It seems we're so keen on impressing our guests that millions of us are already prepping our homes for Christmas, with home improvement jobs such as replacing the toilet seat and installing extra storage high on the agenda, a study from B&Q has revealed.
The research also uncovered that before Brits even think about getting the festive decorations down from the loft, many are looking at other areas of their home to improve in the run-up to Christmas day.
Freshening up the walls with a lick of paint is higher on our priority list than buying new Christmas decorations, while cleaning the bathroom is more important to us than hanging a wreath.
Overall, an average of three hours will be spent tidying the house and two hours decorating and prepping, such as hanging photos and painting walls.
What’s more, B&Q’s research revealed a quarter of us believe it's important to have a well-presented home if we're hosting Christmas. As a result, more than half (53 per cent) of Brits admit they will be 'pulling out all the stops’ and giving their homes a thorough festive fix up to win guests over.
In fact, 62 per cent of those polled via OnePoll said they make more of an effort to prepare their house for Christmas than they do for a traditional ‘spring clean’.
The top 12 jobs we do to get our homes ready for the Christmas period are:
1. Buying Christmas presents (43 per cent)
2. Cleaning the bathroom (31 per cent)
3. Hanging a wreath (24 per cent)
4. Freshening up walls with a new coat of paint (22 per cent)
5. Buying new Christmas decorations (22 per cent)
6. Cleaning the window (24 per cent)
7. Buying a Christmas tree (18 per cent)
8. Buying Christmas tree decorations (17 per cent)
9. Replacing light fixtures (13 per cent)
10. Replacing light bulbs (13 per cent)
11. Installing extra storage (12 per cent)
12. Replacing the toilet seat (12 per cent)
B&Q’s research also revealed more than a sixth (18 per cent) of Brits begin to think about home improvements as early as October, in comparison to four weeks for prepping their festive decorations.
Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas for B&Q, said: 'Hosting friends and family is one of the most magical parts of Christmas, which is why it’s important to have a home you’re proud to show off during the festive season.
'With our help and advice, it's easier than you think to get your home ready for Christmas, from the festive décor to that last minute replacement for the toilet seat, B&Q has hosts covered this holiday season.'
What will you be prioritising in the lead-up to Christmas?
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17 Christmas tree lights to suit every style this festive season
If you’re looking for something fuss-free and high-impact, these candle lights are perfect. Simply clip them onto the branches of your tree and control them via a handheld remote.
Twinkle throughout December with these LED star lights in dazzling white, which would look just as good on a fluffy green tree as they would a minimalist twig tree. A multi-coloured option is also available.
With milky, frosted bulbs, these white ball lights will create an ambient glow around your Christmas tree. An added bonus? The running cost is approximately just 1p per hour!
Add some fun to your Christmas decor with these Santa hat lights, which are great for a smaller tree. Or, buy these twice (or three times) for a larger tree – which is fine given how affordable they are.
We think these starburst lights look like something you’d see at a fireworks display. They come with a timer and remote control so you can adjust the brightness.
How pretty are these icicle lights? String one set on your tree and the other across your mantelpiece for a coordinated look. They come in a multi-coloured option or a white option.
These copper LED lights give off the most subtle, warming glow – ideal for illuminating your tree during cosy evenings in. A remote control is also included, so you can turn them on and off from the comfort of your sofa.
We’d be happy keeping these sweet pom-pom lights up all year; just switch them from your Christmas tree to your bookshelf or mantelpiece come January.
Add something a little different to your tree with these horsetail lights, that drape down from the top of the tree, rather than wrap around it. We think it creates a lovely snowfall look!
There's nothing better than star decorations to brighten up your home at Christmas. These battery-operated lights can be used both indoors and out.
There's something magical about these gold bell fairy lights that will ensure your tree becomes the centrepiece of your home this Christmas. The warm white glow will create the perfect festive ambience, and when Christmas itself is over, they'd work perfectly draped over your mantelpiece or your TV stand.
There might not be any guarantee of snow at Christmas, but these snowflake lights are sure to bring a magical winter wonderland feel into your home.
These unique pastel bulb lights are a little different to your traditional warm white LED's, which is why we think they're a fantastic pick for those after a pop of colour this festive season.
Cabana Red Cluster Fairy Lights
These unique string lights, which include red, grey and clear cluster fair lights, are a great way to add some style to your tree. They'd work with either a traditional or modern colour scheme too, so are brilliantly versatile.
These simple white string lights are affordable and easy to hang. Brilliantly, too, they can also be set on a timer and turn on automatically for eight hours.
These energy-efficient Christmas tree lights have been designed to give the appearance of a natural vine. With 960 white LED bulbs, they’re ideal for taller trees.
Suspended on a copper wire, these cluster lights are just lovely. Handily, you can set a timer so your lights will illuminate automatically each evening.
