The English Home December 2021

There is a hubub of excitement as The English Home team prepares for Christmas this year, and we all look forward to gathering at home with our loved ones to enjoy the festivities to the full. It feels important to create a Christmas that feels special at the end of another challenging year for many, and part of that is embracing traditions. This time of year, perhaps more than any other, is about traditions – whether passed down through the generations or creating one’s own – and making memories for all to cherish. Who better to share their own favourite Christmas traditions, must-attend events, and what’s on their wish lists than a selection of our finest interiors and lifestyle experts including Nina Campbell and Sophie Conran (p114). New ideas are always a…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Poinsettias: Enchanting Emblems Poinsettias are just as synonymous with Christmas as holly. Often seen in their traditional red, these exuberant plants come in a surprising array of colours such as pink, yellow, cream and white, with variegated and marbled varieties to harmonise with any decorative scheme. Bringing the beauty of nature indoors, poinsettias are the perfect gift when arriving for festive drinks with family and friends. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the Aztecs cultivated them for use in traditional medicine. To ensure long-lasting poinsettias, keep them wrapped up and protected from the cold on the way home from the shop or garden centre; water sparingly, allowing the compost to almost dry out in between waterings; feed monthly with a standard indoor plant feed, and keep away from draughts. They like…

Gifts That Keep On Giving Imaginative wrap to multiply the gesture Wrapping gifts in fabric rather than paper is a centuries-old tradition. Its origins can be traced back to eighth-century Japan, when hot-spring bathers wrapped their belongings in a piece of cloth – or ‘furoshiki’, ‘furo’ meaning ‘bathing’ and ‘shiki’ meaning ‘spread’ – to identify them and keep them safe. This practice spread to merchants and traders protecting their goods, and has evolved into an elegant and lasting alternative to wrapping paper. Folded and secured with a simple knot or bow, with no scissors or sticky tape required, gifts can be wrapped in a pretty piece of fabric or even a silk scarf for maximum luxury. A stylish, thoughtful and eco-friendly gesture, it can also be reused as gift wrap, a scarf, headband…

Christmas Markets Browse festive finds and feast Sip mulled wine and indulge in a mince pie whilst wandering around stalls bedecked with fairylights and laden with crafts and gift ideas as Christmas markets return across the country. More than 400,000 visitors flock annually to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market (19 November to 22 December; winchester-cathedral.org.uk ), browsing a broad selection of high-quality goods and fine artisan produce, with street theatre performers to keep everyone entertained. Stall-holders will dress in period costume at Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market (9–12 December; stratford.gov.uk), which, as well as stalls, will include entertainment, street food and a traditional funfair with a carousel. A hearty hog roast will keep shoppers warm at Chester Christmas Market (18 November to 22 December; visitcheshire.com), which will feature 70 traditional wooden chalets outside Chester Hall selling…

MURANO GLASSWARE These delicate glasses handmade in Murano, Italy, marry playful colour with graceful form, made all the more delightful when offset by playful decorations for adding character to festive celebrations. Murano glassware, from £400 for a set of six; baubles, from £27.50 for a set of two, all Petersham Nurseries COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Inspired by the elegant shapes of London’s classic Georgian architecture and lit up from within by warm white LEDs, this clever advent calendar houses secret compartments to hide goodies in, alongside two number tag hooks to count down the days to Christmas. Townhouse wooden Advent calendar, £39.99, lights4fun FESTIVE ANTICIPATION Preparing for the arrival of Father Christmas is an important part of proceedings ahead of the big day – create a sense of ritual and be sure all needs are catered for with…

The little details at Christmas can make everything all the more special. Start the countdown with a charming card advent calendar and by writing cards to loved ones. Wrap a thoughtfully chosen present (see our gift guide on p76 for inspiration) with beautiful handmade paper and finish with velvet ribbons and bows for a luxury look. Give Father Christmas a helping hand with a sack to fill that will delight both young and old. On the big day itself, make sure the Christmas table is set with plenty of enticing crackers to pull.…