Get your house in shape for visitors

✢ PrEParE For guEsts now, aVoIdIng thE FEstIVE PanIc. find out how many people are coming to you (or let hostesses know if you are going to theirs), and if this includes any new partners on the scene. Would they/can they stay over? send out reminders or invitations now – even a quick email will help you get organised. confirm any invitations you might have had now too. ✢ worK out IF you nEEd any Foldaway chaIrs, squashy floor cushions or blow-up beds. Pop spare duvets into the laundrette for a refresh, while you can pick up inexpensive festive bed linen sets from around £25. check you have enough spare pillows too.

✢ BEForE you start to dEcoratE For chrIstmas, new year. the best tradespeople get booked up well in advance, especially as everyone rushes to get those jobs done before christmas.

✢ clEan your oVEn (or if it’s the one job you hate, then book in a visit from your local oven clean at ovenclean.com, but again, these professional cleaning angels do get booked up). If you’re planning on doing lots of bake-ahead cooking, then leave until afterwards. dig out all your racks and shelves as you’ll need them for your christmas cooking. ✢ gEt your chImnEy swEPt if you have one – again, the busiest time for chimney sweeps is the autumn, so try to get it done sooner rather than later. you’ll be wanting to light your wood burner or fire to add to the festive mood, as well as get cosy in front of.

✢ ordEr your suPPly oF logs now too and keep them somewhere dry.

Buy a festive scent, such as The White Company’s Fir Tree (from £14 for a votive), which is woody and fresh, then your home will smell like Christmas

sainsburys. co.uk

snowy red hydrangea stem, £12, faux silver eucalyptus pick, £2,

do you want to get the room repainted? don’t leave this to the last minute – book a decorator in early november or leave it until the why not go to a wreath-making workshop?