Christmas 2024

Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Australia's number 1 award-winning home magazine

Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Make It Yours
Christmas may just be my favourite time of year. I’m a summer gal through and through, and our Aussie December weather at Christmas always made sense to me. Of course, Christmas involved wearing a breezy summer dress. Of course, Boxing Day meant a su
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Editor’s Picks For A Christmas wishlist
Don’t forget the ultimate gift of all – A subscription to Better Homes and Gardens See page 12 to go in the draw to win $50,000! Scan this QR code to shop these items. After acts of service, I think gifts may be one of my most dominant love langu
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Masthead
Editor Megan Osborne Creative director Scott Cassidy Deputy editor Raffaela Pugliese Production editor Joseph Kenworthy Chief sub-editor Jo McKinnon Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Decorating editor Raffaela Pugli
Better Homes and Gardens Australia5 min read
Crafty Christmas Cookies
Bake up these jolly festive treats, sweet and savoury. Preparation time 40 mins Cooking time 15 mins Makes about 22 200g unsalted butter, softened ½ cup brown sugar 2 egg yolks (from free-range eggs) 1⅓ cups plain flour, plus extra to dust ⅓
Better Homes and Gardens Australia14 min read
Season’s Eatings
WHITE SANGRIA A delicious, sun-kissed drink with simple ingredients. Recipe on page 168 CAMEMBERT FONDUE COB Enjoy 1970s-style fun with a no-stress starter. Recipe on page 168 SPICE-RUBBED PORK BELLY WITH STICKY PLUM SAUCE You’ll score top marks
Better Homes and Gardens Australia4 min read
Handmade Holiday Creations
Use your cutters and stamps to make decorations with heart. Gather your supplies • Air-dry clay in white • Cookie cutter stamps • Stamp pads in red and gold colours • Mod Podge Matte • Acrylic art paint in red and gold Silicone baking sheet; roller/
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Christmas
Have fun with Better Homes and Gardens’ Christmas cookie cutter and stamp set. You can use the cute shapes as cutters to make a bundle of tasty baked treats or as stamps in festive decorations. Your DIY Christmas will look super sweet and has never b
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Spruce It Up
Style a nostalgic tree like we have on our cover. (Betty the puppy not included.) Here’s a snapshot of what’s in our festive set-up. You can scan the QR code for all the details and to start shopping. TreE THROUGHOUT Alberta pre-lit cashmere tree (21
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Best Dressed
It’s a traditional finish that will become a keepsake, lasting for years of festivities with many special memories. Safety notes When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask, earmuffs, and tie your hair back. Wear gloves if appropriate.
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Than The Real Thing
Scan here to find these and even more great ideas. Prices are approximate and a guide only. Due to the printing process, colour reproduction is a guide only.■
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Wild Thing, you Make My Heart Sing
From banquets to bridal bouquets, native flowers have become a dynamic factor in so many floral arrangements. “We’re so fortunate to have such a vast array of these flowers that are unique in the world,” says flower farmer Craig Scott. “The diversity
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Circle Of Life
FOR MORE ON BESS’S FAMILY’S FLOWERS Australian wildflowers have always provided a riotously colourful backdrop to Bess Scott’s life. She is the fifth generation of her clan to work in the flower industry, offering beautiful native blooms from her S
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
A Red Hot Aussie Christmas
Bright red winter berries, set against the deep green leaves of the humble holly, have been a symbol of northern Christmas festivities for centuries. That’s not much good here since we celebrate Christmas at the start of summer. And good golly, there
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Let It Snow!
Like an advent calender, when the snowball tree (Viburnum opulus) starts flowering in spring, you’re counting down to Christmas. Flowers peak in December and are followed by glorious foliage in autumn. A white garden is never really just white. To c
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Paved Paradise
Outdoor planters and pots are a great way to pop some colour into the garden, but pricey plantware can quickly blow your budget. Avoid that urge to over-splurge with a stylish planter box made from pavers and hardwood sleepers. They’re easy to custom
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
In your Garden
• Launch a decluttering program to rid your garden of rubbish piles and unwanted incidentals. • Clean outdoor furniture and concrete paths with a pressure hose. • Spray hose-on fertiliser to green-up lawns. • Fill bowls with potpourri to freshen ind
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Gardening
You’ll enjoy a Christmas flourish with this rich red pelargonium with highlights of hot pink on each petal. Pelargonium Calliope ‘Big Splash’ is perfect for pots or hanging baskets and looks sensational in a window box. Semi trailing with cascades of
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Moon Guide
■ Best days ■ Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. This includes peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, celery,
Better Homes and Gardens Australia4 min read
Tailor Your Table
1 Habitat Twinkle Star napkin, $14.95 for two, from Pillow Talk. 2 Habitat Christmas Tree side plate, $10.95; dinner plate, $19.95. 3 Habitat Christmas Tree serving bowl, $12.95, from Pillow Talk. 4 Anko napkin rings, $5 for four, from Target. 5 Ank
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Decorating
Kick back on this well-crafted outdoor setting. The two armchairs and side table are made from solid acacia timber, built tough to withstand daily use in your alfresco space. Wisley Outdoor Chat Setting, $499, harveynorman.com.au Scan this QR code
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Dig In!
Lean into a cultural or colour theme with your hand-drawn illustrations. Pictured here: French! Another great option is Italian. Buon appetito. Greasy marks are never nice, but are easy to avoid if you pop a small sheet of greaseproof paper under you
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Christmas Stars
