Ask the Designer

Interior designer Marion Ormond of Ken Jackson

Q We’re choosing our Christmas tree, but can’t decide whether to go for real or fake. What do you think?

A. Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree and the annual family trip to pick one out. But these days consumers have more concerns about chopping a tree to make their home feel festive. Some people are also allergic to the real thing and shedding needles can cause a mess. Although faux trees are certainly more convenient and can be stored in the attic for use year-after-year, they’re often imported and non-recyclable. Real trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource grown here at home. If you plump for plastic, a Christmas tree-scented candle and log fire should replicate that all-important smell. Personally though, I prefer a real tree.

Q. My husband and I are having both our families around for dinner on Christmas Day and have run out of storage for all the food and drink in the fridge. Any temporary solutions?

A. Catering for the whole family over Christmas can be quite a headache, but unless you want your mother-in-law complaining of food poisoning afterwards, think safety first! Even if the fridge is crammed, never leave food that should be refrigerated, such as meat, out at room temperature. Instead, save room in the fridge by storing items like non-perishable condiments, root vegetables such as carrots and uncut fruit with a thick skin like melon in a cool, dark place. Likewise, store drinks in a cold shed or even a kids’ paddling pool filled with ice, as it won’t leak. If you regularly host large groups, it might be worth investing in a second fridge to keep in your shed — you’ll find some currently on sale at Currys.

Q. Between the Christmas tree lights, cooking the turkey and electric fire, I’m concerned about our New Year energy bill, but don’t want to be a Scrooge either. Do you have any energy-saving tips for Christmas?

A. Christmas is a time for cosying up indoors, but with these energy-efficient tips, you don’t have to end up paying for it until next Christmas. Switch to LED Christmas lights which use up to 90% less electricity than regular ones. Opt for fibre optic decorations, which generally use a single bulb to light the whole display. Alternatively, decorate with candles which are cheaper and just as Christmassy. Use a timer for your Christmas tree lights — setting them to come on at dusk and go off when you go to bed. And when the tree is lit, turn off the other lights in the room. Turn down the heating when you’ve got guests, as there’s more body heat in the house. Finally, if possible, don’t buy presents that use electricity or batteries.

Q. We always have Christmas crackers, but as we have to tighten our belts this year can you tell me how to make some instead?

A. Sure — you’ll need some cracker snaps (available from most craft stores), Christmas wrapping paper, cardboard and kitchen and toilet paper rolls. Cut the wrapping paper into squares the length and width of cracker snap. Cut kitchen roll in half and push into either end of a toilet paper roll. Roll and affix the Christmas paper around it, remembering not to glue the ends so you can gently remove kitchen roll. Cut a piece of cardboard the same length as cracker and 1.5” wide, roll and glue in place inside each end of the cracker. Finally put the snap inside the cracker, tie one end with ribbon, fill with goodies like chocolates, flower seeds, paper hat and joke and secure the second cracker end.

* Interiors, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road, Cork City, www.kenjacksoninteriors.com, answers your questions Email: [e-mail]