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Are you hosting Christmas dinner this year? 
 
Maybe it’s a small intimate affair or a full-on extended family and friends feast, either way, there are lots of ways to make the Christmas table the focal point of the celebrations and we’re not talking about just the food. 
 
Whatever your style, contemporary and cool, rustic and handmade, opulent and glamourous or somewhere in between, we’ve sought out some inspiration and tips to help you bring some environmentally-friendly festive magic to your 
Christmas table decorations. 
 
We love green here at Chunky Monkey and our overall ethos is one of sustainability and provenance, so it comes as little surprise that we don’t believe in buying lots of plastic shiny stuff that will inevitably end up in the bin as landfill. 
Thankfully a little bit of respectful ‘festive foraging’ in the woods and hedgerows at this time of the year can provide the basis of some spectacular Christmas displays. 
 
By weaving in some fairy lights and candles, and perhaps some seasonal blooms, natural decorations can easily outmatch any shop-bought imitations. And if you can’t imagine Christmas without a little bit of glitz and glamour, we’ve some easy DIY crafting tips to bring the glitter to the table too. 

Forage for Foliage 

The Real Flower Company have a great online guide to Autumn and Winter foliage foraging which takes you beyond the conventional Holly and Mistletoe (though we love those too!) and will get you out in the woods seeking out Dogwood, Mock Olive, Yew and Box Fir, as well as colourful berries and Rosehips. 

Rustic, natural and pared down 

For a simple, fresh scheme, try using fresh Ivy, Fir and Eucalyptus for fragrance. This trend works especially well with natural solid wood tables, fresh white napkins and candles. 
 
The spindly, lichen and moss covered branches to be found in the woods at this time of the year can look very elegant when strung with fairy lights and the odd ornament. For a bit of dazzle, you could try painting the branches silver or using recycled costume jewellery that can be picked up cheaply in charity shops, to string between the branches. This looks really magical when caught in candle light. 
 
For an earthy, rustic twist, you could try working in some wood slices as place mats; they work really well with trimmings from the christmas tree as a runner. 
If it’s a vintage feel you’re after, you could weave in some seasonal blooms that pick out colours you have utilised elsewhere in the home. Try mismatched jugs dotted along the table filled with evergreen foliage from the garden or visit one of Exeter’s great independent florists who will help you source some seasonal colour. 
 
If you just can’t imagine Christmas without a bit of glamour and glitz, you could always try gilding leaves, twigs, pine cones or even fruit with some metallic paint. 
 
Cinnamon, ginger, pine, citrus or vanilla…whatever your favourite ‘christmassy’ fragrance, you can capture it naturally without the need for expensive or chemical candles. 
Cinnamon, ginger, pine, citrus or vanilla…whatever your favourite ‘christmassy’ fragrance, you can capture it naturally without the need for expensive or chemical candles. 
 
Using natural decorations will naturally make your home smell welcomingly like Christmas. To really up the cosy atmosphere, why not try making your own ‘simmer pot’. Easily made with natural ingredients you’re likely to have in the home, we love this quintessential recipe but the great thing with a simmer pot, is that you can tailor it totally to your taste. 
 
With the simmer pot on, now is the perfect time to get outside with the family and seek out that interesting foliage, those glossy leaves and beautiful bright berries that will bring a natural beauty to your home and a Christmas table to remember...we’ll see you in the woods! 
If you are in need of a table to decorate check out our full range
 
All our tables are full of rustic charm and made from reclaimed wood. 
 
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