Hosting Christmas day presents its own set of challenges, particularly if it is your first time. Thousands of first-time-buyers have settled into their new homes in 2022’s buoyant market, and if you’re hosting this year’s festivities in your first home, here’s how to do so on a budget…
Decide who is coming
It’s easy to lose track of your visitors, especially if you have a large family with extended families. This is why it’s important to formally invite people and create a guest list so you know exactly how many people to cater for and any individual needs, such as vegetarian diets or allergies, that you’ll be attending to. This will also allow you to budget appropriately – but keep in mind that if people are being vague about coming, you may have to push them for a definitive answer.
Space saving
Even the largest homes can feel crowded on Christmas day, so it’s a good idea to think about spacing out your decorations and furniture to make room for your guests. This could also save you a few pennies you might have spent on extra decorations, as stripping them back will make the space feel less cluttered and chaotic.
Make sure your hallway has enough space for the anticipated traffic flow, and make use of any storage space, such as cupboards under the stairs and hangers, in preparation for the impending bundles of coats, scarves, and umbrellas.
You may also benefit from moving your dining table to a central position within the room, so there’s plenty of space to serve and entertain. Extra chairs or benches also never go amiss and it’s advisable to have a few spares in case of any unexpected guests. If you have any plastic or wicker garden chairs hibernating in storage, don’t be afraid to clean them up, add a cushion and bring them inside for the day.
Start preparing a month early
When it comes to budgeting for Christmas, the earlier you start, the better. You can hone in on some great deals right before the Christmas season hikes up the prices, and planning ahead will spread out your costs. If you’re planning on decorating your dining table to the nines, Christmas cloths and embellishments go on sale as early as September, and you can store away for a later date after bagging yourself a great deal.
Another way to keep your spending in check is to plan the menu early and send over to your guests beforehand. This will eliminate any last-minute spending and you can get feedback from your guests early if anything needs tweaking. You can also create a set drinks list so that you can receive discounts for purchasing in bulk rather than overspending on various types of beverages. This will also encourage your guests to bring their own bottles if they require something specific on the day.
After Christmas dinner
Entertaining for the first time can sometimes feel like you need to plan out every last detail, but your friends and family will just be happy to spend time with you in your new home. There’s no need to overspend on activities and games for after Christmas dinner. Arrange your furniture into a ‘U’ shape, move the coffee table to one side, and set the stage for charades, unwrapping presents and some classic TV specials.
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