Are you counting the days until Christmas? We have less than a month to go! Most households have already started decorating and making their first Christmas purchases. Additionally, for many families, it is the opportunity to go back to traditional Christmas celebrations. The pandemic has forced people to celebrate in small committees in 2020, keeping vulnerable family members in self-isolation. However, this year’s vaccine roll-out makes it easier and safer for you to have family over for Christmas.
Needless to say, this Christmas will be big, bold, and plentiful! However, if you are planning a large dinner with your loved ones, you need to be aware of some of the most common issues that can ruin the mood. Christmas dinner is stressful even with the best of will. There’s so much to prepare! So, there’s no need to make things more difficult for yourself. Here is what to consider to avoid unpleasant family reunions in December.
You over-decorated to impress
It’s easy to get a little overboard with your interior decor. If you haven’t invited your relatives for a long time, you might want to make a good impression with a new decor. Changing the old sofa for a new one might sound like a good idea at first. But suddenly, you realise too late that the new piece is far too big for your room. Failing to measure your room and furniture can make everything feel awkward and cramped. While it is tempting to bring in new furniture when you have guests, you need to keep your room dimensions in mind. Otherwise, the end result may be overwhelmingly busy and unpleasant.
You forgot to prepare the garden
Who needs the garden at Christmas? The answer is literally everyone. When you have a lot of guests at home, the garden offers easy access to fresh air. Smokers may want to head outside for an after-lunch cigarette. Others might seek a little bit of coolness and calm away from talkative guests. Your garden becomes an essential part of your Christmas dinner. While it doesn’t mean you should consider a new landscaping project, you can add essential items to make your patio comfortable, such as outdoor heating from Poplar Nurseries and some outdoor furniture.
You relied too much on the oven
It’s almost impossible to prepare Christmas dinner without an oven. However, if you are cooking for a large party, your oven might be on for several hours. Using your oven raises the temperature inside the home. While it’s typically good news in winter, it can rapidly become unbearable when you’ve got a lot of guests. By the time your guests settle around the table, your home might be up to 5 degrees Celsius warmer, which can be unpleasant for family members wearing heavy Christmas jumpers and wool. Ideally, it’s a good idea to have a few cold dishes to keep the temperature down. Alternatively, you can also consider ordering Christmas food as it will make your life a lot easier.
There’s still plenty of time to plan for Christmas dinner. Comfort will be a priority this year, as most families will have their first Christmas in a large group since 2019. Therefore, making sure nobody feels overwhelmed will make a big difference. From creating a spacious and cosy interior to providing a refreshing escape, there are a few things you can do to keep everybody happy!
Love Lilla xx