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The Christmas season is just round the corner which can only mean one thing- more cosy nights on our sofas.

The long dark cold nights of December are fast approaching and most people are huddled up on their sofas thinking of the festive season to come. Christmas is the time of giving and sharing and spending time with others but before this can be enjoyed, there are some things that everyone must consider changing around the house in preparation. Most people are used to spring cleaning but it is probably more important to have a complete home clean in November and December to kick off the party season. The house should be cleaned from top to bottom, in particular all furniture and surfaces should be given a thorough clean.

To maximise the effect of Christmas decorations it may be necessary to move furniture and place larger items in different positions. Lighting and candles can add to the festive mood and there are numerous scented candles that produce lovely scents such as mulled wine, spices, cinnamon, chocolate and vanilla, all of which can all help to create a festive atmosphere.

Light furnishings such as cushions and throws can be washed and freshened or even alternated with similar items in richer more decadent colours, such as deep reds, gold and silver. Paintwork can be touched up and brightened and larger items such as sofas should be cleaned and if the covers are loose these can be removed and washed. Making the home ready for Christmas does not have to involve spending lots of money, most people build up their seasonal decorations over the years and many families have items that are handed down from older generations. It is also very easy, not to mention great fun, to make decorations and soft furnishings. Simple decorations are often the best, and not only this but, children love to stick and glue and paper chains whilst tin foil stars can be great fun and look bright and cheery.

Flower arrangements whether fresh or dried can help to add a touch of decadence and still be understated without being too expensive, greenery and berries from the garden can be used in displays. Fruits such as oranges and lemons can be dried and used as room scenters, perhaps with a little touch of vanilla essence added. It is possible to have sophisticated and understated Christmas decorations, not everything has to be bright and gaudy. Perhaps having a theme or central colour can make things blend more easily and not clash. Creating a mood sheet or doing some basic colour matching can make things easier, but most importantly it should be fun and should involve the whole family.