All Calm at Christmas

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, Yvonne believes organising is key in her Kilkenny home, and she takes her time to make sure all shines bright for the festivities.

- EDITORIAL AND STYLING BY PENNY CRAWFORD-COLLINS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP LAUTERBACH.

For Yvonne Treacy, Christmas is one of the most anticipated times of the year.

But while she loves the magic of the season, she is quick to admit that it can also become overwhelming if the home isn't prepared properly. Over the years, she has developed a way of decorating that blends tradition with practicality, keeping her home festive while ensuring it remains calm and comfortable for the whole family.

'I love Christmas,' Yvonne says. 'But I've realised it only really works when it suits the people who live in the house. It has to be festive and a bit magical, yes, but it also has to feel comfortable and manageable. Otherwise you end up stressed, and that's the opposite of what this season should be.'

Yvonne's decorating, in her four-bedroom semidetached new build, begins towards the end of November or the very start of December. The first job is always the same: moving the boxes down from the attic and into the office upstairs, where everything is unpacked and organised before being placed around the house.

'I hang my garlands and wreaths on clothes hangers and wrap the larger pieces in bubble wrap and bags,' she explains. 'It might seem like extra work, but storing things properly is so important. You thank yourself every year when you open the boxes and everything is intact.' Before a single decoration is put up, the house goes through a deep clean, both inside and out. For Yvonne, this is about setting the stage. 'A huge clean makes such a difference. Once the house feels fresh, the decorations stand out more and you enjoy the whole process a lot more.'

The whole house is not decorated in one go. Yvonne starts with the garlands and wreaths, which are the most time-consuming, and then works her way through each room, adding and removing until she's happy with the look.