It’s almost here, the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas can be such a magical time, and when our home feels most like ‘home’. However, it can come with a lot of work, especially if you really like to get into the Christmas spirit. At Jelson, we love Christmas and wanted to share some of the ways you can prepare your home for the festivities. 

Organise Your Home

We’ve posted before about spring cleaning, but what about the big Christmas clean? Now is the perfect time to have a sort out of old toys, clothes and general items that haven’t been used recently. This not only gives you a little more room for anything you receive this Christmas but gives you space to move anything that gets swapped for Christmas items (for example cushions that are replaced with Christmas ones). 

For any items that are in good condition but just not used or needed, please consider charity shops, food banks or donation boxes rather than the bin. This time of year especially, it can really help, but it’s also a lot better for the planet if others are able to reuse your items rather than them being thrown away. 

Create Hiding Places

As we all know, presents are stored at Santa’s workshop, ready for him to deliver. However, if you are temporarily storing some gifts at home and you want to keep them away from prying eyes, you will need a handy space or two to keep them hidden. 

While loft or basement space is handy if you have it, it may not be the most inconspicuous place to keep entering when you’re hiding gifts. For those not blessed with that extra space, or wanting to add an extra layer of ‘hidden away’, using suitcases to hide gifts can be useful and also helps to keep them safe, dry and stops them from getting dusty. Barely used this time of year, no one is likely to need one, and if they’re already taking up your storage space, it makes sense to use them. The same goes for any larger appliance boxes you’ve been keeping for ‘just in case’. If they’re sat empty and gathering dust, use them as a secret hideaway.

Laundry baskets can also make a handy hideaway (and a quick hideaway) depending on who uses them. In some households only one of you may be actively using the laundry basket, in others, everyone may take their turn, so this wouldn’t be the best hiding place. If you do go down this route, keep a clean item of clothing or bedding on top of them, to make sure your presents are kept safe and clean. Also don’t forget that they’re there, as your presents may be no use after a round in the washing machine! 

Elf On The Shelf Prep

Not all seasonal celebrations are just on the 25th December. Over the last few years, elf on the shelf has gained in popularity, but what a lot of prep it is! Now is the perfect time to plan and scan last year’s social media posts for ideas. Whether you want to do more elaborate scenes, or are just looking for a lot of easy ideas you can keep in the bag. 

This article in particular has a lot of great ideas. Our favourites from there that are simple to do are:

  • The elf on the shelf sledging idea - Take two candy canes, and place them underneath the elf, as if it were a sledge, and then secure them to a bannister to make a good sledge slope for the elf to play on. 

  • The elf on the shelf bubble bath Idea - Fill a bowl with mini marshmallows, and put the elf in the bowl submerged in the marshmallows - looks like they’re taking a relaxing bubble bath!

  • The elf on the shelf shoe idea - Put a line of shoes (toe to heel) so it looks like a train. Add elf to the front shoe as if they’re ‘driving’ the train. Bonus points if you have other cuddly toys or Christmas figures that can sit in the other ‘carriages’. 

If elf on the shelf isn’t your thing, you may just want to do an advent countdown. If you have a reusable calendar, food items, daily activities or a small note on each can be good. 

If you are looking for a home that has a bit more storage space, a bigger kitchen to achieve your Christmas dinner dreams, or need more room for your Christmas tree to really shine, take a look at our available homes in the East Midlands.