If you're feeling a little overwhelmed in the run up to Christmas, you're not alone! Whether it's sending out your gifts before the last postage dates or getting the house ready for guests, December is a busy month.
Regain a feeling of control but taking a minute to get organised. By being prepared for any festive fiasco that may come your way, you'll be able to tick off everything on your to-do list and still enjoy the holiday season. We've put together this guide to help you do just that.
Feed the family
If friends and family are prone to dropping in unannounced, be prepared. Use your freezer to ensure have plenty of food, no matter who pops by:
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- Buy more canapes than you think you need! Anything you don't use can be kept for New Year's Eve.
- Stock up on frozen fruit and vegetables in case you run out of the fresh stuff.
- Have at least two ice cube trays filled so you’re good-to-go for a festival cocktail or two!
Wine that goes with everything
For a crowd-pleasing white wine, try Asda Extra Special Pinot Grigio.
With a price tag of just £7, this Italian bottle is fresh and citrus-scented, with an uplifting acidity and a crisp, dry finish. A great pairing with roast turkey.
How to quickly chill a bottle of fizz
It’s not advisable to place fizz in the freezer because the carbon dioxide can cause the bottle to explode. Instead, place the unopened bottle in an ice bucket, filled to within roughly an inch of the top with half ice half water. Keep the ice bucket topped up, for added speed.
Wine can go in the freezer, for approximately 30 minutes. For added speed, wrap the bottle in a wet cloth. Just ensure you don’t forget it’s in there or it will become a wine cube!
If you find yourself with a half-finished bottle of Champagne, don’t believe in the Old Wives’ Tale about placing a teaspoon in there to preserve the bubbles. Instead, use an airtight bottle stopper designed specifically for Champagne. Kept in a cool, dark place this should make it last up to 72 hours.
Run out of wrapping paper?
For those who leave the wrapping until the last minute, opt for brown paper instead. It can be easily livened up with a bow or ribbon and you can draw festive imagery on it with marker pen. Plus, according to Recycle Now, it can be widely recycled with cardboard – making it a more sustainable choice than traditional Christmas wrapping paper which can't be recycled if it has any glitter or foil in the design.
Organise your fridge
Arranging your fridge properly will allow you to utilise all the space needed for leftovers. Just don’t forget food hygiene rules…
- Upper shelves: Foods that don’t need cooking, such as deli meats and leftovers.
- Lower/middle shelves: Dairy such as milks, cheeses, yogurt and butter.
- Bottom shelf: Raw food, such as meat and fish.
- Drawers: Vegetables, salads and fruit.
- Door shelves: Condiments, jam and juice.
The all-rounder stain remover
There’s no use crying over spilled anything! Keep some Ecover Stain Remover in your cleaning cupboard to eliminate stains. It can be used for food and drink spillages on white and coloured garments.
6 essentials to stock up on
You can never have enough of these...
- Sellotape
- Bin bags
- Matches
- Batteries
- Extra wide foil for the turkey
- Stamps
Our favourite Christmas garlands to give your home that festive touch
The White Company 180cm Pre-Lit Ultimate Pinecone Centrepiece Garland
The White Company's best-selling Christmas garlands are back. This beautiful pinecone one has a natural finish, incorporating a mixture of faux greenery, LED lights, fir branches, pinecones, twigs and white berries dotted throughout. It also comes with three hooks on the back, making it easy to hang above doorways or mirrors or use for your Christmas tablescape.
Combining rustic and luxury, this Christmas garland is the perfect centrepiece to your home this year. The top destination for all outdoor decorations and Christmas wreaths, Lights4fun also has a host of Christmas garlands to choose from this year too. A pretty mix of faux winter leaves combined with delicate gold berries woven into a twig base with LED lights, what more could you want from your Christmas garland?
A beautiful way to incorporate the well-known festive flower, this statement poinsettia garland will be a show-stopping decoration this year and the next. Whether its placed on your Christmas table as a centrepiece or draped over the top of your fireplace, it will always add a special festive touch to your decor.
Looking for a unique Christmas garland? This elegant one from Cox & Cox has definitely caught our eye this season. Designed with charming bristle brush-trees in two wintry tones dotted about its boughs, this is a gorgeous festive accent to any stairwell or mantlepiece.
This simple plain garland is all you need to add a touch of alpine style to your home this Christmas. You can decorate it how you wish with pinecones or with your choice of faux berries.
While it's all about your indoor home decor, why not add a luxe decoration to your outdoor display this year too. This clever Christmas garland is powered by solar panels and has 8 twinkly settings to choose from every evening.
Make your mantlepiece sparkle with this light up bauble garland. Super popular last year, get your hands on one before they sell out this Christmas.
Add a warm glow to your home with this frosted Christmas garland. Made up of artificial snow-dusted fir and eucalyptus, this festive garland will make any space feel like a winter wonderland.
Dibor Frosted White Christmas Garland With Lights
If you're looking for a hand-crafted Christmas garland, then take a look at this pinecone and bauble option from Dibor. This rustic style garland is all you need to add a natural touch to your festive decor.
Looking for a glamour Christmas garland? Affordable, stylish and magical, we love this frosted garland from Marks & Spencer. Measuring in at 10ft, this garland is perfect for draping round a stairwell for a dramatic, Christmassy effect in your hallway.
Transform your home into a Christmas haven with this vibrant candy cane Christmas garland. Designed with warm LED lights too, this garland would look great as a Christmas centrepiece in the middle of your table.
Ideal for decorating your children's room, we love this wooden reindeer and Christmas tree garland. The reindeers are even made with adorable pom pom noises too.
Seeing as the copper colourway is really in this Christmas, why not add the latest trend to your festive decs. Guaranteed to add drama and style, it's a gorgeous alternative to red, green and gold this time of year.
