Lovely as a big family Christmas is, it can leave even the calmest people feeling a bit frazzled around the edges. With a bit of forward planning, you can organise festivities, so everyone is comfortable and cosy, with lasting happy memories of the best Christmas at home ever.

Have a Clear Out

This is one of the best ways to make room for all the new stuff that comes every festive season. Especially if you’re planning on entertaining guests, whether it’s a smaller gathering for family or a more significant, more formal affair. An excellent way to prioritise the kinds of items you need to clear away is to visualise which activities will happen in the space.

• Maybe you need more room for people to sit at the dining table.
• Maybe you want more floor space in the living room, either for games or just for the kids’ new toys.
• Maybe you need a place for the Christmas tree.
• Do you get hundreds of greetings cards and need a place for them?
• What about nativity scenes, advent calendars and candles, snow globes or more shelf space for your elves?

You can think about removing floor lamps or hobby and sports kits, along with any other furnishings that won’t double as seats. Festive decorations will fill up those spaces, so the room will still look cosy and inviting without being overly cluttered and cramped.

A self storage unit is ideal for keeping removed items safe and sound while out of the way. It’s easy to find local self storage, and short-term contracts make it simple to rent at short notice.

Organising your Space

Once you’ve cleared your space, making it work to the best advantage is the next step. There are a few things you can do to help things along:

• Use folding chairs for extra seating and nesting tables to save space when they’re not needed.
• Think about mounting your TV on the wall to free up that floor space.
• Lift your tree off the floor. Pop it on a sideboard or similar surface.
• Tall, narrow trees can look just as dramatic as bigger floor-standing ones. In a pinch, use the top half of a tall artificial tree.
• Push your furniture back against the walls to maximise floor space in small rooms.

Family Christmas Dining

The traditional Christmas dinner is a glorious thing, both to behold and to feast on. With everything laid on a festive dining table, there’s not much to bring the family closer or build more anticipation.

But suppose you have a big family and a smallish table? When there’s not enough room to seat everyone, host a special hot buffet instead. You can still cook the normal roast and side trimmings, setting dishes out on the table in an appetising display.

Let everyone help themselves, fill their own plates, then sit where they like. Offer lap trays for those who want them, and maybe set a couple of places at the table for those who need them. There’s no reason we can’t eat together and share good times in a more casual dining setting.

Alternatively, you could try setting a separate table for children when it’s hard to make a single table work for everyone. The kids will probably enjoy having their own special dining space, especially if you dress it with age-appropriate, fun decorations and activities. Just keep it close, preferably in the same room, so it feels like a privilege, not a banishment.

Into the New Year

With lots of families extending their celebrations throughout the seasonal week, you’ll probably be glad of the new living arrangements right over New Year.

In fact, once you start packing everything up, ready to get on with everyday life again, you’ll find your self storage room useful for all the garlands, fairy lights, trees, extra place settings and spare chairs or guest beds. Hang on to that space so you can treat yourself to a more spacious New Year as well as a comfy, cosy Christmas.