Is This The Perfect Australian Christmas?

Creating a festive outdoor space is a must in Australia! In most parts, we can rely on beautiful, cheerful weather (Melbourne can never guarantee this!!) for Christmas Day, so preparing an outdoor area is a must! Whatever your outdoor space size, let's think about how you can make 'destinations' for family and guests to lounge in. If you have many guests, an outdoor space can provide the necessary space to accommodate everyone comfortably. It allows for more flexibility in seating arrangements and entertainment options and is a refreshing change from indoor festivities. It can create a more relaxed and rejuvenating atmosphere, as outdoor spaces offer a larger canvas for decorations, and Christmas is the ultimate time of year to decorate. You can use outdoor lights, garlands, ornaments, and more to transform your yard or garden into a wonderland.

I love having pre-drinks in a specific spot, with a stocked bar and cocktails ready. Take my pool area, for example. An open outdoor space with couches and mantle has been dressed to the nines with my Chyka Home Christmas Collection by Harris Scarfe. An eye-catching stripe sets the tone in the stockings, cushions and wrapping, and some rustic accessories bring the festivities to the table. Breaking away from traditional indoor celebrations means you can use your styling creativity, and outdoor settings often provide picturesque backgrounds for holiday photos. Whether it's a day in the pool, a snowy landscape, a beautifully lit garden, or a starry night sky, these backgrounds will live on in your Christmas memories.

Socks for the guests, milk and gingerbread for Santa and an array of cushions to sit back and relax on, what more could one want? I love creating areas like this because they are just so special. They are the couches we find ourselves on at the end of the day, sitting and chatting with friends with a drink in our hands. Your particular space could be your balcony, under your favourite tree, a picnic rug spread at your local park or even your nature strip! Spread the festive spirit far and wide, whatever is available - get creative with it!