How To Keep Your Festive House In Order

Well, it’s that time of year again! And if you are anything like us at Miller HQ you will be wondering where the time has gone!

Anyway, like it or not, it is the time of year when guests will arrive at your humble abode. They may not stay long, they may not be entirely welcome but they will be there nevertheless. Add to that the extra food, extra drink and presents and your home can suddenly feel a little smaller than it did in November! So, we thought we’d share a few tips about keeping your festive house in order, and your calm when all those around you are losing theirs!

FESTIVE CLEANING

Let’s face it; with the tree, the trimmings and the turkey it is virtually impossible to clean your home like you would every other week of the year. Our advice is to make sure you do all the big jobs before you decorate your home and then, for the duration of the festive period, concentrate on just dusting, hoovering and keeping your kitchens and bathrooms clean. Behind the sofa and the tops of the light fittings will certainly wait until new year. And let’s face it, most of your guest won’t care, and those that might are the ones you perhaps don’t worry what they think anyway.

FESTIVE FOOD

Food always poses a little bit of a dilemma albeit a nice one. There are the ones you know about that you cater for, so how many you have for Christmas Eve drinks, Christmas Day lunch and Boxing Day Breakfast. It’s the unknown’s that you wonder how to cope with…. those people that call in unexpected or the extra guests that re-arrange their plans to make your drinks party.

This is when your freezer can become your best friend. Buy lots of canapes that can be cooked from frozen; many of them are excellent but if you’re not sure why not try them before hand and do your research – well, someone’s got to haven’t they! A cheeseboard always goes down a treat and crackers and chutneys can be easily stored and used at a later date with the cheese not taking up too much room in the already over stocked fridge. Add in a couple of frozen desserts and a few baking ingredients so that you can always whip a quick sponge cake up and you will have this all under control.

FESTIVE DRINKS

Remember that you want to be able to offer a selection of drinks; you are not setting up your own independent bar! Obviously tea, coffee and hot chocolate are winter staples and particularly welcome if you have been for a winter walk. A tin of shortbread and some cream and marshmallows add a festive touch to the everyday.

We always favour quality over quantity so treat your visitors to some quality wine, a favourite gin of yours, a warming port that can be sipped whilst catching up. A cold beer and a chilled prosecco will often go down a treat too. And if you want to go to a little bit more trouble you could create your own Christmas cocktails – always a big hit!

It’s always worth catering for any drivers and the children too so a selection of soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer, cider or wine can be a nice festive treat for your designated drivers.

FESTIVE CLUTTER

You either love or hate this one! We know it’s only once a year but the clutter of presents, choccies, drinks and people in every corner of the house are just some people’s festive bugbear. Other’s enjoy the chaos, the time to relax and the change from routine when the rest of the year is normally spent organising, tidying, #hinching and being generally super-efficient.

One good way to manage is to set some boundaries. So, everyone, has to tidy their things before they retire at night; that includes the little ones and guests too so then order may be restored, if only temporarily!

FESTIVE GUESTS

This is another one where some people thrive on the additional house guests and some people quite simply don’t but have to do it anyway.

Planning ahead is definitely the key here. Find out how long they will be stopping. Will they be going to visit other people whilst they are your guests and if so, when and how long for? This will help you plan your meals and your own schedule rather than sitting around waiting for them. How many of them will be there? When it comes to adult children and their partners it can all become a little vague. Do they have any dietary requirements, things they are allergic to? And don’t presume you know from their last visit… food and health trends and medical reasons can see people adopt different eating and drinking habits.

If at all possible try and allocate your guests their own room; this will give them somewhere to enjoy their own company and have a break from the festivities; just as we all need every now and then.

FESTIVE FUN

Amid the perceived chaos let’s try and remember that the festive season is about enjoying spending time with our loved ones (here’s a list of 29 fun Christmas games your whole family will enjoy), something that we perhaps don’t do as much as we’d like to at other times of the years.

It may not seem like it when there is literally ‘stuff’ everywhere but in a few days they will all be gone, the party will have finished and normal life will resume. All that will be left will be memories so let’s all work hard this festive season in creating some happy ones that will last a lifetime.