The most useful and madly generous gift I ever received came knocking at my door one grisly morning last December. Dear friends, who had perhaps heard me say “I’ve lost the will to clean” just one time too many, pooled together and dispatched three cleaners to my house to save the day.

Together they accomplished more in six hours than I might have managed in a week off, including some of the more unsavoury tasks such as cleaning the blades of the extractor fan, braving the mysteries behind the fridge and, indeed, degrunging the oven and the shower. It was such a delight and surprise, and suddenly the house – and its housemother – were ready for Christmas. Great idea for anyone who has perhaps moved house, or had a baby, or been somehow indisposed. Even two hours of scrupulous cleaning will make a difference. Try your tried and tested local services or consult www.busylizzie.ie with offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Wicklow.

Patsey Murphy