What with all that shopping, cooking, decorating and card writing, Christmas and the run-up to it can seem frantic rather than the restful period it should be. And that's before you've even thought about what to give everyone this year...
Many people prefer to receive practical gifts they can keep and put to good use, rather than things which get used up or forgotten about.
That's why, when it comes to seasonal gifts, house and garden items are among the best buys for your nearest and dearest. So save time and narrow your search!
Take the humble doormat. It may not be something you have considered giving before, but when you start to think about how useful a mat can be, you'll start to wonder why.
After all, the lowly doormat is the very first line of defence against grit and dirt. The alternative, having debris and moisture carried in from outside, means having to sweep, vacuum and mop far more frequently.
Just consider how much more expensive it would be to replace a damaged floor or carpet, and how unsafe wet, slippery floors can be.
And if you have ever used a carpet sample in the hope that it would do, you'll be fully aware that only a proper doormat is up to the job.
What's more, these outstanding gifts for house or flat are far from a huge investment, and can be given safe in the knowledge that the recipient needs to do little or nothing to keep their mats in tip-top condition.
If you're wondering where your recipients will place their mats, think about all outside entrances, especially those with heavy foot traffic. It's not just front doors that benefit from the presence of a doormat, but side and back ones, too.
Equally, mats are ideally placed at entranceways to integral, messier areas of buildings, including garages, workshops and basements. And if you have inside as well as outside mats, you get a second chance to catch anything on the bottom of shoes, boots or paws that got missed first time round.
Remember that it's also worth keeping the area immediately outside doorways clear. If visitors have to walk through mud, snow or leaves to get to your door, even the very best mats can only do so much. You might even want to consider investing in a foot scraper, too.
Of course, you can also make mats last longer by directing people through a mud room, garage, or other space during heavy rain or snow. And if you're buying a mat for the doorstep, make sure it's designed to withstand weather and temperature changes.
When you're selecting these Christmas gifts for home birds, you'll find a range of different products on offer, especially online. Not purely functional, these items set the tone for the style of the rest of a property.
So, while you need to take into account foot traffic when making your choice, also pay attention to colour and style. Clearly, colours which don't show up the dirt are best for outside mats, so dark and mottled shades make excellent choices.
Festive Offerings from the Mat Factory
At The Mat Factory, we have such a great range of designs, sizes, colours, shapes and styles of mats that you're bound to want to nab a few ideas for your home while you're doing your Christmas shopping for friends and family.
Use our handy online mat finder tool to pinpoint the perfect gift, either by design, location in and around the home or function, from entranceway dust busting to purely decorative. And don't forget to have a peek at our online design gallery while you're at it.
We have mats for every outside step and room in the home, from our legendary, original Dirt-Trapper products to our Eco-Scrape scraper mat, made entirely from 100% recyclable materials.
Dirt-Trapper items are guaranteed to last five years, are safe in the tumble dryer and washing machine, and made from 100% pure cotton to trap a whopping 95% of dirt and damp.
Alternatively, our wash+dry design mats suit any room in the house - choose from a host of appealing designs, including a great collection of trendy designs for the living room.
Buying from us online is so easy, quick and convenient. Browse our extensive stock and shop whenever and wherever suits you best. All our prices include VAT, and we deliver overseas as well as UK-wide. Order before 12pm and we'll get your order to you within three working days.
We also have a robust returns policy and a range of secure payment methods for extra peace of mind.
There really is something for everyone in our collections. So click away, and then get on with the rest of Christmas, knowing you've got your gifts, and your recipients' floors, delightfully covered!
01204 389 540
Union Jack mats
