“Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you.” The classic Valentine’s day poem, which dates back to Spenser’s The Fairie Queen of 1590, was used to decorate almost every card in the 19th century, and flowers are still the most popular gift today, along with…

With its festive patterns and strong, bright colours, tartan’s a popular choice for traditional Christmas decorations. Whether you’re going all out tartan-tastic, or just adding a hint, check out these decoration ideas! 1. 3D tartan Christmas tree decoration, Gisela Graham A tartan tree decoration in traditional red and green. This…

“The holly and the ivy/When they are both full grown/Of all the trees that are in the wood/The holly wears the crown.” Holly and ivy have been potent symbols of Christmas for hundreds of years, and just like in the Christmas carol they seem to go as a pair. Originally…

Create your own winter wonderland this Christmas with our pick of white, silver and glass festive decorations for your home. Enhance the effect with white candles to reflect spangles of light off glittering surfaces for a fairytale feel. 1. Snowy scene advent drawers, The Oak Room This lovely, unusual advent…

If you’re thinking up ideas for entertainment during the Easter holidays, how about a good old fashioned Easter Egg hunt? It’s great for promoting fresh air, exercise and teamwork, and for helping you get the hordes out of the house for a couple of hours. Here’s how to do it,…

  Are you planning on decorating your home for Easter? There are lots of inspiring ideas in the shops for decorations, from Easter trees and mini hanging eggs, to Easter wreaths and table decorations. Although it’s good to be creative and make your own – and there are plenty of…

Mothering Sunday in the UK is the fourth Sunday of Lent, so the date changes from year to year as it follows the Church calendar. In 2014, Mothering Sunday (now better known as Mother’s Day, in line with the US festival) falls on the 30th March. Traditionally, it’s a time…