Christmas is absolutely amazing. The best time of year by a long shot, especially have kids. There is so much magic in the air, so much fun to be had, so much merriment and decorating and socialising and shopping and just eeeeeeek. We love it. That said, it is absolutely crazy too. There is so much that has to be done in just twenty-four days, which is why it is so easy to forget about things that really shouldn’t be forgotten about.
It’s not your fault. Your focus has been on all that joy and celebrating. Even so, there are some things worth popping on a post-it and ticking off because, well, they have the ability to somewhat ruin Christmas (even if they will become funny stories six years from now).
1. Grit The Driveway
The last thing you want to be doing this Christmas is spending it in the emergency room with Aunt Edna because she slipped on your driveway and, well, you don’t want to hear the details. That is why we recommend you buy a pack of grit or sand, put it in a nice container by your front door (that way it won’t be an eyesore) and remember to do a bit of spreading each night and morning.
2. Keep The House Warm
You can just picture it now. Everything is going great. The kids are happy and playing with each other, your house looks fantastic, the TV is constantly playing Christmassy films, Buble is on the tape deck and the laughter is flowing. That’s when you feel a chill. You’ve run out of heating oil. It was the one thing you forgot to check and now Christmas is in jeopardy. To avoid this scenario, get on it now or find a supplier that can deliver low-cost oil within twenty-four hours.
3. String Light Checks
Christmas is not complete without string lights being wrapped around every room in your home. It is just part of the Christmas spirit. It’s part of the beauty. But before you go and plug in all of last year’s string lights all willy-nilly, you should really check them for any visible faults. We’re talking cracks, exposed wiring, fraying, or anything else which falls within the red zone of uh oh.
4. Sweep The Chimney
What could be worse than spending three days cooking, then laying the table while your other half deals with the fire only for it to be blocked, your gorgeous spread getting covered in black smoke and soot? It’s not worth thinking about. Neither is a load of sputtering as people gather around the hearth. As such, it is well worth getting your chimney inspected now before family and friends arrive for the big push.
5. Candle Caution
There is no delicate way to put this. Candles cause 15,600 residential fires each year, making them a pretty big threat. Yes, they look lovely and delightful and ever so festive as they flicker and dance, and you should definitely light some. Just make sure you remember they are alight. Don’t leave them unattended, make sure they are on a stable surface and keep them out of reach of kids. That’s all we ask.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
