Pippa Middleton's Christmas tips

Party Planner and sister to the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton recently dished on her family's blog, The Party Times, about her favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit. A few of our favorite tips are sure to help you start feeling festive too! Many of her ideas can be found on her family's website, Party Pieces.

First Impressions: During the holiday season people love to go looking around at Christmas lights so we have to agree that it's always important to keep in mind that first impressions definitely do matter. The best way to spread some holiday cheer is by lighting up the outside of your house with tealight garden lanterns and fairy lights wrapped around trees. Other great ways to showcase your holiday cheer is by making use of the traditional holiday wreath or decorating your yard with lit up rustic rattan reindeer.

Sprucing up the tree: Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without a tree and everyone loves a bright and colorfully lit tree. Keep in mind that the more colorful and bright, the better. Making use of nostalgic decorations during the holiday season also adds a nice personal touch. Adding chocolate treats and candy canes to your tree is a nice addition, this is a classic idea that can also be done by stringing popcorn and wrapping it around the tree to capture that old traditional feel and another plus is the children in your family will love it. Angel kits or other Christmas decoration kits can also be a fun, festive activity that the children will be happy to participate in.

'Tis the season to be baking: It isn't Christmas without baking! The entire family can help bake Christmas cookies with cookie cutter sets that have a variety of different shapes such as a star, reindeer, snowflake or Christmas tree design. We love the idea of handing out your treats for your guests to enjoy in tins when you're done baking and decorating. Add some hot chocolate to the mix and they'll be begging for more.

A gingerbread house: Our favorite holiday tradition is building a gingerbread house. Not only will it smell and taste good, but it can also serve as a great decoration piece. You can use it as a centerpiece or put it in a nicely lit up windowsill for all your neighbors to enjoy.

All dressed up: Christmas themed tablecloths add a cheery pop to your household. Then all you need on your table is a festive centerpiece and you're all set! If you'd rather go with solid colors then red, green or white partyware with a decorative napkin should do the trick. Making use of festive baubles in vases or tiered cake stands can be easily done and adds that personal touch to your decorating that you're looking for. Tiered cake stands full of glittery, gleaming trinkets is such a great idea that we can't wait to use this year!

Photos from The Party Times