I thought I'd share a few of the smaller Christmas details that I'm working on or thinking about. I'm sure everyone out there is getting on with their plans nicely, but some ideas may be of use to you, you never know!I don't start decorating the inside of the house until the 1st December, but I do make sure everything is ready beforehand. For the Halloween party this year I draped fairy lights along the stair bannisters. It looked so pretty that I thought it had to be done again for Christmas. And though I'd taken them down and put them away, I've already wired them up and have them draped over again. I actually did this last week, but I STILL haven't draped and attached them properly. I must do that today or tomorrow.
These lights don't count, because I have fairy lights draped around bedheads and mirrors all year round, but I admit it does add to my festive feeling!
Each year I make at least one gingerbread house. They never get eaten - though are perfectly edible - so I am getting ahead this year, and making them before December. Normally I end up doing them in a bit of a rush, but of course the difference this year is my little girl is in school, so while she's busy elsewhere, I can get on with baking and decorating in peace. Hopefully the end results will look a little neater this time!I made the dough yesterday. How to make a house smell Christmassy in one easy move: bake with ginger and cinnamon!
This morning I cut and baked the pieces, and will start putting it together this afternoon.I've been stashing sweeties and decorations for a while now, so I have plenty to stick on.
If you are curious as to how I make my gingerbread houses, there are three pages on this blog showing Houses of Christmas Past! One link is under the title graphic of the blog, here are the other two. [Gingerbread House from 2010]
[Gingerbread House from 2008]
I won't lie and say they are quick & easy to make, because quite frankly they can be a pain. But it's a nice tradition to have, especially if you have little people in the home.
A little tip I would hand out to anyone who gets stuck with doing the cooking, is make sure you have lots of disposable foil cooking trays of various sizes. Very handy when you have a lot to try and cram into the one oven!
I know they are meant to be thrown out, but I like to rinse them out afterwards and then put in the recycling bin. No idea why I've got the tinsel. The silver stuff is just cheap tinsel that I buy and use for projects. It has flimsy, threadbare, vintage feeling to it, which is why I always make sure I stock up on it each year. The pale pink had to be bought as it's so rare to see pale pink tinsel. I'm sure I will find a use for it.
Candles. Scented candles give the house instant festive feeling and a cosy glow, so start buying and stashing.
And of course, don't forget to treat yourself to a little festive fabulousnes. This is mine. Red and glittery - perfect! 
How are you getting on with your Christmas plans?