30 NOVEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 16, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
Quick tips to prepare your
home for holiday guests
As the holidays approach, the
decorator in us gets excited
about how to deck the halls
and drape the tinsel to create a festive
home for the season. Social media is
full of inspiration, but before you
embark on decorating projects, the
following are a few easy ideas to ensure
your home is as functional and
welcoming as it is festive for family
and friends.
'Tis the season to repair, repaint,
refresh — A pristine paint job is
the perfect backdrop for holiday
entertaining. Throughout the year,
the walls of your home take a lot of
abuse, from kids banging their toys
into the corners and chairs hitting
the walls, to the nail holes and cracks
that appear over time.
To restore your walls to their former
glory, fill in those dents, holes
and cracks before you repaint with
ALEX Plus Spackling, which delivers
professional strength and durability
when making repairs on a range of
surfaces such as drywall, wood and
metal.
If you have troublesome recurring
cracks that just won't go away, ALEX
Flex Spackling is the perfect solution
for a lasting, seamless repair. And
for the ultimate professional finish,
use ALEX Flex Premium Molding &
Trim Sealant to fill gaps and cracks
around interior window and door
frames and along baseboards, chair
rails and crown molding for a crackproof,
seamless finish.
With your walls repaired and
looking like new, you're now ready
to paint and decorate for a fresh,
updated look.
Create a safe, cozy area for fireside
chats — A warm, roaring fire is a cozy
centerpiece for after-dinner storytelling
and catching up with family
and friends. Whether your home is
equipped with a gas or wood-burning
fireplace, it is important to ensure the
unit is in good working order.
First, inspect the area and repair
any damage to key pieces, such as
the baffle, damper or mantle, that
may have occurred during the
year. Next, schedule a time for a
thorough chimney sweeping to
remove excess buildup of soot and
creosote.
A clean, maintained fireplace not
only makes for a festive environment,
but can also serve as an element
to heat your home, reducing seasonal
stress on your furnace.
Corral guest clutter in your main
living areas — There's nothing like
visiting with old friends or reconnecting
with family members you
haven't seen in a while. Of course,
with the increased foot traffic in and
out of your home comes the question
of where to put your guests' belongings
so they are out of the way and
organized.
If you have a coat closet, be sure to
clean it out and make room for your
guests by storing your coats in another
room. You might also consider
using an additional coat rack and
strategically placing some festive
decorative baskets for holding shoes
and purses.
Create a kid-friendly space — If you
plan on hosting friends and family
members who have small children,
take some time to kid-proof your
home, particularly anywhere they
are likely to play.
Along with putting plug covers on
all of the outlets, remove any common
hazards young kids might get
into. Secure electrical and window
treatment cords, protect hard-edged
furniture and put breakables out
of reach. Once the groundwork for
a safe, kid-friendly space is cleared,
add toys, games, comfy pillows and
more, so they're entertained and feel
welcome.
Prepare the outdoors, too — When it
comes to prepping for holiday guests,
don't forget about high-traffic areas
outside the home. Be sure to clear the
walkways of any snow and ice and replace
outdoor lights with fresh bulbs
to help guests safely navigate their
way to your home.
These quick and easy preparations
will help you and your guests feel
more at home, setting the stage for
all to enjoy the festivities and fun of
the season. (BPT)