When choosing a theme for Christmas I start with something that has inspired me. In this year's case it is tartan, and yes, the entire year is based on tartan...this theme has been growing these past few years! It will match the other elements in my house at this time of the year

SCOTTISH GREEN

I spent about nine months finding the right tartan for my family dinner, and purchased this from www.thefifearms.com. I really liked the shade of green with a touch of plum. Of course, my Bordallo Pinheiro plates will feel right at home here, alongside the adorable candy canes from www.hammondscandies.com. I am a real sucker for the Fair Trade ‘En Gry & Sif’ pure NZ wool decorations, contact www.dayandage.co.nz for stockists. My www.thymes.com Frasier fir candle really does smell like a freshly cut tree. Lastly, my trusted favourite, I always love using riflepaperco.com wrapping paper.

FESTIVE RED

Every year I host one of our team dinners in our home, and this year's theme is red tartan. I purchased three www.jcrew.com scarves as the basis of the theme, they will be placed across the table and look like runners, adding a lovely warm texture to the table setting. Peonies will be the flower of choice, and my tartan plates from www.williams-sonoma.com will work perfectly with the seasonal plates from www.replacements.com. The tartan gift wrap is from www.casparionline.com.

INTO THE WOODS

A Christmas of collected beauty - acorns, pinecones, clipped greens and dried oranges evoke a fragrant family Christmas with lots of hands helping and creating. The mossy green fabric was purchased a few years ago from Ralph Lauren…and the plates have been living in my cupboard for at least 10 years! One of my favourite new ways to house small plants is in the gorgeous pure wool felted containers from www.thewoolpot.com - the one pictured is the perfect neutral shade to sit amongst the natural greens and browns decorating the table. Brown paper packages all tied up with linen string and embellished with a touch of nature is all that is needed here.

CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS

These sweet www.jcrew.com scarves caught my attention last Christmas so I purchased a few, and now they are the inspiration for our staff Christmas dinner. Pink candy canes from www.hammondscandies.com will tempt each diner…and bright pink roses and peonies will run down the centre of the table.

Be sure to check December's newsletter to see how these functions all went.

Holiday Themes