How to get your home ready to host this Christmas

The most magical time of the year is almost here. Trees will be standing tall, carols will be playing, and families will be reunited for food and frivolities once more.

If you’ve invited family and friends to come to yours, then that means now is most definitely the time to get around sorting those imperfections that you’ve been living with for god knows how long. Sorting those jobs you’ve been putting off doing for weeks, months, maybe even years, really would be a Christmas miracle!

You’re not alone in living with those little imperfections of your home – there are many homeowners who’ve been blind to their home’s little issues – out of the homeowners we surveyed, 22% of them said they only get around to those unfinished jobs when they’re hosting something big, like a Christmas party!

Let’s help to get you Christmas host-ready!

Check out these 15 must-do jobs before you host this Christmas

Grab a notepad and pen, go for a walk around your home and scribble down all of the jobs that have been niggling away at you for too long. Or read on to see our shortlisted 15 jobs to prepare your house for Christmas.

Replace that cracked toilet seat

Number one on the list that pops up at this time of year is none other than the toilet seat. It’s a job that we often overlook until we have the dreaded fear of someone sitting on a cracked seat.

A local handyperson will be able to sort this for you quickly and easily.

Paint the guest room

Even if the guest bedroom is not going to be a central storage hub, it’s time to clear the clutter and give it a fresh lick of paint. It may be useful as a handy refuge for a post-lunch afternoon nap, so it’s good to keep it welcoming and the bed ready for any tired heads.

Remember that different paint types are suited to different spaces, so if your guest bedroom is a little on the dark side, opt for a semi-gloss. As well as being light reflective, it’s also stain-resistant and easier to clean – win-win!

If wrapping gifts is more your thing, then find a professional painter and decorator to take that stress away.

Repaint high-traffic areas

Freshening up areas around light switches, the scuffs on skirting boards and the scrapes behind doors can make such a difference to your home.

Start by cleaning and priming surfaces to remove grime and any cooking smells, then grab the paintbrush and get painting. Just ensure that any electrics are off when working near light switches and sockets.

Get your oven cleaned

A clean oven is an efficient oven. Avoid a turkey disaster this year by making sure that your oven is spotless and at its optimum performance. There are some great products on the market, but they tend to be time-consuming to use and don’t necessarily guarantee professional results.

A professional oven cleaner will take away your oven woes and have your pride and joy spotless in a matter of hours.

Service the boiler

As the nights draw in quickly and the temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to get your boiler serviced.

Servicing your boiler will ensure you dodge any unexpected chills and guarantee that everyone stays warm and cosy for their post-dinner nap.

Regrout the shower

The shower is about to be used way more than usual. Avoid any unwelcome leaks for your family by regrouting and resealing.

This is best left to the professionals. Find out the average costs here.

Deep cleaning

No matter how prepared you are, the day itself can be a bit manic. Starting the festivities with a thoroughly clean home should be the top of the agenda. In turn, this will provide a tranquil foundation for the fun to begin.

If Mrs Hinch isn’t your spirit animal, book in with a professional cleaner so that you can focus on the important things (like consuming those Quality Streets).

Carpet cleaning

Nothing screams a homely Christmas more than fresh carpets (okay, maybe the turkey dinner and the sweet scent of cinnamon drifting through the house…).

It’s recommended that you deep clean all your carpets once a year – or twice a year if you have allergies or pets. Getting your carpets professionally cleaned helps to restore them and lifts the pile for a ‘like new’ appearance.

Hire a professional to fit your outdoor Christmas lights

Looking for Christmas lights that make your neighbours go ‘wow’? Then why not consider hiring a professional for your holiday decorating.

Not only can they help design and put up your lights, but they can even help to take them down – meaning you get to avoid the dreaded repacking of the wires!

They may even provide a call-out service in case of any problems.

Install an outdoor electrical socket

If OTT Christmas decorations are your thing, you may already have outdoor power outlets installed. But if this is new to you, you’ll definitely need to get a qualified electrician in to accommodate your additional power needs.

Make sure you forward-plan to ensure plenty of time for any changes to your decoration plans. Take a look at the average costs to install an outdoor power socket.

Get your windows cleaned

If you’ve decided to install Christmas lights that rival those in Home Alone, then you may as well get your windows cleaned too. Nothing says Christmas like the sparkling of lights against windows.

Book to have your windows cleaned just before you plan to get your decorations up so that there’s minimal disruption.

Spruce up the bathroom

Consider additional storage options in the bathroom as you may need extra space for additional towels and toiletries. Also, make sure your toilet roll holder is in working order to store those extra rolls. If you have a compact bathroom, smart storage will be the answer.

Install extra storage

Adding extra hat and coat hooks near your home’s entrance is a really easy way to keep your house tidy as the family walks through your wreath-laden front door.

A rack on the back of a door is a simple and cost-effective way to free up more storage space.

Declutter living spaces

A Christmas clear-out is the best way to make space for all your shiny new toys.

Luckily, you don’t need to be Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy for you, you can get someone to do it for you. Find a professional cleaner to help add some Feng to your Shui.

Give the driveway a weed and tidy

No amount of Christmas decor will hide an overgrown garden. The front garden can be taken for granted so it’s important to tend to it to maximise kerb appeal.

Get a gardener in before you put the decorations up and consider a jet washer to freshen up the patio and paving.

Christmas preparation takeaways

The little jobs we overlook do add up, but these touches are what makes a house a home – particularly at Christmas time!

If there’s anything you’re not confident with, always get a professional in. A handyperson can take on various tasks but where jobs are more specialist, ensure a qualified professional is at hand.

For more ideas on how you can get your home Christmas-ready, from Christmas dining room ideas to eco-friendly decoration tips, take a look at our Christmas decoration ideas.