Author: Shannon Rooks
3 Fun Games to Play at Your Super Bowl Party
Some of us go to Super Bowl parties for the football, some go for the food and some are there just to see the commercials! Make the day fun for all of your guests by adding one (or all) of these fun games to your party plan.
1 – Super Bowl Commercial Bingo – This one is fun for the kids too! Keep an eye out while watching the commercials for things like “Pepsi,” “Avocados,” or “M&Ms”
2 – Football Word Scramble – Another one that’s fun for the whole family. See how many of these football terms you can figure out in this printable scramble game.
3 – Mini Football Cornhole – Since this corn hole is mini-sized it can be played inside our outside this weekend!
No matter how you celebrate we hope everyone has a safe and fun time watching football this weekend. Enjoy!
7 Tips to Stick to Your Holiday Budget
The holiday season is here which means lots of events, shopping, dinners and parties! With all of that comes a lot of spending! Try to stick to a budget this holiday season with these 8 tips.
1 – Make a list and stick to it! Decide who you need to buy for and be strict with adding anyone else.
2 – Skip the impulse purchases! Stores put a lot of fun goodies right near the register for a reason. Skip checking out the impulse section this year and head right to the register instead.
3 – Buy online when you can. This helps because you can compare prices, find online promo codes and many stores offer free shipping this time of year.
4 – If you’re hosting a party or dinner, ask your guests to bring things! Don’t put the burden on yourself to purchase and supply the whole meal. Create a menu and give everyone something they are in charge of to supply.
5 – Use cash if you’re able. Try not to pull out the credit card to avoid any holiday debt.
6 – Rather than buy for everyone in the family, do a secret Santa instead. That way you can only buy for one special person instead of several.
7 – Avoid getting tempted by sales. If you are done shopping be done. Don’t buy something just because it’s now on sale.
We hope these tips are helpful and that everyone finds time to relax and enjoy the holiday season this year!
Non-Candy Treats to Give Out This Halloween
Halloween is this Monday! If you haven’t already picked up your treats for trick or treaters now is the time. Candy doesn’t have to be the only thing that is offered on Halloween. Here are some great ideas for treats that you can hand out this year that aren’t candy.
1 – Halloween pencils
2 – Stickers
3 – Fidgets (pop-its or fidget tubes)
4 – Bouncy balls
5 – Veggie sticks or Goldfish crackers
6 – Temporary tattoos
7 – Spider rings
8 – Halloween erasers
9 – Apple sauce/fruit pouches
10 – Stress balls
11 – Toy cars
12 – Mini notebooks
13 – Glow sticks or glow necklaces
14 – Bubbles
15 – Keychains
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!
10 Places to Visit for Great New England Foliage
Pretty soon we’ll start seeing those gorgeous fall colors! As the temperatures start dropping and the leaves start changing it’s time to start planning those weekend adventures. Here are ten places to visit in New England to see some awesome fall foliage!
- Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
- Woodstock, VT
- The Kancamagus Highway in NH
- Maine’s Coastal Route 1
- Acadia National Park in Maine
- The Mohawk Trail
- Ocean Drive in Rhode Island
- Boston Common
- Route 6A Cape Cod
- Bethel, Maine
Enjoy the beauty of the season while it’s still here! Don’t forget to stop for cider donuts too because it wouldn’t be fall in New England without them!
5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean During the Summer
Keeping the home clean during the summer can be tough. Kids are home for summer break and you’d rather have fun than clean. If you’re struggling to keep things tidy keep reading for some helpful tips.
1 – Have the kids help – create a chore chart and hang it in the kitchen this summer. Give the kids some responsibilities like cleaning their rooms, taking out the trash and washing the dishes.
2 – Encourage more outdoor play – If the kids get out of the house early in the morning there is less of a chance of creating a mess. Clean the clutter right away in the morning and try your best to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
3 – Have a designated shoe and outdoor toy area – This should be right near the door. Have everyone drop their shoes, sports equipment and beach bags at the door so dirt and sand don’t get tracked into the house.
4 – Designate laundry days – Don’t let the summer laundry pile up! If you designate a couple days a week as laundry days you lessen the risk of overflowing laundry baskets.
5 – Keep cleaning supplies in close reach – Leave the broom, vacuum and surface cleaners in a centralized location. Messes happen but you can clean them quickly and encourage the kids to clean them too by keeping the proper supplies and tools on hand.
Start Planning for Summer Vacation Now With These Tips!
Memorial Day is next week which means the unofficial start to summer is almost here! Pool days and outdoor fun are in order for the whole family for the next few months. Here are some great ways you can help your family prepare for summer now so you can enjoy fun in the sun!
1 – Make sure you purchase new sunscreens. Sunscreen has a shelf life just as food does. Check expiration dates on yours to make sure you are keeping your family safe in the sun.
2 – Do the same for your insect repellents! If you prefer natural remedies, make sure to stock up on essential oils like peppermint to repel the bugs.
