Getting guest-ready for Christmas

In many Caribbean homes, Christmas doesn't really start until the house is done: curtains washed or changed, cushions recovered, furniture polished, louvres gleaming and the gallery swept. It's a lovely tradition, but squeezed into the last week it turns into a marathon.

The trick is to spread it out. Start about six weeks before Christmas, do the heavy jobs early, and leave yourself only a light reset for the days when visitors start dropping in.

The six-week plan at a glance

Weeks 6–5: declutter first

Cleaning around clutter takes twice as long, so clear first.

• Surfaces: clear the dining table, coffee table, kitchen counters and side tables completely, then put back only what earns its place
• The "everything" chair and the paper pile: sort mail, school papers and receipts, then file, act on or recycle
• Toys and games: donate what children have outgrown to make room for new gifts
• Closets: pull out clothes that no longer fit, ahead of new Christmas outfits
• Storeroom: find the decorations, test the lights, and throw out broken ornaments and tangled strings that never work
• Kitchen cupboards: donate mugs, containers without lids and gadgets you never use

Weeks 4–3: the deep clean

Curtains and cushions

• Take curtains down and check the care label. Most cotton and polyester curtains wash well on a gentle cycle and dry quickly in the sun.
• Wipe the curtain rods and rings while the curtains are down.
• Wash or change cushion covers. If you're making new ones, this is the time.

Louvres, windows and burglar-proofing

• Glass louvres: close them, wipe both sides with a cloth and soapy water, then buff dry with newspaper or a microfibre cloth to avoid streaks.
• Wooden louvres and blinds: dust first, then wipe with a barely damp cloth so the wood doesn't swell.
• Burglar-proofing and grilles: a soft brush, then a damp cloth. Treat any rust spots before painting.

Top to bottom

Always clean from the ceiling down, so dust falls onto areas you haven't cleaned yet.

1. Ceiling fans and light fittings. Slip an old pillowcase over each fan blade and pull it off to trap the dust.
2. Cobwebs in corners and along the ceiling.
3. Walls, switches and door frames. Spot-clean fingerprints with a damp cloth and a little dish soap.
4. Furniture. Dust, then polish wood. Move the sofa and chairs to clean behind and under them.
5. Floors last. Sweep or vacuum, then mop.

Week 2: kitchen, pantry and fridge

Get the kitchen ready before the black cake, pastelles and ham take over.

• Oven and stove: degrease the hob, burners and oven so the baking doesn't smoke out the house
• Extractor hood and filter: soak the filter in hot water with dish soap and a little baking soda
• Pantry: check dates, use up open packets, and make a list for the Christmas shop so you don't double-buy
• Fridge and freezer: eat down what's there, throw out the forgotten containers, wipe shelves, and make a clear space for the ham, the sorrel and the ponche de crème
• Serving dishes and glasses: take down the "good" set now and wash it, rather than on the day
• Small appliances: clean the mixer and blender you'll be using most

Week 1: guest rooms, bathroom and decorating

Guest bedroom

• Clear a drawer and some hangers for visitors
• Fresh sheets, an extra pillow and a light blanket for the AC
• Wipe the bedside table, check the lamp works and leave a phone charger
• Run the AC or open up the room for a few hours so it doesn't smell closed-up

Guest bathroom

• Scrub the toilet, sink, shower and grout (our mould guide helps with black spots)
• Clear personal items off the counter
• Stock up: toilet paper, hand soap, a fresh hand towel and a small bin with a liner

Gallery, porch and yard

• Sweep and mop the gallery, and wipe down chairs and tables
• Cut the grass and trim around the gate and path
• Clear the driveway so visitors have somewhere to park

Decorating

• Decorate a clean house, never a cluttered one. It looks better and is far easier to pack away.
• Check lights for frayed wires before hanging, don't overload sockets, and turn them off when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Use a stable ladder with someone holding it for high jobs.

The 30-minute reset before guests arrive

When the deep work is done, this is all you need before each visit:

After the lime

• Before bed: clear food away, rinse glasses, take out the rubbish. Ants arrive fast in the heat.
• Next morning: wash up, wipe tables and spills, and check sofas and rugs for stains while they're fresh.
• Boxing Day or later: take down decorations into labelled bins, and coil lights neatly so they work next year.