Design notebook: the best Christmas crackers

Stand out from the crowd this Christmas with David Nicholls' best interiors picks of the season

Nice bit of skirt

The best thing that can be said about most Christmas tree skirts is that their hideousness can be hidden by the careful positioning of presents. Such craftiness is not required with this outstandingly chic willow design, £20 from John Lewis (johnlewis.com).

Strange brew

The hotelier and interior designer Kit Kemp (a co-owner of the Firmdale Group) has designed a tableware range for Wedgwood. The Mythical Creatures collection is printed with the same whimsical beasts that graced an embroidered linen range that Kemp designed for Chelsea Textiles a couple of years ago. Teapot £140, sugar bowl £65, cream jug £55 (wedgwood.co.uk).

Another slice of Toast

There’s a cool Scandi feel to Toast’s new range of wool jacquard blankets (£135) and cushions (£49), which come in red, blue and grey with white colourways (toa.st).

Five of the best Christmas crackers

Hand block printed (set of six), £35, Toast (toa.st)

Mini Nutcracker (set of six), £12, V&A (vandashop,com)

Nutcracker (set of six), £19.50, National Gallery (nationalgallery.co.uk)

Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial champagne, £18.99, Selfridges (selfridges.com)

Rather Large, £36, Hotel Chocolat (hotelchocolat.com)