The Joy of Giving and Gathering: A Crate & Barrel Holiday Home Guide  

December is all about celebrating togetherness - from gifting to festive hosting. It's a time when we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, spend quality time with our family and friends, and take a break from our busy lives. Holiday gifting is traditional, as is adding festive home décor to brighten our homes on the coldest, darkest days of the year.

At Crate and Barrel, we love this season, and we have plenty of ideas for festive hosting and lots of entertaining essentials that’ll ensure every holiday is a happy one. From gift ideas for your host to festive decorations for the Christmas table, we have plenty of ways to add a little cheer to your home. We've also got some ideas for a quick home refresh before the New Year and for keeping that holiday spirit going during those strange 'in-between' days after Christmas and before the New Year rings in.

Getting ready 

The first question is: when should you start putting up your decorations for the Christmas period? Some love the brightness and jolly warmth of Christmas so much that they can't wait to break out the fairy lights and tree as early as late November. Others leave it to the last minute to deck the halls, but in general, the tree should be up and decorated around the second week of December. This way, you have plenty of time to create a welcoming yuletide ambience for any guests popping by, but you don’t become bored with your decorations before Christmas arrives.

Colour schemes

Traditional colour schemes for Christmas home décor focus on gold, red, and green, although white, silver, and ice blue are also excellent choices, as are rich plum and burgundy tones. Our top tip: mix up your home décor with plenty of metallics to add sparkle. That includes decorations for the table, where a sprinkling of silver strands against a rich plum table runner and some pure white candles creates a stylish look.

The tree – real or fake?

Central to the festivities is the tree. These days, there are so many different options when it comes to Christmas trees that there’s bound to be one that suits your style. There’s nothing quite like the scent of a real pine Christmas tree, but those needles can be a real pain getting caught in the rug and spreading through the house. An artificial tree is a smart alternative that you can use again and again, forming the foundation of your Christmas home décor and becoming a part of your annual festive traditions.

Holiday gifting – the right presents for everyone

It’s always a struggle to find exactly the right holiday gift, but there are ways you can narrow the search down a little. 

For passionate cooks, anything to do with the kitchen is always welcome, from the latest recipe book from a celebrity chef to those little essential gadgets you didn't know you needed. Even if their drawers are stuffed with scrapers, choppers, and presses, there's always something new to add to the home kitchen. A serious cook will hugely appreciate a gorgeous Le Creuset skillet in that signature orange colour. Or help out a new homeowner with an essential gadget like a coffee maker or a top-of-the-range air fryer.

If your gift recipient loves their garden, there is a host of outdoor accessories you can choose from that make the perfect festive present. From wall-mounted planters to free-standing options that add a touch of contemporary elegance to a patio or garden, garden accessories are thoughtful gifts that anyone with a passion for plants will appreciate.

Gift ideas for your host

If you’ve been invited to a Christmas get-together, it’s always nice to present your host with a little token. The tradition of giving decorative ornaments and baubles for the Christmas tree is enjoying a revival, and a beautifully crafted and detailed bauble will be treasured for years to come. If your host has just moved into their home, a gift such as a decorative picture frame is a thoughtful present, especially an ornate, miniature one that can be hung next to your hosts’ Christmas stockings or on the tree.

The holiday table

The Christmas Day meal is a chance for everyone to sit down together and share some memorable moments. It's also your opportunity to decorate your table to reflect the season and your own personality. 

Christmas table decorating doesn't always have to be green and red. With so many styles of table runners and tablecloths on offer, you can choose one you like and then build your festive table decorations around it. For example, if you go for a neutral or cream table runner, your options are much more open than if you choose a red or burgundy one. Paler colours give a more contemporary look, while the more intense tones of plum, navy blue or deep forest green create a warm, welcoming traditional ambience.

Our Top Tip: Stock up on matching tableware, especially if you're having lots of family and friends over for dinner. Matching plates, bowls, and servers will give your Christmas table a more polished look.

That in-between time

Once all the excitement of Christmas Day is over, you have around a week before the next big event, the New Year. This is the ideal opportunity to do a quick home refresh so you start the new year with a bright, clean and welcoming space. Adding new lighting is a fast and easy way to transform a room, with stylish floor lamps or bubbly glass chandeliers to add a touch of glamour to a living room.

Brighten a hallway with some new wall art, or add some throws and cushions to your lounge to make it feel cosy and comfortable. Declutter your kitchen with clever storage solutions that leave work surfaces clean and fuss-free, so you have plenty of space to prepare those New Year’s Eve nibbles. 

And don’t forget the outside – if the weather’s good, you’ll be spending at least some of New Year’s night outside watching the fireworks. So make sure there are plenty of comfortable seats, tables to hold drinks, lanterns to add some festive cheer, and a patio heater to keep everyone warm.
But most of all, enjoy yourself! This is a fabulous time of the year when memories that last a lifetime are made. Check out the festive ideas at Crate and Barrel, and have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!