HOW TO ADD SPARKLE TO YOUR CHRISTMAS DINING TABLE

Who doesn't love a bit of sparkle at Christmas time? And don't we all need some glamour in our lives right now?

Oh, yes, we do! Here at Scoffield Stone we absolutely love Christmas, and we're so looking forward to it, especially this year. Aren't you?

We knew it. We knew you were! So, it's time to be thinking about how to add sparkle to your dining room in time for Christmas Day.

You can add a touch of glamour and a dash of style for little cost. It doesn't have to be expensive.

Here are our five top tips on how to add sparkle to your dining table this Christmas.

1. Set the Scene and Declutter

There's simply no point making your dining table deliciously delightful if the rest of the room looks like a dog's dinner. You may well have set place settings, draped ribbons, placed holly and berries and have it looking beautiful, but if you have to step over discarded toys or waltz around the ironing board and laundry that's no good! Declutter and remove anything that doesn't go with your theme and colours for Christmas.

Top Tip: Take the opportunity to really think if you need everything you have on display, or if some could be packed away or given to charity shops. Consider if you're using the space to its best all year round.

2. White Christmas

We don't often get snow at Christmas, but it's synonymous with the festive period. This might be a great time to create a lovely winter wonderland in your dining room - white cushions or table runners, white candles in white holders, white plates and bowls, and white-handled crockery. You might want to add light-blue glassware, or faux fur throws over the back of a chair.

Top Tip: This does not have to be expensive. You're creating a dining setting, so think about the things you already own and could use. Add a sprinkle of gold glitter on the table to give a dash of colour.

3. Have you Twigged it?

Here's another low-cost idea. Bring the landscape to your dining table. A sprig of holly, a couple of twigs tied with a red ribbon, and you have a lovely little scene.

Pine cones too can be collected and used in a display, and you could sprinkle them with glitter or a gold spray that you can buy in the supermarket or DIY store.

Top Tip: If you collect a couple of twigs or cones, they can go straight into the compost or garden waste bin after Christmas. You won't have bought yet more plastic, and it's environmentally friendly.

4. Accessorise

So your table looks good but a little plain? Accessorise. It's so simple.

Little strings of lights, battery-operated, can be stretched across the table. Crackers can be placed next to plates. Holly twigs can bring a touch of green and red to the table. Wooden ornaments can be arranged - if you've got room, create a village scene. A Poinsettia plant is associated with Christmas, so you could place one as a focal point. If you have red bead strings for your tree, you could use them on the table. Sequins and glitter will also help to set the scene.

Top Tip: If you love how you've accessorised, take a picture and keep it safe so that next year you can recreate your table.

5. The Light Touch

Lighting is essential to making your room sparkle! You might have a "big light", but how about using table lights to create more atmosphere, or using candles in gold holders for a touch of style.

Top Tip: If you're using candles, please be careful! Don't place anything near them that could fall into the flame and cause a fire. Be sensible.

Did you know that Winter is a great time to be selling your home? People look online, often on their new phones and tablets, and browse properties available ready for a potential move early in the New Year.

As we've been helping people to prepare their homes for sale for some time now, we know what works best when it comes to selling your home in Winter. If you're thinking of selling, call Scoffield Stone on 01283 777100 for an informal chat to see how we can help get you moving.