How to decorate for Christmas by OKA

Do you opt for a real or a fake Christmas tree, tinsels or baubles? Discover how to decorate for a chic Christmas party with expert advice from Lucinda Waterhouse, Founding Director of OKA.

How is OKA celebrating Christmas this year?

Christmas is about having fun and sharing good times as you entertain family and friends. At OKA we like to offer people plenty of choice from our tableware collections.

How should I decorate the Christmas table?

This year we have added fantastic, bright coloured accessories to our current OKA collections; they inject a riot of colour when you're entertaining. These include fabulous lacquer placemats and coasters, pretty embroidered napkins and a variety of glassware. You need lots of glasses in the home at Christmas.

Would you go for a real or fake Christmas tree?

I love the aroma of a real Christmas tree and it’s nice if it is tall and bushy.

When decorating a Christmas tree, where do you start?

Get the lights sorted out first and then the tree decorations. Alongside our old favourite traditional Christmas tree decorations, I try and add something different each year. I get ideas from places like Covent Garden Flower market where I frequently go for work.

Baubles or tinsel?

I would go for baubles.

Top Christmas trend?

The joy of festive entertaining is that you can be as fun and creative as you want – you don’t need to follow a trend.

What to avoid?

Tinsel!

If you remember one thing...

Make sure the atmosphere is inviting for you and your guests. Simple touches such as mixing up textures and styles create an eclectic, relaxed and welcoming home. Cosy lighting, a roaring fire (if you can) and scented candles capture the essence of winter in the home. Try cedarwood and cinnamon scented candles scented candles for a wonderful winter fragrance.

If you're on a budget...

You can create a wonderful, Christmassy atmosphere with pretty candlelight, faux evergreen garlands and delicate fairy lights. If you get faux greenery you can recycle it each year and simply update the look with ideas such as spraying dried satsumas gold, adding bows of ribbon or tying cinnamon sticks to the garlands. These touches will also create a lovely festive aroma.

And your parting words of wisdom?

There is rarely enough time to prepare for Christmas celebrations - it always creeps up on you. The main thing to keep focused on is the fabulous excitement that builds from sharing fun and food with family and friends. And don’t forget to order the turkey early to avoid disappointment!