Simple to construct and visually effective, paper concertina Christmas trees, like this design from Etsy, are an easy way to add a festive feel to a sideboard or table. What's more, they're an eco-friendly alternative to traditional decorations and can be folded down and stored ready to pop out again next year. 

Before you go out and splash the cash on festive foliage and ornaments, consider what you already have in your home. Houseplants can easily be given a quick seasonal facelift with wire fairy lights and miniature baubles. Upcycle your existing pot with a faux fur trim or invest in a Christmas-themed design for the final finish.

Do you want to build a snowman? Pep up a plain kitchen cabinet or fridge freezer with a fun snowman decoration. Children will love designing their winter friend using cut-out craft paper, glue and fridge magnets or choose reusable stickers so there's no cleaning up when Christmas is over. 

Monochromatic decorating is really having a moment so don't be afraid to layer the same colour from your walls to your baubles. It works especially well with kitsch pinks, bringing a sort of 60s exuberance to the overall look. If you're going down this route, why not finish with a huge bow on top of your tree? Instant impact!

Get creative and find some unconventional spots around the house to tie in some festive foliage. Try tying an indoor wreath to the back of kitchen bar stools or pop a sprig of mistletoe on the edge of a mirror. 

Looking for a truly simple seasonal decorating idea? Turn your bedroom into a cosy Christmas grotto by swapping your bed linen for festive-inspired designs. Whether you want a Nordic pattern in traditional colours or something more fun with slogans and bright prints, the options are endless. Mix patterns and plains to create a luxurious and inviting pile of pillows and blankets.

Hallways can be overlooked at Christmas and a super-easy way to bring yuletide cheer into your entrance is to buy a mini tree or see if you can get an off-cut branch from a larger one. Add some small baubles that match the colour scheme for a subtle but stylish finished look. 

Make the most of any existing hooks or hanging spots around the home by suspending any spare decorations from them. Pop a hero bauble on a single hook with ribbon or use the humble peg rail to make a statement with three frosted wreaths.  

For an effortless look in the living room, a faux garland of leafy green foliage and bright red berries can look just as good as the real thing. Easy to hang, it gives just enough colour for a seasonal feel year after year. 

Christmas cards can clutter up a home, so pick out your favourites and peg them to a string tied across the window. A touch of holly or ivy entwined around the garland will look all the more festive; you can then string up more tiers as the Christmas post arrives.

If your Christmas tree is looking a little sparse this year why not embellish it with a garland? Tinsel is back, but if it's not for you then it's just as easy to craft your own version from feathers, pom poms or even extra greenery. 

So, you've got your perfect tree and decorations in place but for an extra bit of Christmas cheer why not add a tree skirt? Great for catching needles, soaking up spilt water, hiding ugly artificial tree stands and keeping presents safe and tidy, there are so many styles and designs that will make a fabulous finishing touch to your tree décor. 

Paper decorations fold out and pop up in no time to create a striking look. Hang stylish stars in windows or create a standout banister garland with variously sized paper honeycomb balls and pom-poms. When Christmas is over they simply fold up and can be packed away until next year.

These days many shops provide coordinated packs of baubles and decorations at bargain prices. Coming in at the best value, they make decorating super quick and mean you don't have to overthink a new colour scheme. 

Gather natural materials such as pine cones, bark and even fallen branches to create an on-trend Nordic-inspired look. This branch makes a striking decoration suspended from the ceiling and wrapped in fairy lights. 

No Christmas tree this year? If you haven't got the space or the inclination, a decorated mantelpiece is a Christmas staple that delivers striking results with minimum effort. Drape a garland along the flat surface, winding it around three candle votives, and then add in a few tree decorations that pick out hero colours in the room. 

Most homeware brands release their own Christmas decorating themes every year, which are based on current trends and sold in sets. Each style is designed to colour match and coordinate with each other, too. So, whether you choose a cosy woodland retreat range or a fun Santa's workshop look, you can't fail to bring home the decorating magic and look like a pro. 

Don't let your leftover tree baubles go to waste. Glass flower vases are perfect for popping leftovers in to create decorative display pieces. They can be used to welcome guests in the hallway or make for an easy table centrepiece. Cake stands make a stylish alternative too. 

Eucalyptus is one of the most fashionable festive additions you can include in your Christmas decor this year. Its simple silvery leaves suit minimal Nordic-style Christmas schemes as well as cosy country looks. Add a eucalyptus wreath, a mantel garland and a sprig here and there to keep it festive and fragrant throughout the holiday period.

We'll let you in on a secret, all those wrapped gifts you see in interior magazines Christmas issues are not real presents. Stylists spend a lot of the year looking out for perfectly shaped empty boxes to put under their trees for photoshoots. So, steal their style and pop a few ready wrapped 'gifts' in amongst your decorating displays for an authentic feel. Empty tea bag boxes are a good size – so put the kettle on. 

Basic brown luggage labels are super cheap and can be used for a multitude of easy Christmas decorating ideas. Tie them to a napkin with a sprig of holly for a rustic place setting, bling them up with glittery ribbon and use them as gift tags on presents or peg them to fairy lights to make a quick personalised garland. 

Bring even more festive fun into your home with a Christmas-themed doormat. Swap your plain, everyday design and welcome your family and friends with some cheer during the holiday period. We love this endearing stag design with hanging baubles. 

Changing everyday items such as tea towels and coffee cups for Christmas-themed versions is a sure-fire way to spread the magic throughout the house. What better way to snuggle up in the evenings as the advent counts down with a hot drink from a festive mug?

Impress your neighbours with some playful window decorations. Soft fairy lights look idyllic and cosy during the evening, while baubles and stars hung from ribbon cut a striking silhouette during daylight hours. You can even get crafty and make your own festive décor, such as these paper snowflakes. 

Christmas dinner is the main event of the season. Make sure your holiday table is perfect every time with a stand-out centrepiece that doubles up as a candle holder. It can easily be stored out of sight when the festive season is over until next year. 

Unravel the frustration of tangled Christmas lights by investing in an artificial tree that comes with its lights permanently attached. You'll never need to worry about zig-zagging again as the twinkling lights of a pre-lit Christmas tree are perfectly placed year after year, so you can cut straight to the decorating. 

A statement wreath on the front door is traditional and looks stunning but how about hanging smaller versions inside too? Their beautiful round shape suits just about anywhere and instantly adds a welcoming touch to the room. Hang alone, in groups of three, or even prop them up on flat surfaces as part of a shelving display.

Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season but decorating your dining table needn't be a chore. Create the perfect backdrop for a festive feast with a matching dinner set. When laying the table, stack plates and bowls on top of each other for a decadent feel. Coordinating gold table mats and utensils will make for a luxe finish.

Candy canes are a Christmas decorating icon thanks to their bright colour and striped design. Their curved shape makes them perfect for filling in decorating gaps as they can be easily hung anywhere. They also make fun gift toppers for an additional sweet surprise.

Turn to a festive favourite to add a bit more cheer to a hallway or dressing room. If you're good with a needle you can make these cotton stockings in a selection of fabrics, or you can simply buy a set and fill them with holly, sweet treats and any eye-catching foliage that you like. 

Swapping your everyday scatter cushions for Christmas versions is probably one of the easiest and fastest ways to bring seasonal colours into your home. Bright cushions embellished with festive motifs and Christmas well wishes will instantly transform the room and create comfy spots for a post-dinner nap, too. 

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