How to prepare for Christmas emergencies
Every year we're inundated with images of the perfect Christmas; crisp white snow, a glimmering tree piled with presents, smiling faces enjoying a steaming turkey dinner. Unfortunately life can often get in the way of an idyllic festive season, but the key is not to panic. Here are some tips on how to avoid and quickly deal with Christmas emergencies to help you have stress-free holiday.
The kids discover your secret hiding place for their presents.
The yearly battle to keep the surprise alive can be difficult, but remember not to get angry. If they're young enough to still believe in the red man in the suit, then lie; €They can't fit everything in at the North Pole, we're just keeping them safe here'. If your kids are older and more cynical then you'll need to rely on guilt, asking if they really want to ruin the surprise and Christmas for everyone by opening the presents now. And make sure you get an apology when they slink off.
Guests are about to arrive but you're completely unprepared.
Delegate! Get all the family involved in a rapid clean-up. If the house is a mess, only worry about clearing the surface clutter: quickly shove everything into a large box and hide it away under the stairs. Make sure you change the sheets in the guest room and lay out towels, giving the bathroom a quick clean if need be. Send someone to the local shop for snacks and drinks and ask the kids to come up with some games to entertain the guests while you work out what to make for dinner.
Your Christmas Day meal plans have become overwhelming and you're having a nightmare in the kitchen whilst everyone else relaxes.
The key here is in the planning. Take at least one thing off the menu; nobody will be able to finish the entire meal anyway. Consider buying pre-prepared desserts instead of making them on the day. Set the table on Christmas Eve, that way you'll be sure you have all the cutlery, plates and side dishes ready and clean. If the worst comes to the worst, it's time to pull in help from the living room. Divide up the cooking job into small jobs, play music in the kitchen and turn it into a fun activity for everyone.
You're all admiring the white blanket of snow outside when the freezing weather causes a pipe to burst in the house.
Home emergencies are stressful at the best of times and can completely ruin the Christmas atmosphere. Don't make the problem worst by a botched DIY attempt: emergency plumbers and electricians are available to help throughout the Christmas period. Make sure you have the number of a reliable professional on hand who has set bank holiday rates to avoid huge charges. If you have home insurance check whether it includes any emergency call-outs and note down the contact number.
The kids discover your secret hiding place for their presents.
The yearly battle to keep the surprise alive can be difficult, but remember not to get angry. If they're young enough to still believe in the red man in the suit, then lie; €They can't fit everything in at the North Pole, we're just keeping them safe here'. If your kids are older and more cynical then you'll need to rely on guilt, asking if they really want to ruin the surprise and Christmas for everyone by opening the presents now. And make sure you get an apology when they slink off.
Guests are about to arrive but you're completely unprepared.
Delegate! Get all the family involved in a rapid clean-up. If the house is a mess, only worry about clearing the surface clutter: quickly shove everything into a large box and hide it away under the stairs. Make sure you change the sheets in the guest room and lay out towels, giving the bathroom a quick clean if need be. Send someone to the local shop for snacks and drinks and ask the kids to come up with some games to entertain the guests while you work out what to make for dinner.
Your Christmas Day meal plans have become overwhelming and you're having a nightmare in the kitchen whilst everyone else relaxes.
The key here is in the planning. Take at least one thing off the menu; nobody will be able to finish the entire meal anyway. Consider buying pre-prepared desserts instead of making them on the day. Set the table on Christmas Eve, that way you'll be sure you have all the cutlery, plates and side dishes ready and clean. If the worst comes to the worst, it's time to pull in help from the living room. Divide up the cooking job into small jobs, play music in the kitchen and turn it into a fun activity for everyone.
You're all admiring the white blanket of snow outside when the freezing weather causes a pipe to burst in the house.
Home emergencies are stressful at the best of times and can completely ruin the Christmas atmosphere. Don't make the problem worst by a botched DIY attempt: emergency plumbers and electricians are available to help throughout the Christmas period. Make sure you have the number of a reliable professional on hand who has set bank holiday rates to avoid huge charges. If you have home insurance check whether it includes any emergency call-outs and note down the contact number.