As the roaring fire dies down, and the household becomes quiet, the only sound is the dogs softly snoring in the lounge and the Christmas tree lights sparkling in the darkness. The children have left out the carrots, mince pie and cherry for Santa, and the household is asleep. You have been asked to work this year, to help make the family’s Christmas a truly magical one – but what is the role of a Butler on Christmas Day?
Preparation
It is your job to capture the magic in the lead-up and to the big day itself. Planning the actual day’s festivities, as well as organising guest lists, sending invites and dealing with the party planners. You will have prepared and wrapped all the presents, and helped coordinate with other staff about who is working on which day to ensure that the household has full cover
Christmas Eve
Before you finish work, you’ll do a final check of the household, ensure that it looks like Santa has been (by eating half the mince pie, carrot and drinking the cherry!) and then ensuring that the children’s stockings have been hung at the foot of the fireplace in the lounge. Once you are satisfied that the household is ready for the magical next day, you’ll clock off work.
Early Christmas Day
You’ll arrive at the principals home early, to let in the Chef (who was busy prepping the day before) and to start laying the dining room. The household is still quiet, so you work quickly and quietly to ensure that the dining table is ready, and take delivery of the fresh flowers for the magical centre piece. At around 9am the household starts to stir and the chaos of the children rushing in to open presents begins. You make sure to offer hot drinks to the principals, and start an informal breakfast service to them as the children unwrap presents. Making sure to quickly remove wrapping paper and tidy up around them. You blend into the background to allow for the family to have their magical moments.
Before Christmas Lunch
You check that the Chef is happy and ensure that the housekeepers are on standby for service. The doorbell rings and the first family members arrive, you greet them, take coats and umbrellas and welcome them to the drawing room, where hot mulled wine and champagne is being served. You’ve created a wonderful Christmas playlist to ensure that the dining room background noise is ambient, but also hides some of the excitement of the children which is growing as more family members arrive. The principals have changed and join their guests in the drawing room
Christmas Lunch
You oversee the Christmas lunch, ensuring service is perfect from start to finish. You lead the service and ensure that the housekeepers work to your Silver Service standards with the beautiful food the Chef has prepared. You’ve ordered special crackers from Fortnum & Masons which make it a wonderful start to the meal with delightful gifts for each person at the table. You’ve asked the housekeepers to all wear Santa Hats as your principals have a good sense of humour and it makes for some fun, and light-hearted jokes and comments from the guests.
Your staff wait to eat themselves until service is complete and then the guests retire to the drawing room and playrooms respectively, whilst you and your staff start service for the adults, tea and coffee and liqueurs, whilst ensuring the children have a wonderful selection of non-alcoholic cocktails for their hydration. Your staff clear the dining room and assist Chef with clear up.
Afternoon Activities
You’ve planned a wonderful selection of games and activities for the children, some including the adults, but mainly to ensure that the children are busy and entertained and the adults can relax. You ensure champagne and drinks are flowing, and your principal who loves to entertain has his own bar area where he makes cocktails with a Christmas theme.
Evening Surprise
As nightfall arrives, the doorbell rings and a special visitor is at the door – it’s Santa Clause! You’ve arranged for him to visit the household and the children are delighted to get special personalised gifts which you’ve planned in advance. Huge smiles all around.
Evening Clean-up
As the guests begin to leave, you ensure that the family are happy, now relaxing on the sofa in one of the living rooms. You raise a glass with the staff in the staff kitchen and thank them for their hard work, and once you’ve done your final checks you wish the family goodnight and retire yourself. A wonderful magical day you loved being part of.
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