'Show me the home that doesn’t need a beret-wearing sausage dog ornament and I'll show you the door'
At Decoration Tree Dachshund Available Avoca This Is
Love the idea of DIY but hate the thought of ruining your Christmas nails? A cosy felt Christmas decoration is the answer and who are we to argue if someone assumes it’s homemade? Someone made it after all. Commit to the theme (and the lie) by hanging needlepoint stockings and rehearsing vague responses. Show me the home that doesn’t need a beret-wearing sausage dog ornament and I will show you the door. Shop this adorable dachshund at Avoca in-store or at avoca.com.
For anyone who lives in an apartment or small space, the Villeroy & Boch Toy's Delight La Petite Boule snacking set is the ideal gift to oneself. It’s a five-piece stackable set of two dishes, two bowls and one centre plate which can be stacked and tidied neatly away into this porcelain orb. There is nothing I love more than snacking, snacking, and fidgeting and this cleverly designed piece rolls all those things into one. Think Polly Pocket for grown-ups — with snacks. Run, don’t walk — this is available in-store or online at Brown Thomas or brownthomas.com.
Sitting down for Christmas dinner with my family is one of the highlights of the year and inevitably a masterclass in reminiscing. My first memory of bows is my mother tying them onto my almost non-existent pigtails. Such a tiny detail made my heart soar and I felt oh-so special with my beautiful ribbons. Small unassuming bows have dominated the tablescaping trends for some time now but guess what; I like big bows and I cannot lie [sorry]. Tied onto champagne coupes, napkins or candles, a decorative bow in jewel tones or onyx black is irresistibly chic. We love these deep red luxury velvet napkin bows, €28.50 for a set of four at Irish independent, woman-owned business Amber + Willow. Available online at amberandwillow.com. Alternatively, if you’re popping up to Dublin for a last-minute day trip to catch the Christmas lights, these sets are available at the pop-up store in Powerscourt Town Centre, open until Christmas eve at 5pm.
Teetotallers like me can often have their ginger ale or curiosity cola downgraded in a plain old tumbler or worse still, a Peppa Pig beaker — but doesn’t Christmas call for a sense of occasion? Your choice of tipple, whether it’s Moët or Nozeco deserves a bit of pomp and ceremony, I dare say. How gorgeous are these bow-detailed champagne glass flutes, €240, from Moda Domus at Modus Operandi? A tasteful nod to Christmas, the restrained design means they’re not just limited to festive feasts. Have a toast on me. Order now at modusoperandi.com.
Prefer your home to resemble a winter woodland rather than a neon demon? Forget the flashing lights and stick to natural materials and textures like pinecones, berries, nuts and greenery. Add these rattan bells, €34 for a set of three at Hedgeroe Home or hang them on a wreath, garland or doorknob for a budget-friendly adornment that looks high-end.
A consciously curated tablescape is catnip for the Instagram generation and it’s a chance to truly get creative with minimal budget. Whether it's making an occasion out of the ordinary, elevating dinner with friends or hosting a soiree, interior design trendsetter Tara O’Connor is truly the queen of tablescaping. The Holly tablescape in a box, €199 runs the gamut of tabletop accessories from pristine white napkins, tablecloth and runner with the holly motif to the finishing touches of green and red velvet ribbon. Choose a box with six, eight or 12 settings, available at thedesignedtable.com.
In my home, we hate the overhead light and avoid turning it on at all costs but you can never have enough string lights, am I right? Empty corner looking forlorn? Fill it with string lights. Staircase garland looking a bit green? Hang some string lights, my esteemed friend. Christmas lantern looking lonely? String — well, you catch my drift. The House Doctor string lights in black, €45 at Chalk and Easel in Ballinspittle look like lots of tiny little starburst and come with a timer function of 6 hours on, 18 hours off. And we will be nodding off. Shop in-store or online at chalkandeasel.ie.
Whether it’s Aunty Eileen with her homemade jam or the neighbourhood scallywag armed with his gin-soaked tales, you’re probably going to have to host some visitors over the Christmas season. In an estate full of gaudy plastic snowmen, be the one with the tasteful front door wreath. The pink pepper berry wreath, €125 at the Garden, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre weaves the aromatic woody greenery from noble firs and pine and pairs it with dried hydrangea, pink peppercorns, berries and heather for a foraged festive look. Request a ribbon from the florist to complement or contrast your front door’s colour palette.