CLEVER DECORATING
SIX LAST-MINUTE IDEAS AND DECORATIVE TOUCHES FOR GIVING YOUR NEW YEAR GATHERING A CELEBRATORY FEEL
Host New Year in style
For a festive look that is natural and easy to achieve, lay a crisp linen cloth and add sprigs of evergreen foliage from the garden.
Give it a twist...
If you want to prepare your table in advance and are worried about foliage drying out, then go faux.
Arrange a centrepiece
Display tapered candles in clear wine bottles for an elegant touch. Fill with distilled water (to prevent clouding) and place sprigs of winter foliage inside.
Give it a twist...
Fill empty bottles with battery-operated fairy lights before adding a coloured candle to the bottleneck.
Add a chair decoration
Eye-catching ornaments on the back of chairs give an unexpected seasonal flourish. Embellish with glass baubles and sprigs of foliage.
Give it a twist...
Dry out bunches of summer garden flowers and tie with ribbons – they’ll be ready to use at Christmas.
Personalise place settings
Create a mini floral arrangement, using just green and white, to decorate the table at each individual seat; a piece of well-soaked oasis in the bowl will keep it fresh.
Give it a twist...
Ice a star or a snowflake biscuit and write on the guests’ names with edible ink.
Hang oversized baubles
Bring a sense of occasion by attaching mercury baubles of differing sizes from a table hanging stand, intertwined with ivy secured with florist’s wire.
Give it a twist...
For New Year's Eve party vibes, make a balloon arch in silvers, golds and whites and attach to the stand.
Embellish gifts with wax seals
Bring understated touches to gift wrapping. Marbled or brown kraft paper tied with twine allow gold wax seals to shine. Finish off with rustic bells.
Give it a twist...
Add gold stripes, swirls or dots to brown paper wrap using metallic paint for a pretty addition.
HOST NEW YEAR IN STYLE
Bread table, from £995; Scooch bench, from
