A Hassle-Free Christmas – Your Guide for Holiday Preparation & Gift Ideas
Christmas and the holiday season are nearly here, and you have probably already noticed the shops are all starting to look a lot like Christmas. So, whether you’re a fan of Christmas and family gatherings, or not, if you start to prepare now rather than leave everything to the last minute, you will be able to enjoy a hassle-free Christmas.
If you are hosting the family get together, you will have an added element of organisation to contend with and there are a few things you can do right now that will ease the pressure and have you looking like the organisation queen of Christmas.
Your priority should be to manage sleeping arrangements and chances are, you won’t have a spare room for each family member, so a great solution is fold out sofa beds. They are incredibly convenient, portable, and comfortable for sleeping.
They will also increase the seating space so that everyone can enjoy each other’s company and comfortably gather in the living room rather than having to rely on dining room chairs.
Another fabulous option to increase your seating, is to get a few ottomans and buy some floor cushions. In addition to increasing your seating capacity, ottomans and cushions are a great way to enhance your interior decor and maybe even add a splash of colour.
A comfortable rug is also a great addition and the perfect place to sit and play board games or bring out the popcorn and watch a movie.
Fun & Furniture
One of the best things about holidays, is we get to spend a bunch of time outdoors and we certainly live in the best part of the world to do that.
The range of outdoor furniture available is extensive, to say the least, so think about the vibe you are wanting to create in your outdoor space and invest in furniture that fits with that ‘feeling’.
It may include sun lounges to relax around the pool, an outdoor lounge so you can comfortably sit and watch the kids play or you could really step up your entertaining area and add a BBQ kitchen.
Featured products available at Harvey Norman.
Dining Dynamics
Dining with a full house can be difficult unless you have prepared ahead. There’s a couple of ways you can ensure there’s space for everyone without sitting on each other’s lap and the first is with foldable tables and chairs.
These need not be expensive and you can buy matching sets or have some fun with the idea and buy mismatched tables and chairs and then use some fun décor to bring it all together.
The other option is to buy the complete outdoor dining table set, that you know will comfortably cater for extended guests. Either way, if you’re entertaining outdoors, enjoy decorating the area with fairy lights, faux plants, and candles. Dining outdoors can be a magical experience especially as this time of year.
Featured product available from Remarkable Furniture.
The Cherry on Top 🍒
A beautifully set Christmas table is like the cherry on top when it comes to this special day and does take some planning.
Do you want to work to a theme and a particular colour scheme? Do you want it to be a formal setting or a more casual and relaxed feel? Will you be celebrating with lunch or dinner? Start by thinking about these points and then try visioning your family and friends sitting around your dream Christmas table.
Once you have this picture in your head, it will make it a whole lot easier to put together a list of decor you will need to create the perfect setting.
Featured product available at Bed Bath & Table. Opening Soon.
Inexpensive Gift Ideas
Make a list, check it twice, it doesn’t matter if they’ve been naughty or nice, you will need to work out what gifts you’re putting under the tree and here are some great ‘inexpensive’ ideas.
Surrounding yourself with soft and calming fragrances is one of the best self-care methods and what a fabulous gift. Our picks are scented candles, diffusers and don’t forget hand creams.
Bluetooth speakers are all the rage and are especially popular among the younger age group but will pretty much be a hit with anyone who loves music.
You can never have enough stylish decanters and they are a very cool gift for anybody who loves a glass, or two, and there are currently some very spectacular designs to choose from.
When in doubt, choose art. Wall art is a perfect gift when you are unsure what kind of items the person prefers to use as it’s often neutral, elegant and beautiful all at the same time.
Soft, fluffy, comfortable and the perfect gift for someone who loves changing up the décor in their home, is the humble cushion.
- Glasshouse Gingerbread House, 380g Candle, $54.95. Domayne
- Peppermint Grove Coconut & Lime Diffuser, 350ml. $39.95. James Lane
- JBL Clip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Pink. $88. Harvey Norman
- Rainbow Framed Canvas Print, $39.95. Bed Bath & Table
- Morgan & Finch Adore Scented Candle, 200g, $34.95. Bed Bath & Table
- Glasshouse I’ll Take Manhattan Orchids & Blood Orange Hand Cream, 100ml. $34.95. Domayne
- Cushion Scatter Nightingale-Citron, 45cm x 45cm, $39. Remarkable Furniture
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Lagoon Blue, $199. Harvey Norman
- Salt & Pepper Bond Lined Decanter, $69. Domayne
Style tip:
Have fun with furniture and get creative, pairing pieces that you would usually never dream of putting together.