How to prepare your home for Christmas

Countless surveys tell us that only money worries or coping with divorce are more stressful than the festive season – and it's easy to see why.

Competing with friends whose decorations are worthy of an interiors magazine shoot, dealing with an invasion of guests (welcome or otherwise), and working out just how much food you're going to need to feed them (and how on earth you're going to fit it all into the fridge or freezer), are just the beginning.

Even if you're no Martha Stewart when it comes to home-making and decorating, do not despair. These simple tips should help take the stress out of getting your home ready for Christmas. Unfortunately, we can't help you get rid of those unwanted guest though.

Declutter

You will need extra space for a number of reasons, from accommodating guests to hiding presents.

If you've been using the spare room for storage, you'll need to think about sorting it out in advance so your guests have a bedroom to sleep in. Even if you're not having any guests to stay, having a general clear-out will instantly make your home look tidier.

And all that junk under your bed? Get rid of it, so you have somewhere to hide all those presents you're buying.

Defrost

Take a look in your freezer towards the end of November.

Especially if you are planning on entertaining large numbers over Christmas, you'll be grateful if you start trying to empty it now.

Eat your way through whatever you can over the next month, allowing you to free up space, and get a head start on any festive food that you can buy in advance and freeze.

Be prepared

Of course, the key to a stress-free Christmas is to plan ahead and check you've got everything you need as far in advance as you can.

Do you have enough dining chairs to seat everyone? Are you going to be short of cutlery for Christmas dinner? Do you need to buy an inflatable bed for extra guests?

Don't leave these things until the last minute, or you may find it is too late – and nobody wants to have to be washing up cutlery between courses on Christmas Day.

Outside

Make a good first impression for arriving guests. The first thing they'll see is your front door, so smarten it up – give it a lick of paint if need be, and buy or make a festive wreath for it.

Christmas decorations are normally all about the tree that is inside, but that doesn't mean you can't decorate a tree outside too.

Make sure you plan this in advance. Choose a suitable tree or bush, check your lights are long enough to wrap round it and reach a power supply. And don't forget to check the lights work before you put them up.

Enjoy

Christmas should be a time of celebration, so don't forget to have fun!