Prime Time's Isobel Fox helps you make the best of your home this Christmas to make it as warmly welcoming as possible

YOUR home takes on a completely new meaning at Christmas as it becomes the focal point for family gatherings and parties for friends. So it's important to capture the essence of the season by giving each room a makeover that conveys not only festive congeniality but tradition, style, atmosphere and elegance.

ORGANISATION

Whether you can't wait to get stuck into decorating on December 1, or you usually leave it until Christmas Eve, it's important to think ahead. Retrieving last year's dishevelled decorations only to discover the Christmas tree lights won't work and half your baubles are missing is no way to begin the season of goodwill. Take stock of your existing decorations early on in December and decide if any need replacing or throwing away. If you've got an eclectic mix of styles gathered from years gone by, see if there is a common theme. Think of a style that at least some of your existing decorations will fit into and build on that. If they are all looking tired and worn, then may be it's time to start from scratch with a totally new scheme.

DECORATION STYLES

If it's tradition you're after or a more contemporary, funky look, then the high street has got it all wrapped for Christmas 2004. From wooden handcrafted decorations to feathers, and beaded wreaths and garlands, there's something to suit every style this season. Bold, bright colours are out in force again this year and a theme of opulence runs throughout most decoration collections. Marks & Spencer have a colourful array of hand-painted baubles in reds, blues, yellows and silvers, and their felt Christmas stockings featuring holly print are a must for mantelpieces this Christmas. Woolworth's too has gone big on luxury this year with red, green and gold baubles, antique ornate candlesticks and gold and red luxury crackers on offer. For a more frivolous, younger look, don't miss their range of clear baubles containing pink and lilac feathers, gold and purple fluffy baubles and jewel, amber and red drop tree decorations. The Pier, meanwhile, is focusing on two themes this year - Imperial Russia, which mixes traditional red and gold with jewel-like colours and sparkling gems, and Exotic, which includes dazzling shades of blue, turquoise, purple and copper mixed with beading and crystals to create a magical festive look. For naturally inspired decorations, check out specialist designer Emily Readett-Bayley's collection. Her hand carved heart and Christmas tree designs are gilded with a metal leaf and come in gold, silver or red. The Shaker shops also have a large range of traditional hand-crafted decorations to choose from. As well as paying attention to your rooms, don't forget the other areas of your house. Decorate the front door with a traditional wreath made from holly sprigs, pine cones, and berries or go for a luxurious bauble-encrusted wreath from Marks and Spencer. Add a festive feel to the hall with silver twigs, sparkling mobiles and sprigs of mistletoe and don't forget to dress the stairs by wrapping the banisters with a rich red garland.

LIGHTS

Lighting has never been so exciting and this Christmas the choice of designs is simply endless. Bring decorations to life with delicate fairy lights and paper lanterns, and create a cosy atmosphere with candles and oil burners. Give the Christmas tree that snow-kissed look with a trail of white frosted lights and make the most of the season of cheer by taking your lighting scheme outside, line the front path with outdoor lanterns and install a traditional outdoor light to illuminate the front door.

TREES

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the smell of pine needles and a traditional Christmas tree. Homebase, B&Q and most garden centres stock a huge selection of real trees in December that can be bought cut, potted or pot-grown. Homebase, B&Q and Woolworths also stock a variety of artificial trees in natural colours as well as reds, golds, whites and silvers. Habitat are producing a fibre optic tree you can put on your table top this year, and you can even order half trees to mount on walls from www.xmastreesdirect.co.uk.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For Christmas decorations check out the following stores: Woolworths Tel: 0845 608 1101 The Pier Tel: 0845 6091234 House of Fraser Tel: 020 7963 2000 John Lewis Tel: 08456 049 049 Shaker shops: 020 7935 9461 for branches Emily Readett-Bayley: 01400 281 563 for stockists