3 ways to prepare your apartment for Christmas guests

Before she moved to Northcote, virtual assistant Lisa McKernan lived in a Collingwood apartment that was 48 square metres. If you think that sounds small, think again — that included the balcony. On one hand, McKernan says she loves to entertain guests. On the other hand, she adds that taking on hosting duties can be stressful.

McKernan, who now manages the one-bedroom apartment as a sanctuary space for guests, used to have fun staging small Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

However, hosting in a one-bedroom apartment has unique challenges.

“We had a birthday celebration which definitely resulted in mild panic and the feeling of needing to declutter,” she says.

With this year’s festive season on the horizon, many Australian apartment residents might expect to experience “mild panic” too.

Figures from Stockland’s recent annual Christmas survey show that more than half of the Australians surveyed had plans to host Christmas celebrations at their own home. Of those, two-thirds were committed to hosting more than 10 people.

A dystopian might visualise a nation of small apartment residents digging around for the vacuum cleaner (it used to be there), finding space where there surely is none, and getting the oven going right as Grandma arrives (one hour early, again).

McKernan specialises in Hosted Homes service and experiences and says she had a policy of capping numbers (sorry, Grandma) but adds that a small space needn’t be a deal breaker at Christmas.

“Some rearranging of furniture, hiding everyday things under bed storage (or basement storage cages if you’re lucky enough), really considering the menu and how food and drink will be served makes such a difference.”

Natalie Morley, director of professional organisers, The Lifestylers Group, has been helping clients declutter, home organise, style, and move for decades.

She says people tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to have the perfect space at Christmas.

“It’s only one day,” she says. “Rather than putting all this pressure on yourself to have this clutter-free space for a couple of days, how can you set that space up so it’s more functional on a day-to-day basis?”

Three ways to prepare your apartment for Christmas guests

Morley says small apartment residents can take several steps to prepare for Christmas hosting.

1. Use stackable tubs to make the most of vertical space.
   “In a corner, you could do plastic tubs to the ceiling if you needed to. You’re not necessarily reducing the clutter, but you are repackaging it.”
2. Cull clutter. Take an inventory of items around the house and ask if they have been used in the last 12 months.
   “It’s the perfect opportunity to do a really good declutter. You don’t just have a tidy apartment for a couple of days, while you have family and friends. It actually means you can maintain that space.”
3. Temporarily remove furniture. Morley says apartment residents should ask if there is an available storage cage on-site, a garage area, or even a lovely neighbour who could temporarily house-sit some items.
   “This is rather than having to go off and engage an extra storage facility, which is obviously going to create more costs.”

McKernan says it’s a good idea for apartment residents to think outside the square when hosting Christmas.

“Especially when it comes to inner-city living – why not give your guests an immersive experience of the neighbourhood, as well as your home?”

“(I’m a) big fan of a progressive dinner here – perhaps you could have one-handed bites and champagne to start with in your space, then move to a communal area like an apartment rooftop for mains, or wander somewhere nearby for ice-cream for dessert.”

Just so long as Grandma is OK with that.