Getting your home ready for Christmas - it’s all about the small wins

It’s a busy time of year for many of us. With nativity plays, carol concerts and present-buying all high on your list of jobs, getting your home ready for Christmas can feel overwhelming. You want it to be special for your guests, but how on earth can you fit in the preparation? It’s all about the small wins you can quickly squeeze in. 

Christmas preparation - the easier way

Having family and friends to visit over the Christmas season is wonderful. It’s tempting to make big changes so they feel you’ve given them a memorable stay. But to avoid being overwhelmed and stressed, you can actually make small changes to the decor of your home that will have just the same impact you’re hoping for. 

However, before adding those beautiful festive touches, take a more manageable approach by focusing on one room at a time. Decide how you want the room to look and create a list, breaking things down into manageable tasks. If it’s easier, simply focus on one room at a time. Just try to avoid leaving it all until the last minute; it takes all the joy out of the process. Remember, preparing your home for Christmas is about quick room transformations - small wins - rather than creating a grotto!

Eight simple ways to get you and your home ready for Christmas

To help you, here are a few tips for beautiful yet simple festive decor.

1. Get the guest beds made up early

Don’t be scrabbling around for bed linen on Christmas Eve. Or if guests are taking over children’s bedrooms or communal areas, such as TV rooms with sofa beds, get all the bedding together now. Put the pillowcases and duvet covers on and put them in a zip-up storage bag out of the way, along with the correct size fitted sheet. Hey, presto – you can whip it all ready to go.

2. Festive bedside touches

Place a small tray on the bedside table with a water carafe and elegant glasses. Why not add a sprig of fresh pine or a small ornament, adding a holiday spirit touch without overwhelming the space? You could also place a small box of gourmet chocolates or holiday-themed biscuits on the nightstand. Or some beautiful toiletries for guests to take home. 

3. Special scents

Take a look at the candles around your home. Could you swap them out for more festive scents? Add Christmas-scented diffusers or candles in key areas, such as the hallway, living room and guest bedrooms. Scents like cinnamon, pine, or cranberry can create a warm and festive atmosphere.

4. Cook as much as you can in advance!

My big win is always the Jamie Oliver get ahead gravy

Gravy is a key part of Christmas in our house, and I hate to be short. I always make this one as early as possible and then just defrost and finish off minutes before we eat. 

5. Luxurious, cosy linens

Swap out regular linens for high-quality, subtly festive options. So many shops now offer soft furnishings that add that special touch. Consider adding holiday-themed throw pillows or a cosy blanket to guest bedrooms to create a comfortable and inviting space for them to relax and enjoy themselves.

6. Personalised welcome notes

In our digital age, we don’t often receive handwritten letters anymore. Leaving personalised welcome notes for guests in their rooms can add that thoughtful touch. Why not remind them how important they are and how pleased you’re together for Christmas?

7. Festive table settings

Set a beautifully decorated table for breakfast or brunch with holiday-themed placemats, napkins or small centrepieces to add a festive touch. You could opt for a classic Christmas colour theme, using a white tablecloth as a base and then adding red and green highlights through napkins, placemats or table runners. Or go for a more rustic look, incorporating natural elements like pinecones, acorns or small branches.

8. A touch of sweetness

Christmas is a time of year when we treat ourselves to delicious foody treats. Add a ‘sweet’ touch to your decor with various elegant glass or metallic bowls in different shapes and sizes placed around the house. Fill each one with an assortment of holiday-themed treats such as chocolates, old-fashioned sweets or candy canes. Arrange the bowls on a side table and add a festive table runner or placemat. And if you’d like to add healthier options, nuts and dried fruit can work just as well.

Making it manageable

As with all Christmas preparations, making it manageable and enjoyable for you is essential. None of us have endless hours to dedicate to decorating, so don’t feel you must try all the ideas we’ve shared. Simply having Christmas-themed tea towels in the kitchen or a few scented candles dotted about your home can add something special for your guests.

Spread the cost, too - by doing some bits in advance. Make your own crackers or biscuits to add to that personalised touch - it’s a great activity with the kids! But most importantly, just do what feels right and manageable for you. As long as your guests get to spend time with you and there are enough chairs for everyone to sit on (don’t forget to count!), they’ll be happy!

If you’d like to discuss your interior design project, contact us, as we’d love to hear from you.

Floral displays within the images courtesy of Highgate Florist Flower School