How to host this Christmas

Christmas is coming and, with it, all the conundrums of hosting. Whether you want to spruce up your spare room for anticipated guests, or make a failsafe plan for unanticipated ones – on those nights when the party carries on a little later than planned and everyone needs somewhere to stay – here’s how to make everyone feel welcome.

Try not to sweat the small stuff as long as everyone has something to sit on, something to eat and somewhere to sleep (if necessary), then it'll all be okay.

Firstly, check you have enough seating for the number of people you're hosting. If you can borrow additional chairs from a neighbour, brilliant, if not then designs you can easily stack, store and stash away are always a good idea.

Make sure you’re stocked up on all the other daily essentials, too – think cutlery, tableware and glassware – and keep a cupboard stocked with treats, snacks and festive fun touches, such as crackers and recyclable serviettes, and cover yourself for those last-minute sleepovers.

Speaking of… Extra bedding and inflatable air beds always come into their own in December. They're also both good investments, as you'll actually use them throughout the rest of the year. Our top tip: head to a laundrette to use one of their huge service machines, so you can wash and dry all the guests' sheets in one go. Alternatively opt for a heated clothes airer to dry things quickly. 

A sofa bed is always a good investment, especially since they've evolved in leaps and bounds and can now provide a decent night's sleep. There are hundreds to choose from, from click-clack designs that go from sofa to sleep space in one easy move, to more traditional beds.

Provide your guests with a little extra comfort and cover the foam mattress with a fitted sheet, then shake out a coverless duvet from The Fine Bedding Company. Et voilà, your guest bed is ready to go in the time it would take to phone a taxi. We'd also add a well-placed side table or pouffe to the setup – perfect to house a glass of water and personal belongings.

For a simple Scandi style, choose a sofa bed that has minimal lines but maximum comfort. Ideal as a second sofa in a living area or as a way of making a home office work a little bit harder, armless designs suit any space. They’re also easily elevated with throws and cushions.

Treat guests to natural linen bedding, which is super soft and needs little – if any – ironing. Try a deep shade, such as forest green or inky blue, to transform your day space for sleep.

If you don't have room for an additional sofa bed or air bed, here's an alternative: opt for a corner sofa or corner chair that offer comfortable seating day-to-day but convert into a sofa bed, too.

Working very much like a traditional sofa bed, a corner sofa frame and mattress lift out of the seat with a two-fold mechanism. Once unfolded, the bed is supported by slats – it’s this combination of webbing and slats that means you no longer have to choose between a perfect sofa or a comfortable bed. You can have both. 

Make sure your guests have a duvet suitable for the weather – a winter duvet should have a tog between 10 and 15 – which you can layer with a bedspread or throw for extra-cosy vibes.

Wherever you plan to put guests, check the space: is it dark enough? Is there a space for them to keep their things? Somewhere to charge their phone? Maybe leave out a pair of guest slippers, a hot water bottle and an eye mask. A carafe for water, mini toiletries and a scented candle will make them feel at home. We also love a dimmable light to softly light the room before bed. If they’re likely to need your wifi, you could write the password in a notecard and leave it by their bed. Something easy to read, such as a book of short stories, will also add a personal touch. Leave out a pile of fluffy guest towels for the morning, and you'll have some very happy friends and family.