Coastal Christmas Decorations: Nautical Ideas for the Tree, Table and Home

Decorations for the tree

Choose one or two characters and let them stand out against the green. The Glass Lobster Decoration is the one people ask about: about 12cm long, bright red and gift boxed, so it is a lovely present as well. It is glass, so hang it on a sturdy branch, out of reach of small hands and tails, and hand wash it if it needs cleaning.

The Camper Van with Tree Bauble is a sparkly little van driving home with a Christmas tree on its roof, and the Penguin Hanging Bell is small enough for the thinner branches at the top of the tree. For a very cheap coastal touch, thread a ribbon through a Wooden Beach Hut Keyring or a Puffin Keyring and hang those too. They can go on someone's keys in January.

Garlands, shelves and the mantelpiece

A Blue Starfish Rope Garland is the easiest way to change a room. It is about 100cm long with six starfish and a loop at each end, so it can run along a shelf or hang down a door. Run it through some real or artificial greenery on the mantelpiece and it looks festive rather than summery. The Starfish Bundle, with its shell and rope detail, sits well at one end.

For something bigger, drape a Decorative Cotton Fishing Net behind the fireplace or across a wall. At 200cm by 150cm it covers a good area, and battery fairy lights tucked into it look lovely after dark. A Wooden Harbourside Cottage and Boat and a Wooden Seagull on a Log make a little harbour scene on a shelf, and a Driftwood Mobile suits a stairwell with a few baubles tied among the wood.

One safety point: net, rope, driftwood and greenery all burn easily. Keep them well away from candles, open fires and hot bulbs, and use cool LED lights.

A seaside Christmas table

For a festive table with a sense of humour, the Cooksmart Frosty Morning range is a good place to start: a set of four placemats and a penguin and polar bear cruet set. For something more nautical that stays out all year, try the Ships Wheel or Anchor placemat and coaster sets, which have a wipe-clean melamine top on a cork base.

If you are serving seafood, set out the Lighthouse Cocktail Forks with the nibbles and our How to Eat a Lobster placemats for the main event. Our Christmas seafood platter guide covers how much to buy, and how to eat a lobster will help any first-timers at the table.

Do not forget the dog

The embroidered Doggie Camper Van Stocking is about 46cm long and has plenty of room for treats, or it makes a very good present for a dog lover. It is spot clean only, so hang it somewhere away from muddy paws.

How to keep a coastal scheme looking smart

Pick a short colour list and stick to it. Blue, white and natural rope with greenery always works. If you want more warmth, add red through a glass lobster, ribbons and berries rather than through more seaside objects.

Use fewer things in larger groups. Three or five pieces on a shelf look deliberate, while one object on every surface starts to look like a gift shop. Mix in plain things, such as candles in glass, pine cones and plain baubles, so the coastal pieces have room to stand out.

Think about January too. The bauble and the bell go back in the box, but a garland, a net and a harbour cottage can stay up all year, which makes them better value. For year-round ideas, see our guide to nautical home decor.

Ordering in good time

Free mainland UK delivery on orders from £30, and orders placed before 3pm are normally dispatched the same working day. Buying for someone else as well? Our coastal gifts guide has plenty of ideas, and there is more in home decor.