Planning for Christmas now? It’s not as daft as it sounds!
Temperatures are expected to hit the mid-20s this weekend and many people will be planning to hit the beach to enjoy the last embers of Summer, but walk into your local Card Factory and you will notice that the card retailer has already launched its festive range of cards and gift bags.
Although Christmas seems an age away, (almost 17 weeks to be precise) whether you like it or not, it will be here before you know it.
While we’re not suggesting putting your tree up just yet, it’s never too early to start planning for the stressful Christmas period and now could be the perfect time to make a start.
Here are a few Summer Christmassy tasks that aren’t crackers and will get you ahead of the game –
Sort out your Christmas decorations. While putting up the Christmas tree is an activity most people enjoy and take the time to make it look its best, taking it down is a whole different story; a major hassle which is given little or no thought whatsoever. Of course, the quicker the decorations are packed away in the loft the sooner your house can return to normal. The problem, however, is that come next Christmas the box you threw up into the loft will now inevitably be full of broken baubles, a wonky tree topper and a dreaded ball of tangled lights.
Taking the time out now to sort through your decorations and throw away any broken or unwanted baubles will prevent any unwelcome surprises come Christmas time, and will help you identify what new decorations you need to buy.
Believe it or not, the end of Summer is a great time to buy new tree decorations and lights as many online retailers will still have items in the sale from last year, plus you can get be first to get your hands on New Arrivals and the latest trends for the forthcoming year!
Untangle your Christmas lights. There’s nothing more frustrating than putting up your Christmas tree only to be delayed by a huge tangled mess of knotted lights. Taking the time and effort to untangle your lights now will make the decorating process much quicker and more enjoyable.
Here are a few tips to help you untangle your lights –
1. Before attempting to untangle your lights, check they work first. You don’t
want to spend time untangling them only to find out they don’t work!
2. Locate the plug and use it as a guide.
3. Don’t pull hard on the wire. This will damage the lights and make the tangle worse.
4. Gently manoeuvre the plug in and out of the wires. Keep hold of the plug at all times.
5. As you untangle, keep the lines straight and lay them out flat on a table or on the floor
6. Keep the untangled strands away from your tangled strands.
7. Remember lights get tangled when they’re not stored properly. So save yourself the time, effort and headache by doing so this year!
Consider your Christmas plans. Planning on going away? Having to work Christmas Day? Talk to your friends and family about your arrangements over the Christmas period. Confirming your plans early will give everybody plenty of time to prepare.
If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, start compiling a list of the food you might need and consider how you’re going to dress the table and start buying a few table accessories. Candle holders, charger plates, table linen, special crockery and napkin rings will all make your table look gorgeous come the big day while our stunning centrepieces and are certain to impress guests.
Whether you want a create a Nordic-inspired theme, traditional colour palette or glamorous look, Christmas Time UK has everything you need in stock. Browse our site today and start getting some inspiration.
With time on your side, you can even consider crafting your own decorations and accessories.
Spread the cost of presents. If you need to buy lots of presents for friends and family, starting early isn’t such a bad thing as it allows you to spread the cost over a few pay days. December is a notoriously expensive month so buying a few things in advance will help ease the financial strain, not to mention the dreaded last minute rush. Let’s be honest, nobody likes trawling the shops for gifts on Christmas Eve.
Start writing down a list of present ideas and browse the internet for some bargains in the end of Summer sales.
Spending just a couple of hours planning for Christmas could be a worthwhile task, regardless of whether the sun is still shining, and will leave you feeling extremely smug as you sit back with your well-deserved Pimms!