· Ann McDonald · Christmas · 3 min read
4 Weeks to Go: Get the House Under Control
Now’s the time to start getting organised.
Now Christmas is beginning to appear on the horizon.
This is the time to tackle the jobs that take a little time and start organising the things you definitely don’t want to leave until the last minute.
Get the house under control
- Clear clutter from the main living and entertaining areas.
- Tackle the bigger cleaning jobs you’ve been putting off.
- Give the kitchen a good clean.
- Freshen the bathrooms.
- Tidy the outdoor entertaining area.
- Have a look at your Christmas decorations and decide what you’re actually going to use.
Spread these jobs across the week. Cleaning the whole house in one enormous session is not a Christmas tradition worth starting.
Now, think about the main event
If you’re serving turkey, ham, pork, seafood or another special Christmas favourite, now is the time to place your orders. If you’re still deciding, have a look at Perfect Roast Turkey 101, our roast turkey breast with cranberries and pistachios, or how to glaze and carve a ham.
Don’t leave it until the last minute, especially if you have a particular size or cut in mind.
When you order, choose a collection time that suits you. There’s no point collecting everything several days before Christmas if you’ve nowhere sensible to put it.
Where are you going to store it until you need it?
Check with your butcher, seafood supplier or other food supplier for their ordering and collection dates, as these can vary.
Before you place the order
Check the fridge, freezer and oven. Measure the roasting dish with its handles, and check the height above the oven shelf as well as the width. A generous turkey needs somewhere to thaw, cook and rest.
If space is tight, consider a smaller joint, a turkey breast, or a menu with fewer oven dishes. If the fridge will be full, change the collection time or the menu before the food arrives.
How much do I actually order?
The question that stalls everyone at the butcher’s counter. The headline numbers:
| Allow per person | |
|---|---|
| Whole roast turkey | 500g, so 4kg feeds 8 to 10 |
| Bone-in ham, as the star | 350 to 450g |
| Prawns, as the main event | 250 to 350g in the shell |
| Sides, all together | 350 to 400g |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | 1 litre |
Count who is actually eating, not who is coming. Small children eat about half an adult portion.
And remember that a quoted weight usually includes the bone or the shell. Prawns are only about 45% meat once peeled, which is why the numbers look so large.
See the full quantities guide for seafood, cheese, dessert, drinks, ice, buffet maths and what to ask your supplier.
And remember
Don’t clean the whole house just because it’s Christmas.
Concentrate on the places people will see and use. Unused bedrooms, cupboards and windows that don’t sparkle can wait.
The aim this week is simple: get the house under control, not perfect.
