WITH Christmas right around the corner, Jodie Thomason has found a very unique way to get into the festive spirit.
As well as decorating her home for December, this 45-year-old has given her garden a mega makeover too.
Thanks to bargain buys from Temu, this customer service advisor from Manchester has transformed her outside space and made a mega cosy Christmas igloo.
Not only has it battled the recent strong winds, but it cost her less than £70 and is great for those wanting to feel festive.
Jodie put together the cute hangout spot that’s perfect for a hot chocolate or maybe even a mulled wine, without having to break the bank, showing that you don’t have to overspend to have fun this Christmas.
Jodie said: “The tent is fantastic – it’s been up for several weeks now, enduring wind and rain, and it’s still standing strong!
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“Even on cold days, if a bit of sun comes out, it’s wonderful to sit inside as it warms up really nicely.”
Jodie confirmed that she purchased the £32 tent from Temu for an earlier occasion, but as year-end festivities approached, she was inspired to style it for the season.
She added: “I thought it would be really cosy to decorate it with lights and Christmas decorations, and I love it.”
Jodie spent about £38 on a variety of decorative products from Temu, including faux holly and vines and fairy lights.
She also bought ornaments and blankets, to create what she calls her “igloo tent.”
Not only this, but Jodie even set up a small bistro set, battery-operated candles and a foil camping mat to make the space warm and inviting.
Thanks to her igloo tent, Jodie is now able to soak up the sunshine while reading and sipping a cup of tea in the mornings.
She’s also able to listen to Christmas music while wrapped up in blankets in the evenings.
How to avoid having a tacky Christmas, according to etiquette expert William Hanson
ETIQUETTE expert William Hanson tells Joel Cooper the dos and don’ts of festive decorating.
ANYTHING FAKE IS NAFF: Fake trees are naff because they never have the allure or quality of the real deal. If you’re worried about pine needles dropping, get a good-quality tree and put it in water — it will drop less. And don’t get me started on pre-lit trees. The fun part is having this blank, green canvas and building it up.
PUT UNSIGHTLY DECOR AT BACK: A tree will normally go in the corner of the room so you could always keep unsightly sentimental baubles hidden. It’s what my parents would do with decorations we’d made at school.
USING NATURAL DECOR SHOWS YOU’RE CREATIVE: Decorating your living room using holly, mistletoe and berries is good, and usually compostable too. A poinsettia is the traditional flower at Christmas, while holly in a vase will look good. Mistletoe is nice, but not hung from a doorway, so put it in a vase and make sure it’s facing upwards. Arranging a centrepiece with ivy and berries is smart and shows you’re creative.
OUTDOOR LIGHTS MEAN PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING AT YOU: LIGHTS outside houses are almost always seen in non-desirable neighbourhoods. If you love them, it’s probably because you are from such a neighbourhood. However, lighting a tree outdoors if it’s particularly old or grand can look smart. But use clear lights, not multi-coloured.
FAIRIES AREN’T FIT FOR A TREE: A winged fairy is simply not the done thing in discerning households. Dame Joan Collins previously had a fairy atop her tree — let’s hope it’s a family heirloom, because if not, it’s very common. A fairy did not lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem, it was a star. A star should be silver or gold.
SAY TA-TA TO TINSEL: Tinsel remains the antichrist of decorations. Even though some trees — even royal trees in the 1980s — have been seen with a touch of tinsel, it is the commonest of Christmas accessories. It never looks good, is horrid to touch and is a waste of money.
The bargain hunter continued: “I absolutely adore it.
“Even my family and friends think it looks both cosy and full of festive spirit.”
The tent is fantastic – it’s been up for several weeks now, enduring wind and rain, and it’s still standing strong!
Jodie Thomason
But Jodie’s Temu shopping isn’t just limited to the festive season, as she and her husband have made numerous orders from the e-commerce platform.
“Temu enables me to make improvements to my home and garden at prices I can afford.
“Temu offers such a wide variety of products that you can find almost anything you need,” the savvy shopper concluded.
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