With flowers scarce in midwinter, evergreens and berries make for an impressive arch over the table that will last a few days and scent the room. For this one, I started with layers of ruscus, pine and spruce, secured with reusable cable ties. With that in place, I added eucalyptus, rose hips and ilex berries for colour. My favourite part: the baubles dancing overhead - a mix of shimmering reds and ones made from my berry block print fabric.

Leaning into the seasons, winter fruits like pomegranates and cranberries were the heroes of the centrepiece, some gilded with gold leaf, some elevated in champagne coupes. Movement always intrigues the eye so a mix of tall taper candles and just a few seasonal anemones meant the tablescape did not feel flat. How beautiful are the plates! Handpainted with berries and tonal foliage from Bonadea.

Colour sets the mood. I used to think classic red and green a little twee but embracing it this year was a revelation. Red and green are opposite on the colour wheel so complement and harmonise beautifully.

Then come the details that catch the eye: napkins tied with holly-berry rings from Bonadea, place names painted onto glossy plums, and coupes of sweets and berries set at different heights.

And because I love a personal, crafty finish, we ended with a workshop making fabric baubles. This is a simple DIY:

• Cut strips of fabric 1.5cm wide.
• Remove the metallic 'lid' from the top of the bauble.
• Brush PVA glue onto the outer sphere of your bauble.
• Place the fabric around it, pulling it taught.
• Complete with 8 strips.
• Cut excess fabric at the top.
• Replace metal 'lid'.
• Finish with a velvet bow.
  

Festive hosting is all about the food so even for an 11am class, my daughter and I had gone to town on the home baking: star-shaped gingerbread, brownies and coconut cakes.

Every penny from ticket sales goes to Vimukti Sanstha, the school I support in Jaipur. Thank you to my guests and to my hosts, Chelsea Barracks.

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