The countdown to Christmas is now officially now on and with the clock ticking rapidly, you may want to start thinking about how to prepare and improve your home for the festive season. We don’t just mean decorating the tree though, with the dark nights drawing in, now is the perfect time to make all those long-awaited home improvements for a Christmas to remember. Check out our top tips below:

• Make your home more secure

Sounds a bit practical, we know, but Christmas and New Year is the prime season for burglars and break-ins. To thwart intruders, try not to display your Christmas tree or gifts in the front window – this will only entice local criminals. For a more permanent level of security, consider installing an alarm system or quality secure doors – they will prove an investment in the long run.

• Chuck out that old hot water bottle

If you’ve been meaning to update your home’s heating system, don’t delay any longer. It may seem cold now, but chances are its only going to get colder, and Christmas is not the time to be shivering in your PJs. If you can’t face the agro of opening up that old chimney, consider investing in a cosy wood burning stove – all the effect and heat of an open fire without the hassle!

• Get the lighting right

Whether this means updating your lighting scheme internally or externally, the right lighting can do wonders for the ambience of your home. Fitting a light sensor system outdoors can be an invaluable way of improving security, and the addition of a just a few simple spotlights indoors can really update the style of a room without breaking the bank. Also, a Christmas tree decorated purely with twinkling lights can look just as appealing as one draped in every bauble you can get your hands on!

• Decorate (tastefully)

We all have a bit of artistic licence in our homes at Christmas time, but remember, less is always more… Invest in just a few quality decorations and don’t go overboard on the tinsel. When it comes to outdoors, rather than set up a Vegas-inspired Santa’s Grotto for all the neighbourhood to glare at, consider a few lights in a tree, or a simple wreath round the front door – the effect will be a more understated winter wonderland but your neighbours will no doubt appreciate it!

• Get your DIY hat on

Whether this simply means making your own tree decorations with the kids or taking on more of a lengthy project, the do-it-yourself approach can be both cost-effective and self-satisfying. Check out online blogs for tips and advice http://www.blogged.com/directory/family-home/home-improvement/