It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which means it’s time to open your doors and welcome friends and family into your home.
There is nothing better than showing off your property in all its glory, especially if this is the first Christmas in your new home. However, there are a few things to consider first before your guests arrive…
Have a Winter Clean
While traditionally we ‘Spring Clean’ our homes, it’s a good idea to have a deep winter clean before all the decorations and festivities begin.
During the winter months we naturally spend more time indoors, quite often with the windows closed and the central heating on, and unfortunately this environment is a haven for germs and dust mites, which is even more reason to have a good clean.
This doesn’t mean you have to industrially clean the carpets or call the experts in – you can keep it very simple. Start by cleaning out the fridge and kitchen cupboards, throwing away anything out of date and reorganising your shelves. This will save you time when it comes to preparing food for larger numbers. Give the floors a good mop and vacuum, dust the window ledges to blow the cobwebs away and make the windows sparkle with a mixture of distilled water and white vinegar. A winter clean will make you feel organised, relaxed, and ready to start the celebrations.
Spruce up your spare room
If you are expecting friends and family to stay over this Christmas, then the time has come to clear out the spare room. Famously a place to dump things and forget about them, there is nowhere to hide once the guests pile in.
To create a more relaxing environment, you might need to put some of your possessions and clothes away in boxes to make space for guests.
Ideally, visitors need to be able to use the wardrobe and properly unpack to feel more at home. Make some time to wash the bedding, plump up the pillows, and add a couple of layers of cosy blankets to make the bed more appealing.
Free up some extra storage space
Whether it’s boxing up some items to put in the garage or packaging up some unwanted items to take to the local charity shop, this is a perfect opportunity to free up some space. As the saying goes ‘a tidy home equals a tidy mind.’ Organising all your things neatly can also help you to feel really relaxed and more likely to enjoy hosting this Christmas at your home.
Add some hotel style touches
Once the hard work has been done and your home is clean, tidy, and de-cluttered, it’s time to have some fun adding the finishing touches.
With a little imagination you can easily inject some hotel vibes into your space. Add some mini toiletries to the bathrooms for your guests to use, and don’t forget to leave the Wi-Fi code and a bottle of water on their bedside table for that complete five-star experience.
Place a couple of vases filled with fresh festive flowers on consoles and coffee tables and choose some sweet-smelling candles or diffusers to fragrance the space. Cinnamon, ginger, frankincense, and mistletoe are all perfect winter scents to choose.
Make sure your cupboards are stocked
There is nothing better than stocking your fridge and cupboards with tasty delights, and even more so at Christmas time.
Whatever the traditional meals and festive nibbles are in your family home, one thing is certain for all – don’t leave it to the last minute to shop! Also, make a list before you do, planning each day and deciding what you will cook from scratch and what you are going to buy ready-made. Not only will you avoid wasting time and money by planning your meals, but you also stand more chance of feeling prepared and relaxed in the process.
Finally, at Christmas time, although there is often a lot to think about and prepare, it’s important to remember what it is all about – enjoying time with family and friends in your home. Therefore, remember to stay calm and accept that things won’t always be perfect – after all, that’s just how family Christmas’ go!
Thanks for reading our festive blog. Peter Ward Homes have been building beautiful and stylish new residential homes in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire since 1978. Take a look at our recent developments for more info on our available properties.