Create all the Space You Need for a Magical Family Christmas

Christmas is coming, with lots of families looking forward to long-delayed reunions. If your house is where everyone is gathering, you might be looking round wondering how you’ll fit everyone in comfortably.

Make Space

Often, the best way of doing this is by being ruthless about clearing away the clutter. It’s surprising how much roomier it feels when surfaces are clear, small items are put away and everywhere is cleaned and polished.

So, tackle that first. You can put ornaments and most photos away for safe keeping, then use those areas for Christmas cards, advents and candles or nativity scenes. 

Other things to look at include bigger items of furniture. Anything in the living room that can’t be a table or sat upon is fair game when you’re trying to seat more people than normal. Consider taking down bookcases, packing away floor lamps, putting toy chests and dog beds elsewhere, along with other random things such as hobby gear or sports stuff.

By clearing as much floor space as possible, you make room for kids to play with new toys, for a few folding chairs to use in a pinch, or maybe a couple of floor cushions for children to lounge on while they watch TV, leaving sofas and chairs for the grownups.

To save simply moving items out of one room and into another, consider renting a self storage unit. You’ll have as much space as you need to keep packed-up possessions safe and can really go to town in making space at home. If you want overnight guests but use your spare room as an office or games/hobby room, self storage rooms give you somewhere to easily make way for guest bedroom furnishings.

 

Rethink Christmas Lunch

While it’s traditional for everyone to sit down at a huge, laden table, it’s often not practical. The reality can be cramped quarters and frayed tempers.

Instead, consider a hot buffet. You’ll have the same menu and festive table decorations, but you won’t have to worry about place settings. The whole table is your buffet display unit. 

Guests can serve themselves, then sit where they like, using lap trays if that’s more comfortable. It’s easy to go back for seconds, and brussels sprout avoiders won’t feel watched. Create a pop-up home bar, either on a sideboard or a clean area of the kitchen counter, for wines and soft drinks.

If the buffet idea doesn’t appeal, maybe you could have a separate small table for children rather than trying to squeeze everyone round a single table? Make sure it’s close by so they’re included in the main party and make it special with child-themed decorations and activities.

 

Creating Atmosphere with Lights

With so many battery-operated string lights to choose from, there’s no reason not to carry lights all over the house to help with the cosy, Christmassy feeling. Instead of just looping over doorways or dropping them in vases, try one or two of these ideas:

• Create bespoke light shapes on walls. Use either small suction hooks or tiny nails to create the outline on the wall, then loop the lights around them.
• Wrap lights around a Christmas wreath for an added festive sparkle.
• Make chandeliers by wrapping lights around hula hoops.
• Place pinecones and lights inside decorative jars for a lovely glow anywhere, including the bathroom.
• Add baubles and lights to stairways and banisters.
• Look for lights shaped like snowflakes or stars to add a magical twinkle to windows and doorways or porches.
• Weave shimmering lights around the dishes on the buffet dining table, as well as adding candles. Fake candles can look very realistic if you don’t want the risk of real flames.

 

Storage is Not Just for Christmas

After Christmas, use your storage room to keep all your decorations, special bakeware, extra seating, and spare room furnishings until they’re needed again. In fact, with a self storage room on hand, you can store all your out of season possessions and only ever have the things you’re currently using at home. 

Storage facilities are all over the country, with many also offering packing materials if you need boxes, bags, or bubble wrap. It’s well worth investigating to help you create a special, magical Christmas at home with all the space you need.

*This is a collaboration post