With the Christmas season in full swing, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. With a house full of guests and endless entertainment to provide, it can be hard to keep up with all the extra mess and stress that comes with hosting over the festive period.
A recent survey revealed that almost a third of Brits spend more time cleaning at Christmas than actually enjoying it. Bah humbug! To help ease your load this holiday season, Oceans share their top tips for keeping your home clean and clutter-free while still enjoying all the fun of Christmas Day.
#1 Oven
The oven is arguably the star of the Nativity Scene. Ahead of the big day, set aside some cleaning time to ensure that it’s sparkling more than the star on top of your tree.
Mix ½ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of salt, and ½ cup of water into a paste before spreading it around the inside of the oven (avoiding vents and heating elements). Leave it overnight and then give it a wipe over in the morning. Ta-da, it’s all ready to cook that turkey (or nut roast) to perfection.
#2 Fridge
The fridge and the oven go hand in hand at Christmas time, so it’s best you give them equal parts attention, so one doesn’t get jealous of the other! Before Christmas Day, you should remove any out-of-date food from your fridge – recycling the packaging where appropriate, of course.
Emptying out your fridge also means you’ve got plenty of room for extra food like leftover turkey and pigs in blankets. Okay, who are we kidding… those pigs in blankets are going to get annihilated and it’s unlikely there’ll be any leftovers, but it’s the thought that counts.
#3 Organisation
Playing the hostess is hard enough, and then people start throwing the word ‘mostess’ around with it and suddenly everything feels overwhelming. Stop, breathe, relax, and get organised. For example, if you’re having the whole family over for Christmas dinner, make sure you have enough chairs, cutlery, and tableware for each guest.
Having a plan in advance will help ensure your holiday gathering is a success – and your stress levels are kept to a minimum. The last thing you want is Aunt Mary eating off the ironing board because the dining table isn’t big enough, and Cousin Patrick using a green spork for his turkey because there’s no spare forks.
#4 Recycling
You must ensure your recycling bins are empty ahead of Christmas Day to guarantee enough room for all the new card and carnage! When opening presents, make sure you have multiple bin bags to hand so you can separate your paper, cardboard and plastic straight away.
We’re not suggesting you take on the role of a human hoover while people are unwrapping their gifts. Still be present in the moment while people are opening their presents, just don’t leave yourself with a huge pile of mess at the end.
#5 Necessities
When it comes to planning for Christmas, stocking up on the necessities is key. Nobody wants to spend their special day running around looking for batteries, toilet paper and pepper! Avoid any unnecessary stress by making sure you are well stocked up on any items you deem essential for a successful day.
We recommend making a list of the items you need and doing your shopping way in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. You can also take advantage of online shopping to make the process easier (i.e to avoid getting into a spat over the last box of AA batteries on the shelf).
Christmas is for unwinding and having fun
Christmas time, mistletoe and wine – don’t worry too much about cleaning, and just have a great time! It’s perfectly natural to feel like you want to keep in control as much as possible – and keep the house in some kind of order as you move through the festivities – but don’t get caught up in worrying about stains and the mundane.
This time of year is all about relaxing, having fun, and making memories with loved ones. Phew, glad we’ve cleared this up – have a fantastic Christmas!
