As an interiors journalist, Christmas doesn’t just last for one month in December; I’ve been living in Christmas land since September. So my enthusiasm for the new high street festive decorations has worn off slightly. However, this week one new launch revived my festive spirit and had me excited for Christmas all over again: the Habitat x Morris & Co decoration collection.

I am a massive fan of what Habitat has done with Morris & Co; they’ve revived and reinvigorated the classic arts and crafts patterns to work in modern homes. I currently have the Merton sunflower armchair in my living room, which remains one of my best investments for my home. Now the designers have turned their attention to christmas decorations, and they’ve nailed it.

I’ve seen Morris & Co Christmas decorations before, but they’ve always felt a bit twee and unimaginative. The Habitat collection is none of these things. It was the set of medium Habitat x Morris & Co paper stars that jumped out at me first. Paper stars are a decoration Habitat already does incredibly well; they have been reimagined in classic Morris & Co designs, including Strawberry Thief, Hyacinth and Leicester in rich burgundy and forest greens.

They’ve also turned their hand to baubles, bows and even a wreath, interpreting the iconic patterns into rich jewel-toned decorations. Here are the 6 gems in the range I’m eyeing up for my own home.

If you want to try the heritage Christmas trend in your home but aren’t a fan of tartan, this Morris & Co collection offers an alternative way to style it out. It is classic and filled with decorations you know will be pulled out year after year by you, your kids and potentially even your grandkids.

Around 20 million households in England will receive a £100 payment from the Government this winter to help with their energy bills, Chancellor John Healey confirmed, delivering the Autumn Budget.

The October price cap saw bills rise by £60 a year for millions of households, and consultants at Cornwall Insight have predicted a further 16% price increase in January 2027 compared to October of this year. This means energy bills could rise to £1,999 a year for a typical dual-fuel household in January 2027.

Unsurprisingly, many of us are looking to tighten our belts as a result, searching for ways to save energy and money at home. So, I asked an energy expert what exactly we can expect from the Household Energy Payment, who is eligible, and what difference it may have on our bills.

Who is eligible for the payment?

‘Eligibility depends on where you live. In England, the £100 payment is for eligible households responsible for council tax on their main home in bands A to D. The governments in Wales and Scotland have also confirmed a £100 payment for households in those bands. So, if you don’t know, checking what council tax band you are in is the best place to start,’ explains Gareth Kloet, expert at Go.Compare Energy.

‘In Northern Ireland, which uses domestic rates rather than council tax, funding has been allocated for similar support, but households should await confirmation of the Executive’s arrangements rather than assuming the same rules apply.’

To check which council tax band you are under, you can use the Government’s free postcode checker.

What impact is this payment expected to have on bills?

‘The £100 payment will be welcome support for eligible households at a time when energy costs remain a concern. But it’s important to note that this support is a one-off payment to help with paying your bill, rather than a reduction in the cost of energy. It can help offset some of your costs, but it won’t prevent your bills from rising if your energy use or the rates you pay increase,’ says Gareth.

How will households receive the payment?

‘In England, payments are expected to start from January 2027. Those who pay council tax by direct debit should receive the money automatically, while others will be invited to apply through their council,’ says Gareth.

‘Wales and Scotland have also confirmed support, but households should check local guidance for payment details. Northern Ireland’s arrangements are yet to be confirmed. Be wary of unexpected messages asking for bank details and always check with official sources first.’

How do recieve payment if you don’t pay council tax?

‘In England, some households exempt from council tax are still expected to qualify, although full eligibility details have not yet been published. However, people who are not responsible for council tax are not currently included under the guidance. Councils will also receive extra funding to support households that miss out on the payment. Those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should check local guidance, as different rules may apply,’ says Gareth.

How is the payment being funded?

‘It’s government-funded support, not a discount provided by energy suppliers. The scheme is being funded through a temporary increase in the tax surcharge on bank profits and is expected to cost around £2.6 billion,’ says Gareth.

What else is the Government doing to keep energy costs down?

‘The Government has extended the temporary removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills in Great Britain until July 2027. There are also plans to remove gas standing charges from 2027, although those costs would be moved into unit rates rather than disappear altogether. That means lower-use households could benefit more than higher users. In Northern Ireland, eligible customers already receive support through the Household Electricity Discount Scheme, which is separate from the new £100 payment,’ says Gareth.

What should we be doing to keep costs down?

‘Ultimately, one of the best things you can do to keep your energy costs down is regularly review your tariff and check whether switching could save you money. Even small differences between deals can add up to meaningful savings over time,’ says Gareth.

If you haven’t already fixed your tariff, it can be a good idea to fix now, considering energy bills are expected to increase.

If you are struggling to pay your bills, you should reach out to your energy supplier to see what support you’re entitled to.