Get your home holiday ready for Christmas

The holiday season is a time for relaxing, celebrating and enjoying time with family and friends and, as Christmas approaches, many homeowners start preparing to host guests or plan festive gatherings. 

Whether you’re expecting family to stay for several days or hosting a Christmas meal, making your home warm, welcoming, and functional is key to creating a memorable holiday experience and, if you get started early on prepping your home, you can also relax and enjoy the time.

1. Deep Clean and Declutter

Start by giving your home a thorough clean. Decluttering and deep-cleaning ahead of time not only keeps your space organised but also creates a fresh, inviting atmosphere for guests. Begin with high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms as these are where guests will spend most of their time.

• Declutter and Organise: Pack away excess items from shelves, tables, and countertops that often gather over time. Organise storage areas to make space for guests’ belongings.
• Deep Clean Key Areas: Pay attention to areas that don’t get cleaned often, like windows, skirting boards, and under furniture. Freshen up carpets and rugs and polish any wood surfaces.

A clean, clutter-free home provides a calm backdrop for the holiday decor to truly shine and ensures that guests feel comfortable in a tidy environment.

2. Add Warm and Festive Decorations

Christmas decorations are an essential part of creating a holiday ambiance and simple, thoughtful decor can set the mood without overwhelming your space.

• Start with the Basics: A Christmas tree is usually the centrepiece of holiday decor. Decorate with a mix of ornaments, lights, and perhaps a tree topper that reflects your style. If space is limited, consider a smaller tree or a creative alternative, like a table tree or a wall-mounted option.
• Focus on Festive Touches: Incorporate festive elements like wreaths, garlands, and string lights. Place garlands on stair railings, along the mantle, or across doorways. String lights can add a warm glow to any room.
• Create Cosy Corners: Use holiday-themed pillows, blankets, and candles to add warmth and a seasonal touch to seating areas. Scents like cinnamon, pine, and vanilla are perfect for adding an inviting, Christmassy aroma.

Decorations make a home feel special for the season, so feel free to be creative and reflect your personality in the decor choices.

3. Prepare a Welcoming Guest Room

If you have guests staying overnight, make their visit more comfortable by creating a welcoming guest space. Little touches can make a big difference in how cosy and prepared the room feels.

• Fresh Linens: Provide clean, fresh linens and extra blankets in case the weather turns cold.
• Towels and Toiletries: Lay out towels and a selection of toiletries so guests have everything they need. Mini toiletries, like shampoo and toothpaste, can make guests feel pampered.
• Functional Extras: Consider providing a charging station and even some holiday reading material or snacks. Add a water carafe or bottled water on the nightstand, so they don’t have to make trips to the kitchen at night.

4. Stock Up on Essentials

The holiday season often comes with last-minute needs, so make sure to stock up on essentials in advance. A well-stocked home makes both hosting and everyday living easier, saving you unnecessary trips to the store during busy holiday weeks.

• Pantry Staples: Stock up on pantry essentials like flour, sugar, coffee, and tea, as well as non-perishable snacks. Also, consider buying a few easy-to-make meals in case you need to throw something together quickly.
• Guest-Friendly Items: Think of breakfast foods, drinks, and snacks that are easy for guests to grab. Having items like cereal, yogurt, fruit, and holiday treats ready can make guests feel more at home.
• Toiletry Essentials: In case guests forget anything, keep spare items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap in a visible, easily accessible spot.

5. Plan and Prep the Kitchen

Food is at the heart of Christmas gatherings, so preparing your kitchen can save time and stress later on.

• Organise the Pantry and Fridge: Make space in the fridge for festive foods and drinks and arrange pantry shelves so you can quickly locate ingredients.
• Meal Prep in Advance: Prepping as much as possible beforehand will make entertaining easier. Prepare sauces, baked goods, or side dishes a day or two in advance – some dishes can be prepared a couple of weeks ahead of time.
• Create a Drinks Station: Set up a self-service station with coffee, tea, and holiday beverages like mulled wine. Add festive mugs and a selection of biscuits or chocolates for a festive touch.

6. Set Up Cosy Entertainment Spaces

Since holiday gatherings often revolve around shared activities like movies or games, setting up an entertainment space can help create a focal point for family fun.

• Seating Arrangements: Arrange seating to encourage conversation. Consider moving additional chairs to the living room, study or other available space if needed to accommodate guests comfortably.
• Games and Movies: Stock up on holiday movies, board games, or puzzles that family and friends can enjoy together. Classic Christmas movies and card games are easy ways to keep guests entertained.
• Tech-Friendly Setup: Make sure your TV or music system is in working order and create a holiday playlist. For family gatherings, streaming services can offer a range of holiday-themed shows and music.

7. Embrace Outdoor Spaces

Create an inviting outdoor area for guests to enjoy by incorporating festive lighting, outdoor seating, and fluffy blankets for evenings to make outdoor spaces part of your holiday gathering.

• Light Up the Outdoors: Hang string lights or lanterns to create a warm evening atmosphere. Adding a few decorative touches outside, like wreaths or potted plants with winter greenery, can also make the entrance feel festive.
• Outdoor Seating: If you have a patio or garden area, arrange seating with blankets or pillows for warmth. Consider a fire pit or portable heater for when it’s chilly.

8. Make Safety a Priority

With more guests and increased activity around the house, holiday preparations should also include safety measures.

• Check Fire Safety: Make sure smoke detectors or fire extinguishers are working, especially if you’re using candles or a fireplace.
• Clear Walkways: Keep pathways, both indoors and outdoors, free of clutter and well-lit.
• Childproof and Pet-Proof: If you’re expecting young children, secure sharp or fragile decorations and keep harmful substances out of reach.

Preparing your home for the holidays is all about balancing warmth, functionality and a touch of festive charm and, with a bit of preparation and thoughtful touches, you can create a space where family and friends feel welcome, comfortable, and ready to celebrate the season.