High-impact, low-effort Christmas decorating ideas

Traditionally decorated Chrismas tree

Nothing adds festive magic like a Christmas tree festooned with traditional decorations. Deck your tree with sparkling modern baubles and timeless twinkling fairy lights, then ensure a super-festive spirit with a scattering of sequined cushions and flickering candlelight.

Modern Christmas mantelpiece decoration

Liven up a mantelpiece with a fresh-looking Christmas display. Use vintage-style lettering to spell out your festive message, add twinkle with fairy lights, and finish with a few sprays of mistletoe. Classic decorating, minimal effort.

Modern stacking advent calendar

Give kids a treat with a personalised homemade event calendar, that's better than a cardboard cutout. Recycle used food tins (after rinsing) by spraypainting them white and numbering them from 1 to 25. Line each with a brightly coloured tissue paper and, of course, a treat, then stack them up on a stable tabletop. Let the Christmas countdown commence...

Personalised table place settings

Add kitsch fun to the Christmas table settings - simply adapt sparkly reindeer baubles using a handwritten gift tag, tied with a holly-red bow, to make personalised place holders. See? Christmas entertaining needn't be complex.

Hang stockings without a fireplace

No fireplace? No problem. Simply use two firmly attached lengths of ribbon to hang a slender, white-painted branch against a wall, and it's all set for your Christmas stockings. The eternally stylish Mr Claus will be very impressed with this modern decorating solution.

Country-style Christmas gift wrap

This country-style Christmas gift wrap is fuss-free but still fabulously festive. Encase presents in simple brown paper, secured with sticks of holly-bound cinnamon, and an understated gift tag. Personal, pure and easy on the purse!

Classic red and white Christmas dining scheme

In a minimalistic white home, you can make a festive impact in an instant. Just add red accents, such as taper candles, tableware, and ribbon-hung baubles, to clear-glass decorations and high-shine white furnishings for a Christmas scheme with classic appeal.

Christmas treats in ribbon-hung mugs

Think creatively when it comes to decorating your hallway; attach mugs to your staircase using colourful ribbon. Fill with chocolate munchies and candy canes to give your guests a festive welcome.

Modern bauble garland

May no surface go undecorated! Turn a bare wall into an instant seasonal display piece by threading baubles together, garland style. Then, create a stylish Boxing Day buffet space by mixing sleek serveware with vintage ceramics and glassware.

Christmas kilner jar gift wrap

Want to give Christmas gifts with a difference? Then find individual ways to wrap your loved ones' presents, such as this quirky decorated kilner jar which, when used to hold smaller presents, has real pass-the-parcel appeal. And a scattering of them under the fir tree looks fab, too...