YOUR GUIDE TO MAKING IT THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WITH GRACE, STYLE & DELICIOUS TREATS TO BOOT
By Nancy Roberts
Why is it that some people make the holidays seem effortless? They are the ones whose holiday card arrives promptly on December 1st, their lights have been up (but not on) since Halloween, their tree is perfectly trimmed, halls decked and all of the packages that have been ready for weeks look like they have been wrapped by a professional. They are also perfectly coiffed in stylish holiday attire and full of FA LA LA LA at every seasonal soirée.
For most, this is an ambition, a dream. The desire to plan ahead begins early on, camping out on “Black Friday” for whatever is “hot” this year and then heading home and flipping on Bing Crosby and knocking out a killer tree – perfectly adorned from limb to limb. Next, on to cards, gifts; checking things off the list one by one; but at some point all steam is lost and thus the decline begins. You are no longer dreaming of a White Christmas, you’re just dreaming of finishing!
Guests are coming for the holidays. I need a fabulous recipe to take to a party. I need to board my pet. What, I’m homeroom mother, who signed me up? I want my packages to look beautiful. Is my real Christmas tree going to live until Christmas? I need a centerpiece for my dining room table. And the list goes on and on! Some of these things that might send your planning in a downward spiral may actually be just what someone else specializes in, so why not use their expertise, take their ideas, recipes and make it your own. It may be just what you need to turn your plan around and get your “Jingle Bell Rock” back on!
Quick Housecleaning tips:
There are several good things to keep on hand for quick cleaning when you need to clean up for company and you don’t have much time. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are fabulous for cleaning everything – bathtubs, walls, fixtures, you name it! Also, an extended Swiffer Duster is great for getting cob webs, dusting ceiling fans and anything you may not be able to reach. When spot cleaning always clean light switches, doors and door knobs – they are often what guests see first. If you have wood cabinets in your kitchen or somewhere in your house, oil them with some sort of wood oil – they will automatically “pop” and give your home a wonderful smell. Make sure the bathroom guests will use is clean, wipe down all fixtures, refresh hand towels, replace hand soap and of course, make sure there is extra toilet paper.
*Extra tip: Using cleaning products that have a pleasant smell will help give the sense that you have just cleaned your home from top to bottom, when maybe you really only had half an hour to get ready.
Robbie Wilsher, Perfection Cleaning
Prepping your guest room for company:
Whether you have an appointed guest room or you have to turn your sofa bed or child’s room into a guest room, your guests will appreciate any extra thoughtfulness. Use your nicest linens when making the bed, provide extra blankets and a variety of pillows. A simple night light or lamp beside the bed in case they are up during the night. A favorite magazine, book or CD along with fresh flowers, candles and a simple snack will also make company feel welcome. Make sure guests have plenty of nice, fluffy towels, fabulous smelling toiletries and a bath robe in the bathroom. If your guestroom doesn’t have an adjoining bathroom, put these things in a basket so they can get to them easily and remind your children to flush and pick up their clothes! Think of all the things you’ve enjoyed in a hotel or at a friend’s house and go the extra mile. These added touches will ensure you to be the best holiday hostess.
Holiday Decorating:
Creating a theme can be the best Christmas decorating inspiration for expressing the Spirit of the Holiday at home! Choose colors and hues that already exist in the room where the tree will sit. Use various sizes of ornaments, beautiful ribbons, along with coordinated wrapping papers and garlands to bring harmony and a little magic for the Season.
Mary Strader-Sullivan, Interior Designer
Keeping Fido happy over the holidays:
The holidays can be a fun time for pets but it can also be a very dangerous one. It gives us a chance to share them with our family and shower them with gifts. Some pets can be very stressed out by family visits or going to other people’s houses. For these guys, keep the stress as low as possible and talk to your veterinarian about stress decreasing medication options. If your pet will be staying at a boarding facility, make sure to get those reservations early and make sure your pet is up to date on all the required immunizations.
We love to decorate our homes with bright & shiny objects. Our pets love these decorations too. Many great decorations are mistaken for toys by our four-legged companions. We see pets that have played with ornaments and other decorations and then eaten them. They don’t exit the body as easily as they entered. Many times it can require surgery to remove an ornament or piece of décor. Be careful not to use tinsel in households with cats. If they eat it, it can cause serious internal damage and even death. This can also occur with yarn, ribbon or streamers.
Please also remember that those wonderful rich foods and desserts that we love can cause serious gastrointestinal distress in our pets. If your pet is circling the table like a shark, have some of their food in a bowl on the table and feed that to them. They will think they are getting a special treat from the table and this will be much safer. Don’t forget chocolate and some sugar-free candies can be toxic to dogs and cats. Turkey bones & carcasses are an absolute no-no!
And last but not least, if you have cats, be sure to anchor that Christmas tree to the wall. They LOVE to climb in the Christmas tree and are very prone to knocking them over, sometimes repeatedly.
Kim Lewis, DVM, Key City Veterinary Clinic
Keeping a real Christmas tree alive longer:
Always keep the base of a real Christmas tree in water. B.J. at Mankin & Sons suggests adding Sprite, 7 UP, baby aspirin or sugar cubes to the water to help preserve the tree. You will also want to choose a good location for your tree. Place it away from heating vents. If you’ve had your Christmas tree lights on for a long period of time, be sure to check the water level again, you may need to add more. A couple of things to remember —always turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed and when you are not at home and check the water every day. Once you’re done with your tree, take it to one of the locations around town where trees will be collected and turned into mulch.
Mankin & Sons Gardens
Creating a simple holiday centerpiece:
A beautiful holiday table is easy! Gather things from around your home that you love— we grabbed 2 lanterns from outdoors, a large silver platter, a silver urn, sparkly ornaments in all different sizes, a sequined Christmas tree, scrap ribbons, votive candles and artificial greenery picks. Just play with the groupings, scatter the ornaments around, fill the lanterns, making your centerpiece vary in height adds interest and brings the eye up. Tuck in the ribbons and picks wherever you like. Use your imagination, you might want to add small candies for a more whimsical look or small wrapped packages that could be take home goodies for special guests. Add bows and a fun tablecloth and you’re set. You could add fresh blooms for a different look or a special occasion, but as it is it will last all season!
Lisa and Jamie – The Arrangement
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