Banbury Living Oct - Nov 2022

Skimmia japonica
DON’T: BE A
PERFECTIONIST
If your guests were hoping for hotel
standards, then that’s where they should
have stayed. Just aim to make sure
the space is clean, comfortable and
functional, then relax - there’s enough to
be worrying about in the festive season
without adding high expectations on top
of that.
THE REST OF
THE HOUSE
DO: ASSESS YOUR KERB
APPEAL
We can all become a little immune to the
scenes we see every day, so taking a bit
of time to objectively assess how things
look can be really helpful. Give the area a
sweep and a clear out, check wall lights
are working, that your doormat is in good
condition, and that any glass has had a
good clean. Clean the door itself too - it
really does help things look more up and
together. If your door is on its last legs,
now is the time to get a new one ordered
- as a bonus it could save you money on
heating your home too.
Then, really set off your door with a
classic wreath - you could make your
own to really make it tie in with the
setting, or to your personal tastes - go
ultra-traditional with orange slices
and berries or something a bit more
contemporary with feathers or dried
grasses.
DON’T: FORGET TO
REPAIR DAMAGE
Last summer was exceptionally hot and
dry, resulting in lots of hairline cracks
from the humidity in the air. These are
easy to fine fill, sand and repaint - it’s a
quick job but makes such a difference.
DO: REFRESH YOUR
PLANTERS
There are lots of great options for you to
add some winter colour to pots at the
front of your home. The little bobbing
heads of cyclamen are gorgeous, as
is the structure from winter heather.
Skimmia japonica is a super winter
shrub - glossy leaved and just the right
size for pots, when winter is over and the
container display has come to an end,
you could plant them out in the garden
to grow on. They come in a variety of
shades - covered in clusters of longlasting
buds during autumn and winter
which eventually open to delicate flowers
in spring.
DO: RESTOCK
CUPBOARDS
Make sure your guests know where
tea and coffee are kept and that they
can help themselves - this is especially
important if your morning routine is
different to theirs. Some mince pies or
other freshly baked goods are a lovely
treat, especially if your guests have
travelled far to see you.
DO: KEEP SPARES
It’s a nice gesture to make sure there
are spares for those commonly-used,
and often forgotten, items - toothpaste
and other travel-sized toiletries and a
phone charger. It makes people feel more
comfortable if they can be self sufficient,
without having to constantly ask to
borrow things.
DON’T: FORGET TO
PROVIDE SEATING
Think about where you are likely to
congregate together and make sure
there is enough seating to accommodate
everyone at once. This might be at the
kitchen table or the living room. Pouffes
and ottomans make great occasional
seating which can be tucked out the way
when not in use. We love classic leather
Moroccan designs, or storage ottomans
which can be used for blanket storage.
DON’T: FORGET TO
RELAX
For most of us, Christmas affords some
rare time to relax in the company of those
we hold dearest. Don’t
forget to enjoy the
company of those
you are hosting
- and don’t
sweat the
small details
- your guests
are just happy
to see you!
A festive wreath creates
a warm welcome
Moroccan Leather Pouffe, £99, hauslife.co.uk
Macedon Storage Ottoman
£92.99, wayfair.co.uk
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 23