PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS CAN'T START SOON ENOUGH

The gift lists are done, the menu is planned, and then Aunt Gertrude changes her mind and decides she will come after all...  and stay! 

Something most people don’t factor into their Christmas plan is the timing needed for re-decorating the guest room/s.  The end of October is when the workrooms start issuing warnings about pre Christmas deliveries not being guaranteed. So pretty much as the stores are tossing tinsel and baubles about, is the time you need to be in the workroom queue. And don’t forget, getting the curtains back from the workroom is only part of the job, getting them installed is when the job is complete. 

This doesn’t mean all is lost. If you can get away with a quick fix this year then bring in the painters, change the rug and the bedding, maybe change the art over, give a quick zhush with decor and you’re done. 

But for future, you need to start planning your guest room makeover way earlier than you might think. If you are thinking about some serious changes, requiring some, or all, the Trades, then I recommend you start your planning as soon as the schools go back after the Christmas holidays. Sounds early, but in reality you only have 9 months before the workrooms cut off again. 

For just a decorating change over you can start later, but I’d not leave it past 30th July. That’s three months before the workroom cuts off. 

And that’s before we factor in any Trades folk lead times. 

So I guess that what I am saying is that Aunt Gertrude might have to rough it a little this year, but next year that room will look magnificent. Let’s hope she comes back to see it!  

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