Seeming to come round earlier every year, the festive season is almost upon us and now is the time to start sprucing up your home ready for Christmas. You can avoid the last-minute panic by keeping on top of things as you go along and Lakeland is here to help with a handy countdown to the big day. Just follow this week by week guide and you’ll be able to welcome friends and family with mulled wine and a smile rather than still cleaning with a frazzled face.
6 weeks before
De-clutter early and you’ll find everything else much easier. Recycle
old magazines, organise your bills and paperwork and shred any that you
don’t need anymore. Encourage children to sort their toys ready for
Santa’s new deliveries and invest in some storage to keep them tidy.

5 weeks before
Turn your attention to the kitchen and give your cupboards a thorough clear-out.
Throw away out-of-date packets and tins and if it’s still a bit tight
you can add instant space with extra shelves to make the most of the size.
Give the same treatment to your fridge and you’ll have more space
to chill wine, beer and soft drinks.

4 weeks before
First impressions count, which probably explains Lakeland’s annual
rush on doormats in December! Once you’ve decorated your door with
a festive wreath, don’t let a tired old mat let you down.

3 weeks before
Get ready for guests by sprucing up your spare room now. Clear out all the
clutter you possibly can and give it a good clean from top to bottom. Fresh
towels on the bed, a portable garment rail so they can unpack and a quick
spritz of room fragrance will make it feel like a home-from-home for your
loved ones.

2 weeks before
Make sure your oven’s ready for the turkey by giving it a thorough
clean. Oven Mate is unbeatable and you can use the time while it’s
working to get your glasses and china rinsed and ready for the 25th. After
a few days of festive meals your dishwasher will be working overtime –
perhaps an additional basket for the dishwasher will help you cope with
all the extra cutlery. Invest in a compost crock as well to put your veg
peelings to good use – Lakeland’s has been a best seller for
the last two years at Christmas!

1 week before
Dusting will be much easier before you’ve hung your decorations and
clean all your windows as well – an E-cloth is the best way we’ve
found to get them squeaky clean. How many of your decorations are damaged
when you get them from the loft? Make this the year to organise them, getting
rid of the ones that you don’t use any more. On Twelfth Night use
clear storage boxes are perfect to pack the ones away you have used safely
for next year – and a drawer organiser makes a brilliant divider for
baubles.

2 days before
Your festive shop is likely to be bigger than usual – make sure you’ve
got some Supermarket Savers to make it easier to carry back. For an alternative
decoration you could pick up a bay tree from the garden centre and dress
it up with ribbons and display in a silver bin for added effect.

1 day before
Sit back and relax with carols on the stereo and a glass of something festive
as you wait for your guests to arrive, safe in the knowledge that you and
your home are ready to face Christmas!
Wheely Window Box, ref 21810, £9.99 each
Stuff Shelves, small ref 21878, £4.99, large ref 21879, £7.99
‘Make an Entrance’ Mat, ref 21803, £24.99
Microfibre Towels, hand towel ref 20740, £4.99 each, bath towel ref
20738, £8.99 each
Portable Garment Rail, ref 21710, £39.99
Tasmanian Lavender Body, Room & Pillow Mist, ref 7234, £6.50
Dishwasher Cutlery Basket, ref 21779, £9.99
Compost Crock, ref 20428, £14.99
Clearview Storage Boxes, from £1.99 - £15.99
The Drawer Organiser, small ref 8167, £7.50
2 Supermarket Savers, ref 2155, £11.99
Umbra Metal-Look Bin, ref 21881, £14.99
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