How to impress your friends this holiday season |ADDICTED

As people begin to brace for winter and thus have not started planning for that special time of the year, you can get ahead by gearing up in advance for the holiday season. While this magical time of year can be full of endless last-minute errands, you can make your life easier this holiday season by grabbing the best gifts, decorations and home accessories in just a few clicks.

Decorating your home is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, but there’s no need to stick with the same old flickering lights or well-worn baubles. Incorporating chic, classic, or old-time winter home accessories into your plans will create a new ambience and impress your friends simultaneously.

What do you need for a party at home?

If you’re hosting a party, you’ll want to ensure you have everything you need in advance. Of course, this will depend on the type of party you want to be remembered for. If you’re planning a sophisticated dinner party, you’ll need ingredients for a gourmet meal, exquisite pottery and a selection of glasses to keep your guests in high spirits.

If you’re planning something a little more relaxed, you’ll still need a decent selection of glasses, but you can switch out the luxury ingredients for snacks and nibbles. With plenty of winter-themed accessories, you can channel the Christmas spirit through crystal stemware, antique mugs or etched glasses.

What is a good gift for a new home?

Giving a gift is customary if friends or family members have recently moved into a new home. If they’ve found a new home in the winter, it’s even better because you can choose a Christmas gift which works as a great new home gift too.

Home accessories make the perfect gifts anytime and are a great choice at Christmas. Choose something purely decorative if you’re familiar with the recipient’s tastes, or combine function and aesthetics for the ultimate helpful gift.

A luxurious herringbone throw is ideal for new homeowners, particularly if they haven’t figured out the heating yet! Perfect for snuggling on the sofa as the temperature drops or throwing over the comforter on colder nights, the natural colours and subtle herringbone design ensures they’ll look stunning in any environment. Moreover, a discreet personalized leather patch enables you to create a timeless Christmas gift for family and friends.

There are many popular gifts, and candles are always an excellent idea for homeowners who may not be settled into their new digs yet. To ensure your gift stands out, opt for personalized holders, statement pieces or custom scents to spice things up.

How can I be an excellent host to houseguests?

Having people to stay lets you welcome them into your home as you celebrate the holiday season and provides you with the perfect environment to show off your latest home décor subtly.

Whether people stay for an evening, overnight or a week, it’s essential to make them feel welcome. A few thoughtful touches will single you out as the consummate host, and you will have enough food and drinks (make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic choices as well).

Preparing in advance can take the edge off hosting and prevent you from frantically cramming things into cupboards five minutes before your guests arrive. Don’t forget to tidy up, clean, stock up all your bathrooms with little luxuries and necessities, and encourage your guests to help themselves.

If guests stay overnight, you can go to town and impress them with your home accessories over the holiday season. Festive comforters, blankets and throws are ideal, while extra decorations can give their room a Christmas feel perfect for this magical season.

Placing chocolate on their pillow might be going a little too far but adding a selection of chocolates to their bedside table will ensure they always have a snack on hand and give you a chance to showcase your festive crockery and your favourite chocolates.

How do people celebrate the winter holidays?

Wintertime is filled with holidays, but it isn’t just Christmas you might have to prepare for. From Hanukkah and Las Posadas to Kwanzaa and St Nicholas Day, you can spend the entire festive period celebrating your holiday of choice or even celebrating for no reason or holiday tie at all.

If family or friends hail from different backgrounds or celebrate various festivals than your own, remembering their traditions is a thoughtful way of expressing your love for them. Poinsettias are highly significant during Las Posadas, whilst there are plenty of gift options if you’re celebrating the Festival of Light.

If your family and friends celebrate different winter holidays or you fancy trying something different this year, create your own version of “the holidays” and celebrate in style.

What are traditional housewarming gifts?

If you want to go traditional, bread, honey, wine, salt and olive oil are your best options. While wine is the perfect gift for any occasion, you probably don’t want to turn up with a loaf of sliced white when your friends buy a new home.

Fortunately, you can add a modern twist to traditional presents to find the perfect housewarming gifts. A stainless-steel bread box is a contemporary addition to any kitchen and combines the conventional sentiment with functionality and design. Add personalization, and you’ve got a thoughtful, functional and aesthetically pleasing housewarming gift.

Houseplants are also a popular traditional housewarming gift, although many people vary this and choose flowers instead. A great option if the recipients aren’t close by, you can have these delivered directly to their door. Selecting a statement vase for your gift can showcase your design skills, contribute to your loved ones, and incorporate their design preferences.

Preparing your home for the festive season

However you choose to celebrate, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones. Whether you prepare your home with bespoke statement furniture, handmade decorations or copious amounts of food and drink, you can create the perfect ambience with the right home accessories and personal touches.