Christmas is a time when we love to welcome people into our homes, whether it is our neighbours coming round for drinks, family meals, guests coming to stay or New Year’s Eve parties.  Here are some ways to make your home guest ready.

Create cosy places to relax

Investing in some lovely blankets and throws to layer up on your favourite chair or sofas will create cosy spaces for your guests to relax. Look for different fabrics, textures and colours to create contrast and interest; chunky wool, fur and thick velvet fabrics are perfect for adding natural warmth. I love tartan and checks for a traditional feel.

Plan your Christmas table

If you are hosting Christmas lunch or dinner, it is the perfect excuse to create a stunning tablescape for your guests. Start with beautifully coloured table linen, sparkling glassware and your finest tableware and plan your scheme around that. You’ll need crackers, napkin holders, table decorations, place mats, candlesticks and place holders. Pinterest is an amazing source of inspiration for different styles of Christmas tablescapes. You can go Scandi, dramatic, vintage, glamorous, colourful, traditional and make every festive meal special with showstopping table-setting ideas. 

Style up a cocktail bar

During a recent press trip, I saw a beautifully arranged and perfectly lit bar cabinet. It was filled with colourful vintage glassware and quirky cocktail-making accessories, perfect for hosting a Mad Men style drinks party. 

It’s easy to create a bar area at home. Just use a sideboard or a trolley.  I love to find interesting wines and spirits from independent wine merchant. Serve your drinks in pretty glasses and start the festivities with a glass of champagne or a cocktail!

Make your guest bedrooms cosy

Before guests arrive, make sure your spare bedrooms are cosy and welcoming.

I like to dress my beds with cotton flannel, velvet flannel or Egyptian cotton sheets to give a boutique hotel feel. Layer on an extra quilt or blanket to really increase the comfort factor. If you add a basket of posh toiletries, a couple of books and a carafe and glass for water you will make it extra comfortable for Christmas visitors. I like to up the hotel vibes, by adding a couple of white bath robes and a Roberts Radio to listen to in the morning!

Scent your home

Scented candles are brilliant for creating a festive atmosphere. I always have fun finding a different Christmas scent for each year. The scents you should look out for are pine, oud, fig, bitter orange, cinnamon, clove, fir and anything spicy. The White Company sell a candle called “Winter” which, for me, is the smell of Christmas but so many brands now create bespoke Christmas candles so there is plenty of choice. If you have children, safer formats like scent diffusers and room sprays also work well.

With just a few small tweaks, you can make your home into the perfect Christmas-ready home for your guests.