Just like every September, brands and retailers are starting to drop their collections of Christmas decor – but this year, they’re already selling out of some of their key products. Next’s Christmas shop is one of them – but thus far, it’s still brimming with Next’s large Christmas decorations that combine aesthetics with functionality.
Even though it’s only September, it seems that this year, everybody’s jumping on the Christmas prep bandwagon a little earlier than usual, searching and shopping for Christmas decor ideas. Maybe it’s the sudden turn of weather from warm and summery to autumnal and chilly literally on the 1st September.
Last year, one of the biggest (no pun intended) Christmas decor trends were XL-sized ornaments and decorations like large bows. Next was clearly taking notes as its current Christmas offering is full of large festive decorations, many of which are not only pretty to look at but are also practical – whether it’s a festive door stop, a draught excluder or bow-shaped cushion that’s already sold out in one of the two colourways.
And this is something I love to see – products with a purpose that also look good, the perfect mix! These are my top picks from the XL-sized Christmas offering.
My top picks
Next
Pink/Green Christmas Velvet Bows Draught Excluder
Who knew that a draught excluder could be so pretty?! Bows are remaining to be one of the biggest Christmas trends for yet another year and I love this statement take on the look.
Next
Bright Christmas Present Doorstop
This little guy is just too adorable I can’t take it! It reminds me of some of the bestselling John Lewis Christmas decorations in the shape of cute smiley desserts like a fondant made from felt.
Next
Black/White 3D Stripe Bow Cushion
Large bow-shaped Christmas decor sells out fast every year. And the fact that the red and white striped colourway of this bow-shaped cushion is already sold out shows that it’s going to be no different this year.
Next
Natural Christmas Gingerbread Doorstop
Who doesn’t love a gingerbread motif at Christmas?! And this gingerbread man-shaped plush doorstop looks almost like the one from Shrek. So cute!
Next
Black/White Plush Bauble Christmas Ornament
Not all of the XL festive decs from Next have a practical purpose. These large plush baubles are pretty much just decorative but you could use them to cover a not-so-pretty Christmas tree stand, fill a corner or use them as sofa cushions.
Next
Natural Christmas Gingerbread Draught Excluder
Which of these are you thinking of decorating your home with this festive season?
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Breville has unveiled a new line-up of at-home espresso machines, with three products including a slimline coffee maker and a kitted out bean-to-cup model.
Here’s a full look at this new range of coffee machines and how each one can deliver you a barista-style brew at home.
Breville
Barista Slimline Espresso Machine
This sleek espresso machine is a must-have for neat and tidy kitchens. Just look how nicely everything (including the tamp) slots in!
Breville
Barista Classic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
With a built-in grinder, this looks like an excellent choice for those looking to invest in a bean-to-cup without paying over £500.
Breville
Barista Sense Espresso Machine
The headline feature of this machine is the advanced milk frother which has tech to ensure that you’re steaming dairy and plant milk at the exact right temperature for your coffee.
If you’re thinking that prices starting from £239 shouldn’t qualify as affordable then that’s understandable, as it’s a lot to spend. And sure, these machines aren’t as cheap as something like Aldi’s £60 espresso maker, but the quality is arguably better.
The most compact machine, the Barista Slimline, is just 33cm high and 15.5cm wide. Made from metal rather than plastic, it also features a ‘Cool Touch’ steam wand which is designed to help you create the micro foam you need for lattes and cappuccinos.
For a small kitchen, the combination of a clever design and high-features couldn’t be better if you want to create a mini café station.
(Image credit: Breville)
Going up a machine in the range you arrive at the Barista Classic machine which, according to the brand, has been engineered with 10% more portafilter capacity than ‘market leading manual machines’. It also has a one touch cleaning system and 15-bar pressure for all of your espresso making needs.
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We’re not new to Breville espresso machines here at Ideal Home and to my eye, the Barista Classic looks pretty similar to one we’ve reviewed previously, the Breville Signature bean to cup machine. That machine went over a treat with our reviewer Amy, who loved how easy to use it was.
During our tests of the Breville Barista Signature at home.
(Image credit: Future / Amy Lockwood)
The most expensive pick from Breville’s new range is the Barista Sense. It boasts new tech to make milk frothing easier for beginners and baristas alike, according to the brand, tied up in TempSense technology. There are 4 temperature settings to choose from when making lattes, for example, including ones for non-dairy milks.
With these three different price points, there should be something for everyone looking to invest in a coffee station set up this autumn. Could one of these new machines from Breville take your fancy?
Pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween decorations in the shops all herald the arrival of autumn, but so do orange, fallen leaves – so why are we seeing them already?
Well, experts are calling it a ‘false autumn’ – and it’s all down to the extreme weather we’ve seen this summer. Heatwaves and drought conditions have prompted trees and plants to shed their leaves prematurely, even though we haven’t quite reached ‘official’ autumn yet.
It’s a sure sign that our gardens are struggling a little after the long, hot summer – but luckily, there are a few ways to keep your garden healthy during a false autumn (right before we start putting some actual autumn garden tips into practice!)…
There are plenty of plants you can prune in September, but with plants and trees already under stress, experts are advising us to wait a little longer before cutting them back this year.
‘After the four heatwaves we’ve just had, plants and trees need some recovery time from the summer stress,’ explains Kate Turner, gardening guru at Miracle-Gro.
‘It’s better to wait for the ‘proper’ autumn to begin before pruning. Giving them a chance to rest now helps ensure they bounce back stronger later.’
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2. Mulch!
(Image credit: Getty Images / PaulMaguire)
Mulching is one of the best practices you can learn for your garden, and now is as good a time as any to get started.
‘With all the heavy rain we’ve been getting recently, mulching is ideal right now,’ says Kate. ‘You can never have too much mulching, as it locks in moisture, shields roots, improves soil health, and keeps the ground warm for longer. Doing it now gives your plants a much-needed boost for the cold months ahead.’
Drought-tolerant plants are far less likely to suffer after a long, hot summer – and according to Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s gardening specialist, Liam Cleary, they’re especially popular this false autumn.
‘Walk into almost any garden centre right now and you’ll find an unusual autumn trend: customers are seeking out Mediterranean plants and drought-resistant grasses at a time of year when they’re not typically top sellers,’ he says.
‘What might look like a new fad is actually a strategic move by experienced gardeners responding to a phenomenon meteorologists call ‘false autumn.’
