Change what you can see
1. Decorate one room first
Pick the room you use most and give it one clear change. A string of lights along a shelf, a bowl of baubles on the table or a few sprigs of greenery on the mantelpiece will do. One finished room feels better than five half-done ones, and it gives you somewhere festive to settle. Add a favourite decoration from past years to make it feel like yours, and leave the rest of the boxes in the loft until you're ready. If you like making your own, see idea 12.
2. Put up a tree
A tree gives the whole room a focus, and it doesn't have to be full size. Our Christmas trees are small rooted trees that mostly arrive already decorated, in styles from natural jute to navy velvet and gold stars. Place it where you'll see it as you walk in, so the first thing you notice at home is something festive. Our guide to caring for a potted Christmas tree helps yours last.
3. Hang a wreath on the door
A wreath tells everyone who walks past that Christmas has started. Browse our Christmas wreaths for a ready-made one, from compact designs to large ones. Choose the size to suit your door, and hang it at a height you can see from the street or the hallway.
4. Add twinkling lights
Warm light changes how a room feels. Fairy lights on a shelf or windowsill are the easy way in. If you'd like the lights built into something, The Mini Festive Garden comes with LED lights (batteries included) in a winter planter.
Fill the house with festive scents
5. Light a Christmas candle
Scent can bring on the festive feeling quickly. A candle lit on the table in the evening gives you a small ritual to look forward to. Our candle collection includes The Comfort & Joy Candle, which smells, and feels, like cosying up to a roaring fire.
6. Bake something
Baking fills the house with the smell of Christmas. Mince pies, gingerbread or a tray of simple biscuits all work. Invite a child, a friend or a neighbour to help, and send a few home with them.
7. Hang a wreath that smells like Christmas
Some wreaths work on two levels. The Spiced Orange Wreath is made with whole oranges, pinecones and cinnamon, so it gives off a rich, festive scent as well as looking the part.
Bring something living indoors
8. Bring in festive flowers
Fresh flowers make a room feel looked after. A bouquet in red, white or deep purple brings the colours of the season to a table or hallway. Browse the Christmas flowers collection and choose a bunch that suits your room. Put it where you'll catch it every day, such as the kitchen table or the hall.
9. Bring in a festive plant
A plant gives you something green to look after through December. Our Christmas plants collection includes The Rustic Charm Potted Tree, a rooted tree with outdoor lights and 12 frosted baubles, as well as orchids, peace lilies and more.
10. Grow your own hyacinths
Watching something grow is a gentle way to build up to Christmas. The Winter Forest Trough arrives with white hyacinth bulbs in early bulb form, and they come into bloom at home within one to two weeks.
Make something with your hands
11. Make your own crackers
Making crackers is a good excuse for an afternoon at the table. Our step-by-step DIY Christmas crackers guide shows you how, and the results make a talking point at the Christmas table.
12. Make your own decorations
Homemade decorations carry more memories than shop-bought ones. Our DIY Christmas decorations guide has projects to try. If you'd like the materials ready, The Crafty Christmas Wreath arrives as a DIY kit with a wreath base and dried stems to decorate.
13. Write your Christmas cards
A handwritten card slows things down in a good way. If you're stuck for words, our 100 thoughtful Christmas card messages will help, and our greetings cards collection has designs to match.
14. Make a paper chain countdown
A homemade countdown gives the weeks before Christmas a rhythm. Link strips of coloured paper into a chain and remove one link each day, or fill a row of envelopes with small jobs and treats. It's a quick job and costs next to nothing.
Set the soundtrack and settle in
15. Build a Christmas playlist
Music sets the tone in a way decorations can't. Make a playlist of the songs you grew up with, add a few new ones and put it on while you wrap presents or cook.
16. Watch a Christmas film
Pick one you've seen a dozen times. Familiar films are comforting, and they give everyone a reason to sit down together. Start a list and tick them off through December.
17. Plan a Christmas night in
Choose one evening, switch off the notifications and make it an event. Lights low, candle lit, film on. The Christmas Night In Hamper arrives as a wicker hamper of sweet and savoury treats, which takes care of the snacks.
Share the feeling with other people
18. Take a festive walk with someone
Fresh air and a change of scenery can lift the mood. Wrap up warm, take a flask and look for lit windows, wreaths on doors and decorated trees around your neighbourhood. Go with a friend, or ring someone and chat while you walk.
19. Send an early present to someone you love
Choosing a gift for someone is one of the nicest parts of the season. Send something early and you get to enjoy the surprise from a distance. Explore our Christmas flowers and gifts or our Gifts to kick off the Christmas celebrations guide for ideas.
20. Say thank you early
A thank-you before Christmas lands well because everyone gets busy later. Write a note using our thank you messages, or send something from the thank you flowers and gifts collection.
Making the Christmas mood work for your household
The best ideas depend on who is at home. Here is how to adapt the list.
With children: let them choose the decorations, take part in making the crackers and write the cards. Small jobs give them a stake in the season.
Living alone: build the playlist, plan a night in and write a card to someone you haven't spoken to for a while. A thank you message can start the conversation.
Short on time: choose one decoration, one scent and one song. Three small changes are enough to make a room feel different.
Hosting this year: a wreath on the door, fresh flowers on the table and a candle in the hall tell guests the celebrations have started.
Why the Christmas mood can be slow to arrive
Busy weeks, early nights and long to-do lists can crowd out the festive feeling, and that happens to plenty of people. Waiting for it to arrive on its own rarely works, so choose one small thing and enjoy it properly. Light the candle, sit down with the cards or put the first song on, and the mood often follows.
A simple plan to get in the Christmas mood
If 20 ideas feel like a lot, spread them out.
This weekend: decorate one room, light a candle and put your playlist on.
This week: bring in a tree or a wreath, bake something and write a few cards.
Before Christmas Eve: send your gifts, plan a night in and make time for one film.
Keep it simple and enjoy the season
What stays with us from Christmas is usually the people and the little moments. Pick two or three of these ideas, skip the rest and let the season build at its own pace. When you'd like some help, our Christmas flowers and gifts collection has presents, treats, flowers and plants ready to send.
