A national timber shortage threatens to scupper Stephanie's plans to decorate the Marquis salon at Château de Lalande with expensive wallpaper in time for a Christmas party. In the Dordogne, Abbie, Clive and Karen erect a heavy spiral staircase and install complicated lighting on the terrace roof and at Château Mareuil in the Nouvelle Acquitane, Belinda and Lee try to bring an air of mystery to a unique Christmas party for their neighbours.