House “facelift” for Christmas guests

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This is our first year hosting. And dh is really the one wanting to go all out. He has even suggested we go room to room in our house and do a bit of a spruce up - painting over scuffs, decluttering etc. He said it would be nice to go into the New Year feeling fresh.

I mean the house is kept in a decent state. No kids. But two large dogs.

To me this overboard and kind of makes the idea of hosting oppressive. He’s put it forward as a nice thing to do together but he said he’s happy to crack on without me. But obviously I feel that’s a bit mean.

Who’s the crazy one?

It’s a good excuse to do it…!

Seems a good offer to me.

If you don't want him to do your house, send him this way!

If you've got the time and energy go for it.

A quick spruce up and declutter will be good for you.

Yep, over thinking what guest care about certainly. No-one will care whether your paintwork has a few scratches, they're not viewing your house to buy it! It's Christmas and they have come to see you and have a good time. Concentrate your efforts on making your house look festive and providing good food and music so you all have a memorable Christmas.

By all means do the house painting when the guests have gone home and do it as a new years thing if you want too.

I'd probably find it mildly irritating that someone I lived with needed Christmas as a motivation to tidy or repaint, but I'd let him at it if you feel stuff needs doing.

Our house (and we always host) is exactly the same at Christmas as any other day of the year, bar some garlands and lights, and the Christmas tree.

Seems a great idea, guests or no guests.

It’s always sensible to declutter, and a good idea to do things like painting over marks etc.

Having guests coming is a motivating factor for many people, and I don’t think it’s fair to be irritated by this - it’s natural and very common.

It just about needs doing. We keep on top of it mostly but this year we’ve been a bit more neglectful than usual (new jobs for both dh and I). People would still feel our house is clean and presentable without the “facelift”.

If he is willing and able, Christmas is as good excuse as any to get things done. If he doesn't even need your assistance with it, what is your objection?

He's now got an excuse and a motivator to get it done - I'm the same, I like a good deadline 😂

Let him crack on I'd say. Then send him to me for a week

Your husband is willing to spruce up and declutter the house and you're complaining?

Have a word with yourself, woman!

my only objection is that I would feel compelled to help him but I’m kind of enjoying winding down in these Autumn/winter months.

Id much rather spend the afternoon baking/curled up on sofa with a book etc

I've voted YABU because you are v lucky to be with a man who actually suggests doing a declutter & spruce up 😉
But I wouldn't embark on any huge projects - anything DIY seems to take 3 times as long as you think it will. And concentrate on Christmas decorations & lights to make the place look really welcoming.

I think in my mind it’s just not needed. We put our house on the market in Spring (took it swiftly off when I got my new job) and the estate agent said it was in incredible condition. I mean that was quite a few months ago and we definitely have not been as on top of things as we usually are.

Tbh I just can’t be bothered. But equally would feel bad if dh is making dump trips whilst I’m on the sofa eating cake!

Painting over a few scuffs is nothing really unless he is really suggesting full redecorating. To be honest we always have a big clean up and declutter before putting the Christmas decorations up and I plan to redecorate our horrible lounge (new house) before the decorations go up.

Agree some weekends to do it or have him do weekday evenings but say you won't be doing loads
It's worth doing. New year new energy
Painting isn't hard nor is decluttering. Have some wine while you do it and put some music on it'll be a nice almost date night

Well then he paints, you bake, and you both get the benefits of a lovely house and some delicious cakes? Sounds like the ideal balance to me 😉

If it needs doing why on earth is there a problem with doing it now?

You dont have to help him but if its just about winding down how much relaxing time do you need? Topping up a few scuffs in the paintwork will probably take an hour, max.

You'll probably be making the same excuse any time of year (no shade, I too like relaxing) - After Christmas "I cba, I just want to relax after all the effort of hosting" in the spring, "I don't want to spend time indoors cleaning when the sun has finally come out, let's go out and do something instead" etc. There will always be an excuse!

Also if you have two large dogs task one should be airing the whole house out and giving it a scrub, then burning some nice candles for hours. I've never been to a doggy household that doesn't smell, sorry. One small daschund in a large house you might get away with but anything bigger, nope. Owners will insist theirs doesn't but its because they've got used to it. Your guests will absolutely smell it.

It’s a great idea imo. I’d be the husband in this situation I think! Nothing better than a good (pre!) spring clean and spruce up.

I was talking to a bunch of Trinidadians at work a while ago, who said that this was completely normal in Trinidad - Christmas equals fresh paint.

Just don't feel bad 🤭

Well you've got 6 weekends between now and Christmas. So why not just compromise and say you can / will spend Saturdays doing stuff round the house as long as you can chill on Sundays?

Well you can’t have it both ways, so you either need to sit and eat cake and accept feeling rubbish about it, or join your DH and feel more like a supportive partner.

Lots of women would envy you his initiative and energy!

It's bit sad to wait until you have guests to freshen up the house, but it's as good a reason as any, so 100% I would be glad for the push.

I hate clutter, so at the very least a big tidy/ decluttering sounds like a brilliant idea, before putting all the Christmas stuff. January should be to go on holiday (when you haven't got kids) or plan holidays, can't think of anything worst than starting the new year by having to clean.

How long would it realistically take? I’d go for it and it should be a joint effort.
Definitely get some nice scented candles too.