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Christmas Decoration Ideas

The celebration of Christmas is deeplywoven into the fabric of home andfamily life. Much of the activity iscentred on the kitchen which, as theculinary preparations get under way inthe run-up to Christmas, more thanever becomes the heart of the home.The smooth running of the Christmascatering programme calls for a fairamount of advance planning and,nearer the day, meticulous timing,particularly if you have guests staying.

Entertaining over the Christmasperiod is a special pleasure, but there isno denying that it involves extra workand responsibility, as you will want toensure that guests not only enjoy thehighlights of their stay, but the quietmoments too.

For your own busy schedule andpeace of mind, prepare guest bedroomswell in advance. Check that there areplenty of basic requirements such asfluffy towels, tissues, cotton wool(absorbent cotton) and guests' soap.

If you have the facilities, it is a goodidea to take a leaf from the hoteliers'book and provide coffee- and tea-making equipment, something that isespecially welcomed by those who wakeup at unsociably early hours. Arrange a tray with an electric kettle, a small caletiêre and a jar of ground coffee (orjust supply instant coffee, if it is easier),a teapot and a choice of two tea blends.Add wrapped sugar and a decorative tinof biscuits (cookies), with milk andfresh fruit to be replenished daily.

A bright wreath of evergreens, holly andberries gives a traditional sign of welcome.

Make a small selection of books andmagazines for friends who like to travellight. Check that there are bulbs in thereading lamps, and provide an electrictorch (flashlight) or plug in extra nightlights to help with night-time navigation to the bathroom.

Flowers help to make a room morewelcoming. If there are plenty ofChristmas decorations in the otherrooms, flowers can bring a breath ofspring or summer to the guest rooms.Dried-flower arrangements are a prettyoption that also have the advantage ofbeing long-lasting, preventing the needfor last-minute preparation.

When your guests arrive, be sure toshow them such essentials as where thelight switches and sockets (receptacles)are to be found, and which cupboard(closet) space is available. Such extrathoughtfulness has an advantage for youtoo, as it will give you a chance to get on with household tasks while guestsenjoy the warmth of your hospitality.

Sugared flowers and fruits

Sparkling under a light dusting of sugaras though tinged with frost or snow,sugared sweetmeats are a Christmasdelicacy that add a lovely touch whendisplayed in bowls in guest bedrooms orin a living or dining room. You canprepare them several days ahead of thefestivities and, once they are dry, storethem in an airtight tin.

Not all flowers are edible, althoughmany are - consult a reliable source

if you are in any doubt. Marigolds,nasturtiums and pansies were allfavourites in Victorian times, andoffer an attractive variety of colourand shapes. Sugared fruits also lookbeautiful. Use small fruits, such ascherries, cranberries, strawberries andraspberries, whole. Peel and segmentlarger fruits such as oranges andtangerines, halve or quarter figs,according to their size, and halve and stone (pit) plums and apricots. You canalso use sugared leaves with fruit andflowers, if you wish, to add contrast.

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