3 – Locate and wash the swimsuits and pool towels. Pack a beach bag that has towels, sunscreen, bug sprays etc. so it’s always ready for an unexpected pool day.
4 – Start making plans for summer activities. Look out for local camp signups, community events and mark any special dates on your calendar.
5 – Prepare a summer schedule for the kids so they know what to expect. It might include chores, sports, camps and of course plenty of downtime to have fun and relax.
6 – Pack the car with beach chairs, a blanket, sand toys and an umbrella. You never know when you’ll need these items in the summer and you’ll be glad you have them!
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend! Cheers to a great summer ahead.
15 Easter Egg Fillers That Aren’t Candy!
Easter is quickly approaching! If you’re planning to host an egg hunt this year you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of some great alternatives to candy for egg fillers. Don’t worry about jelly beans or chocolate candies melting inside of eggs at your Easter hunt!
1 – Coins
2 – Keychains
3 – Temporary tattoos
4 – Bouncy balls
5 – Stickers
6 – Mini glow sticks
7 – Friendship bracelets
8 – Balloons
9 – Sponge capsules
10 – Toy cars
11 – Rings
12 – Mini puzzles
13 – Jacks
14 – Mini pens/pencils
15 – Finger puppets
We hope everyone has a happy Easter!
8 Tips For Stocking Your Kitchen After Move-In
You have the keys, the movers are on their way and you don’t know where to start! How about the kitchen? The kitchen is one of the first places you should start when unpacking because it’s typically a central location of the home and let’s face it….your family is going to be hungry soon! Here are some great tips for stocking and unpacking the kitchen so you have what you need and it’s easily accessible.
1 – Grocery delivery services are a great option for that first move-in day. You can purchase the essentials and have someone else help with the shopping while you unpack the dishes and flatware.
2 – Speaking of essentials, don’t forget them! Think about oils, cooking sprays, salt, pepper, dry herbs and other condiments. Those are a staple in every kitchen.
3 – Try buying in bulk right away. Get plenty of dry goods for the pantry (think pastas, rice and canned good) and snacks for the kids.
4 – It’s not just about the food. Don’t forget to stock the sink area with soaps, cleaning supplies and sponges.
5 – Frozen vegetables, side dishes and snacks are a great way to start stocking the freezer. Have friends who want to cook for you? Say yes and stock some meals in your freezer for later in the week when you’re busy unpacking.
6 – Choose a spot for pots & pans that makes sense. Having cookware unpacked right away is important when dinner time rolls around.
7 – Paper goods aren’t a bad idea for the first couple of days. Have paper plates and napkins on hand to pull out while you decide on the perfect place to store your dishes in your new kitchen.
8 – Don’t be afraid to order takeout on your first night. You’ve had a long day and our leasing staff will be happy to give you recommendations on the best local places for dinner!
8 At Home Valentine Activities for the Whole Family
Sometimes staying in is just as fun as going out! If you’ve decided to stay in this year, here are 5 at home Valentine date ideas to try with the whole family.
1 – Movie Marathon. Everybody gets to choose their favorite movie (bonus if it is a love story). Spend the day watching the movies and eating fun, Valentine snacks together.
2 – Cooking Dinner Together. There are many at-home meal delivery services these days. Try ordering dinner for the family and sharing the task of preparing the meal.
3 – Decorating Treats. Whether its cupcakes or cookies, the whole family will have fun decorating some festive desserts together.
4 – Making Homemade Valentines. There is nothing better than a homemade card. Grab the art supplies and put your creative hats on to make valentines for each other.
5 – Play Valentine Bingo. You can download a fun version of Valentine bingo here. Instead of using the typical bingo markers, use conversation hearts to give it a fun, Valentine touch.
6 – Make a Valentine Playlist. Add everyone’s favorite love songs and play it all day on Valentine’s Day!
7 – Wear Matching Festive, Pajamas. Many stores are offering festive, Valentine pajamas for the whole family. Get warm, and cozy together in matching pjs this year.
8 – Drink Valentine Hot Chocolate. Pickup some cocoa bombs at the store or make yours festive by adding whipped cream and sprinkles.
However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day this year we hope you have a wonderful time together!
12 Essentials to Pack For Move-In Day
Packing to move can be a hassle. When you finally get the keys to your new place the last thing you want to do is be searching through boxes for essentials. If you’re scheduled to move into a new apartment with us soon, here is a list of essentials to keep in an easily-accessible (and clearly labeled) box on move-in day!
- Clean, dry bath towels
- Your toiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste)
- A hand soap for the bathroom
- Any medications you take daily
- A first aid kit
- Phone charger
- Sheets and pillows
- A shower curtain
- Paper plates, cups, napkins
- Toilet paper & paper towels
- Basic cleaning supplies (i.e. surface cleaner, a sponge, dish soap)
- Water & non-perishable snacks
You’ll be so glad you have these items available and nearby on your first day in your new home. We’re glad to have you as a new resident at Princeton Properties! Happy moving!