Christmas is almost upon us once more, so our thoughts are turning to buying and decorating the tree, writing the cards and icing the cake – and buying presents for our friends and relatives. We love giving presents almost as much as receiving them, and we put great care into finding the right festive gift for the right person – whether it’s Mum or Dad, friends from work or even a pet.

Isn’t there someone you’re missing off your Christmas list though? Someone who looks after you all year long, keeping you warm and dry? Well, a ‘something’ rather than a ‘someone’ … your home. This winter why not treat your home? Buy a festive present for your house or flat. It’d be something that you can both enjoy all year long!

Mark Rimell of leading estate agents Strutt & Parker says that a new kitchen is usually top of most people’s wish list. This is something that can really invigorate a home, and unless you have very firm ideas of your own it’s often a good idea to get a professional in to advise you. Fashions come and go, and that applies to kitchens as much as hemlines or hair styles. Bringing your kitchen up to date will give you a lot of pleasure and help safeguard the value of your home.

As Mark says, ‘There are many specialist companies who will supply and fit new kitchen units, and they may not be as expensive as you think. You might think first of the very well-known names based on out-of-town retail parks, but it’s worth doing a bit of research and talking to smaller companies too. They might give you something more individual, and may well provide a one-stop service, handling electrical work, tiling, and flooring.’

Talking of flooring, that is another way to lift a property without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a new carpet, new wooden flooring or tiling, it will really lift your home. Carpet remains very popular, but in recent years we’ve seen a large number of new firms specialising in laying laminate and ‘real’ flooring. Again, fashions come and go, and some of the laminates haven’t stood the test of time, so do think before you commit yourself. A new floor in an entrance area such as a hallway is always good value for money and will create a great first impression for visitors, be they carol-singers or relative arriving for Christmas lunch!

Replacing a bathroom can be a daunting task. Removing old baths, basins and WCs creates a lot of mess, and will involve several different craftsmen. A really beautiful and luxurious bathroom is a great delight though, and even fresh décor and new tiles will make a difference. Lighting is a much under-appreciated element in many rooms in the house, and especially in bathrooms. It is possible to have different arrangements of lights (controlled by switches outside the bathroom, as the law requires), so that you have bright white light for cleaning your teeth, shaving and applying make-up, and softer, delicately tinted lighting for lazing in the bath. True luxury is having a single, separately controlled spotlight that allows you to read in the bath without having the whole room flooded with light.

If there’s one change in your bathroom which your house will really appreciate it’s a new shower. Mark Rimell who is based at Strutt & Parker’s London office, says, ‘Our clients often say that shower cubicles are too small and pokey, and the showers units themselves aren’t powerful enough. There are many specialist companies offering a huge range of new ideas for showers, and you can get a new, larger shower with multiple spray outlets without spending a fortune.’ Remember, if you’re going larger with the cubicle itself you can probably get away without extensive re-decorating around it.

If you feel like really treating your home then a building a conservatory is still a very popular option. It might just give you that bit extra space, and of course there are lots of ways you can decorate and furnish a conservatory to provide a contrast with the rest of the house. Conservatories have a poor reputation in some quarters, but that’s usually because there’s been a lack of thought and planning.

If you like the idea of buying your home a Christmas present but don’t want to spend too much, there are still things you can do. A good clear up in the garden will lift your spirits and make the house neater; clear fallen leaves, brush the paths and tidy the flower beds.

Or, one of the best things you can do for a property, with the worst of the weather ahead of us, is make sure that gutters and drains are clear. Mark adds, ‘Water is one the worst enemies, whether it’s pouring down the walls from a blocked gutter, or creeping up the walls because of obstructed drains.’ All you need is a pair of rubber gloves and a bucket. If you’re not comfortable with heights you can get someone in to do the high work while you concentrate on what’s going on a ground level. It’s not very festive (wrapped tinsel round the ladder is an option!) but it’ll save you and your home anguish and expense later. Merry Christmas to you both!