DECEMBER has arrived and now is the time to get festive and transform your home into a winter wonderland in time for Christmas.

Miller Homes has developments across the region and works with expert interior designers to ensure its show homes are on trend.

Here interior designer Jeanette Holmes shares her top tips to ensure your home is merry and bright and ready for the festive season.

1. Make like our Nordic friends, and consider decorating branches or Christmas tree cuttings instead of a fully blown tree. Birch or willow are both beautiful choices, but any branches will do. Just select some interesting shapes and arrange an uneven number in a neutral pitcher, then decorate with Christmas decorations. Spray-painting the branches white first gives a stunning finish.

2. Another innovative and chic alternative to a tree is to use a large branch suspended from the ceiling. Hang baubles at regular intervals, varying the height as you go along the branch. This approach works anywhere but looks especially pretty above a fireplace or window.

3. If you are a fan of ultra modern interiors, why not spell out festive words using LED letters. Short words and phrases such as XMAS or even HO HO HO work really well and will bring a warm, cosy feel to the winter evenings when your lights are turned down low.

4. Another way to whisk up a winter wonderland is to decorate your window spaces. Wintery window stickers such as simple white snowflakes can bring a delicate pattern to your glass. Brighten up window ledges with a row of glass bottles, add some Christmas foliage and place simple white candles in the neck, for a fresh, festive feel.

5. If you are not opting for a tree but are worried about missing out on the scent of the season, then invest in a fragranced candle. Choose one made by an independent producer and it will probably be chemical-free, will smell divine and will last a lot longer than mass-produced ones, too. Plus you will be supporting your local shops.

6. For some, however, nothing cuts it like a real Christmas tree. Bring a personal touch to yours by involving your family or friends in making the decorations. Children will love cutting out salt dough decorations with festive shaped cookie cutters, whilst there are lots of instructions for very simple origami paper stars online. Hung from the tree with rustic garden string, the humble pine cone makes an attractive decoration.

7. Whatever centrepiece you decide to hang your decorations on this Christmas, a nice way to bring back memories of Christmas past is to buy a new decoration each year as a memento. I attach a beautiful bauble along with a handwritten sentiment to my gifts for close friends each year.

Whether you go for a traditional tree or branch out on an alternative this year, these tips will help create a chic, festive home that is sure to impress family and friends this Christmas.

For more information on Miller Homes Southern and to find out how you could be in a new home in the new year, visit millerhomes.co.uk.