7 fail-safe festive hacks for a stress-free Christmas
From creative tips to time-saving solutions, we’ve got you covered with the best Christmas life hacks to ensure your household is relaxed and care-free over the holiday season.
Intro image: Pixabay
Image: Homesense
While the festive season is filled with fun and excitement, it can also come with a few mishaps along the way. From turkey shortages to drunken spillages, it’s always the little things we forget to prepare for that cause the most stress on the big day.
Avoid the chaos and prep your home for a stress-free Christmas by taking heed of our totally clever, fail-safe festive hacks.
Order your turkey online
Image: Marks and Spencer
If you don’t buy off the shelf, the last date for turkey orders at supermarkets and online is around 15th December for delivery, or 20th – 24th December for collection. If you find yourself turkey-less, try your local supermarket during those four days to see if any orders haven’t been collected or have been refunded.
Make sure your fully prepped before Christmas day, by learning a few tips and tricks on how to cook the perfect turkey to impress your guests.
Turn a sideboard into your own cocktail bar
Image: Debenhams
Transform your sideboard into a cocktail prep area. Use metallic trays or coasters to prevent watermarks, then arrange your mixologist’s kit – a shaker, bar tools and a measure – along with a few different-sized glistening glasses.
If you’ve already got a space to store your spirits and shakers, add a touch of glam by styling up your bar cart for those big festive parties.
Dress your Christmas table setting with decorations from the tree
Image: Next Home
Add sparkle to each Christmas place setting by accessorising with a hero bauble or decoration – take them from the bottom or back of your tree where they won’t be missed for a twist on the traditional table.
Prepare for dreaded spills
Image: Lakeland
Whatever the spill, react fast by having a kit on standby. Use kitchen paper and a few microfibre cloths to pat into the spill (never rub), have an old newspaper on hand to wrap up any breakages, as well as a small dustpan and brush, masking tape or catching those stubborn shards of glass and a few specialist cleaning products.
Save leftovers for Boxing Day lunch
Image: Posh Sandwiches, Rosie Reynolds
For a simple way to not only use up any excess ingredients, but create something as delicious as your dinner, why not make a hearty stuffing for a posh post-Christmas sandwich?
All you need is an onion, apple and some cranberries to add to any leftover sausage meat, along with fresh sage and rosemary, cooked chestnuts and breadcrumbs. Use thick-cut crusty bread, spread generously with mayonnaise, and top with sliced turkey then the cooked stuffing,with cranberry sauce to finish – a proper Boxing Day treat! Find the full recipe in Posh Sandwiches by Rosie Reynolds, £12.99, Quadrille.
Turn a shop-bought dessert into a showstopping dessert
Image: Talking Tables
If your dessert is shop-bought, don’t fear – decant onto a posh plate, add a quick berry garnish and indoors sparklers for a touch of drama. We swear, no one will know the difference.
Avoid clutter with a festive card holder
Image: Cox and Cox
Avoid the pile up of cards on every surface with a clever card hanger. Be careful not to overload it, or simply use to proudly display your favourite ones. Alternatively, go old-school with a length of ribbon or string pinned taut in two neighbouring corners of a room and hang cards over as they arrive.
And take note of the last-minute postal dates
Just don’t forget your stamps!
- Tuesday 18th Dec 2nd Class, Royal Mail Signed for 2nd Class
- Thursday 20th Dec 1st Class, Royal Mail Signed for 1st Class, Royal Mail Tracked 48 (online service)
- Friday 21st Dec Royal Mail Tracked 24 (online service)
- Saturday 22nd Dec Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
Do you have any fail-safe Christmas hacks to share? Tweet us @goodhomesmag or posting a comment on our Facebook page.