With less than two weeks to go until Christmas Day, there’s a few crucial details to take care of to make sure the day runs like clockwork.
You may have already ordered your festive food shop and decorated the tree, but there are small tasks that you’d be forgiven for forgetting amid all the excitement.
Make sure to double-check that you have all you need at your disposal on the big day to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
Here is a reminder of four essential jobs to tick off your to-do list this week from Ideal Home editor-in-chief Heather Young.
Job 1: Decorate the house
Your tree might be up but you might like to decorate other areas of the home for an extra sprinkling of Christmas magic. This needn’t be expensive or fussy: go for a simple but effective look with strings of twinkling white lights and big branches of winter foliage in jugs.
You don’t need to deck the whole house in one day: start with the bannisters and mantelpiece, add the odd festive flourish to your kitchen or hallway and put some mini trees in the bedrooms.
The key is not to take the Christmas decorations too seriously – aim for a fun and festive mood rather than super-slick, Insta-perfection which will only heap on added stress during such a busy time.
Job 2: Double check your kitchen kit
With just under a fortnight to go before the Big Day, it’s crucial to check all your cookware and dishes making sure you’ve got enough of everything and the right sizes. The last thing you need is to find out on Christmas Eve that the turkey is too big for your baking trays.
Pick up a box of festive crackers for the table (we love reusable crackers that you can fill year after year) and make sure you have enough plates and cutlery for your guests.
Don’t worry if the dinnerware doesn’t match, channel an eclectic vibe with mismatched patterns and colours, pulling the look together with fresh sprigs of fir tied with ribbon or twine on every plate. You can find so many simple tablescaping ideas online these days that won’t break the bank.
Job 3: Stock up on essentials
Don’t be caught out on Christmas Day so buy in all your household essentials now.
Think bin bags, spare batteries for fairy lights or new toys, rolls of foil or eco-friendly wax wraps for covering up food and any over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or indigestion tablets for Boxing Day in case you have over indulged!
Job 4: Get the guest room sorted
Be prepared for visiting family members to stay overnight (even unexpected, last-minute ones) by getting the guest bedroom sorted this week.
Put on fresh bed linen (a Christmassy bedding set is an instant winner) and layer with cosy throws and blankets.
Leave out a bundle of clean towels and hang up a string of fairy lights for a festive glow.
