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Give or take a Scrooge or two, everybody loves the holidays: Decorating the tree, hanging lights, hanging holly … all those things! But you know what nobody loves? Taking all those things down.
Because, wow, what an unorganized mess.
Before you go all Scrooge, get your jolly back with these simple holiday decorating hacks.
Trimming the tree should feel like the happy ending of a Lifetime holiday movie, not a game show guessing which box will contain broken memories.
Keep ornaments safe for next year by stowing them in leftover party cups, hot-glued onto a piece of foam board cut to fit inside a storage bin, recommends Lisa Woodruff, a Cincinnati-based professional organizer.
Or pack ornaments away using bubble wrap from holiday packages, or egg cartons from those countless cookies you made.
All of these options make for shock-absorbent padding that’s more durable than paper towels or tissue paper.
You dream of decking every hall, every year, but when the holidays roll around, you’ve got a brisket to bake and cocktails to clink.
So focus your festive energy on just one iconic focal point — a wreath on the front door or greenery on the mantel — something that easily changes with the seasons.
Or, create a display that makes you feel merry year-round. (Try repurposing storefront letters to spell out “LOVE” or “JOY” — sentiments that never go out of season.)
Before you can hang a single strand of lights or sprig of mistletoe, you have to find the gosh-darn zip ties, track down the floral wire, and repurpose a few extension cords.
Just thinking about the prep work makes you ready for a long winter’s nap. But this year’s gonna be your prep for next year, and the years to follow.
As you put everything up, keep a running checklist of what you need. Then stock a toolbox that gets replenished every year.
If you like to trim your home’s roof and siding with holiday lights, you know what a hassle it is to find last year’s nail holes while balancing on a ladder with your extremities slowly freezing.
So, this year, use hooks that match your siding (not nails because they fall out easier) or paint them so they are indistinguishable from your siding or trim before you put them up.
Then leave them up when you take down your lights.
Come next year, just rehang your lights and bask in your twinkling success.
There’s nothing like a multicolored knot of lights to put a damper on your bright holiday spirit.
So as you take down this year’s lights, wrap them around empty gift boxes or cardboard. Make a small notch on each side to keep the ends snugly in place.
Next year you’ll spend less time untangling your lights and more time basking in them.
All year you look forward to hanging that wreath you got for a steal at an after-Christmas sale.
Rather than tossing it in a trash bag, where it can too easily get seriously mushed or even forgotten, hang it on a rod or from nails hammered into the attic rafters or garage walls, Woodruff recommends.
It will be easy to find, and will be in pristine shape for next year.
No, seriously.
If strategizing the placement of skiing Garfield and his 107 dangly friends is your least favorite part of holiday decorating, skip it after this year.
Ask someone to help you tightly wrap this year’s decorated (artificial) tree — yep, ornaments and all — with heavy-duty stretch plastic wrap (the type that professional movers use, which you can find at home improvement stores).
Next year, just cut the wrap and reshape the branches.
Happy holidays indeed.
Every December 26, you begin to dread awkwardly wrestling your artificial tree back into its original packaging.
This year, go ahead and spend the 50 bucks on a tree bag or box, Woodruff says. It will seal out dirt, dust, and bugs, won’t smash the branches, and some styles even allow you to store your tree fully or partially assembled.
Plus, just knowing you can skip the reassembly next time makes for an extra happy New Year.
Getting out decorations should be a welcome walk down memory lane — not a guilt trip through items you “should” display but … ugh.
So when you take down this year’s decor, follow the old rule for paring down your wardrobe and get rid of anything you didn’t use — you know, that carol-singing mounted fish from your dad or Nana’s crocheted coaster set — and donate them.
“If it’s a sentimental item, take a picture of it,” Woodruff says.
You won’t waste storage space and, come next year, you’ll be greeted only by items you love and use.
If you’ve got snowmen in every bathroom and a jingle bell on every drawer, you may end up with mountains of half-empty boxes piled everywhere for longer than you spend enjoying the decor.
Get your halls decked more efficiently by sorting your boxes of trimmings by room, Woodruff suggests.
Then, label each light strand by location — mantel, doorway, tree, etc. Decorating is merrier when you can grab a bin and make an evening of it, one room at a time.
Put all your favorite decorations in one “first-up, last-down” bin.
Next year, you’ll spend more time enjoying your cherished menorah or manger and less time rummaging to find it.
Oasis in Sturbridge! A commuter’s dream!
Don’t miss out on the chance to see this gem in person-there’s an open house tomorrow! On Dec 16, from 11:30-1:00 walk the house and see the gorgeous yard in person!
Sitting on nearly 2 acres with deeded lake rights you can enjoy country living and an easy commute.
This house has been tastefully updated to open concept living with character.
The chef style kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, double wall ovens, center cooking island and gathering island is open to the fireplace living room and upper deck. Full pantry and plenty of storage!
The main level Master has a walk in closet, accessory office space, separate side entrance and private bath with tiled shower and jetted tub.
The lower level has been updated with a fantastic family room. The double fire place wall accents the room with a separate entrance, granite, wet bar and stove.
There is also additional space for a guest room or office. Two generous sized bedrooms and a full bath complete the top floor!
If you can’t make the open house, be sure to take a 3-D interactive tour by clicking the photo below!
The property is also being sold with a .78 acre lot on Leadmine Road for additional frontage! (Shelter in basement)
Price Change in Sturbridge down to $365,000!
All of this for that price is quite a steal!
Want to know what I’m talking about and see it in person? There is an Open House this Sunday December 16 from 1130am-100pm just for that reason! Touch the walls, look in the closets!
