Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
By /
The countdown to Christmas always seems to fly by, and with so much to do in the lead-up to the big day, it pays to get organised for the holidays – and start early. That way you’ll be all set for summer entertaining and festive season fun, minus the last-minute sorting and stressing. From shopping and gift wrapping to cleaning and decorating, here’s how to prepare your home for Christmas over five weekends.
With just over a month to go, it’s the perfect time to spread out the prep work and to start getting yourself and your home ready for Christmas. Start with the big outdoor jobs around your property and some simple stocktaking of supplies.
1. Spruce up the front yard, trim hedges, weed and re-stone pathways, touch-up paint and plant flowers in entranceway pots.
2. Check your Christmas inventory and get things out of storage. Do you have enough wrapping paper for gifts? Do you need to buy indoor and outdoor decorations? Are your Christmas lights in good working order?
3. Think about food over the holidays and any dietary requirements: plan your Christmas menu.
4. Start D.I.Y. craft projects for homemade gifts and decorations.
With four weeks to go, the Christmas countdown is in full swing. Now is the time to have a clear out and carry out any maintenance on your outdoor space, plus the fun part… Christmas decorations!
1. Tidy and declutter outside entertaining areas and yards.
2. Clean and repair outdoor furniture. Do you have enough seating for your guests or do you need to source more chairs or a dining table? Clean and oil the deck.
3. Put up the Christmas tree and lights.
4. Hang up and make space for your Christmas decorations, including wreaths, inflatables and figurines.
5. Get your Christmas gift shopping sorted, either in-store or online. Buy presents (keep an eye out for Black Friday specials) for friends and family members.
6. Don’t forget to think sun smart. If you’re hosting outdoors, check your shade options.
Three weekends left, and you’re doing a grand job of preparing your home for Christmas. These tasks will help you to keep up the good work and get ready for the big day.
1. Time for an indoor clear out and tidy up. Declutter and donate unwanted items to create space, from living areas and cupboards to wardrobes and shelves.
2. Plan outdoor entertainment, activities and games.
3. Prepare the guest room – include a reading lamp and chair.
4. Do a stocktake of plates, glasses and cutlery for guests.
5. Prepare the Christmas playlist so you’ve got the perfect soundtrack to your festive season.
There’s a fortnight to go, and your home is feeling and looking more organised. Here’s your next batch of Christmas countdown jobs.
1. Shop for non-perishable Christmas food.
2. Wrap gifts.
3. Clean the oven – a dirty appliance will not only affect its performance but also the taste of your culinary creations!
4. Get your glassware sparkling, from windows to champagne flutes (check out our tips on how to clean glasses below).
5. Buy batteries (for kids’ toys, outdoor lamps and remote controls).
If you have dull, cloudy or streaky glassware it’s time to prep it for the Christmas table. Food-safe acidic solutions are the key to cleaning away the clouds – and vinegar or lemon juice are good natural options. You can dab white vinegar directly onto a cloth and rub over washed glasses or rub lemon slices over the glasses to cut through grime. Or try this set-and-forget method:
Rest a full bottle of white vinegar in a sink of hot water to warm it up. Empty the sink and fill it with the warm vinegar, diluted if you wish. Add your glasses and let them soak for one hour. Use a nylon fruit net or plastic scrubber to remove the cloudy film, then rinse the glasses in hot water. Dry with lint-free cloth until dazzling!
It’s the final countdown! There’s one week to go until Santa’s arrival, so it’s time to finish up the Christmas preparations and start getting excited.
1. Clean the house and clear out the fridge.
2. Give the outdoor area a final spruce-up, mow the lawns, sweep the deck, give the barbecue a wipe and buy a spare gas bottle.
3. Prepare the outdoor table – organise and write guest place cards.
4. Buy fresh ingredients for your Christmas meal and flowers for the home.
5. Finish last-minute gift shopping.
Now all that’s left to do is kick back and wait for Santa!
Discover all things Christmas craft with help from Bunnings.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
