Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Holiday

  • Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE®

    Transform your home into a warm and inviting space where you and your loved ones want to gather. We have compiled cozy decor inspiration, delicious recipes, memorable gift ideas, and ways to celebrate and bring joy to those around you as we head into the holiday season.

    cozy-decor
    Cozy Decor
    fall centerpiece
    Decorate Using Supplies You Already Have

     

  • Making Memorable Holiday Moments with Neighbors – BHGRE Season of Sharing

    As the 2020 holiday season unfolds, it is still crucial to adhere to social distancing protocols. Though news outlets and government leaders are suggesting that the light at the end of the tunnel is visible, there is still a ways to go until we get there. This does not mean that friends and neighbors cannot enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s in a safe manner, however. A little creativity can go a long way when making holiday memories this year.

    Reboot Gift Exchanges

    Gift exchanges can be set up online through a video chat and can include adults, kids, or a combination of both. Whoever wants to participate can give their name to one person who will be in charge. That person can assign each participant someone to get a gift for, which does not have to be expensive. A monetary limit can be set for these gifts.

    Another idea is to do a “white elephant” gift exchange. For this, each person can look through their house to find something interesting that is not being used. Who knows; it could be the perfect present for a neighbor!

    Themes can make gift exchanges even more exciting. For example, every gift would have to be green or red; another idea could be food or drink gifts only. There could even be gift exchanges for pets. To maintain social distancing, the presents merely need to be dropped off on doorsteps, and they can be opened during a second video chat.

    Opt Outside Whenever Possible

    Many areas have had temperatures in the 60s this December, and as long as it isn’t too cold or wet, neighbors can maintain social distancing at outdoor events. Outdoor heaters and fire pits have gotten quite popular this year, and both are nice for friends to gather around. Everyone can bring their own snacks and drinks to stay hygienic, too.

    To keep the kids entertained, try a scavenger hunt. Adults can hide goodies and gifts before the get-together and let children head out for the search a few at a time. Try color-coding the prizes to ensure each child only touches their own.

    Neighbors who cannot attend the outdoor event might appreciate a visit from friends who enjoy singing Christmas carols or other festive songs. This is a lovely way to give back to the community. Stand in a semicircle on a neighbor’s lawn at an appropriate distance and bring joy to others through the gift of music.

    Neighborhood parades are another idea that families can have fun with. Again, themes can really be a great starting point for organizing something like this. A pet parade could be really enjoyable, especially with dogs and cats dressed up for the holidays. Other suggestions might be ugly sweaters, holiday balloons, or bringing poinsettias or Christmas cactus plants to drop off on driveways.

    An inverse parade is another great way to make memories. Set up holiday lights, inflatables and other festive décor on your lawn. Set a date and time with your neighbors and light it all up; invite members of the larger community as well. Then, you can drive through the neighborhood and admire everyone’s stationary displays.

    Helping Your Neighbors

    During the 2020 holiday season, the importance of giving back to others cannot be overstated. Many people are facing hard times, due to illness, unemployment, or not having access to the resources they need. It is not difficult to find a charity in need of donations, and organizing a neighborhood group for this can be very rewarding.

    A few people can set up such a donation pool by asking neighbors to contribute to a worthy cause. Some ideas can be suggested as to which charity to select, and participants can then vote. Of course, more than one charity can be selected by the group. A deadline should be set for donations, and one person can be in charge of receiving the funds. When all donations have been submitted to the charities you selected, each neighbor who donated should be alerted.

    It is important to remember social distancing rules for any holiday activities you choose to partake in, even when they are outdoors. Some events will lend themselves to drinking alcohol or eating snacks, which can make it more difficult to keep masks on or remain six feet apart. The threat of infection is still very real, but staying careful and focused while celebrating will keep friends and neighbors that much safer. 2020 has been a tough year, but there’s no reason to avoid holiday cheer.

  • Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day

    Get Crafty 

    Here are some great DIY gifts the kiddos can make to put a smile on their father’s face this Father’s Day.   

