BBC Radio Manchester Live Christmas Special 2020

Christmas time is extremely busy for us and with the challenges of the pandemic it has been very stressful at times. But as Christmas approaches and buying gifts for my friends and family mainly on-line, I reflect on the future of high-street shops and how our shopping experience's have and will change for the future. I must admit on-line shopping is easy but I miss not being able to touch and browse items and especially not being able to pick up a scented candle and smell the scent. We take for granted and probably do not realise how we use our senses during shopping which is just impossible on-line - oh for scratch and sniff computers - if only.

However I will not let these challenges stop my passion for design and I find a new burst of inspiration to get my creative juices flowing. How shall I dress my tress this year? What can I do with surplus decorative items, I do not like to waste and it’s a shame to put it back in a box and not see for another year. What can I do different on my table dressing this year? Then my mind flows into the New Year looking at the new trends from the catwalk to interiors…. And this goes on endlessly igniting new ideas & inspirations.

I have been privileged to be asked to work with BBC Radio Manchester on live phone streams talking about everything from interiors to new trends over the last few years. Christmas 2018 /2019 I was invited to be part of the live show from the Trafford Centre with the lovely Phil Throw. Although somewhat nervy it was an amazing experience to be able to share my knowledge with a live audience. This year we have also talked live for Autumn / Winter trends and one of my favourite times of the year Halloween.  

The phone rings and we were invited once again to be part of the live Christmas 2020 Special broadcast unfortunately not from the Trafford Centre this year but a live phone in show with the lovely Phil Throw. Without hesitation I agreed, drafting a brief of ideas and inspirations to share once again.

You can listen to the interview on the link below.

I love Christmas and have to say that I do have a few large tress to dress in different rooms in my home. Each one is themed to the room and dressed to impress. Forget the lonely fairy up there all on her own or the single star that's lost it's sparkle. Think explosion - dress out the top use a different topper here's some creative ideas I have done this year.

We all love to hang a stocking but have you ever thought why? The origin of the Christmas stocking is thought to originate in the life of Saint Nicholas. There are versions of legends one was of St. Nicholas wanting to help villager girls but an old man wouldn't accept charity so he decided to help in secret. After dark St. Nicholas threw three bags of gold through an open window, one landed in a stocking. When the girls and the old man awoke the next morning they found the bags of gold and were, of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting our shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from St. Nicholas.

Stockings are easy to make and a great activity for all the family. You can even use and old sock and I'm pretty sure you will have a Christmas sock somewhere probably gifted from a grandparent that can be use and customised. Even and old t-shirt, towel any fabric will do. Add motifs of gingerbread men, draw a snowflake add a pom pom trim and season with glitter. For the finishing touch don't forget to add the name and hang in a special place.