Create a cosy holiday vibe in your home this Christmas

12 December 2023 , 11:04

911     0

Stay nice and warm at home (Image: Getty)

From country cottages to log cabins in the woods, England is awash with picture-perfect festive boltholes. Popular with friends and families who want to celebrate the season, these iconic venues book up well in advance.

While many of us dream of booking up a cottage like the fictional one from the iconic film The Holiday, the good old Christmas budget might not stretch that far. For holidaymakers looking to book for Christmas 2024, chocolate box cottages and cabins with wood burners can be found in abundance on Booking.com or from curators of cosy memories like Sykes Cottages and Holidaycottages.com.

The fictional film cottage has become Christmas goals

But if you've left it too late to book a getaway this year, there are lots of ways to create your own cosy Christmas at home with a little help from the seasonal collections at Marks and Spencer, Dunelm and more.

READ MORE: How to bag a break at Disneyland Paris from as little as £89 per person

Try these little tricks to turn your home into your very own festive staycation where you won't even have to leave the house.

Lindsay Lohan glows in ultra rare public appearance with family at Fashion Week

Light some candles

No stay in a cosy cottage or cabin would be complete without some sweet-smelling candles. Bring the fragrance of the season into your own home with these amazing candles and smelly things from John Lewis.

Breathe in the season with a scented candle or two (John Lewis)

The £25 Paddywax Cypress & Fir Mug Scented Candle, for example, is a mug filled with delicious seasonal aromas that will bring your home to life this Christmas.

Some rather wonderful cheaper own-brand candles on offer smell just as good for a fraction of the price. Our favourites include the John Lewis Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla Scented Candle, the John Lewis Spiced Clementine & Pomegranate Scented Candle Tin and the John Lewis Frosted Mistletoe & Eucalyptus Tin Scented Candle, all available for just £5.

Buy now from John Lewis (from £5)

Hang some stockings

There is nothing more festive than a Christmas stocking (M&S)

Nothing says Christmas better than some traditional oversized stockings, neatly hung and waiting to be filled.

For an old-fashioned vibe that never gets tired, choose vintage-style stockings like these lovely Red Velvet Alphabet Stockings from Marks and Spencer. If you are expecting a few more presents to land on your lap on the big day, this Striped Christmas Sack is a little bit bigger.

Buy now from Marks and Spencer (from £15)

Treat yourself to an Oodie

Vanessa Feltz 'discovered ex Ben Ofoedu was cheating on Christmas Day'

Available in a choice of fun colours and designs, the Oodie is one of the cosiest things your money can buy.

Treat yourself to an Oodie this Christmas (Oodie)

With its sherpa fleece lining, the best-selling hooded blanket is the perfect way to keep warm on chilly winter days, and perfect for snuggling up on the sofa.

For extra snuggliness, Oodie also sells dressing gowns, weighted blankets, nighties and more.

Buy now from Oodie (from £49)

Add some (faux) fur

This fur throw feels like utter luxury (Dunelm)

You may not be tucked up in a Christmas cabin but you can still add your own frontier-style furnishings.

A faux fur throw, for example, will not only look beautiful on your sofa it's also perfect for snuggling up under as the temperature falls.

Our favourite is the Verbier Faux Fur 150cm x 200cm Throw from Dunelm. At £65 it's an investment piece, but it's super soft, incredibly warm and has that heavyweight feel you usually only find in posh hotels or very expensive bedding stores. It's an absolute find.

Buy now from Dunelm (£65)

Hang a Christmas wreath on the door

Welcome in the season with a Christmas wreath (NOTHS)

Let the world know that you've got your Christmas on by hanging a wreath on your front door. Traditionally, viewed as an invitation for the spirit of Christmas to enter into the home, now you can dress up your door with bows, bells and beautiful festive touches.

There are lots of great wreaths to choose from online or you can make your own. This pastel pink Winter Sparkle Christmas Door Wreath offers a modern take on traditional colours, or keep it classic with this Pinecones And Stars Mixed Foliage LED Wreath

Buy now from Not On The High Street (from £32)

Buy some treats

Forget about the calories and treat yourself to some delicious goodies courtesy of the season.

Christmas time is a fine time for cheese and wine (M&S)

It wouldn't be Christmas without a box of chocolates, a glass of wine and a fine selection of cheeses. Marks and Spencer is selling some very tasty festive hampers that would be the perfect Christmas gift to share between yourselves.

Our favourites include the Red Wine & Cheese Gift Box, the Chocolate & Fizz Gift Box and the White Wine & Nibbles Gift Box that can all be ordered online.

Buy now from Marks and Spencer (from £35)

Watch a festive film

Spending a cosy weekend away is the perfect time to catch up on some TV time, and nothing beats a soppy Christmas movie at this time of year.

Make some time to binge on Christmas films (Getty)

Sky Cinema is showing some classic festive films such as Elf and Love Actually, modern favourites like 8-Bit Christmas and Bad Santa, and new seasonal movies to love this year like Genie.

Streaming services including Netflix and Amazon Prime also have lots of lovely Christmas telly to snuggle down in front of, and with your new Oodie and Faux Fur Throw you can get cosy on the couch while you book your getaway for Christmas 2024.

Laura Mckenna