Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2016 and may now be outdated.
While some people are checking off the final items on their present list, the less organised amongst us are still trying to remember where they packed away the Christmas tree last year. Often, preparing for the festive season becomes more stressful than joyful on top of all the extra social engagements and work activity that pops up at the end of the year. Christmas should be a time to relax and enjoy whatever time you have off from work, catching up with family and friends. That’s why we’ve put together a cheat’s guide to help you get your home guest-ready for all that summer entertaining. With a bit of practical thinking, you’ll save money and have more time to get your Christmas cheer on.
One of joys of an Aussie Christmas is sitting outside and soaking up the sun. Here’s how to get your outdoor entertaining area looking prime without getting your hands dirty.
Garden Cleanup – $165 on average
You might not have the most groomed yard on the street, but a quick cleanup will have guests thinking you’re a seasoned gardener. Depending on the state and size of your yard, prices of a professional gardener will vary, but on average you can expect to pay under $200 for basic pruning, weeding and mowing services.
Waste Removal – $200 on average
Let’s be honest, that furniture sitting under the house isn’t going to find a new home anytime soon, so if you’ve been waiting to get rid of that broken swing set or old couch, now’s the time! Rubbish removalists are also handy for clearing any garden waste leftover from your yard cleanup. This way, guests will be able to appreciate your Christmas table arrangement without being distracted by junk lying around.
Find Waste Disposal experts here.
Pool Maintenance – $25/hr on average
So, you’ve been a bit slack over the cooler months and the swimming pool is looking a bit more green than blue? To make sure none of your guests are going home with an eye infection, it’s a good idea to get your pool checked and cleaned by a professional. Having a professional clean at the beginning of the season will make maintenance work easier for you throughout the summer.
Find Pool Maintenance experts here.
Photo from: GR8 Glass Pool Fencing
If relatives or friends drops by unannounced (which often happens over the silly season) the first thing most people panic about is the state of the bathroom or the floors that haven’t seen a vacuum for months. While tidiness is still important, we often neglect to worry about the little details and general maintenance of basic everyday utilities- like lightbulbs and taps. To avoid potential embarrassment, follow our indoor to-do list so you can keep calm when visitors turn up on your doorstep.
Photo from: First Call Home Services
Deep Clean
A deep, thorough clean of the house should be done somewhere around mid December (and we mean more than just making the beds). Specialised cleaning tasks, like having the windows washed, carpets steam cleaned and oven scrubbed, will give your home a facelift before Christmas Day. If you get a professional in to do an entire house clean, you only have to worry about cleaning up once everyone has gone home (and eating all the leftover desserts).
Hang family pictures
When it comes to family, a bit of sentimentality goes a long way. Imagine the smile on Grandma’s face when she sees a framed photo of her grandchildren as she walks though the door. Dig up those portraits you had taken last year and get a Handyman to frame and hang them in your hallway. The little bit of extra effort will pay off, and make use of that blank space on the wall.
Photo from: Personal Creations
Check your lights are working
You don’t want guests going to the toilet in the dark, nor do you want people tripping on the front steps as they leave in the evening (especially after a few drinks). To make sure all your indoor and outdoor lights are functioning well, get an Electrician in to to a general maintenance check. It’s also a good idea to test out those fairy lights before you hang them from the roof – a few dud lights can turn all your hard work into a standing joke as visitors enter the house.
Make sure the TV is good to go
While you have an Electrician in the house, it’s not a bad idea to make sure your television set up is good to go. Imagine how disappointed all your cousins will be when they can’t watch the Boxing Day Test Match because the aerial is playing up. If there’s young kids attending your place on Christmas Day, borrowing a Play Station or connecting Netflix to the television will provide long term entertainment, allowing the adults to socialise in peace.
Extra seats or table space
So your table of four is usually more than enough space – but what about when your aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents need a seat too? Rather than putting together a hotchpotch of stools and camping chairs around the table, head to IKEA and invest in some nice fold out chairs and an extra table. To avoid the added stress of putting together a flatpack on Christmas morning, get a Handyman over to assemble it for you before the day arrives. Everyone will be comfortable in their own seat and won’t be forced to eat food from their laps.
Fix that leaking tap & dodgy flush
You and your family members might know the exact angle to flush the toilet, but your guests won’t be so wise. If you have a dodgy flush or leaking tap you’ve been meaning to get checked, organise a Plumber to come in during December and fix it once and for all. That way you’ll avoid any, err, awkward situations when the flush refuses to work on Christmas Day.
For more advice on getting your home into shape, check out the rest of our Handy Home Tips.