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136 THE ENGLISH HOME FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE ADDRESS BOOKblock anyone who spends July exclaiming that it is only26 weeks until Christmas.Staying with friends, or having them to stay, can befraught with obstacles. The dos and don’ts should besimple: never outstay one’s welcome, always take lovelypresents, offer to help as much as possible and meanit. Do not, however, under any circumstances, try toringfence the glamorous jobs. Take over tasks such asthe washing up, but do not – unless explicitly asked to- offer, for example, to carve the bird. Be kind to thechildren of the house, but do not give them anythingwith sugar or artificial colourings. Their mother hasbeen trying to calm them down since term ended andthe last thing she needs is a tornado of small peoplespinning through the house in a chemical frenzy. If having marital problems, one will need, I amafraid, either to turn down all invitations or agree tocall a truce for the festive period. It really is not fairto subject friends or family to the worry of hearingconstant arguing. I remember staying with some lovelyfriends one year as his sister and her husband arguedlate into the night and hurled some rather good platesat each other. We ended up having Christmas lunchfrom paper plates as our host confided that they simplycould not take the risk with the china. It pays to be prepared at Christmas, so one is not leftembarrassed. This includes having a few emergencypresents stashed away for when someone unexpectedlydrops in with a rather lovely looking parcel. I alwayshave at least six, and they are of varying values. Mostyears I will have to use around three. I keep them asgeneric as possible, including wine, notebooks,delicious foods and some board games in case onesuddenly remembers a forgotten child. During the season of goodwill, it is never moreimportant to do unto others as one would havedone unto oneself. This is why I will endeavour tomake everyone happy this year, including Mr M.I have yielded to his demands that, at Christmas,the man of the house should be allowed to be theguardian of the drinks cupboard. What is the worstthat could happen? nSEASON OF GIVINGDelight friends and family this Christmaswith the help of these useful resourcesMrs Minerva Writes...### BEDTIME BLISSAt Christmas, one generally has to make up spare beds andI always see it as a good time to spruce up largely unused roomsby buying new linen. Top of my list of places to go for this isAmara. They have a host of brilliant items for the home, and lotsof rather unusual and fun duvet covers and throws. It is terriblyimportant to ensure one’s guests are relaxed and comfortable intheir rooms, not least because this often means I get an extra houror so before I am on breakfast duty. amara.com``````CORNUCOPIA OF GIFTSI am a huge fan of Daylesford, and it is always on my list to visitaround Christmas. It is great for emergency presents. This yearI am stocking up on its geranium-scented candles, which, startingfrom £21, are actually rather a bargain. They come in sweet,reusable glass containers and are perfect for lifting one’s mood.If they are still in the drawer after New Year’s Day, I dot themaround the house, as they are also really good at getting rid ofthe smell of wet Labrador. daylesford.com``````SWEET DELIGHTSChristmas is a time of tradition and home-made treats are mostdefinitely the order of the day,whether one makes them aspresents, tree decorations orsimply for one’s guests to enjoy.Top of my Christmas list is awonderful new book, Mrs Beeton’sHomemade Sweetshop. Inspiredby the classic techniques in IsabellaBeeton’s Book of HouseholdManagement, this new volumeincludes fail-safe advice ona huge array of delicious sweets.Mrs Beeton’s HomemadeSweetshop, £16.99,published by Orion``````LEFT A specialscented candle isalways an excellentChristmas gift –perfect for anunexpected guest.Large botanicalgeranium candle,£25, DaylesfordTEH UK DEC15 Mrs M.indd 136 14/10/2015 10:36