Trick or Treat Suggestions

This week ends with Halloween and the flood of kids at your door dressed in their festive costumes will be ready for your handout.

A few tips come to mind as we prepare for this invasion.  First you want to be sure the pathway to your door is safe.  Remember to clean the driveway, sidewalk, steps and porch while it is still daylight.  Fallen leaves can be slippery especially when wet so they should be removed as well as any toys, twigs, etc.  Make sure this area is well lit by leaving your porch light and any other light fixtures on during the Trick or Treat hours.  Those hours are set by each locality.

Your method for handing out candy this year is especially significant this year since the H1Ni and other flu viruses are spreading rapidly so much earlier than the normal flu seasons.  It is recommended that you give only individually pre-wrapped candy and keep it in a convenient basket, bowl or other container that is easy for you to manage at the door.  You should not allow each child to reach into your container to get the candy since each one could be contaminating the other pieces with his hands.  Rather, you should choose and drop the candy into each child's bag yourself.  Keep hand sanitizer near the door and use it yourself as often as you think necessary.

As an extra precaution, you may want to use disinfecting wipes to clean your doorbell or door handles if you keep it closed between visitors.  This can be done periodically during the evening or at the end when Trick or Treating is over.  It is a shame we need to be so careful, but it is always better to be safe than sorry and we want to do our part in keeping our homes and neighbors as healthy and safe as possible.

Holiday and Seasonal Wreaths

Living in the colonial area of Virginia all of my life, I have become accustomed to seeing wreaths on doors as decorations.  This is especially true during the winter holidays.  Unfortunately, storing them can be an organizational problem.

If you have considerable or unused storage space, I recommend using the plastic or cardboard containers designed especially for wreaths.  Over time they will save you time, space and money in storage of these items.

If storage space is limited or becoming crowded, I recommend owning only one wreath for your door.  Choose a basic wreath color that contrasts with the color of your door.  Natural grape vines, cane or straw as well as artificial greenery or other bases are sturdy and can last many years.  To it add an inexpensive bow and/or swags of color.  Swags of leaves for fall, flowers for spring and summer and holly with berries  for winter can be purchased inexpensively to add to the base.  Even the dollar type stores carry suitable items for the base.

When the season has ended, dispose of the unsuitable decorations.  They have probably faded and become soiled anyway.  Then purchase a new set for the next season.  The expense of new decorative items is off set by the initial cost of different wreaths for each season and the storage requirements they have. 

More Tips on Holiday Cards

Since holiday cards are displayed so early and they are picked over long before mailing, I have already reminded you now is the time to find the best selection.  I have a few other suggestions.

1.  Consider choosing one design for everyone and adding a personl note to make it special.  Save one of the cards with the year written on it so you will know you have used it and when.

2.  If you do not have time for personal notes in each card or if you want to add a family newsletter, make the newsletter short and sweet.  The shorter the sweeter it is.  While it is fine to mention you took a trip to China, you need not list every city you visited.  If your child graduated from college, you do not need to list all of the awards and job offers.  Tell the news but leave off the bragging.  In addition, it will take time to read the newsletter and most people do not take the time to do that while opening the daily mail.  One paragraph that you are alive and well on planet earth is fine.  A family picture printed on the page or added is good, too.  Just remember, less is more.

3.  Keep your address file up to date so cards are not returned because of incorrect address.  And when you receive a card, check the return address to be sure that is the one you have on file.

4.  Purchase "forever" stamps and resist the urge to buy holiday stamps unless you are sure you will use all of them.  If the price of postage goes up, your "forever" stamps will still be accepted and you will not have to purchase or add those one cent stamps.

Holiday Planning for October

Before the Halloween costumes are put on sale, many retailers have already displayed their Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations.  Unfortunately this means the best selection for those items are available now and some desirable items may be sold before we are ready to use them.

One item that should be purchased early is holiday cards.  Consider purchasing one style for most or all of your list to make the task easier to accomplish.  Gifts that need to be sent out of town should also be purchased early so mailing deadlines can be met.  This is especially true for those shipped out of the country.

Planning on using items already in the home as part of holiday decorations will save time, space and money.  Adding holiday bows to candles, lamps, railings, etc. is one simple way to add color and a festive atmosphere rather than purchasing special items to fill those spaces.  Planning now will make that activity easier later on in the season.

Organizing Tips for Fall

Cooler weather in most parts of the country is a welcome change for most of us.  As nice as summer weather can be, change is good and the fall colors on the deciduous trees makes this time of the year even more enjoyable.  Fall is also a good time to organize certain parts of your home.

Now is the time to assess your wardrobe and purge cool weather clothing that no longer is useful to you.  Styles change, clothing may be in disrepair or your may have changed sizes over the summer.  Whatever the reason, if parts of your wardrobe will not be used in the future, remove them and pass them on to a more useful purpose.  If they are in good shape, they can be sold, donated or passed on to someone that would enjoy them.  If they are in disrepair and cannot be fixed, perhaps an animal shelter coud use them as bedding.

Outdoor equipment for entertaining and yard and garden tools should be cleaned and prepared for storage.  Keep those rakes handy for raking leaves if you are one of those who have been blessed with shade trees but clean them after their final use.  Finding a suitable space for outdoor items during the colder months can be difficult but new products have been introduced that will protect them from the elements.  Check with your local garden supply or home improvement stores to see what is available in your area.