Home Safety Tips for Winter

In a few days, it will officially be winter. In most parts of the country, that means lots of cold days spent indoors. So, I’ve put together a few tips that can help you keep your home safe through these winter months.

Décor  During the holiday season, it’s pretty common to deck the halls and go all out with trees, lights, and all sorts of decorations. And while we all want to enjoy our festive environments, it’s important to remember to also stay safe. Here are a few easy tips you can use. Flammable items, such as wreaths, garland, anything with fabric, etc., should be kept away from any open flames (including fireplaces, fire pits, and gas stoves). Objects placed on counters or tables should be out of reach of small children and pets so that they don’t knock them over. Unplug anything not in use, and always water your tree (if it’s real). Larger pieces should be secured to avoid tipping over. Driveways and walkways should be clear of clutter. And lastly, decorations should not block access to important things like fire alarms or entry/exit doors.      

Packages  These days, more and more people are doing their shopping solely online, which means more deliveries. While that’s made shopping more convenient, it’s also brought along a new set of issues to deal with. Here are a few things to keep in mind before clicking 'place your order'. If you know you will be at the office, or someplace other than your house, during time of delivery, have your items shipped there so that you can sign for them or have them in your possession. That way, your packages are not left at your front door/porch for hours/days on end. Another alternative is to invest in a doorbell camera, which will notify you when someone is at your front door via live feed straight to your smartphone. This can help you keep track of your deliveries and packages, as well as give you access to who is at your front door. 

Heaters  If you live in Southern California, chances are you won’t need to use a heater very often over the next few months. But if you get cold, or live in a colder city, keep in mind the following safety tips. If you have central heating, keep at least one window in your home slightly ajar to let some natural air flow through the house. If you don’t have central heating, or don’t want to heat every room in your house, invest in a space heater. It will be more cost efficient and will concentrate the heat exactly where you want it. Air vents should be cleaned and changed as often as needed, and items (both flammable and not) should not block air vents or space heaters. It is not recommended to use ovens or gas stoves to heat your home - those should be used for cooking purposes only! Also, if you are using a fireplace or fire pit to stay warm, make sure the fire is never left unattended and is completely extinguished before leaving the room. 

Do you have any tips you can share on how to keep your home safe in the winter?

Holiday Decor

Decorating can turn a house into a home. And during the holidays, it can transform your home into a magical, festive gathering place. Are you stuck in a holiday decorating rut? Don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s my guide to creating your own personal winter wonderland.

Trees Wandering through local Christmas tree lots is a favorite pastime of mine this time of year. It can get overwhelming trying to find the perfect tree to bring home. Start simple – decide on the size and width of your tree, then choose whether you want it plain or flocked (fake snow). Once you’ve got that down, look for a tree with full, lush branches to safely hold all your ornaments. Next, take a step back to make sure your tree stands tall and doesn’t veer too far to the left or right. Walk around, touch the needles and branches, smell the pine, and envision what the end product will look like. Once you’ve picked your perfect tree and brought it home, make sure to keep the stand it comes with for next year!

                                       (pic taken by me, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas)

Decorations Now that we’ve got our tree, let’s start decorating. String lights, hang ornaments, place the star (or angel) on top of the tree, and deck the rest of the halls with some more décor. Hang wreathes on doors and stockings on the fireplace; use your mantle to house snow globes and pine cones; assemble a Santa’s village with tiny houses and people sitting atop fake snow; place a tree skirt under your tree and cover it with presents (or pretty boxes) for some glamour. If you want to DIY your decorations – string popcorn, make paper ornaments, add ribbon and poinsettias to logs for a rustic feel, and drop extra ornaments into a clear vase for a table centerpiece. As soon as you’re done, sit back and relax with hot cocoa. You’ve earned it!   

                                          (pic taken by me, Aria Hotel, Las Vegas) 

Design Holiday décor is an art. And since art is subjective, there’s no one way to decorate. Do you want a modern or more traditional setting? Are you a minimalist or more-is-better type of person? Whatever your personal style, have fun with it. Traditional red and green always looks great and feels cozy and festive. Cool tones like blue, pink and silver give a modern effect. Mixed metals are super trendy, while all-white is ultra chic. Throw in some gold to glamour it up. Mix and match to your heart’s content. Over the top or just a touch, make it your own.

Happy decorating! And share some pictures of your decorating magic in the comments below!

Gift Giving Guide

'Tis the season! Holidays are about family, friends and festivities. But for some, finding the perfect gift for that special someone can be more frantic than fun. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but holiday sales are just kicking into gear. If you’re looking for some help with your gift giving this year, look no further.

Save Money If you’ve got a list that rivals Santa’s or are working with a budget, there are some things you can do to save some green. Make sure to research the best price before buying. Do a quick Google search to see how much the item you’re looking for costs at different stores. Look for coupons or promo codes to use during your transaction, and shop when there is a sale to avoid paying full price. Also, consider buying gift sets, which are considerably less expensive than buying items individually. Books make great gifts if you’re stuck on what to get someone. Electronics tend to be on the pricier side, so save those for birthdays or anniversaries, unless you can find them on sale.    

Gift Experiences What do you give the person who has everything? Or, the person who doesn’t covet material things? Give the gift of experiences. Tickets to movies, sporting events, museums, concerts or festivals, day or weekend trips, classes for specialized skills, seminars, and so much more! Think of something that person has always wanted to do and just never got around to doing. Or, something they’ve always wanted to try but haven’t. By gifting an experience, you’ll be able to give them memories of doing, trying and going somewhere new and fun. New experiences shared with loved ones is a fool-proof way to master gift giving.

Donate In lieu of giving or receiving gifts in the conventional sense, consider donating to charity. What organization or cause is important to you and your loved ones? When you donate to charity, you are making a difference and helping those in need of resources and money. You are also doing something that will make you and your gift recipient feel great. What better time of year to give rather than receive, and to put others before yourself? You can also gift your time and volunteer at a local shelter, soup kitchen, youth center or after-school program. A bonding moment that also translates into doing good work is the ultimate gift. 

Whatever you decide, remember that it's the thought that counts! It doesn't matter what the present is, how it's wrapped, or how much it cost. What matters is that you are thinking of the other person and want to do something nice for someone else.