Join us as we show you how to make delicious dishes on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change.) For more recipes, go to bhg.com.au Preparation time 30 mins Cooking time 1 hour 50 mins Serves 25 8-10kg whole ham
Better Homes and Gardens Australia7 min read
Sweet Bites
You may recognise Emelia Jackson from her stints on celebrated TV show MasterChef. Her new book, Some of My Best Friends are Cookies, published by Murdoch Books, is all about embracing your sweet tooth. “There is something very alluring about cookie
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Yule Love It!
Preparation time 30 mins Bake 30 mins Makes 16 bars 115g butter 60g white baking chocolate with cocoa butter, chopped 2 eggs ⅔ cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup plain flour ½ tsp baking powder Dash salt 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts or
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Fast & Fresh
Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 1 2 small red washed potatoes 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 slice prosciutto 1 pork cutlet, fat trimmed 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind 1 tsp finely chopped sage, plus whole leaves, fried, to serve 1
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Cooking
SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. Gourmet Garden’s range of cold blended or lightly dried herbs and spices are chilled, prepped, and ready-to-go without waste or mess. Ready in your fridge to add a burst of chilli, garlic, basil, or wh
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Holiday Gift Guide
Thoughtful presents for homebodies who treat that special space as their haven. SHOP NOW Scan here to find these and even more great gift ideas. 10 Alba fluted ceramic table lamp, $199, from Castlery. 11 Canelé candle holder in Brass and Silver, $
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Sleigh With Clay
The big day is looming but you still don’t have gifts for everyone. Don’t get frazzled – have fun instead by setting up ‘Santa’s workshop’ at your place. Gather your elves and have a blast making some thrifty and thoughtful, handmade pressies. The BH
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Forever Festive
THE BIG IDEA: A palette of pinks and reds play across this bright and cheery wreath. Aside from a sprinkle of fabric leaves – found at craft stores – the wreath is a festival of natural berries and foliage. If you can’t find natural berries and foli
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Welcome Wreaths
These well-rounded beauties are perfect if you’re too pressed for time to make your own decorative wreath. From faux firs with bells and baubles to all-ivory numbers, there is something for everyone. And the best part about investing in a lovely arti
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Make It Merry
Tis the season to let your creativity run free with pretty homemade decorations. From Christmas stockings to garlands, these projects will add a warm, welcoming touch to your home. You can make them in whatever colour scheme you prefer, so unleash yo
Better Homes and Gardens Australia5 min read
Make It Merry
STEP 1 Cut two 11.5 x 92cm fabric strips. Glue together at one short end, right sides together, 1.5cm from edge. Let dry. Finger-press seam open to make one long strip. STEP 2 To make a fabric tube, fold strip in half lengthwise with right sides t
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
That’s A Wrap ’Til Next Year
The gifts are opened, the cookies are eaten, and the Christmas bubbly is long gone. All those seasonal trinkets that filled you with glee are now just a reminder of how much work it will be to put them all away. We wouldn’t blame you if you crammed e
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Puppy Love
Summertime for Guide Dogs NSW means celebrating an arrival of some adorable new litters. It also means they’re on the lookout for caring, responsible volunteers to help as Puppy Raisers. We spoke to our team member Andrew Cook who, with his wife Alis
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Adopting A Furry Friend
Christmas is synonymous with family, no matter what shape yours takes. It can be easy to get swept up in the spirit of giving and the excitement of the festive season. Decades of Hallmark movies weren’t shy about suggesting a fluffy puppy as the perf
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Solutions
Your essential (and arguably most used) power tools. This is a rotating tool that uses interchangeable bits for driving in screws and drilling holes in timber, plastic, plasterboard and ceramic. Don’t scrimp when buying a drill driver as this will l
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better You
Everlasting Candles never melt, but their flames flicker and dance like traditional candles. These luxury steel tapers are fuelled by clean-burning Pristine Oil and deliver a scent-free, smoke-free ambience. The candles can be used inside or out and
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Better Finance
Try these cash-savvy tips for a happy seasonal celebration. If you’re hosting the family Christmas lunch or dinner this year, don’t ask each guest to simply ‘bring a plate’ or ‘BYO drinks’. Be very specific. Set a task for each guest. Uncle Ross shou
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Better Shopping
The Mikaela sofa is part of Amart’s new Designer Series. This recliner comes in a stunning linen-look fabric with electric sliding seats. It is the ultimate choice for comfort and luxury, adding sophistication to your home. amartfurniture.com.au The
Better Homes and Gardens Australia1 min read
Top Picks
Planterworks designs and fabricates Australian-made corten steel and aluminium planters for residential and commercial spaces. These planters create exceptional landscapes, with quality materials and workmanship to ensure you receive the very best pr
Better Homes and Gardens Australia3 min read
Better Stockists
Amazon amazon.com.au Banksia Gifts Australia banksiagiftsaustralia.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Dry Supply drysupply.com.au Etsy etsy.com/au/ Feather Craft Supplies feather.com.au Fleuri Flowers fleuri.com.au Flowers Across Australia flow
Better Homes and Gardens Australia2 min read
Better Books
Scan this QR code to shop these items. Matt Haig (Allen & Unwin, $32.99) Matt Haig’s tales of fantastical reality have plenty of fans. His latest follows retired maths teacher Grace Winters who inherits a run-down house on a Mediterranean island fro

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