Last week I told you to sit and watch the snow fall and I hope you had some time to enjoy yourself because it’s now a week before Christmas and it’s time to move!

Time to go, time to visit and to make your home merry and bright.

This week all the stops are pulled out and we are in full flight as we prepare for the arrival of the jolly one. I think Santa has a good gig, don’t you?

What other mythical figure in history can make US run around like fools while we shop and wrap and prep to make HIM look good Christmas morning? We have spent years protecting this man’s reputation while we do all the work; something just isn’t right about that.

Whether Christmas is simple and homey or an elaborate, catered affair you will still have prep.

Beds have to be freshened and guest rooms dusted and vacuumed in anticipation for extra visitors. Foods that you never consider the other 11 months of the year are bought and stored waiting for the snack times to arrive.

We live on popcorn January to November but now the smoked oysters, pistachios and chocolates are on the brain. You of course have or will probably decorate your home which takes up at least a day and you are dragging your favorite holiday serving dishes and mugs out of hiding.

I feel like I’m giving you a task list of things you already are well aware so I will let you get to the finish of your preparations as you are probably reading this article for Christmas decorating advice.

The easiest and quickest way to make a holiday table sparkle is with sparkle.

People always seem to appreciate the extra dazzle when it is added to an occasion and you won’t mind receiving the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from your guests.

Even a bare white table with one dash of gold or silver is a showstopper because truthfully, the table is only noticed for a moment before it is blanketed with food!

Keep it smelling authentic – everyone remembers pine, cinnamon and peppermint as quintessential holiday scents.

I used to scour shops to find pine-scented candles and dish soap and was content to float away in the euphoria of the woodland scents but in all honesty – two hours into your turkey dinner cooking and your house smells like turkey which is marvellous all by itself but pine-scented turkey is not too great.

The next thing that guarantees Christmas magic is the right feeling; that crackling fireplace with stockings hung carefully in place.

Let me tell you in 25 years being a designer, MOST clients shake their heads and say no to a wood fireplace. Too messy, smoke gets in the house, wood shavings everywhere; besides it’s too hot to hang a stocking anywhere near it when the flames are raging.

The are wonderful for heat but not the picturesque holiday backdrop we have all given them credit for all these years.

I am sure this list has helped you tremendously in your holiday preparations and I chuckle and truly appreciate you reading this satire in your busy prep week.

Have a beautiful holiday and thank you for reading with me this year and for all the positive feedback I receive from everyone.

Kim Wyse is a Central Alberta freelance designer. Find her on facebook at ‘Kim Wyse Associate Royal Lepage Tamarack Trail Realty’.