpacking and revealing the decorations, reminiscing over the memories they evoke, as creating the resultant tree centrepiece. It is this meaningful association with cherished adornments that inspired Amy Swann's range of nostalgic, handpainted decorations, which are intended to be passed down the generations (page 130). There are, of course, the sustainability credentials of investing in heirloom items that will be reused year after year, but the beautiful festive real homes featured in this issue demonstrate how interiors brimming with vintage, antique and reclaimed pieces add to the magical feel, too. Our efforts at dressing our homes for the season are even more fulfilling when shared with others. If you are hosting this year, then follow our festive craft ideas for making embellishments from foraged finds and natural materials (page 43); find out how to style your dining room (page 61); and organise the kitchen (page 111) to help the celebrations run smoothly. Finally, don't miss our fantastic subscription offer (page 40) – the perfect treat for yourself or someone special. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.