Laura Pearson-Smith: Getting into the Christmas spirit

Festive Shearer candles. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith

Now that Halloween and Firework’s Night is over for another year, it’s time to start getting into the Christmas spirit. Decorations and lights are up in towns across the country and they have been making me feel suitably festive. I have all the plans in place for decorating my own home and can’t wait to have glitter and baubles everywhere.

Stylish Happenings

The John Lewis stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh are packed to the rafters with Christmas decorations of every colour and style imaginable. I went along to their press launch event where I was hypnotised by twinkling lights and mesmerised by an array of ornaments. They are working to a few themes this year and my favourite is the Different Perspective range. Think bold primary colours and sleek modern shapes – no home would be boring with this collection adorning it. If you are more of a traditionalist however, the Snowdrift range is exquisite – crisp whites, dazzling silvers and sparkling glass is in abundance for you to create a true winter wonderland with.

I also went along to the launch of Scottish candle brand Shearer Candles’ new Glasgow store on Byres Road. The place is decked out like a Victorian Christmas home with traditional deep reds and greens, and their elegant seasonally-scented pillar candles will make any Christmas dinner table look and smell divine. I guarantee that their Cinnamon Spice scent will leave you wanting to make mince pies immediately.

What to Buy On a Shopping Spree

There is something so pretty about red berries at Christmas-time and this beautiful wreath from TK Maxx looks fabulously festive and rustic with its cranberries and pinecones. As you would expect from TK Maxx, it is a bargain at only £24.99 and traditional enough to be used year after year.

I am all over a Christmas jumper, but I prefer mine to be a little bit more subtle than most of the high street’s offerings. This stylish slogan jumper from Next is perfect- it has a touch of the holiday season with some low-key glitter thrown in for good measure.

John Lewis Glasgow. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith

We all love a Christmas cracker and these ones from beauty brand Soap & Glory (£6 each) have seriously good gifts inside. There’s no plastic dice or paper hats here. Instead, you get a glamourous and glossy nude-toned Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss that’s perfect for all those kisses under the mistletoe.

Instagram of the Week (@LPearsonSmith)

I have completed all of my Christmas shopping and I did it all in Glasgow city centre. Instead of dragging my haul home on the train, I stayed the night at the new Ibis Styles Glasgow George Square hotel. Ibis Styles are the more stylish sister hotels to budget chain Ibis, and my room was decorated in true Glasgow style with the famous cone statue above the bed.

• Laura Pearson-Smith is a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger at A Life With Frills. You can drop her a tweet at @LPearsonSmith.