Expert Advice: How to prepare your home NOW in time for Christmas

How to prepare your home for Christmas is something most of us leave far too late — and every year we promise ourselves we won’t do it again.

From sorting the guest room to testing the outdoor lights, getting ahead now means December stays enjoyable rather than stressful.

Here’s exactly where to start.

How To Prepare Your Home For Christmas – Install A Stove Or Fireplace Before Christmas

The stove experts at Stovax.com very kindly let us know their advice by saying:

“A stove or fire brings that ambience so many of us are looking for: the warm glow of flames, the cosy interior, the feeling of togetherness with family and friends.

There is nothing quite like sitting by the fire at Christmas.

If this is the picture you want for your home during the festive season, then now is a good time to get your stove installed.

Getting ahead gives you plenty of time to consider plans for your fireplace at your own pace, and means that you can also take your time researching the stove you would like, or even make any substantial changes to your home such as building an opening in the wall.

This means that come Christmas time, you can enjoy simply sitting back and immerse yourself in the cosy comforts of your new fireplace.”

Get Your Guest Room Christmas-Ready

We’ve received some tips from Sharps.co.uk on how you can get your guest room in tip-top shape for the festive season. They said: “Winter is approaching fast, and with that comes the excitement of the holidays just around the corner. 

Although Christmas may feel like some time away, no doubt you will have plenty of friends and relatives who are already planning on how and where they will be spending the festive season.

If your home always feels like it is the central hub of everyone’s social visits, you must be ready for when those unannounced visitors come knocking.

🔗 Christmas Guest Room Bedding Set — Dunelm

“Bedding: Store festive bedding and blankets in the wardrobe. This leaves the option for visitors to add an extra layer of warmth if they get a bit nippy in the night. Use good quality sheets such as cotton or linen. 

And if you have space, you may even want to consider purchasing a luggage rack to keep grubby suitcase wheels off the bed!

Accessories: Having festive flowers or a small bottle of your favourite Christmassy scent goes a long way to making your guest feel right at home.

Moving on to bedtime, some guests may like to read before they hit the hay. So be prepared with a few good Christmas reads and leave them on the chest of drawers; it doubles up as décor for the room too!

Lastly, pop an alarm clock on the bedside table. It might not seem like much, but it gives your guests freedom to take charge of their mornings.”

Sort Your Outdoor Christmas Lights Now

We here at UnderTheChristmasTree like to think of ourselves as Christmas experts and are as full as Santa’s sack with advice, tips and tricks when it comes to planning for the festive season.

Untangling last year’s lights in the cold and dark is nobody’s idea of festive fun. Dig them out now, test every string and replace anything that’s given up. Far easier in October sunshine than on a freezing December weekend with a deadline.

While you’re at it, check whether you have an outdoor power point close enough to where you want to hang them. If not, a weatherproof extension lead is a simple fix – just make sure it’s rated for outdoor use before you plug anything in.

🔗 Outdoor Christmas Fairy Lights — Amazon UK

Update Your Kitchen Before The Festive Rush

Christmas puts your kitchen through its paces. From the Christmas Eve prep to the big day itself, the last thing you need is an oven that’s unreliable or a fridge that can’t cope.
Book any appliance servicing now – oven cleaning, fridge seal checks, extractor fan filters – while tradespeople are still available.

Stock your cupboards with the non-perishables you’ll need: stock, flour, spices, baking essentials.

And if your kitchen could do with a refresh before guests arrive, a new set of mixing bowls or a decent roasting tin makes all the difference on the day.

From a crackling stove to a guest room that actually feels ready, a little preparation now means Christmas arrives on your terms rather than in a rush.

Start ticking these off in September and December becomes the celebration it’s meant to be.

👉 Planning Christmas from scratch? Our Christmas countdown guide tells you exactly how long you’ve got.