Great British Food Christmas 2024

Make the day extra special this yearwith these expert tips and tricks How to host the ultimate CHRISTMAS Y ou’ve decked the halls with boughs of holly, ordered the turkey, and planned a visit to the garden centre to collect your tree. But what next? How can you make Christmas bigger, better andmore twinkly than last year? Fear not... we’ve got some cracking suggestions to help you put all the bells and whistles on your festivities in 2024. Setting the scene It doesn’t matter which colour scheme or style you choose at Christmas, but you do need to consider bringing warmth, immersivity and inclusivity to your home, says internationally renowned event industry pioneer Liz Taylor. Liz, who is called upon by celebrities, royals and charities for Christmas tablescaping and interior design, says, “It’s wonderful to have candles lit when your guests arrive. And at this time of year we have access to the most wonderful flowers and foliage. Bring them inside!” Her ultimate table setting would be based around traditional colours (red, green or even tartan). “I love to create the most gorgeous long, low centrepiece on a runner all the way down the middle of the table – almost acting like a deconstructed Christmas tree,” she says. “Fill the runner with foliage, bells, nuts, sweets. Thread some tiny fairylights through it. And it’s always nice, if you’ve got children, to put some tiny gifts along the table too. It works magnificently.” Bronze charger plates at each setting bring a sense of occasion to the meal. “And I like to pop a personalised bauble on them for every person. They’re gorgeous keepsakes.” Creating a theme “While Christmas may feel like a timeless tradition, it evolves each year,” says Christmas expert Hannah Bartlett of – real andmythical –alongside mushrooms, acorns and other natural elements.” Other trends to watch this year, according to Hannah, include: Homemade decor: Think heritage art, intricate patterns, hand-knitted stockings and plenty of paper designs. Personalisation: Personal touches are big this year and will be evident everywhere, including at the Christmas table, with thoughtful name cards and handpicked ornaments for each guest. Bows: The continued love of drama with bows follows on from2023’s coquette trend. We’ll see bows as bold, oversized tree toppers, flowing chairback decor, and long-tailed embellishments for gifts and trees. Mixedmetals: There’s no need to choose between silver and gold. This year both shine together for a luxurious mixed- metal look. Jolly Festive. “Christmas decor is more than just decoration. It’s an expression of our personality, passions and values. It allows us to transform our spaces without the commitment or cost of a full home redecoration.” Hot themes for 2024, Hannah says, will take us from the dancefloor to the forest floor. She’s seeing a huge appetite for fun party vibes from across the decades, bringing a bright disco-style palette and oodles of glitter to the big day. “Hello disco balls and welcome back tinsel!” Those using this theme tend to have an ‘anything goes’ attitude to decorating. “The quirkier andmore personal the better.” “In contrast, there’s a continuing trend for a pared-back, nature-first aesthetic. Lush evergreen foliage and eco-friendly materials set the tone, celebrating the beauty of the outdoors. A warm, earthy palette, rich with textures, is complemented by woodland creatures 19 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com FEATURE | CHRI STMAS