This year, we’ve teamed up with British lifestyle brand Sophie Allport to help you spread more Christmas cheer. 

Since 2007, Sophie Allport has been creating timeless pieces for the home, inspired by the colourful ins and outs of day-to-day family life. Founded by Sophie and her brother Jem, the family-owned brand creates and paints all of their designs from Sophie’s countryside home in Lincolnshire, drawing on inspiration from nature and classic British heritage, with the occasional quirky twist to put a smile on your face.

Fancy winning a Festive Forest table setting for 8 people? For every recipe box you get delivered between 28th November and 18th December 2021, you’ll be entered into the prize draw. The winner will be announced on 15th December, good luck! (See our full T&C’s here).

Inspired by the magical feeling that Christmas brings, Sophie’s Festive Forest table setting design is fun and playful. Dotted with hedgehogs, badgers, hares and squirrels in a snowy festive forest waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. A heart-warming design that is sure to make everyone smile this season.

7 tips for a beautiful spread

Whilst those chestnuts are-a-roasting, it’s time to give your table some love. Read on for Sophie’s expert tips on setting the scene for the big day.

1. Set the scene with matching festive table linens 

A table runner gives your dining table some Christmas cheer, along with matching festive placemats and coasters. For a magical touch, add a centrepiece of scarlet winter berries and twinkling fairy light clusters.

2. Add glassware for extra sparkle

Wonderful to toast to a merry Christmas with your loved ones, and a beautiful way to add glitz and glamour next to a candle to reflect the gently flickering flames.

3. Greenery and foliage create a magical traditional feel

 A traditional Christmas table setting needs some greenery. You could forage for ivy and other evergreen foliage, or go faux. Arrange it generously down the length of your dining table, winding it around tall candles and serving plates. Why not spray pine cones in gold or silver for a nod to Narnia?

4. Polish your cutlery and display your napkins

Next, your Christmas table setting needs some beautiful cutlery, so be sure to polish your knives and forks thoroughly for extra shimmer and shine before positioning them on the table. And for a meal with a true sense of occasion, consider laying your cutlery on napkins and tying them with festive red ribbon waiting to be unwrapped like a gift when lunch is served.

5. Crackers are essential

Christmas crackers are essential for every Christmas table setting, no matter how old you are! They always add a touch of fun and look perfect laid gently across the dinner plates. They’ll also spread some Christmas cheer amongst guests with a playful joke, decoration, and festive hat, perfect for setting the scene.

6. Candles create cosiness and ambience

Pretty tea lights and scented candles add a touch of festive sparkle to any table setting. Try and use a mix of taller candlesticks and shorter tea light holders to add a height differentiation.

7. A little gift goes a long way

A final tip would be to add a personal little gift at everyone’s table setting. You could even incorporate your name cards into the gift as a keepsake, making it a thoughtful touch as well as a delight on the eyes.

Order your recipe box at mindfulchef.com for your chance to win your dream table setting or use exclusive code ‘MINDFULCHEF’ at sophieallport.com for 15% off.

Valid 28th Nov – 11th Dec 2021. T&Cs: *Code valid on non-sale items only, not valid on gift vouchers. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotional codes. Code valid until midnight 11th December.

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