If you're hosting Christmas this year, you may be dreading the chaos of presents, ornaments, and time-consuming turkey preperation. To lend a helping hand, professional organisers Kim and Lyn of A Sorted Affair have put their heads together to offer some game-changing tips ahead of Christmas.
1. Christmas toolbox
Make a Christmas toolbox. This should contain the things your home needs day to day over Christmas period. Batteries, wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, tiny screwdrivers, that all important Wi-Fi code for family guests, recycle bags, earplugs!
2. The Christmas press
In addition to the toolbox, make a designated Christmas press. Have all the Christmas essentials tucked away like the drinks, extra cards, and the posh napkins! Pop everything you know you will need in one easy-to-reach space. If you have a particularly busy morning ahead, prepping these the day before can be a great time-saver.
3. Fridge/freezer
Get your fridge and freezer Christmas ready. Check both for out-of-date items - don't forget to recycle - remove everything and give it a good clean and think about how you are putting it all back in. Try to use up items that are almost empty in the days running up to the Christmas shop to give you more space. And please don’t forget your list! It’s the worst time of year for over shopping so help reduce waste and make a to-do list!
4. Head start
Buy fresh veg, peel, prep, and freeze. Make stuffing and prep items like potatoes in advance. Pop all your stocking fillers in a box together so you're ready to grab and fill!
5. Christmas clothes
Get everything washed and sorted in advance! Plan your outfits for the week ahead. Hang outfits together with accessories like tights and jewellery. Nothing worse than the last-minute dash on Christmas Eve!
6. Future you
Think about all those pain points around Christmas, the moments you feel the most stress or overwhelm? Try to break them down and ask yourself what would make it easier, see what you can do days or even weeks in advance to help yourself!
Extra nuggets of wisdom:
- Wrap presents on your ironing board
- Use last year’s cards to make sustainable gift tags!
- Keep empty Pringles tubs - they make the best Christmas light storage.
- Outfit plan, hang everything you need on one hanger for grab-and-go!
- Take three minutes in any room and see if you can eliminate three things? Make some space and donate to charity!
For more information, tips and home organisation products visit https://www.asortedaffair.ie/
