Getting your home Christmas ready

We know that for most of us, Christmas will be a bit different this year.

There may not be the usual large family gatherings, neighbours calling in for a mince pie or friends popping over for festive drinks.

But while uncertainly still surrounds who we can and cannot spend time with over the festive period, making the most of our own home and surroundings can help bring some added sparkle to the season.

For some of us, working from home may allow more time plan for Christmas  - which seems to have arrived early up and down the country !

But if you have yet to put up the tree, lights, and decorations, think about:

• Decluttering (bear in mind that charity shops may only be re-opening after lockdown and may be inundated with donations) so think about storing items away until it is safe to drop them off.
• Clear out the kitchen cupboards to make way for your festive food treats. Throw away anything that is out of date and if you have too many tins and packets you don’t think you will use, think about dropping them off at your local foodbank.
• Make space for the Tree – moving some furniture around will give your room a temporary new look, which may be nice following months of working from home with the same interior scenery.
• If you are not able, or don’t want to visit the supermarket in person, get your online grocery delivery slot booked.
• If you are wrapping presents, store them somewhere safe and out of view of opportunist thieves.

But before you get down to the nitty gritty of planning your Christmas, what about those bigger, complicated, or time-consuming jobs that you haven’t got round to doing? Well – there’s no need to put them off until after Christmas.

It’s not only Santa who has helpers at this time of year – Safe Local Trades has many tried and tested professionals who can help spruce up your home – meeting all the COVID-19-secure regulations of course - and be assured, the new Government Tier system that comes into place on the 2nd December does not affect having tradespeople in your home.

Top Five cleaning projects to give your home some Christmas TLC inside and out

-        Oven and hob

-        Carpets

-        Upholstery

-        Chimney sweep

-        Roof or guttering

However, as many of our traders have order books as long as Santa’s Naughty and Nice lists – contacting your preferred trader now may secure your booking before the Big Day.