    • Create fun coupons by cutting rectangles out of paper and writing different things your dad might want in the future. Examples: 2 hours of tv remote time or help in the yard. 
    • Make a keychain using shrink paper or Shrinky Dinks. Color and design anything you want then bake it in the oven to shrink it down to a sturdy piece. Don’t forget to punch a hole in your design before you shrink it. When cool, add a key ring.  
    • It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Super Dad! Discover how to make a cape for your superhero using an old t-shirt. Paint on the back using fabric paint or use a glue gun to attach fun trinkets. 
    • Take a framed photo and write “You Rock Dad!” in the bottom center of the frame. Then glue pretty rocks or stones around the sides. 
    • Use air dry clay to make a dish for keys and change. When Dad comes home, he’ll have his very own container to keep these important things in. You can use the bottom of a small planter or pot to shape the clay. Paint the dish or even make little fun clay creatures to glue on the side. 

    Spend Time Together 

    Whether it’s virtually or in person, enjoy some time with the special Dad in your life.  

    • Host a movie night in the backyard and watch your dad’s favorite movie. Don’t forget to bring his favorite snacks. Discover how to create a cinema in your backyard and read our top-notch movie suggestions here.  
    • Can’t be together? Watch a movie together with “Netflix Party.” 
    • Share a meal over Zoom or Google Hangouts. It’s important to share some laughs and enjoy each other’s company. 
    • No matter what your father likes, make sure you reserve some time for Dear Ol’ Dad. Whether it’s fishing, painting, board games, golfing, or gardening, set aside some time to do what he enjoys. 
    • For a great list of virtual activities click here. 

    Gifts for Dad 

    • Make dad a playlist. Gather all of his favorite songs and compile an awesome playlist that mean something to both of you. Here are some feel-good songs he might enjoy. 
    • Order his favorite dessert or food and have it delivered to him. Nothing says “I love you” like a plate full of someone’s favorite meal. 
    • Check out this list of sentimental dad gifts, or this list of dad gifts under $50.  

    Backyard Games  

    Enjoy some time with Dad in the backyard with these games.  

    • Create your own backyard bowling alley. Paint ten 2-liter soda bottles and line them up. Then grab a tennis ball and hope for a strike. If you don’t have plastic bottles you can substitute them for toilet paper rolls. 
    • There are several fun games you can easily order online include cornhole, giant Jenga, or ladder toss.  
    • Create your own version of ring toss. Grab 2-3 different sized buckets and drill or nail them into a fence or wooden post. Then all you need is ping pong balls, pool rings, or anything else you can try to toss into the bucket. The more difficult the bucket the more points you get. 
    • Bean bag ladder toss. Set up a ladder outside and take several steps back. Take your bean bags and try to throw them between the rungs. Each opening can be worth a different amount of points.

    Let There be Dad Jokes 

    Write a bunch of your favorite dad jokes on sticky-notes and post them all over your home. Nothing says I love you like a ton of cheesy jokes. 

    • If you want to go fishing, just let minnow. Fishing you a Happy Father’s Day! 
    • How does a penguin build a house? Igloos it together. 
    • I want to tell you a joke about paper but it’s tearable.  
    • Never buy anything with velcro, it’s a total rip-off. 
    • What happens to an illegally parked frog? It gets toad. 

    Happy Father’s Day! 

     

     

     

     

     

  • Top 10 Homemade Gifts from the Heart: Holiday Baking for Friends and Family

    Not quite sure what to give loved ones this year? Why not turn some of your favorite holiday baking recipes into delicious gifts that friends and family will adore? There’s nothing quite like opening a platter or basket filled with homemade treats. If you’re lucky, they’ll share with you.

    Chocolate-covered cookies

    For a quick and easy addition to a gift platter, roll out your favorite pre-packaged sugar cookie dough and bake it. Choose from any cut out shape or simply place dough onto a baking sheet. If you choose this second option, cut the cookies into small squares before baking. Once the cookies have cooled, dip them in melted chocolate and lay them on wax paper to harden. For an elegant look, dip half of the cookie in chocolate and coat it with crushed peppermint candies or sprinkles.

     

    Dark chocolate walnut fudge

    The holidays present the perfect opportunity to indulge in decadent baking recipes like this one for dark chocolate walnut fudge. If you’re gifting this fudge on its own, try presenting it in a cute box topped with a bow. Make sure that recipients do not have a nut allergy.