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The Perfect Setting for the Family at Christmas

Christmas is a time for families. A lot of planning and hard work goes into making the perfect Christmas, but perhaps the most rewarding part of it is joining loved ones as they relax in the comfort of the family sofa, enjoying each other’s company. So much the better if the year has been a difficult one.

Of course, the Christmas tree takes pride of place at this time of year, but the sofa is the next focal point and one that can be dressed up for the occasion. Even a plain cream-coloured sofa will benefit from the addition of an inexpensive throw in red, green, or gold. Along with some matching scatter cushions, it will add a luxurious touch to the sitting room at Christmas.

The best place for a Christmas tree is usually in the corner of a room which allows room for all the presents to be placed around it without getting in the way. For those lucky enough to have a bay window, a beautifully-decorated tree will not only enhance the room, it will bring pleasure to passers-by, too. Children especially love to see Christmas trees in other peoples’ windows. They add a touch of magic.

A simple but effective way of adding focal points to a room is to pick some tall twigs which, sprayed gold and placed in a suitable vase, will add a sophisticated touch.

Finding the perfect place for displaying Christmas cards can be quite a challenge. For a house with beams, try pinning the cards to the beams. Alternatively, they can be pinned to the banister of the staircase; this will look even lovelier with a handrail decorated with tinsel wound around it. Another simple way of displaying cards is to string them along cords attached to the wall like a garland.

An open fireplace is one of the best features a room can have, especially at Christmas time. Even if the fire is unused, logs and fir-cones can be placed in the grate to give an authentic effect. The fir-cones can be sprayed with gold paint to add a bit of sparkle. The mantelshelf above it can be made to look spectacular with a row of twinkling Christmas lights, intertwined with sprigs of real holly, ivy, and even spare branches from a real Christmas tree. Candles will look lovely, too – just be conscious of safety at all times, and never leave lit candles unattended.

With a lot of imagination and little financial outlay, it is easily possible to transform even the plainest sitting-room into a magical setting for the perfect family Christmas.