Monthly Musings | November | The Bumper Festive Edition
Our new Monthly Musings series focuses on Rebecca’s advice and recommendations around a different niche subject each month. For November, as excitement and anticipation grows for the upcoming festive season, we're focusing on all things Christmas. Below, Rebecca is sharing her tips, advice and recommendations for everything from Christmas crackers and cookbooks to wrapping paper and Christmas cards.
Christmas Table
When it comes to planning your Christmas table, we have you covered with everything from table linens to crockery, cutlery and those final touches that pull everything together.
Here are three suggestions of additions to your festive tables, that will elevate your styling to create a memorable tablescape.
Romeo & Jules Festive Floral Menus - choose their personalisation service for your menus to arrive ready to lay on the table with your dishes written in beautiful hand writing.
Jess Wheeler Ivy Garland - this brass garland would look beautiful trailing down the centre of a table, and would become a family heirloom which is used every year.
Catesbys Vintage-Style Glass Fruit Ornaments - I used these on place settings on one of our festive photo shoots, and will be replicating the look on my own Christmas table this year. Mix and match their figs, pears and clementines.
Home Decor
The little touches make all the difference around your home during the Christmas season. These three festive decorations caught my eye as they are all timeless and can be used every year. They also have multiple uses, and can be used to decorate both your home or your table.
H&M Small Wreath with Bells - these would look lovely hung on your Christmas tree, but could also be tied around or placed atop your napkins on the table.
VV Rouleaux Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - this beautiful blue and beige striped ribbon can be used to dress up napkins, plant pots or crackers. It's also perfect for elevating your gift wrapping.
Matilda Goad Brass Bow Candle Pin - these brass bows are a stylish addition to pillar candles placed around your home. I will be treating myself to a few of these when they are back in stock.
Crackers
Crackers are tricky to get right. The design and appearance of the crackers have to be as carefully considered as the contents. Here are three brilliant options, all of which are also sustainable options for your table.
Petra & Co Marble Printed Crackers - these crackers will be on my own table this year. They're handmade in the UK with a beautiful design and thoughtfully considered gifts inside.
Daylesford Organic Christmas Party Animal Crackers - I love that these crackers are crafted from 100% recycled paper and Nicholas Hughes' distinctive animal drawings are so joyful.
Bodleian Libraries Marbled Paper & Leather Crackers - it's no secret that I love marbled designs. These elegant crackers also include leather gifts inside.
Wrapping
I love to take my time over my gift wrapping, choosing paper, ribbons and tags that stand out for their beauty and can also be reused or recycled.
The Kensington Paperie Christmas Wrapping Kits - utterly, utterly beautiful and incredible considered gift wrapping kits that include wrapping paper, ribbon, stickers, tags and gold masking tape. I will be wrapping significant gifts with these designs.
Romeo & Jules Christmas collection - beautifully designed gift wrap in a variety of colourful designs, plus stylish stickers and 'present perfect' gift tags.
Jemma Lewis Marbled Paper - I used Jemma's elegant marbled paper on our Christmas shoot to wrap small individual presents for each place setting. I think this looks most effective when one colour in the marbling ties in with core colours on your table and the rest of the design clashes - it adds something a little unexpected and feels more fun.
Christmas cards
There are so many beautifully designed Christmas cards available now that you can choose designs more to your personal taste. Here are three small brands with a selection of elegant cards that I will be choosing from this year.
Memo Press - an independent British brand offering the most elegant, charming designs. They also have a brilliant selection of notecards for 'thank you' notes in the new year.
Wanderlust Paper - another small British brand offering contemporary card designs. I especially love their marbled Christmas cards.
Canonbury Press - these stylish cards would really stand out when displayed on a mantlepiece. I especially love the tartan bow.
Christmas cookbooks
I love a Christmas cookbook for helping me to plan one of the most important meals of the year. Here are three options that I'm considering adding to my collection this year, for recipes but also anecdotes and beautiful photography to inspire your hosting.
Ginger Pig Christmas Cookbook - I'm a fan of creative adaptations of classic recipes, so Ginger Pig's fig and pomegranate pavlova is a strong contender for our 'alternative' Christmas pudding. This newly launched book also has great nibble suggestions and, of course, plenty of meat dishes to inspire meal planning over the entire festive period.
The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater - this is more than just a cookbook, offering recipes, decorations, fables and quick suppers that cover the period from Bonfire Night to New Year. I quite fancy trying out the pink grapefruit marmalade to upgrade my festive breakfasts.
Christmas at River Cottage by Lucy Brazier - guiding you from the autumn equinox through advent, Christmas and into the New Year, this is the ultimate festive companion. This essential read includes seasonal notes and recipes from Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, as well as innovative ideas for centrepiece dishes, edible gifts and delicious cocktails.