‘Tis the season to be jolly,’ they say…

and joyful, as well as busy, worried, and coated in flour from last-minute Christmas preparations, including baking countless mince pies, shortbread cookies, and gingerbread! With all of that hustling, you’re surely wondering, “How do people prepare for Christmas?”

With a flurry of seasonal guests in mind, we’ve compiled a list of helpful Christmas preparation tips and advice to ensure you stay stress-free and your guests have the best time possible.

1. LACK OF BEDROOMS? BUY A SOFA BED

Is there no room at the inn? Nonsense. If you’re wondering how to prepare for Christmas in a small house, consider bringing in a sofa bed or a blow-up mattress for a season of festivities and a house full of people. Ensure your guests have a good night’s sleep with our incredibly stylish and cozy bedding sets made of organic cotton and featuring adorable animal designs.

2. MAKE SOME ROOM

‘Good tidings they’ll bring,’ but if you have guests, that’s not all they’ll bring. What about the bags, heavy coats, and (hopefully) Christmas gifts? Making space now means you won’t have to panic when box after box is brought from a seemingly bottomless boot, which is especially beneficial when entertaining Christmas in a small place. This is also an excellent time to clean out your closet and drawers in preparation for the new items you may receive this year.

3. MAKE MANY CHRISTMAS TREATS

Merino or Mulled wine, cookies, pies, sandwiches…whatever tickles your festive fancy. Prepare for Christmas sweets and drinks by making a trip to the grocery. If your guests have traveled a long way, one of the things that will keep them going is the prospect of eating a few delightful goodies upon their arrival. Make certain that your Christmas baking ideas have been tried and tested. The last thing we want is for our guests to be dissatisfied when they arrive. Mulled wine is a terrific option for adults because the aroma fills the house with a warming and pleasant aroma- and, of course, quickly gets everyone in the celebratory attitude. For the kids, hot cocoa with cream and marshmallows and their favorite Christmas snacks are sure to spread the holiday cheer. Check to see if you have enough festive drinkware!

4. CLEAN UP THE HOUSE

So, how do you prepare your home for the holidays?

Send your gang on a walk (or enlist their assistance if you choose), put on some Bing Crosby, and begin cleaning up your tiny dwelling. Polishing the surfaces and furnishings shouldn’t take long if you’ve kept on top of things. Cleaning the bathroom and toilets might be a chore, but the results are worth it when they’re dazzling and shining. Then, vacuuming (which may muffle out Bing) will ensure that no annoying pine needles get lodged in your guests’ socks. To add some festive shine at the dinner table, add a few additional finishing touches here and there with Joules Christmas table decorations from our Christmas cooking & dining collection. Or perhaps some new cushions to liven up your sofas.

5. Stock up on towels and toilet paper.

Leave towels on the bed in the room where your guests are staying… some freshly washed towels that they can use throughout their stay. Leave a few products out as well—a it’s nice touch and a perfect way to get rid of shower gels and body washes you’ve never used. If you’re feeling generous, you could always buy some new ones for your guest…

6. GO TO THE KITCHEN

People are drawn to the kitchen like moths to a flame, no matter what the occasion. Make sure the necessities are easily accessible, such as milk, tea, and coffee. And the things you merely want to amuse yourself are neatly concealed. We’re not channeling our inner Ebenezer, but that costly bottle of whisky would be squandered on a rambunctious uncle. It’s also a great time to update your kitchen with some festive accessories. You never know, a Christmas tea towel might even persuade them to assist with the drying. We guarantee that our Joules Friends have the best kitchen accessories to make you and your kitchen look fantastic.

7. EARLY BIRTHDAY GIFT

Did your Christmas guests end up on your naughty or nice list? Depending on how much you appreciate your visitor, you could give them early Christmas gifts to enjoy during their stay. Cheap Christmas gifts with long-term applications are typically appreciated to avoid breaking the budget. A pair of fluffy socks, in our humble opinion, fits the description nicely. They make excellent Christmas table gifts for visitors. They’re warm, colorful, and festive, and they’re ideal for wearing about the house—especially if you’ve gone on a wintery walk. Speaking of which…

8. PLAN CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Get out old board games and OS maps, prepare some unusual Christmas party games, and select a few festive movies that everyone can enjoy. These are the essentials for Christmas entertaining. Nothing is worse than hearing, ‘What shall we do today?’ and by preparing for Christmas, you will never hear it.

MOST IMPORTANTLY,

DISCOVER YOURSELF!