I usually open our Christmas boxes to find a stock of home fragrance, ready to fill the rooms with the ‘scent of expectation.’ I must have put things away in a hurry last year though because it was all very depleted. My go-tos are the cinnamon of Winter and this year I’m adding the new Nordic Woods which smells of pine with a back note of warm log fires burning. I find having a diffuser in each room with the extra oomph of a candle burning at night does the trick. Don’t forget that Air Wick’s Mulled Wine plug-in on the lowest setting is a low cost alternative to Winter – the fragrance that Selfridges used to use all over the store.

Winter collection

I’d forgotten all about crackers and I dithered over chocolate ones but in the end decided to add some that will get Christmas dinner off to a glowing start this year. There are the usual gin ones but I confess I just don’t love gin so I’ve opted for other spirits with mixers instead.

Mixer crackers

I’ve been doing a glassware audit and filling in gaps. Over the years I’ve learned that delicate fizz glasses don’t survive well when you have people over at Christmas, especially with large boys and dogs around. These sturdy, handblown champagne flutes are a better idea, in summer I keep them in the garden shed because they’re really handy for al fresco drinks too. They look much more expensive then they are and the chunky base helps to keep your drinks cool. A ball of fruit sorbet at the bottom with prosecco or champagne poured over always feels extra special.

Sturdy champagne glasses

It’s good to dress the table properly and I always think it’s nice to have special napkins for Christmas. I’ve already unpacked this set, I’ve had them for a few years now and despite their delicate appearance, they still survive the gravy.

Mistletoe napkins

When I’m fed up of cooking (Boxing Day probably!), I find that if I put the leftovers onto a wooden board like this they miraculously turn into a delectable looking smorgasboard – it’s as if you’ve waved a magic wand. It’s easy to intersperse chunks of cheese with slices of cold meat, pickled onions, cherry tomatoes, celery, a fig and slices of apple here and there. Add a basket of bread and everyone’s happy. It’s the pick and mix presentation that makes the difference.

Olive wood serving board

Back in the kitchen, I’m not the sort of person who’s going to spend days making a gingerbread house. I have much simpler tricks up my sleeve which include an array of biscuit cutters so that a simple gingerbread mix (pre-made in a batch and kept in the fridge) can produce a new surprise every day. We have stars, foxes, angels and bells and Christmas dinosaurs(!)

This is a great value collection that’s currently on offer – it even includes icing bags and nozzles as well as gift bags.

Christmas cookie set

I also have one of these star shaped cake tins. All you have to do is use any recipe that you’d usually bake as a rich loaf – banana cake… rich chocolate or a healthy apple and ginger (and increase the quantity of mixture a little if you think it needs it). Bake it in this tin and then when it’s cooled, cover it with edible glitter so that it twinkles. Make up a new name for it (Star of Wonder cake works well) and everyone loves it.

Star cake tin

And here’s something to keep you going while you’re slaving away in the kitchen – your very own rotating disco glitterball. Mal and the boys bought one for me a few years ago and it gives me so much pleasure, especially when I’m in on my own as I often am these days. This one is better than mine because it comes with its own reflective LED source so you’ll have an even better effect from it. I’m wondering if it’s time for an upgrade…

LED glitterball pendant

Extra wrapping paper is one of those things we always end up having to drive around for late at night. Not this year, I’m adding it to be delivered with my last minute orders and if you need a lot of it you get a free four metre roll here when you buy three.

4 for 3 on sustainably produced wrapping paper

This is quite literally the finishing touch. I’ve been wearing this nail polish since mid-November, it goes with everything you wear and it lasts for at least ten days if you use the accompanying base and top coat. It just adds joy to everything you touch.

Gold nail polish

Obviously this isn’t just for Christmas but it will help if you’re feeling the heat. I’ve been trialling a few Elf products and I’m really impressed by them, especially for the price. I’m pulling this make-up setting spray out to recommend – you simply spritz it over your face when you’ve finished doing your make-up. I wore it for the various events we went to in Newcastle which included a lot of dancing and I was amazed at the fresh finish it gave all night. It has a matte glow effect, it’s lovely – one of those products you have no idea you need until you try it. And I’ll give a shout out to the satin lipsticks too which look and feel exactly like the Nars ones for half the price.

Stay all night setting spray

One more treat to self perhaps – if you’re feeling left out because you don’t have an advent calendar to open, they’re now reduced to clear. Choose from fizz, wine or cocktails – little treats that last for months (or not, that’s up to you!).

Cocktail advent calendar

Last of all I have a great offer for you. You may remember that a few weeks ago I mentioned the lower alcohol/low carb wine, beer and spirits company I’d found. It all began when Tom, the founder, discovered that lower alcohol alternatives tend to be higher in sugar and calories than ordinary wines and so he set off to source better alternatives. Each wine, beer or spirit has its nutritional information displayed clearly on the website, lots of them even have zero grams of sugar. After I mentioned them they got in touch to offer Midlifechic readers 15% off everything sitewide, all you have to do is use code NIKKI15 at checkout.  It’s a good way to have a slightly lighter, healthier Christmas without completely abstaining. (NB code can’t be used with any other offer or with subscribe and save)

Lower sugar/alcohol wines

And with that I must go because I have a lot to finish before we go away. That’s the Christmas planning posts all wrapped up on Midlifechic for this year. I’ll be doing last minute outfit ideas on Friday and then next week we’ll have a proper midlife lately catch-up. I really hope you’re enjoying the festive build-up, I’m starting to really look forward to it all now. Have a lovely week and I’ll see you on Friday.