Christmas is right around the corner. While some of you might already have your Christmas trees up, we know there are plenty of you who are still blissfully unaware that in almost 30 days, Santa will be sliding down the chimney and drinking everything in sight as he stuffs stockings (and himself with cookies). It’s all good. No need to panic. But there are a few things you might want to think about now to prepare.
Christmas Countdown
Make a list. Check it twice…
So what do you have to do before you get swept away in holiday preparations?
- Decide where your holiday festivities will be held this year – Are you making a turkey? Will your in-laws be hosting this year? Do you have to scramble between several different Christmas dinners? Will you have any overnight house guests, and if so, where will you put them?
- Make a date – Whether you or someone else is hosting, grab your calendar and organize when all the events will be taking place. You don’t want to double book yourself and miss out on any of the fun to be had.
- Write your gift giving list – Who do you have to buy for? Children, parents, co-workers, friends, clients, or more? You’ll want to make a list to keep it straight, so you don’t forget anyone and have to scramble at the last minute
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
Mother Theresa
That’s a good start, but there’s a long way to go yet.
Christmas Decorations
For those of you who decorate, you might want to go through your decorations to see what shape they are in. Do you need to buy lights? Are you in need of more decorations? Where is the Christmas Tree going this year and when do you want to put it up? If you are hosting, do you have enough plates, cutlery, glasses, and chairs to accommodate the expected number of guests?
Speaking of hosting, how does your house look? Did you finish all your fall cleaning? If you haven’t, there are a few essentials to do long before guests arrive; wipe your kitchen cupboards, clean your oven, purge your fridge. These are spaces your guests will see if they come into the kitchen at any point. They probably won’t go snooping around your cupboards, so just worry about keeping the surfaces clean. A beautiful Christmas wreath, garland, urn, or tabletop decoration will draw their eye instead. It’s all about the decor!
If it isn’t scheduled, you can forget about a kitchen remodel at this point, but there are things you can do to make your kitchen look its best.
How to Make your Kitchen Look its Best for the Holidays (without the makeover)
- clear out the clutter
- add a seasonal rug
- switch out artwork to Christmas themed art
- string a garland from the chandelier
- place Christmas decorations, pine cones, or osage oranges in a bowl or vase
- add a festive tablecloth
- slip on seasonal slipcovers over your chairs
- dim the lights to hide imperfections
- add ambience with candles
Do you have other problem areas in your kitchen that you want to hide? Add evergreen boughs, ribbons, or bows to add festive flair. Be creative. You can worry about bigger upgrades in the New Year. For now though, make the holidays merry and bright.