Getting Ahead for Christmas
As the festive season approaches, it’s all too easy to leave your home styling until the last flurry of December. But at Willow & Bert, we believe a beautiful Christmas starts with thoughtful preparation - layering comfort, colour, and personality well before the decorations come out. By taking time now to review your furnishings, curate textures, and plan your spaces, you’ll create a home that feels effortlessly welcoming and joyfully refined when the season arrives.
It’s an ethos which is more than shared by professional organiser Kate Edmondson, of Home Edited. Here are ten ways to get ahead for Christmas, inspired by Chloë’s signature approach to timeless, lived-in elegance, and Kate’s flair for organisation rooted in calm, logical systems.
Chloë’s Tips
1. Start with a “foundation” layer now
Think about your key furnishings - sofas, dining chairs, rugs, and window dressings - before the flood of seasonal décor hits. Use this lull before December to do any fix-ups: check cushion pads, assess lighting, and clean rugs. When December arrives, you’ll have a calm cushion to land on. By starting early, you free yourself up for the seasonal fun - decorating a ready room rather than scrambling to make it feel complete.
2. Prepare your entertaining spaces ahead of time
Arrange seating so guests can mingle without clutter, and you’re not moving heavy furniture at the last minute. Make sure your dining table, chairs, and console sideboard are ready - and that you have adequate lighting (candles and lamps) to create atmosphere. If you’ve had your eye on a new tablecloth or runner, don’t wait until it’s sold out - now’s the time to refresh your entertaining essentials.
3. Think about accommodation
If you’re hosting overnight guests, take time now to sort through your bed linen. Store duvet covers and sheets inside their matching pillowcases, and if you’re feeling extra organised, label them with the mattress size they fit. Grabbing a pre-packed pillowcase with the right bedding combination will feel blissful come December.
Kate’s tips
The run-up to Christmas can be joyful, but also a little overwhelming. A few small, intentional edits before December arrives can bring calm, clarity, and a sense of ease to your home. By creating order now, you’ll have more time (and headspace) for what truly matters later.
1. Detox the toys
Before new gifts arrive, take time to sort through what’s already there. Remove anything broken, outgrown, or no longer loved. It’s a simple way to create breathing space and helps children appreciate what they truly enjoy.
2. Edit the kitchen & pantry
A quick kitchen detox helps everything flow better once the festivities begin. Clear the fridge and pantry of anything expired, group like items together, and make space for Christmas food and serving dishes.
3. Organise the gift & wrap zone
Gather all wrapping essentials, tape, tags, paper, and ribbons, into one easy to reach spot. When everything has a place, wrapping becomes less of a rush and more of a mindful moment.
4. Be intentional with decorations
Before buying new Christmas decorations, take a moment to check what you already have. Unpack and review your existing pieces so you can see what’s still in good condition and where you might want to add something new. This simple step helps you avoid buying duplicates, saves money, and ensures your collection feels thoughtful and intentional.
5. Plan your Christmas list with intention
Make a simple list of who you’re buying for and what you plan to gift. Being intentional helps you keep track of what’s needed, and just as importantly, what isn’t. Consider alternatives such as vouchers or shared experiences like days out, instead of buying items that may go unused. It’s a thoughtful approach that keeps gifting meaningful and purposeful and will also help you save money and avoid overbuying at one of the most expensive times of the year.
A short burst of detoxing and organising now will make December feel lighter, calmer, and ready for what matters most.
About Home Edited
Home Edited, founded by professional organiser Kate Edmondson, helps clients create calm, functional homes through intentional organisation and sustainable systems. Based in Tunbridge Wells, Kate and her team specialise in creating order that lasts, from full home detoxes to post-renovation setups and lifestyle maintenance support.
Until next time,
Chloe