Tat London Journal

Jessica Light. It would have been mad not to ask her, and the fact she replied made me profoundly grateful. I have been a fan since she took part in the House & Garden Shop in 2015. That was the first time I saw her tassels, those tassels made by her fair hands, extraordinary in colour, touch and sheer beauty. She is the queen of passementerie, with pieces commissioned by the royal family, film sets and any self respecting interiors bon vivant.

As you’ll have noticed, we’ve produced many a Christmas wish lists over the years. Those are ours, of course, but this season I wanted to ask a handful of women I admire what they would choose for Christmas. The obvious first call was Liz Elliot. For those not already acquainted, she is my mother, and has been at House & Garden for quite a while. I may be biased, but her CV more than bears out her reputation.

Decorations. Realistically you can tie a bit of ribbon to the tree, hang up a few dried oranges, slap some mistletoe on a door frame and fashion newspaper crowns, and you’ve achieved a very chic Christmas for almost no money at all.

Here we’ve gathered some of the finest goods available for under £35. A fantastic bevy of beauties, nothing to be sniffed at below — plenty could stand alone, while others would sit nicely in a Christmas hamper. Our aim is to create a haven of affordable gifts to help you bestow delightful items on beloved family members without breaking the bank.

I know it’s early, but with everyone tightening their belts it feels sensible to spread the spend across as many weeks as possible. So forgive me if this feels a little eager. Personally, I’ve never felt more ready for Christmas. Don’t tell anyone, but in the design world everyone seems to clock off for a full fortnight. The emails dry up and I revel in it. A gift in itself, although not one I can wrap up and present to my family, so a gift guide still seems required.

Cooking For Christmas Ah, Christmas in the 1980s—a glorious cacophony of clattering dishes, dubious flavours, and unapologetic indulgence. The turkey, always the centrepiece, was a study in excess, wrapped in bacon, stuffed to bursting, and often cooked within an inch of its life. But no one minded, because the gravy covered a multitude of sins, pooling generously across plates piled high with potatoes roasted to a golden perfection and sprouts boiled into submission. The rea

Affordable Christmas Decorations, by Matilda Sturley, Writer & Founder of Legato . Decorating for Christmas can be an expensive task. There’s the tree, the garland over the fireplace, the outdoor lights, the festive table… we could go on, but I’m assuming you know what Christmas is about. With Christmas decorations costing around £3.99 to £25 per bauble, the cost for making your home look beautifully festive is often pretty expensive. Granted, you buy a bauble and you’ll keep

Cheering up is in order, so why not treat yourself to a couple of decorations that will stand the test of time - We searched high and low, and these are our favourites! Closet & Botts Burgundy Velvet Bow, £4.99 Closet & Botts Set Of Six Mini Glass Decoration, £11.95 Flying Tiger Christmas Decoration, £3 The Shop Floor Project Fabric Folk Kit: Virginia Woolf, £28 Closet & Botts Gold Mistletoe & White Bead Decoration, £12.95 Etsy Dried Orange Garland Christmas Decoration, £10 C

After a galling start to November, my mind has turned to happier activities. It has to; otherwise, I’ll be a whiny, well-dressed mess on the floor. So, although we’re somewhat far from season’s greetings, don’t be fooled - they come at you thick and fast. I thought I’d settle a few points on easing into festive activities and being a gracious recipient.