Planning ahead will have you smiling serenely through the festivities but you’ve got to know where to start. Here’s our ultimate guide to ensure Christmas cheer…
Working out who’s visiting and who wants to stay over now means no last-minute surprises as you can say ‘Sorry, we’re full’. Once you know who’s coming when, and for how long, ask if they can bring things like blow-up beds. If you don’t want anyone staying as it’s your first Christmas as a family, then make that clear early on. You could research and recommend some local hotels. Or maybe go for an ‘open house’ Boxing Day buffet so you don’t have to manhandle a massive roast for guests on Christmas Day.
“Most of my relatives are on Facebook so last year I sent them out an invite in October to work out how many would be coming to my house at Christmas,” says Laura Jenner, 38, from Kent, mum to Ryan, 5, and Ashley, 3. “They all replied pretty quickly and it meant I knew well in advance what was happening.”
