Merry, bright and GORGEOUS!

Create an extra-special Christmas table using simple, original decorations made with items you may already have on hand

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Recycled light bulb twine pears

Old light bulbs

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

1-2m jute garden twine (per bulb)

Scissors

Twigs cut into 2cm lengths

Thin cardboard

1 Starting from rounded end of the bulb, add a small bead of hot glue.

2 Working quickly, glue the jute twine around the glass bulb. Continue in a spiral fashion down the bulb to the metal base.

3 Hold the twine down firmly until the glue just sets, then move on to the next section and repeat.

4 To finish, snip off the remaining twine and glue down the end neatly.

5 Cut out a cardboard leaf and fold it down centre crease.

6 Glue on twig as a stalk and attach leaf, if desired.

FESTIVE FOUNDATIONS

Six tips to wow your guests.

1 CHOOSE AND REPEAT A COLOUR SCHEME

Once you've picked two or three main colours, echo them subtly across the table through napkins, ribbons, glassware or candles to create harmony without feeling overly coordinated. Small touches repeated consistently give the table a cohesive, curated look.

2 LAYER FOR DEPTH

Mix tall and short centrepieces, candles and decorative elements so the table has dimension and visual interest. Varying heights help draw the eye along the table and prevent it feeling flat.

3 INCORPORATE UNEXPECTED TEXTURES