While the table is a big part of making a dining room look Christmassy, the rest of the room is equally as important. The first thing to get right is the lighting. 'Think soft, warm fairy lights ...

One room contained candles, carols and cinnamon; the other candles, classical music and pine. After 10 minutes, volunteers in the more Christmassy room had scoffed 20 mince pies while the others ...