With just two weeks to go until families and friends gather for festive celebrations, it’s time to start thinking about the practical side of the day. From finding extra chairs and glasses to having large enough turkey pans, Hosting the big day itself can be full of pitfalls.
As more picture-perfect Christmas posts pop up on our Instagram feeds, the pressure of feeding and entertaining can be daunting for even a veteran host. Cooking for more people than usual, not having enough food, and getting enough decorations are among the reasons some of us are shelling out a small fortune just to make sure everything runs smoothly. In fact, new research by Gumtree shows Brits have spent £3.87bn on extra everyday items for the big day. Hosting Christmas is snow mean feat!
Make a list and check it twice
Hosts confess to kicking off the preparation more than a month in advance, but not everyone has things under control; 27% feel under pressure and 11% wholly unprepared. So, before you start decking the halls and roasting chestnuts on an open fire, make sure you plan out a comprehensive Christmas checklist to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
Our research shows that the critical Christmas checklist includes extra chairs (31%), a table big enough to seat everyone (30%), extra plates and bowls (22%), cutlery (19%) and the right pots and pans (17%). And be sure to keep in mind the most commonly forgotten item – an ice bucket!
It might feel daunting, but you don’t need to go out and spend a fortune to get your Christmas day under control. By getting tips from friends and family, borrowing from neighbours, and using sites like Gumtree to find once-loved items nearby, it’s possible to source everything you need for smooth and affordable Christmas hosting.
Don’t worry, you’ll sleigh it!
Whether you’re a skilled sprout steamer or a tentative turkey carver, Gumtree is ready to help you make sure you’ve got everything ready. To help hosts prepare, on Tuesday 11th December, Gumtree is hosting a ‘Festive Fixes’ pop-event in Soho, showcasing some solutions to the most common festive hosting dilemmas, and providing some practical and inspirational hosting advice.
From taking the family on a walk to gather holly or mistletoe for some festive decor, to storing Christmas drinks in a summer picnic cool box, we’ve got you covered.
Unconventional fixes, some creativity, a little help from family and friends and tips from the experts are sure to help even the most nervous amongst us become a masterful Christmas host. But most importantly, try to have fun, and always remember to believe in your ‘elf!
