7 Ways to Make the Most of the Coming Weekend
From prepping a party tray to having your chimney cleaned, do some of these things now and enjoy the season even more
Laura Gaskill
December 7, 2017
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With Hanukkah just around the corner (it begins at sundown on Tuesday, Dec. 12) and Christmas a mere two weeks out, this is a good weekend to ship gifts, deck the halls, and make sure your chimney is clean before you light the Yule log. If your schedule is feeling packed and your to-do list is longer than ever, give yourself permission to pass on activities that just aren’t your cup of tea. And speaking of tea, the least you can do after wrestling with those tangled strands of Christmas lights is sit down with a warm cup and savor their glow.
1. Host a holiday gathering. Set up a pretty bar cart or tray, make some appetizers and gather with friends, family or neighbors for a holiday fete. Or, if hosting a full-fledged holiday shindig is not your idea of a good time, keep things low-key with a holiday movie party, complete with popcorn and PJs.
Your Complete Holiday Season Planner
Your Complete Holiday Season Planner
2. Have your chimney cleaned. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to schedule a cleaning with a certified chimney cleaner before you light your first fire of the season. Creosote can build up in the chimney, increasing the risk of a house fire. If you have a gas fireplace, it’s still a good idea to have it checked for safety once a year or so.
Before You Roast Those Chestnuts, Make Sure You’ve Got a Clean Chimney
Before You Roast Those Chestnuts, Make Sure You’ve Got a Clean Chimney
Tiny Prints
3. Start mailing and shipping Christmas cards and gifts. The sooner you’re able to send out holiday gifts, the less you’ll have to pay for postage, so it’s worth hustling! Double-check mailing addresses of friends and family before you send, to be sure you have the most current contact information. And don’t forget to update your (digital or paper) address book too.
7 Ways to Shoot a Great Holiday Card Photo at Home
7 Ways to Shoot a Great Holiday Card Photo at Home
4. Put up outdoor lights and decorations. Put up your exterior decorations, yard lights and decor, so you can enjoy it throughout the season. Be careful putting up lights and decor along rooflines and high windows, and hire help if you feel you can’t safely put up the lights yourself.
How to Hang Your Holiday Lights
How to Hang Your Holiday Lights
5. Deck the halls. Opinions vary widely on when to put up the Christmas tree, with some rushing out to the tree lot the day after Thanksgiving and others waiting until almost Christmas. If you’re somewhere in between, this is a good weekend to buy and trim your tree. Even if you don’t plan to decorate it yet, get out the boxes of lights and ornaments, test light strands and replace items as needed. Take it from someone who’s been there: It’s no fun rushing from store to store on Christmas Eve, looking for one more strand of white lights.
How to Light Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro
How to Light Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro
6. Get ready for Hanukkah. Hanukkah begins on Tuesday, Dec. 12 — which means this is the final weekend to shop for gifts and prepare your home for the festivities. Stock up on candles and supplies, create a fun DIY project if you’re so inclined (like the hanging calendar shown here) and get ready to celebrate!
A DIY for Each Day of Hanukkah
A DIY for Each Day of Hanukkah
7. Make way for winter coats. How is it that winter coats, scarves and gloves seem to multiply when you’re not looking? If your entryway is beginning to look a little overstuffed, start fresh with a hall closet cleanout. Have each member of the household choose one set of outerwear to keep near the door, and put the rest away in bedroom closets.
Can Tidying Up Result in Life-Changing Magic?
Tell us: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More: Houzz readers show their personal holiday style
Can Tidying Up Result in Life-Changing Magic?
Tell us: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More: Houzz readers show their personal holiday style
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This weekend I'm working on my project binder for my cottage in the woods. I've been collecting information, pictures and all sorts of stuff including plant lists, and ideas for landscaping the 4.6 acres that includes a 1/2 acre pond and rain garden. This way I can make sure things meld between the open areas and the woods. Planning it a lot of work. I'm glad I am making it a 5 year project. Right now it's year #2 for a few months, then the start of year #3.
apparently we're going to get a serving of snow tomorrow... this news popped up midday yesterday when a storm track changed. so instead of meeting our contractor to go over spring renovation plans at our vacation house, we're being forced to stay home. drinking hot cocoa and wrapping presents (shopping is all done) is a tough job but someone has to do it!