Megan Morton's Guide to an Outdoor Christmas

With the festive season just around the corner, interior stylist Megan Morton shares her guide to a Christmas spent in the sunshine. To help celebrate, we’ve partnered with Klarna so you can shop now and pay later.

“This year things will be different. The Christmas table will be a wonderful mix of people we cherish, surrounded by food made with love, in gardens and spaces we have come to know so well.

To take the stress out of a busy festive season, I am keeping styling elements simple and classic for the table and tree, and spoiling my loved ones in meaningful ways.”

The Table

“As a stylist, it is my job to not only make things look beautiful, but to think of multiple ways to use the same product to create something special.

Throughout my Christmas table, I’ve used plates as cake stands, napkins as gift wrap and spoon rests as decorative serving pieces. When you can use lovely simple things to elevate the everyday, you have the gateway to entertaining, not just for Christmas.”

“For the table setting, I’ve used gold cutlery as the highlight. I love how brushed gold adds an element of sparkle to an otherwise simple table. It also works back really well with wooden, glass and silver elements.”

“Our property, Mimosa Moon, has an abundance of all sorts of citrus. We can’t pick the fruit fast enough and love to make all kinds of dressings and juices. I find great delight in things already in place, so mini peach vines and citrus are my go-to styling elements this year.”

“Anyone can dry citrus—You don’t need a dehydrator, just the sun. You can then use the citrus for drink garnishes, mini wreaths, or as adorable natural present tags.”

“As a special serving idea for the table, we created mini peach desserts with a local baker, and used simple spoon rests as an alternative to side plates. Here, we have an incredible take on Pesche Con Crema, a classic Italian cream-filled cake on the inside, which looks like a peach on the outside.

While I am a challenged cook, I enjoy showing the people I love how much I care for them through small gestures like this. Plus, they're perfect to share and split wonderfully.”

The Wreath

“I love a festive wreath, so this year I am going all out by using them on doors, backs of chairs, and gates.”

“Mini wild peaches have a wonderful colouring, which makes them perfect for a natural wreath display. I’ve chosen them because unlike citrus branches, they are super malleable and easy to manoeuvre around a latticed wreath.

If you don’t have florist wire to secure your branches, twist ties from your local hardware store will work just as well.”

The Finishing Touches

“For gifting, I have kept things pared back with natural rope, kraft paper and reprinted photos to add a personal touch instead of single-use name tags. You can also use things you might find around the garden, such as a planter stick decorated with the recipient’s name.”