With Christmas only a matter of weeks away there is something to be said for getting your affairs in order. Now we don’t mean arranging illicit encounters, we mean making sure that you are prepared for all eventualities and a house-guest can be a common feature of festive celebrations. Whether they are invited or not, the chances are that you could be entertaining this season, so Talking Shop is here to make sure that you are fully equipped to be the perfect host when the relatives land on your doorstep laden with bags and looking for a warm place to put their feet up. Check out our guide to the essential buys that will guarantee you are ready for any Christmas knees-up.
Pocket Guest Bed £1,400
First of all you need to offer a good night’s sleep. Your house may already be chocker with cosy sleeping spots but if you have been meaning to do up your spare room but haven’t quite managed it, it’s not too late. This clever bed pretends it is a simple and unassuming single size but can be turned into a full King size bed before your very eyes which is so clever we want one just to witness it. With delivery promised before Christmas, you still have time to make sure your guest sleeps on the best pocket-sprung style available.
Alessi Boston Cocktail Shaker Set £139
Christmas often involves a few drinks to get in the seasonal spirit so make sure you are ready in true professional fashion with a cocktail kit from Alessi. Impressively slick and sophisticated, this stainless steel beauty can whip up all manner of mock or cocktails and get your party started in an instant.
Pucket game £45
You’ve watched the Queen’s speech, you have eaten your weight in turkey, you have even stayed awake through another rerun of Home Alone. What’s next? A rousing traditional board game to indulge in by the fire. Pucket is that game; a delightfully simple game that takes no knowledge or real skill to play, in fact we think it is probably more fun if you are struggling with spatial awareness following a tipple or two. The aim is to flick your pucks through a small hole in the middle of the board, see, it really is that simple and brilliantly entertaining, we promise.
Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon Candle £34
There is nothing like a delicate scent enveloping a house to make it feel like a Christmas home. You can pick from a number of different perfumed candles at The Conran Shop, all of them will ensure that your house has a welcoming ambience and is fragranced like a five star hotel.
Agua de Colonia Bath and Shower Gel £11.50
Speaking of a five star hotel… Allow your guests a little sophisticated splendour in the bathroom with a heavenly scented shower gel that combines extracts of Lemon, Spanish Lavender, Geranium and Eucalyptus with essential oils of Rosemary, Thyme, English Lavender and Bergamot. This refreshing fragrance is bound to be a hit with male and female guests alike.
Mantas Excaray Mohair Blanket £325
No-one will doubt that the winter snap is here to stay and whilst we have vague recollections of the warmer weather of autumn we are happy to escape the chill and get indoors. So will your guests when they find a little mohair loveliness on the end of their bed, perfect for climbing under when the toes get cold.