Get ready for guests this Christmas!
If you’re expecting guests for Christmas, now is the time to make sure your house is in order. Have you got enough chairs and cutlery? Is the dining table big enough or will someone end up having their Christmas dinner on a tray on their lap? Here’s our room by room guest checklist.
Christmas is a time for getting together with your nearest and dearest – and often that means you’ll be hosting extra houseguests. Whether they’re staying for a week or just coming over for dinner, before they turn up on your doorstep make the time to check that you’ve got everything you need to accommodate them in comfort.
Living room
Could it be time for a bigger sofa? Hanging out in front of the telly together with a tin of chocolates is one of the joys of Christmas, but only if everyone can lounge in comfort. Our Alexander & James Bailey 3 seater sofa, is a great option as it is super roomy.
If you can’t fit in a new sofa, have you got room for an extra armchair? It could make a real statement piece – we love the Sofia by Alexander and James which is new in-store this season. High backed with hand buttoned detailing and antique studding, the occasional chair gives a modern twist to a traditional style.
Or why not introduce some pattern and colour to your living room with stylish arm chairs and footstools.
Dining room
How many people can you fit round your dining table? Christmas dinner is the most eagerly anticipated meal of the year, and is even more enjoyable if you aren’t bashing elbows with your neighbour. There are lots of clever solutions available if you’re hosting a big party, such as tables which extend and extras chairs.
The Suffolk Oak extending table, includes four chairs and cleverly expands to accommodate your diners.
If you need extra seating, you could invest in a few extra stools or chairs, which can then easily be stored away when not in use.
Kitchen
Have you got enough cutlery and crockery to go round? Now’s the time to do a stocktake and perhaps pick up some extra dinner plates and dishes the Denby Regencyrange is ideal plus its dishwasher safe! Don’t forget to stock up on knives and forks too – especially if you’re planning on serving up a three-course feast.
At Christmas you tend to make food in greater quantities than usual, so check that you’ve got big enough saucepans, baking trays, serving dishes and platters for buffet food. If cupboard storage space is at a premium, why not consider oven to tableware such as the Jet and Halo ranges by Denby or classic hardwearing Le Creuset, which will do two jobs in one?
Bedroom
Where will everyone sleep? If you’re short on space, a fold out sofa bed, which will provide extra seating and an extra place to sleep in one, is a great option. Or you could look into temporary solutions which are easy to store away when not needed, such as camp beds, air beds or futons. Don’t forget to check and see whether you need any extra sheets, pillows, duvets or blankets too. Your visitors will need somewhere to store their belongings as well – perhaps consider buying an extra storage.
Bathroom
Your guests might bring their own towels with them, but it’s a good idea to have some spares in case they don’t – at Aldiss we stock a wide range of towels at various pricepoints in myriad colours by brands including Bliss, Christy and Vossen. Ditto it’s worth getting in some basic toiletries such as spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel etc in case they forget to bring any essentials.
-
26th October 2016