Real Estate Word -- Decorating Ideas for the Holiday Season December 2005 Dennis & Arleen Galandy Sales Representatives ----------------------- 100 - 32555 Simon Avenue Abbotsford, BC 604-855-0800 (office) 1-866-350-0461 (toll free) www.GalandyGroup.com Greetings! The holiday season is fast upon us so this month we’re discussing simple decorating ideas to create a festive ambiance in your home. Also included in this issue are tips on how to keep your car safe especially at a time when we’re taking more long distance trips. Let me know if you have any comments regarding these articles or if you have any general questions about the real estate market. Have a great holiday season! In This Issue... Five Simple Ideas to Decorate for the Holiday Season Safely On the Road Again Easy Chocolate Candy Cane Candies Five Simple Ideas to Decorate for the Holiday Season It’s that time of year again - the Rudolph sweater has made an appearance and you’re planning to spend the afternoon decorating your home for the holidays. Here are five simple ideas for making your home look as festive as possible this holiday season with comfort and family in mind. 1. Instead of placing just one tree in the living room, put a tree in a few different rooms! Decorate one in the bathroom with green and red soaps for example and in the kitchen, trim with yummy festive treats. If you have kids, make it a family affair and involve them in trimming the main tree. A few of their fluffy characters and teddies can give a tree not only charm, but will really reflect your family’s personality. 2. Using shades of red and green to add a festive spirit is very effective. For a stylish touch, decorate with red and green throws, blankets, bedspreads and towels. Change the cushions in your front room to reflect the holiday season and make or buy some holiday place mats or napkins. We often forget about bedrooms at this time of year but a wonderful way to make your guests feel welcome is to decorate their room. In addition to the bedding, add a few baubles in a dish by the bed or a small arrangement of fresh evergreens. 3. Create some new family traditions that will be part of your holiday ritual. Find some old photos from last years festivities and add these to photo frames you already have displayed. Fasten a few red ribbons to the frame and you’ve created a welcoming, family feel to the room and a tradition that can last through the generations. Don’t forget to take lots of photos to capture the magical memories for next year’s decorating! 4. Have your children make simple ornaments - turn to the Internet for thousands of free and unique craft ideas. If they’re really young, have them crayon in some holiday scenes and stick them up on the fridge and the front door. Not only will it brighten up the home but they’ll love seeing their artwork displayed. 5. Create ambiance by putting extra strands of lights over your tree(s), but also add them over windows, kitchen cupboards and pictures for example. Candles create warmth and always look beautiful at any time of the year, but they can also be a major fire hazard. If you decide to use candles, ensure you use sturdy candle holders and place them on stable, flat surfaces and keep them away from curtains and other items that could catch fire. Decorating during the holiday season doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Often simple is best when creating a festive feel to your home. The most important thing is to add your own personal touch to this creative, fun experience. Safely On the Road Again We all tend to drive more during the holiday season and much of it is long distance travel to visit friends and relatives. We often fill our car with gas and forget about the other important things to consider. Stay safe this winter and try to remember these few basic tips: 1. Check your tire pressure regularly and always maintain the manufacturers recommended specifications. Remember to check your tires before driving too far as pressure changes when tires are warmed up. 2. Remember your fluids! Ensure you change your oil regularly and that it’s at it’s full mark. Refill your windshield wiper fluid frequently and keep a bit extra on hand for emergencies. To avoid gas line freeze ups make sure your gas tank is always at least half full. 3. Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Pre-mix your antifreeze ahead of time and add as needed. 4. Stock up your trunk supplies. These should include basic first aid kits, a small blanket, dried food or energy bars, water bottles, candles, a flash light and extra batteries, safety flares and various tools such as a wrench and screw drivers. If you’re travelling in the winter on a long distance trip, ensure you take a fully charged cell phone. 5. Are your wipers working? It’s recommended that wipers are changed about every 6 months. Most people forget about this feature yet in rain and snow they are critical to your safety. Take a look at how worn they are and consider replacing them - it’s inexpensive and easy to do yourself. Don’t let your to-do list at this time of year overshadow car safety. Allocate the necessary time for this and not only will you be safer on the roads, but you’ll have peace of mind too. Easy Chocolate Candy Cane Candies If you want an easy, festive recipe that you can either serve to guests or take as a hostess gift, this is for you! Kid's love to help out in the kitchen and this is perfect for little helpers. 1 pkg. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Squares 12 candy canes Melt chocolate over low heat. Stir broken pieces of the 12 candy canes into the melted chocolate and spread the mixture on a cookie sheet covered with a sheet of waxed paper. Let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours and then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a bright red or green ribbon and presto, the perfect little gift! P.S. Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. 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