Until then, here’s a sneak peek!
Don’t forget to take a 3-D interactive tour by clicking the photo below!
***UPDATE TO LISTING***
Seller is offering a $5k credit for buyer to pick out rugs in lower level and secondary bedrooms. Cover those floors with whatever pop of color you prefer!
The lower level is ready for your imagination! The custom mud room provides plenty of space for storage and items from either the driveway or the garage. The open room can be a 4th bedroom / office / family room / den or media room as the laundry area is separate and there is rough plumbing for a 3rd full bath. In law potential? Teenage hang out heaven? Out of town guests? You have the flexibility here.
This young raised ranch on the southern side of Clinton is in a nice neighborhood location of newer homes with quick highway access. The large yard with custom patio and pergola offers you an outside oasis with plenty of trees and privacy.
There is also a fenced in side yard for the kids and pets! The main level has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms.
Take an interactive 3-D tour by clicking the photo below!
Raw land available on a great street! Here is a 1/2 acre of completely undeveloped land for your imagination!
Want to build your own home?
DO IT!
Want a wooded oasis to meditate or explore?
DO IT!
Want to create a community garden?
DO IT!
Buyer to do all due diligence, call me soon for this great opportunity!
Wonderful updated rental in the Church Street neighborhood of Marlborough!
Newly priced to entice YOU! Only $1600 a month for all of THIS:
Updated Kitchen
Refinished Hardwood
Dining room, entry way, living room and plenty of closet space with additional storage room on the same level.
Off street parking for two cars.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Rent includes gas heat, central a/c hot water, water and sewer.
Tenant responsible for heat, electric and cable expenses. No pets, no smoking and no laundry in building.
Requires first, last and security in full. Tenant to supply credit report with application. Minimum credit score that will be considered is 650. No exceptions.
Oasis in Sturbridge!
Sitting on over an acre of land with deeded lake rights you can enjoy country living AND an easy commute.
This house has been tastefully updated to open concept living with character.
The chef style kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, double wall ovens, cooking island and gathering island.
The master has a walk in closet, office space, separate side entrance and private bath with tiled shower and jetted tub.
The lower level has been updated with a fantastic family room!
Two generous sized bedrooms and a full bath complete the top floor!
The property is also being sold with a .78 acre lot on Leadmine Road for additional frontage! Includes a bomb shelter in the basement!
When the housing bubble burst, many Americans found themselves underwater or, in other words, with a home worth significantly less than what they owed on their mortgages.
But according to recent data, more and more Americans are finding themselves in the opposite situation—with a home worth far more than what they owe on their mortgage.
According to the most recent Equity Report from ATTOM Data Solutions, which curates a well-known nationwide property database, as of Q2 2018, nearly 14 million properties in the US are now what’s known as “equity rich”—meaning the balance of loans on the property is worth 50% or less than the current estimated market value. That’s approximately one in four homes in the US that currently holds a mortgage!
But what, exactly, is the advantage of being “equity rich”? Homeowners that are equity rich can sell their homes and walk away with a significant chunk of cash in their pockets—cash they can then use to make a down payment on a new property.
The Takeaway
If you’ve been thinking about selling your home and upgrading to a larger and/or pricier property, check the balance on your mortgage against the current market value. If you’re one of the equity rich, you can use that equity to get into the home of your dreams.
If you’re a homeowner in a snowy climate, chances are good you rue the winter: All that snow has to go somewhere, and it’s not getting there itself.
Cue the snow shovel.
Barring a move to a snow-free state or barricading your family inside all winter, there’s no way to avoid the endless task of shoveling snow. There are, however, ways to make the process much easier. Here are three simple hacks to make the morning after a snowfall much less stressful.
Snow sticking to your shovel makes an already arduous task even more obnoxious. Avoid it with this hack: Lightly coat your shovel with non-stick cooking oil to make snow slide right off. No more time wasted removing snow from your snow remover. (You can substitute a spray lubricant like WD-40, but the downside is it’s toxic.)
If you like short cuts, this technique, billed as “the laziest way imaginable” to clear snow, according to a tutorial from “Instructables,” has got your name on it. The day before an expected snowfall, lay a tarp on your walkway. When the snow finishes falling, just pull out the tarp, and voilà: an instantly cleared walkway. (Word to the wise: Make sure pedestrians won’t trip on your tarp; include a sign or use this technique in your backyard walkway if you’re concerned.)
The technique requires a tarp, firewood, and twine as well as some prep work. Pre-storm, use firewood to weigh down your tarp — you don’t want it flying away in the wind! — and tie the twine to both the tarp and to a shovel standing upright in your yard. You’ll use the shovel to pull out the snow-laden tarp.
Although this method might be faster than shoveling, it does require manpower. After all, a cubic foot of snow can weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. So don’t get too ambitious with the size of your tarp or you might not be able to pull it once it’s full of snow.
De-icers make snow removal easier by cutting through the tough, icy layers that are a pain to remove with a shovel. But an easy solution should be easy on your property as well. Many commercial de-icers are pretty harsh.
Commercial ice-melting substances — magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride (salt) — all cause damage to the environment, according to the University of Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center. They can also damage concrete sidewalks and driveways, which mean hefty repair costs later.
A better solution: Make your own de-icer using rubbing alcohol or vinegar. You’ll save money, too. Commercial melters typically cost $8 or more. Plus, you’ll avoid the hassle of trekking to the hardware store to stock up.
Use vinegar before a storm to make ice and snow removal easier:
To keep the sidewalks and steps from icing after a storm:
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