…in the moment
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Be our guest
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ne of the simplest yet most rewarding pleasures of the festive period is welcoming guests into the home. Preparing for the arrival of loved ones and anticipating their needs not only serves to make their stay more comfortable, but also adds a delicious sense of anticipation of creating special memories together.
Crossing the threshold
Any journey undertaken at one of the busiest times of year is doubtless ended with a sense of relief, particularly when greeted by a welcoming entrance hall. Creating ample space for hanging hats, coats and shoes will create a sense of ease and comfort as soon as visitors cross the threshold. If necessary, consider investing in storage solutions such as smart wicker baskets or rattan chests for footwear and smaller items like gloves. Neptune and Oka are good resources. It might be sensible, too, to have spare hats and wellington boots on standby. TOP Add thoughtful touches such as hot-water bottles to guest bedrooms. Sheepskin hot-water bottles, £40 each, The White Company MIDDLE Ensure comfort with the provision of cosy woollen blankets. Throws, £60 each, The British Blanket Company ABOVE Mix colours, shapes and sizes for maximum impact when laying the table. Red Calico breakfast saucer, £12; Black Regal Peacock plate, from £14; Red Christmas plate, from £13, all Burleigh
110 THE ENGLISH HOME
Sitting comfortably
Once guests’ coats have been hung up and their luggage set down, ensuring they have somewhere comfortable to sit and enjoy a reviving cup of tea or perhaps something stronger is of the utmost importance. A sofa or armchair filled with plump cushions and a table nearby on which to set a drink are a good starting point. Enhance the enveloping mood with additional decorative touches such as soft candlelight – which at this time of year is
equally effective day or night and can be easily and safely achieved with minimal fuss thanks to the use of pillar LED candles. Meanwhile, having ready-laid-out refreshments from which new arrivals can help themselves at their leisure creates a lovely laidback feel for both guest and host. Decor, too, need not be overlooked. Adding a personal accent, such as bringing in foliage foraged from the garden to thread along the mantelpiece or place in vases, can create a delightful connection with the outdoors.
The festive feast
Such is the attention on food at Christmas that, often, the practicalities of the actual table itself are easily overlooked in favour of the lavish, home-cooked repast it bears. For instance, not all tables are wide enough to accommodate serving dishes as well as decorations. “Making sure the table is big enough for the number of diners is really important,” counsels Jemma Baskeyfield, company historian at Burleigh. “Lay all serving bowls and dishes out beforehand to ensure everything will work, and that people have room to eat in comfort.” Though practical considerations such as ensuring additional seating and allowing for sufficient space for food, guests and tableware are of key importance, so too are aesthetics of the way the table is laid out. “Ensure that you use bowls and serving dishes in various colours, shapes and sizes,” Baskeyfield says. “Creating a super, eclectic mix draws everyone in and creates a layered landscape across your festively laden table.”