If you’re like a lot of us, then you’re going to be having people over to celebrate Christmas with you.

And as we all know, there’s nothing more embarrassing than having your guests stay in an untidy house. This being a very busy time of year, some of us might not have time to fully spruce up our homes and still get everything else done””all the cooking, shopping and such. But don’t despair, because it’s certainly not impossible. It’s hard work, but there are still a number of things that can be done to making your home clean for Christmas and ensuring your house look nice and welcoming for your Christmas celebration.

And it’s better to start now!

1. Organise and Declutter

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The most obvious thing to do is probably to eliminate the clutter around the home. Even the best of us don’t have completely organised houses most of the time, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you happen to have some papers and washing lying around. But when we’re dealing with social gatherings, of course, taking the time to make everything look nice and neat is usually a sign of a good host. You may even want to move some furniture out of the way and find a place in the closet or spare room for toys and items that make the home look messy.

2. Dirt, Mould and Mildew Duty

Another thing you’ll want to steer clear of is buildup of dirt, mildew and stains. Such things are unsightly and chances are you’ll want to get rid of them even if you aren’t having people over. Fortunately, this is usually simple and easy to do. Check our our cleaning section for hints on getting rid of mould naturally!

3. Oven, Microwave and Dishwasher Cleaning

Your kitchen will be a busy place during the festive season and thus it is a good idea to give these three main areas a good clean beforehand. Check out our tips to cleaning these three mess-prone areas: Oven, Microwave and Dishwasher

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4. Polish Your Furniture

Wipe down all the furniture, especially timber furniture to remove any stains, old chunks of food and more. A polished timber dining table is going to really make a difference when all the trimmings are on top.

5. Toilet Duties

Your guests will most likely need to use the loo so make sure those areas are squeaky clean as well, make sure there is pretty smelling soap and a nice fluffy towel available too! Also, if your windows and mirrors are spotted, wiping them down with newspaper and a vinegar spray will clear them up.

via www.thriftyfun.com

6. Decorations

You don’t need to go all-out with decorations if you don’t want to, but it can help show your guests that you put a lot of time and effort into planning your party. Even a few simple Christmas lights and candles will do. Just don’t worry about impressing everyone with the most extravagant décor possible.

About the Author – Jenna Gallina is mum to two children under four and lives in Cairns, QLD.