If you are planning to entertain family and friends during the Christmas holidays, your kitchen is likely to become the focal point of your house and is likely to require some preparation if things are to run smoothly. Whatever is on your menu for Christmas Day, a bit of preparation beforehand will ensure kitchen is up to the job, saving you time, energy and stress on the day. If you do not have the time for a kitchen refit before the big day, there are lots of simple actions you can take to make sure kitchen chores run smoothly. IKEAs interior designer Samantha Lansbury has revealed some top tips on how to speedily upgrade your kitchen to prepare for this busiest time of the year. Tips include getting organised by throwing out unwanted clutter and keeping mugs and cups in the kettle area to save time. Store plates next to the cooker to ensure an easy serving up process and keep your recycling bin handy. When considering the layout of your kitchen, try to mark out a triangle between the most frequently used areas of your kitchen, such as between your fridge, sink and cooker. Think about jobs that might be taking place while someone is using the oven, such as the making of cups of tea or the pouring of drinks. Are you crossing each others path and getting in the way? If so, it is a simple task to move the kettle away from the sink or oven area and to a more convenient area. A few acts of preparation can make Christmas a great deal less stressful and significantly add to the enjoyment of the holiday season.