A Liverpool company which decorates celebrity pads in time for the festive season has shared its top tips on getting your home ready for Christmas in a cost of living crisis.
With utility bills at an all time high, people may be scaling back on the Christmas lights this year, but that's not to say their homes can't look festive. The Festive Group create show stopping installations for domestic and commercial clients, decking out the likes of Boodles, 14 Bar & Grill and even Liverpool's Town Hall.
Operations manager Paul Lally has shared his top tips on decorating your house in a cost of living crisis.
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Make the most of your surroundings
The great outdoors could be the handiest shop for this year's decorations, with Paul suggesting a spot of foraging.
He said: "Using natural foliage by foraging perhaps in your garden, or in a wooded area where it is allowed. Ivy looks great attached to garland with added baubles and ribbon."
Get crafty
This is something the whole family can get involved in. And you don't have to shell out lots of money in Hobbycraft either, with the perfect tools potentially right under your nose.
Paul said: "Get crafting and make some decorations with the children. There are lots of tutorials on the internet that have some fab ideas on making decorations from day-to-day products and it’s a good way of recycling."
Go second hand
Swapping with neighbours to change up your festive look could also be key to saving money in 2022. A lot of people might be buying new baubles, with the old ones destined for the tip.
Paul said: "Speak to friends and family and see what they have in boxes that they don’t plan to use. You would be surprised at how many decorations stay boxed in cupboards.
"Swap decorations with neighbours for the season that way both houses will feel fresh and different at no extra cost."
Despite a lot of people across the UK being forced to tighten their belts, domestic enquiries at The Festive Group have risen "significantly" with commercial clients also "going much bigger" for 2022.
Paul said the impact of the current climate could be the reason: "I think our corporate/commercial clients know it is going to be tough to get customers through the doors so they want to make their venues worthy of a visit, and memorable.
"Residential customers view Christmas as a time when they want everything to be perfect. Some who would take New Year trips are staying at home so want to make their homes super special this year.
"I think there is also an element of making sure that the cost of living crisis doesn’t have an effect on what they see as being the most magical time of the year."
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