Planning & logistics

Think about just how far you have come. And I haven't even suggested a Excel spread sheet.  It will seem as though you have plenty of time but school holidays will kick in, sometimes as early as the 9^th December, and suddenly you are trying to do things with children around. Push ahead now.

Think about the day itself and what style of event you want it to be. Is it a formal sit down affair, or a casual grazing table? It is important to know because how many people equals how many chairs, glasses, serving plates, knives and forks - the list goes on. Those who entertain on a big scale regularly will know the score but the rest of us get caught out and ask guests to come with a stool and a set of cutlery – not good.  So sort out your table top,  how it will look and what you will need. Always get one extra of everything for the last minute invitee.

We're adding to our Christmas Pinterest boards every day, so visit for new ideas for decorating your home this holiday season. Below is Karen's advice over the last 4 weeks - only 5 weeks to go! 

House Proud (You Will Be)
Do you know that feeling when you suddenly see your home through someone else's eyes? What you thought was creative clutter suddenly looks like a plain mess or, as I experienced, as the sun hit the glass it looked like a host of sticky fingered children had smeared every inch of it. Evaluate your home with a degree of ruthlessness. How do you want your home to appear when guests arrive? Airy, crispy clean and light with fresh flowers and an aura of calm? 

Hopefully this home by Sydney interior designers Arent & Pyke will inspire you. Undertake a late spring clean and pack away (give away) what you can, give the bathroom a lick of paint, get the veranda repaired, the spare room revitalized and for goodness sake get those windows cleaned.

Week 3 - Present week.
While the organized amongst you will have squirreled away presents throughout the year, this is the week to take it really seriously.

The perennial question is what to buy for whom? Thoughtfulness often goes out the window when time is tight so now is the opportunity to consider options carefully. Explore online (I would say that wouldn't I) for ideas that can be delivered at the push of a button.  Think about allocating a budget and remember there are often small gifts needed for ballet teachers, coaches and colleagues.

Week 2 - The Light Touch Week 
Make a start. The smugness you will feel at doing three things on your Christmas Countdown list could make you slightly insufferable.

Tackle things that are often the prerogative of organized people – a booking at the hairdresser at a convenient time, the well-chosen case of champagne, the mail put on hold for when you are away. That person can be you.

Week 1 - Just Thinking 
I reckon if all you do this week is think about what you need to do and write a proper list that is enough. Make sure you ask yourself all the right questions.

Where is your mother-in law going to sleep?  Are your sheets up to scrutiny? Do you have enough chairs to seat 14? Does the dog need to be booked into a kennel when you go on holiday post Christmas.? Run through the entire holiday in your mind (stop short of back to school as that is too depressing) and make lists of all the things you need to do. It will add up and should, at this stage, be slightly daunting – but you are 10 weeks out.