Christmas Theme 2026 - Enchanted Library

December is the month of stories: read aloud, retold, passed down from generation to generation. Inspired by the warm atmosphere of a Dickensian Scottish village, the Enchanted Library theme takes you into a world of classic Christmas tales, craftsmanship and nostalgia. Santa and Mrs Claus, Christmas elves in uniform and dogs dressed in Scottish tartan outfits all play their part in this enchanting Christmas story.

With this theme, picture a library full of Christmas books, tartan scarves and little piles of letters to Santa. The colour palette brings plenty of nostalgia, with classic Christmas shades and emerald blue for a fresh, contemporary touch. The playful ornaments in the shape of stacks of books, book houses and wise owls wearing glasses draw you into the enchanting world of this Christmas library. Together, these colours and ornaments tell a Christmas story full of tradition, adventure and enchantment.

Decorating tips for an enchanting Christmas story in your own home

Enchanted Library is a theme that calls for details that tell a story. Not one big statement, but little discoveries everywhere that together create a magical whole, as if you're right in the middle of a Christmas tale.

Play with the combination of classic and contemporary. Traditional Christmas colours such as red and green form the base, but it's the accents in emerald and light gold that give the theme its character. Think thick gold ribbon to hang your ornaments from, or an emerald green bauble among the classic red baubles on the tree.

Love a richly decorated tree? Take your inspiration from boarding-school style. Choose baubles with tartan prints and classic stripes as your base and add the character figures in between. An elf on a Christmas branch, Santa in pride of place at the top, and finish with a bold bow of tartan or velvet fabric as a tree topper.

Prefer a calmer look? Then use pearl and light gold as your main colours and add sparing accents in Christmas red and emerald. The glass ornaments are perfect for this: they catch the light and give your tree a timeless, elegant glow. This theme is ideal for telling your own Christmas story by hanging your own special ornaments in prominent spots on the tree.

Our recommendations for giving your home an Enchanted Library feel

• Front door: Hang a classic wreath on your front door with pine greenery, fresh cinnamon sticks tied together with a red bow and a wide tartan bow. In the hallway, place a small stack of Christmas books topped with your favourite Christmas figurine, of Santa for example, and a warm, atmospheric welcome is guaranteed. Next to the stack of books, set down the bowl with a bow or the teddy bears and fill them with little chocolates or other treats to surprise your visitors.

• Christmas tree: Wind a narrow tartan ribbon loosely through your tree as an alternative to a classic garland. It instantly creates that British boarding-school feel and pulls your tree together beautifully.

• Dining table: Use a tablecloth or runner with a tartan pattern as your base. Combine it with gold candle holders, around which you could tie a red satin bow. Place small ornaments between the candle holders, such as the dogs in tartan outfits. Your guests will feel as if they've stepped into a Dickensian Christmas dinner.

• Mantelpiece: If you don't have time to put up a large tree this year, decorating your mantelpiece is a playful way to bring this theme into your home. Use Christmas tree figurines in different sizes (and colours, if you prefer a more dynamic effect) and arrange them in groups on the mantelpiece. Hang a few icicles or owl ornaments in a garland around the mantelpiece and finish it off with velvet bows to bring that Christmas feeling into your home.