Christmas is a truly treasured time of the year. It’s the season to eat a little extra, relax a little more, and – of course – spend quality time with your nearest and dearest.
If you’re planning to host a few get-togethers with friends and family this festive season, there’s no need to stress over the state of your house. You don’t need to spend hours scrubbing it top to bottom before the guests arrive.
Have your home feeling festive and ready to entertain in mere minutes with these smart cleaning tricks.
FOCUS YOUR ENERGY ON THE MAIN ROOMS
If you’re short on time (and perhaps patience), the whole house certainly doesn’t need to undergo a full clean. Concentrate your cleaning efforts on the areas guests are likely to see, such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, entranceway and main bathroom – the bathroom in particular should be spick and span!
Speed clean these areas with a vacuum (a stick vacuum works marvellously for an easy, quick clean) and tidy up. Carry a basket with you to pick up any clutter in each room, and run a microfibre cloth along benchtops and surfaces.
Want to cut your cleaning in half? Shut the doors of any rooms you don’t want guests to see. A shut door is a simple signal that the room is a no-go area.
ENSURE THE AMENITIES ARE STOCKED
Despite your stresses, your guests won’t be worried about the dust on the TV cabinet or the shoe rack that’s in disarray. Shift your focus on making sure your guests feel comfortable in your home by having all the right amenities available to them.
If they’re just there for a dinner party, this might simply mean stocking the toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. If they’re staying overnight, a care package with fresh towels, toothpaste and maybe even shampoo and conditioner would be a thoughtful addition.
USE AMBIENT LIGHTING TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
If they can’t see the mess, does it even exist?
Turn off the harsh lighting and use candles, fairy lights (it is Christmas, after all) and low-lit lamps to bathe your home in attractive lighting. You may even want to swap out a few of your bulbs for a coloured hue (such as pink or blue) to create a cosy ambience.
ADD THE WELCOMING TOUCHES
It’s the little things your guests will appreciate most. Create an inviting space for your guests to enjoy at Christmas by:
- Opening the doors and windows to allow fresh air to waft in
- Lighting a few scented candles
- Placing bouquets of fresh flowers around the home
- Hanging a wreath on the front door
- Putting on music (if it’s Christmastime, carols are a must)
- Throwing a few cosy throws over the couch.
There’s no need to stress about cleaning every inch of the home when it’s so easy to make your guests comfortable with just a few simple details.
