Getting ready for Christmas  Getting ready for Christmas  

A Christmas Tree at Thika Road Mall along Thika Road in Nairobi after it was lit on the 1st of December, 2013. With just five days to go before Christmas Day, it is time to get organised in a bid to ensure that the holiday goes on smoothly. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL

What you need to know:

  • Whether you plan to host a party, or are going to be a guest somewhere, a little bit of planning and decorum will make the occasion memorable.
  • The presentation of your gift is often as important as the gift itself, and it should be as elegant as possible.
  • The wrapping should keep the recipient in suspense and anticipation. Always select wrapping paper that is too beautiful to be ripped open hurriedly. Part of the surprise should include meticulous unwrapping.

With just five days to go before Christmas Day, it is time to get organised in a bid to ensure that the holiday goes on smoothly.

Whether you plan to host a party, or are going to be a guest somewhere, a little bit of planning and decorum will make the occasion memorable.

What to do before Christmas:

  • Shopping for gifts and other items: The sooner this is done, the better. Gifts bought at the last minute usually appear to be afterthoughts hurriedly put together.

  • Send out Christmas cards this week.

  •  Set up a Christmas tree. If you prefer the cinder tree, this is the right time to cut and pot one. A natural tree with tinsel no matter how small makes a big difference in boosting the festive spirit. They usually last two weeks without water.

  •  Bake or buy a traditional fruit cake. If you do it now, it will have time to “age” for a richer taste.

  •  Book your salon appointment. It is best to go before the 23rd, earlier in the day.

  • Send out your invitations. You may wish to send them via SMS, email or the more formal way of cards and notes.

  • RSVP any invitation you may receive so that your host may prepare well in advance.

The other thing you can do now in readiness for Christmas is to buy and wrap the gifts you plan to give your loved ones. The presentation of your gift is often as important as the gift itself, and it should be as elegant as possible.

The wrapping should keep the recipient in suspense and anticipation. Always select wrapping paper that is too beautiful to be ripped open hurriedly. Part of the surprise should include meticulous unwrapping.

Here are some tips for wrapping your gifts:

• Gift bags: These provide the perfect way to present gifts. They are popular because they can be reused. Select the nicest gift bags you can find, preferably those with shiny embossed designs or bright colours.

• Gift tissue: This is a thin layer of paper used to wrap small, delicate and exquisite gifts such as jewellery and perfumes before placing them inside a gift bag. The tissue should match the gift bag. Larger items such as shoes may be wrapped in stronger crepe-like paper or placed in gift boxes.

• Unwrapped gifts: When you are giving a gift to a hostess as a house gift, the gift should be presented unwrapped. You may wish to add a small ribbon and a card attached to it.

Ensure that you remove the price tag. Gifts of food should be well dressed up with cellophane and cling film or with aluminum foil in a lovely container.