Getting your house ready for Christmas

As the song goes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. However, it comes with a long list of things to get done and planning often begins months in advance. While it may be a little early to stuff a giant turkey in the freezer, you might be thinking about other things, like what to buy the grandchildren and whether it’s time for some new decorations.

Christmas stock often sells out as quickly as it hits the shelves, so it pays to be organised to avoid disappointment. Putting a festive touch on your home can also be a great way to get in the merry spirit and will leave you with one less job to do in the week leading up to December 25^th.

So where to begin? Here are some tips for getting your house ready for the Christmas season.

Put up your Christmas tree

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree somewhere in the house. Go old-school with a real tree and enjoy the forest-like scent it gives off. Be mindful of when you collect your tree as the British Christmas Tree Growers Association recommend trees should not be taken home until 1^st December. This is because the average survival rate of a tree is around four weeks (although some may last longer if well-cared for).

If you prefer not to have a real tree, there are a variety of artificial ones to choose from. Keep it classic with forest green or add a modern twist with a coloured tree. White, silver and even pastel pink are popular choices.

Decorate your tree with LED Christmas tree lights. White will create a more traditional look, but bright colours can be fun too! Include a selection of baubles in a shade that complements the tree and add a few festive ornaments, like stars, snowflakes, or angels.

Create a snug sanctuary

Give your soft furnishings a festive switch-up and add to the cosiness factor of your home with cushions and throws in tactile textures and seasonal shades, from velvet cushions featuring embroidered robins to a faux-fur-trimmed tartan throw. Choose pieces in complementary colours for a put-together look. Christmas decorating tends to focus on the living room, but there’s no reason you can’t add a festive touch to bedrooms, too. Try a bedding set with a seasonal print, add a festive pillow and create a magical glow with light-up decorations.