TOP TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR HOME CHRISTMAS READY

Christmas time is almost upon us and for so many people, the only thing the season of giving does, is give us a headache!

On what should be a relaxing day spent with family and friends, often turns out to be the mother of all stresses!

Instead of chilling out you’re trying to clean the house with the kids running a muck (especially in the part you’re trying to clean!), wrapping last minute gifts and keeping an eye on the multiple dishes you’re trying to cook for what can be a cast of thousands!

What’s that, your head just exploded thinking about it and you’ve just booked a one way ticket to the other side of the world to escape….

Before you get on that plane, I’m here to help with some quick and easy ways to get your home ready for Christmas to ensure you have a stress free day.

Declutter – More than any other time of the year, a declutter before Christmas is really beneficial. Not only is it therapeutic to clear the house of things that aren’t needed or old toys that aren’t used, but it allows you to make room for all the new presents that are going to occupy space in your home. Out with the old in with the new!

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Decide on a decorative theme – This is one of my favourite things to do every year but also the thing that causes the most arguments between my husband and I. Who would have known that my tradie husband has a secret obsession with decorating the tree and is VERY particular about it!

My advice is to keep it simple. Decide on a colour scheme and replicate this throughout the house.

My colour palette this year is white, silver and gold and I have used these colours in my table setting and decorations. Table settings are also a great way to get creative and the best bit, decorating can be done on any budget.

Think native plants for decorations, simple candles, a coloured table cloth or involve the kids – their ideas could be a little wacky and will probably get trashed but it’s the thought that counts ☺

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Don’t leave all the cleaning until December – Christmas always seems to be the time of the year when we decide to do all the cleaning jobs we haven’t done all year or possibly ever just adding unwanted stress.

I know with my family it’s the one time of the year where we have to clean the outside furniture – I think this is more to do with the fact that we live in Australia and it is highly likely there will be a poisonous spider lurking somewhere – I’ll admit a spider bite is not my idea of an ideal gift!

To alleviate some of the stress, tackle the big jobs throughout the year so you don’t have to be doing something crazy like clearing the awnings on a day when you should be enjoying yourself or….outsource.

There are so many reasonably priced cleaning companies out there that will come in and blitz your house – leaving you to do fun things like drink!

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Stock the freezer – If like me, you have elusive family members that randomly decide to turn up on Christmas day, the right amount to cook can be unknown!

To avoid the annoyance of having to cater for unexpected guests, stock the freezer with goodies that are easy to heat up or not to sound like a grinch, lump the late comers with a salad….serves them right for not RSVPing! ☺

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Create a kids zone – As much as its lovely seeing the excitement kids get when opening their presents, there comes a time in the day or night when you need some adult time!

My advice is to create a specific area where the kids can basically go nuts. Whether it be organising a play area, a TV chill out room or a kids only zone in their room, set it up so that the only thing they can do is annoy each other so you’re free to have a well-earned break.

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At the end of the day don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, Christmas shouldn’t be a time for anxiety, it shouldn’t be a time to enjoy, so be kind to yourself.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help – delegate tasks to family members, ask friends to bring something to share and if all else fails bribe the kids if you have to!

Remember that the idea of the day is not to compare who has the cleanest house, the biggest tree or the best presents, it’s to spend time with those you love and take a load off…you deserve it!