British Garden Centres’ guide to creating a festive wonderland in your home this Christmas

As the festive season approaches, British Garden Centres is on hand to help transform your home into a winter wonderland for the big day. Our team of experts will inspire you to create a magical Christmas atmosphere, from elegant and traditional to playful and modern. Whether you’re seeking a cosy retreat or a dazzling display, our tips and tricks and instore range will help you bring the joy of Christmas to life.

Decorate your interior

A well-chosen centrepiece can instantly elevate a room. Decorative bowls or trays filled with seasonal elements like pinecones, holly, dried orange slices, and cinnamon sticks offer a timeless and natural touch.

Fairy lights and candles can also transform a space. Wrap our Fern Lighting options around houseplants or fill glass jars for a warm and cosy glow. Layer candles with year-round scents like vanilla or citrus to create a soothing ambience.

Decorate your interior

A well-chosen centrepiece can instantly elevate a room. Decorative bowls or trays filled with seasonal elements like pinecones, holly, dried orange slices, and cinnamon sticks offer a timeless and natural touch.

Fairy lights and candles can also transform a space. Wrap our Fern Lighting options around houseplants or fill glass jars for a warm and cosy glow. Layer candles with year-round scents like vanilla or citrus to create a soothing ambience.

Bows are a versatile decorating element. Incorporate them in various fabrics and sizes, such as velvet wreaths, burlap gift packages, or satin tree branches, to create a cohesive and festive look.

Your local British Garden Centres store has many Christmas themes to suit every interior and taste over the festive period. For a classic look, opt for the Traditional theme with rich reds and greens or for a serene winter atmosphere, choose the Winter Wonderland theme with white, silver, and light blue. For a playful and charming touch, the Gingham theme is perfect, whilst the Iced Gingerbread theme will evoke nostalgia in your home.

For a magical vibe, the Sugarplum theme with vibrant colours and playful decorations is perfect for the big day but if you prefer to bring nature indoors, the Woodland theme with earthy tones and natural colour palette is ideal. Mulled Wine theme consists of rich reds and warm colours whilst Lollipop is playful and will suit young families. For a classic Christmas, the Holly Berry theme will complement the home, or for a serene and contemporary look, the Snowflake theme with delicate designs and cool colours is ideal. For a sleek and moody theme, the Dark Nights theme with blue, black, and silver will stun in any interior, but if you are going for a minimalist and sophisticated look, the Mistletoe theme is well suited.

Christmas styling your furniture

A Christmas table is a wonderful way to bring your loved ones together and create a festive atmosphere. By incorporating elements of your home decor and garden, you can transform your dining experience into a magical affair.

To create a stunning table centrepiece, bring nature indoors by using elements from your garden or our Fern Christmas range. Holly leaves, pine cones, and seasonal foliage like ivy, fir, or eucalyptus can be used to create a beautiful garland or wreath. For an extra touch of magic, add glowing candles or string lights to your table.

Or why not create your own Christmas garland to run the length of your table or mantlepiece? Start with a base, such as one of our artificial Fern Christmas garlands. Fluff it up for a full and lush look before adding some sparkle with battery-operated LED lights, like a set of our Fern Lighting 200 white lights. To add volume and texture, incorporate sprigs of floristry and faux flowers. Finally, complete the festive look by wiring in clusters of baubles and sparkling berries.

There’s something truly magical about a Lemax Christmas Village. Whether you opt for a grand, sprawling cityscape or a cosy little town square, these miniature villages can transform your home into a winter wonderland and your local British Garden Centre has a wide selection to choose from. With their intricate details, twinkling lights, and festive charm, Lemax villages are sure to captivate both young and old.

Festive colour in the garden

Making a Christmas wreath is a delightful tradition that can add a festive touch to your home. By gathering evergreen branches like spruce, pine, and eucalyptus, along with pine cones, berries, and dried fruit, you can create a beautiful and fragrant wreath or you can decorate your own from our Fern Christmas range of artificial wreaths.

To bring the Christmas spirit outdoors, consider adding potted Christmas trees to your garden. These can be placed on your doorstep or patio and decorated to create a magical focal point.

While we often associate colourful planters with spring and summer, winter gardens can also be stunning. By combining evergreen plants like conifers, magnolia, eucalyptus, boxwood, holly, and ivy with vibrant accents like pyracantha or callicarpa berries and colourful dogwood stems, you can create impressive winter container displays.

Christmas lighting outdoors

Transform your garden into a sparkly winter wonderland by decorating it with festive lights. Drape elegant fairy lights and charming lanterns from tree branches, pergolas, and other outdoor structures. The soft, twinkling glow will create a magical atmosphere, perfect for entertaining friends and family during Christmas gatherings.

To enhance the ambience, consider using solar-powered lights to illuminate pathways and steps. These energy-efficient lights not only provide safety but also add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. If entertaining outdoors, why not place lanterns on patios or tables, casting a warm and inviting glow, and creating a beautiful scene over Christmas time?

Amy Stubbs, Project and Development Manager at British Garden Centres said: “Unleash the magic of Christmas with our local British Garden Centres store. Our team can help you discover a world of festive delights, from twinkling lights to enchanting ornaments, homeware and plants. Transform your home and garden into a winter wonderland that will create festive memories with your loved ones and create a truly unforgettable Christmas experience.”

British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 65 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
BGC was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018 it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now with 65 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.

The group has a team of 2,700 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.