In time for Christmas

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 26, 2006 | by LYNDA WATTS

IF your relatives are all descending on you for Christmas and you're panicking about how you're going to put them up, don't despair... there's till time to get in those extra things you need.

Whether it's an extendable dining table, a spacious sofa, a bed for the spare room, a widescreen telly so everyone can watch the Queen's Speech or an extra fridge-freezer to store the turkey, here's our complete Christmas guide - with the last possible dates to place your orders to make sure they arrive before the big day. This way you can ensure the delivery man will be knocking on the door in plenty of time...

DINING TABLES & CHAIRS

TOO many guests and not enough table space? Avoid the need for two sittings for Christmas dinner by investing in an extendable dining table...

MFI: NOVEMBER 30 The Maxwell table seats up to eight when fully extended. Made from frosted tempered glass with a maple finish frame, it's a steal at pounds 144 (0800 028 0937, www.mfi.co.uk).

HABITAT: DECEMBER 3 With its contemporary good looks, the Ruskin extending table, which seats six to eight, pounds 499, will expand your options (0845 601 0740, www.habitat.net).

CARGO HOMESHOP: DECEMBER 8 The style-conscious shopper can't go wrong with the Mega Bling extending table in glass and chrome. Seats up to eight for pounds 449 (0870 011 2119, www.cargo homeshop.com).

TESCO DIRECT: DECEMBER 12 If you need a table which can seat six comfortably but can stretch to 14, try the Napoli extending dining table, a snip at just pounds 198.24 (0845 600 4411, www.tesco.com).

DWELL: DECEMBER 15 For contemporary style, we give the thumbs-up to Dwell's Clear glass extending dining table, pounds 295, and Oak straight back chairs, pounds 29.95 (0870 241 8653, www.dwell.co.uk).

SOFAS ENSURE your guests are all sitting comfortably as they relax in front of the telly catching up on the Christmas specials...

MFI: NOVEMBER 30 We like the Cassiopeia chaise sofa bed in charcoal, pounds 655.20, that quickly and easily converts from a contemporary sofa into a comfortable bed, complete with storage space (0800 028 0937, www.mfi.co.uk).

DWELL: DECEMBER 15 Whatever your budget, you should be able to find something to suit your style from Dwell's range of contemporary sofas. Try the Sofia corner sofa in cream faux suede for pounds 745 or the three-seater Oslo sofa in brown for pounds 395 (0870 241 8653, www.dwell.co.uk).

FURNITURE VILLAGE: DECEMBER 9 The Lucy sofa bed at pounds 499 or the Scala sofa bed at pounds 799 will provide great flexible seating and sleeping over Christmas (0800 783 0830, www. furniturevillage.co.uk).

JOHN LEWIS: DECEMBER 9 Go for the Indiana large sofa, covered in a plush rusty red fabric, that seats three and costs pounds 895. If it's in stock it can be delivered in seven days, but for guaranteed Christmas delivery, get your order in by December 9 (08456 049049, www.johnlewis.com).

EMPORIO: DECEMBER 12 Emporio's new leather range, including the Lucca corner sofa at pounds 999, is available at a half-price introductory offer. If you're really short of space, opt for the Turin two-seater sofa bed at pounds 575, the perfect solution for any overnight guests. If you do run out of time and are anywhere near Emporio's Swindon warehouse, you can go there for collection until 6pm on December 22 (0870 499 4994, www.emporiohome.co.uk).

TESCO DIRECT: DECEMBER 12 Try the great value Toronto sofa in natural, pounds 399.94, or stretch the budget with the luxurious Chicago large leather sofa in Espresso, pounds 799.97 (0845 600 4411, www.tesco.com).

BEDS & MATTRESSES

IT'S not too late to get your spare room looking ship-shape in time for guests. Why not buy a new mattress at the same time... and if space is in short supply, try storage divans or buy under-bed drawers to tidy things away...

DUNELM MILL: DECEMBER 8 Dunelm Mill have some fantastic deals, including the Double Jupiter bedstead, pounds 139.99, or the Duravisco divan bed, from pounds 349.99 for a single (0845 165 6565 www.dunelm-mill.com).

EMPORIO: DECEMBER 12 Emporio have a good range to choose from, including the Ascot leather bed for pounds 999. If you've really left it till the last minute, pop along to Emporio's Swindon warehouse for collection up until 6pm on December 22 (0870 499 4994, www. emporiohome.co.uk).

TESCO DIRECT: DECEMBER 12 Tesco have a great selection of value beds, such as the Suffolk 4ft 6in bedstead in white for pounds 98.23 (0845 600 4411 www.tesco.com).

IKEA: DECEMBER 23 If last-minute guests invite themselves to stay, hire a small van and pop along to Ikea. Try the Dalselv frame, pounds 60, or the Heimdal frame, pounds 70. Mattresses from pounds 80 (0845 355 1141, www.ikea.co.uk).

TVs MAKE sure everyone can see all their favourite seasonal specials in style with a swanky new widescreen TV...

JOHN LEWIS: DECEMBER 9 You'll find a super selection of widescreen TVs. The Sharp Aquos LC26P70 26-inch LCD television, pounds 749, will give hours of great viewing time. (08456 049049, ww.johnlewis.com)

ARGOS: DECEMBER 15 Argos have some nice prices on Bush 26-inch HD- ready LCD televisions - from pounds 249.99 to pounds 579.97 with stand and a DVD recorder (0870 600 2020 www.argos.co.uk).