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The queen of theme

Interior decorator and event stylist Jane Fordham shows us how she has prepared for Christmas.

THE DECORATIONS: My home is permanently decorated in white and silver and can be easily updated with colour accents in flowers or soft furnishings.

Being a lover of traditional colours, Christmas is made easy for me and I can throw something together in record time.

I always throw in something quirky and this year the chandeliers are all going to be decorated in ivy and white roses.

This Christmas, my colour palette is rich green silk with lots of diamonds and crystal.

To make sure guests make an effort they must also wear something green that is borrowed!

This is much harder than store-bought (clothes), but cheaper nonetheless.

The money they would have spent on a new outfit is placed in an envelope in an elaborately decorated birdcage at the door. The money is donated to the RSPCA.

THE THEME: Man's best friend. All the dogs are photographed sitting on the throne and they have a variety of favourite chewables in silver dog bowls, given only if they behave.

The human table will be reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's garden party birthday dinner - tiered stands with fruit, flowers and lots of tapered candles.

We'll also play Who am I just as they did in the movie.

THE MENU: Seafood platters to start, then hot roast pork and turkey with plenty of vegetables and Eton mess for dessert (crumbled meringues, strawberries and clotted cream).

TRADITIONS: Yes, we must perform for our supper!

The invite is sent two weeks before and gives everyone time to teach the new trick which is sent on the invite (obviously by our four-legged friends).

My family and old friends are in Melbourne so every year at noon I toast them after usually talking to them on the phone. That's why I take steps to ensure nothing burns by cheating on the cooking (buying my meat already cooked from a very reliable Italian butcher around the corner).