Great British Food - Christmas 2025

Do you have any tips for making the dining room look gorgeous? Start by choosing the natural focal points. The table of, course, but also any prominent sideboards, windowsills or a corner where you’ll place a tree. Even the chairbacks could be a key part of your design. Try to narrow down to just one to three main areas for focus, then think how to flow the theme through them. Decide if you want to focus on a particular colour palette. Do you have a favourite Christmas decor colour, or are you going to pick shades that complement your existing home decor? Deep reds, cosy gingerbread browns, or a fiesta of warm folksy retro tones would all work brilliantly for 2025. Choose a few key pieces of decor you really love, like a set of baubles, a type of greenery or a standout centrepiece, and echo them throughout the room. Repeating one or two elements can create real impact, and giving decorations space to breathe will make the design feel intentional and striking. Don’t forget to tap into all the senses. A bowl of dried oranges and cinnamon sticks for fragrance. Velvet ribbons and textured linens for touch. A carefully chosen playlist for sound. It all adds to the atmosphere. Most importantly though, have fun. The aim is a warmand welcoming dining room that feels just a little bit magical: a space in which to relax andmake precious memories with family and friends. MY FESTIVE STYLE Jill Stein OBE, founder, co-owner and interior designer at Rick Stein prefers a natural look at Christmas. “I’ll be using fir branches as the centrepiece, accented with fir cones. Down the middle of the table, I’ll place a few gold tea lights for a warm glow. The colour scheme will be green, white and gold. I love white church candles, so these will be incorporated into the centrepiece to create a soft, elegant focal point. MAKE YOUR COLOURS POP “With so many colours to choose from, deciding on a colour scheme can feel a little overwhelming,” says Becca Stern, co-founder and creative director of Mustard Made. “But once you’ve got it sorted, it makes styling your tablescape and the rest of your festive decor so much easier, creating a magical experience for your family and guests. From napkins to baubles on the Christmas tree, stick to two accent colours to tie everything together with flair.” THE HEART OF THE HOME Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, says the kitchen deserves an extra sprinkling of love at Christmas. “As the hub of the home, it’s where you’ll be prepping the dinner, enjoying a festive tipple, and spending a large amount of time. When dressing the kitchen, you want to ensure that it not only looks good, but remains practical too. Drape fairy lights across the shelves, or opt for a garland. If you have any mason jars, fill these with Christmas baubles for a festive touch. Creatingseasonalmagicathome Our homes can form a heartwarming hub during the festive season. If done right, decor can turn a house into a cosy destination we and our loved ones will be excited to hunker down in. Here, experts share their tips for doing just that © Anna McCarthy “When dressing the kitchen, youwant to ensure that it not only looks good, but remains practical too. Drape dairy lights across shelves, or fill mason jars with baubles” 49 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com FEATURE | CHRI STMAS TABLE