Tech the halls: Five festive ways to create a smarter home

Christmas is a season for cozy nights, twinkling lights, and festive magic throughout the home. But what if you could add a little tech-savvy sparkle to things this year? With the right gadgets and some clever tips, you can turn your home into a winter wonderland that would even turn Santa’s head!

1) Illuminate your Christmas with smart lighting

Why settle for basic string lights when you can bring your entire home to life with smart lighting? With a few smart bulbs or smart plugs, you can schedule your Christmas tree lights to come on as soon as the sun goes down, or have your outdoor lights twinkle in time to your favourite Christmas songs.

Here's how to do it:

• Sync with your voice assistant: Use Alexa, Google, or Siri to turn on your lights with a simple command like, “Alexa, light up the Christmas tree!”
• Set a festive schedule: Create custom timers so your tree and outdoor lights are always on when the family gathers. You can even sync them with sunrise or sunset to keep things effortless.
• Create the perfect atmosphere: Many smart bulbs let you adjust colours and brightness. Choose warm tones for a cozy evening or go all out with vibrant reds and greens for the ultimate holiday party!

2) Simply having a smart speaker Christmastime

Many of us already have smart speakers at home, so why not use them to spread a little holiday cheer! Whether you’re playing Christmas carols or setting up reminders to check on the turkey, your voice assistant can be a handy helper.

Here's how to do it:

• Festive playlists on command: Just say, “Hey Google, play Christmas music”, and let the tunes fill the room. Or you can ask for specific playlists like “Classic Christmas” or “Winter Instrumentals” to match your mood.
• Set holiday reminders: Need to keep track of gift shopping or Christmas dinner preparation? Ask your voice assistant to remind you when it’s time to check the oven or when to buy those last-minute stocking fillers.
• Storytime with Santa: Pair your smart speaker to your phone or tablet and open your favourite podcast or audiobook app for access to a host of Christmas stories. They’re sure to keep the kids or grandkids entertained at least long enough to give you a rest!

3) Festive movie magic: Your smart home cinema

It just isn’t Christmas without a movie marathon, and your tech can make the experience even more magical. From controlling your TV with your voice to setting up the perfect sound system for immersive viewing, turn your living room into a home cinema for those Christmas classics.

Here's how to do it:

• Hands-free control: Use your voice assistant to turn on your TV, adjust the volume, and even find your favourite Christmas movies. Just say, “Alexa, play Elf” and let the movie magic begin.
• Surround sound streaming: If you have a smart sound system, like a Sonos setup, you can create the ultimate surround sound experience. Crank up the volume and immerse yourself in those Christmas movie classics!
• Create a cozy Christmas scene: Program your smart lights to dim or change colour during your movie marathon for that extra festive touch.

4) Smart plugs: Effortless festive control

If you’re tired of crawling under the tree to plug in your lights, you need a smart plug. Smart plugs make it easy to control your decorations with just a tap on your phone or a voice command. Whether it’s your Christmas tree lights, outdoor displays, or your festive light-up decorations, you’ll have full control at your fingertips.

Here's how to do it:

• Automate your decorations: Use a smart plug to schedule when your lights go on or off. Set your tree lights to turn on at 6pm and off when it’s time for bed – perfect for saving energy and effort while keeping your home festive.
• Power on with your voice: Connect your smart plugs to your voice assistant so you can say, “Siri, turn on the Christmas lights!” from the comfort of your couch.

5) Festive recipe reminders

Cooking for a crowd this Christmas? Your smart assistant can help keep your festive feast on track. From setting multiple timers for different dishes to reading out recipes while your hands are busy, you’ll feel like you have your very own assistant chef in the kitchen.

Here's how to do it:

• Set multiple timers: Just say, “Hey Google, set a timer for the turkey for three hours,” or “Alexa, remind me to check the mince pies in 20 minutes.” You can set different timers for every dish, ensuring everything comes out perfect!
• Find recipes: Running out of left-over turkey ideas? Ask your assistant for recipe suggestions. Whether it’s the perfect roast potato or a gluten-free Christmas pudding, your assistant’s there to help you out with plenty of options.

Make a merrier Christmas with your smart tech

With just a few simple tweaks and some smart connected devices, you can ‘tech the halls’ and transform your home into a festive wonderland. From syncing your lights to watching Christmas classics or cooking up a storm, these tips will help to make your holiday season bright.

Ready to add some smart magic to your Christmas? Check out Zen’s broadband packages to make sure your home has the speed and reliability it needs to keep all your smart devices connected.