With autumn in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before you reach for the first mince pie of the year. So now is a great moment to get ahead and start planning your Christmas décor - before you get swept up in nativity plays, drinks parties, visitors, and huge supermarket lists.

We’ve been supplying Christmas décor to trade customers for years but as we jump into our first direct-to-consumer season, it seemed a good time to tap up Floralsilk Director, Stephanie O’Flaherty, for a few top tips for preparing for the festive season.

1. Assess your space

 Grab a coffee and take yourself on a tour of your own home! In the rush of the day-to-day we can become complacent about our living space. Take time to walk through your home – starting right from the front gate or driveway - and identify where you can add some festive décor. Naturally the decision about where to place your tree is a big one. Work out how tall and wide a tree you can accommodate – or consider if you want to go for more than one tree to spread the festive feel into more rooms. Don’t forget to check you have an accessible plug socket for the lights and consider how your tree will be seen by visitors and passers-by.

Most of us tend to stick to the same position for our tree each year so a high-quality artificial Christmas tree that fits perfectly into that space is well worth the investment. And it means you have one less task on your Christmas to do list! We have a wide range of faux Christmas trees ranging from tabletop size to 9ft beauties, all designed to last a lifetime. As you tour your home, try and see it through a guest’s eyes, if you’ll be hosting over the Christmas period, identify all the opportunities you have to add festive flowers, foliage or Christmas tabletop or room décor to make sure your home is fully dressed for the season.

2. Choose your Christmas theme

Selecting a festive theme doesn’t mean sticking rigidly to one or two colours or a particular style. It’s about choosing a thread that runs through your décor so that family and visitors aren’t overwhelmed by competing elements. For a rustic, country-style theme you could set the tone with the classic foliage and crimson berries of our Faux Oakham Jute Wreath on your front door and carry this through to the hallway or living room with the Faux Smilax Berry Garland.  

Or keep things more pared back and neutral with the Sparkle Berry Heart Wreath and the Snowy Faux Eucalyptus Garland or Glitter Faux Holly Garland.  Most of our Christmas wreaths, garlands, flowers and foliage have coordinating items available to help you select items that will look great together.

When it comes to baubles and tree décor, there is plenty of choice in colour and shape. Combinations of red and gold, silver and blue, green and white are all Christmas classics but don’t be afraid to stray a little, add some glass or iridescent baubles such as our bestselling Amy Glass Baubles or finials to break things up.

We’ve also got a wide range of bird-themed tree hangers which will add some interest whatever your chosen colours, with options to consider in glass, feather, felt and ceramic you could dot a few around your tree or add to a garland. Using odd numbers of the same bauble appeals to the eye, adding interest and leading the gaze onto the next area. Many of our baubles are available in packs of three for this reason.

And don't forget to consider your tree topper to crown your tree, you might link these to your theme such as the Natural Star Tree Topper or choose an individual piece like our Felt Angel or Knitted Santa Hat to oversee your festivities.

3. Spread the Christmas cheer

Try not to confine your décor to one or two rooms, whilst you tour your living area identify if there are corners, shelves or other overlooked places in the kitchen, hallway or even cloakroom where you could add a festive touch. Unless you want to go full grotto (and admittedly it does work for Santa) you don’t have to add too much to make your whole home feel a little more Christmassy. Neutral ornaments such as the Light Up Porcelain Cone Tree or Cosy House are a great backdrop to brighter, more sparkly options.

 If you have kids at home, get them involved. Let them choose a new bauble for the main tree or perhaps plan for them to have their own mini tree, such as the Faux Pine Table Tree in Burlap that they can decorate with our mini baubles – or for younger children unbreakable resin or felt tree hangers such as our Resin T-Rex or Felt Robin tree decorations.     

4. Start the seasonal transition

Over years of planning Christmas product ranges, we’ve found that getting ahead is always key. As the nights draw in and we move through autumn into the colder days, it’s a good time to pack away summery décor, swap out cushions and add some cosy layers to your home ready for winter. Faux flower arrangements can help you with the transition.

Adding gold, silver or sparkly foliage to existing arrangements will make sure they stay appropriate to the season. Our Faux Metallic Holly Spray in gold or silver is a great option to introduce a change in tone or keep things understated with the Snowstorm Faux Eucalyptus which will add a lighter wintery touch. Winter florals don’t have to be all about Poinsettias and Holly – although we’ve got some lovely options for these too. For a transitional season arrangement try Faux Hellebore or the gorgeous Luxury Faux Hydrangea paired with rich green foliage such as Faux French Ivy or Faux Jackson Eucalyptus and a scattering of winter berries.

5. Don’t forget to add the fun to your festivities

Don’t strive for perfection, a colour scheme or theme that is too rigid can mean that you miss out on the annual joy of unpacking the quirky baubles and décor you have picked up along the way. If you or someone in your house has a hobby, personalise your décor by including a nod to it. We have a lovely range of fun options that will add a light-hearted note to your tree or table décor from a garden shed or greenhouse to dinosaurs, footballs, a cheeseboard and even a crate of beer.

And don’t forget to add a gonk! These mystical beings are part of a Scandinavian tradition that holds that gonks can bring good luck to those that invite them into their homes over winter. We’ve got a gonk for everyone from a pair of Christmas mini gonks to the cosy couple of Mr and Mrs Hygge Gonk and even an antlered gonk who has just arrived from the forest!

No matter how you choose to decorate your home this Christmas, some early planning will certainly pay off and leave you free to enjoy the build-up to the big day!