Author: Shannon Rooks
Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways – Day 5
It’s Day 5….the final day of Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways! Find our tips for last-minute shopping ideas and get the final question!
It happens….we look at the calendar and it’s only a few days until Christmas and we still haven’t shopped for everyone on our list. Read these tips and ideas below if you’re in a time crunch and need gifts fast…
1 – If you don’t have time (or energy) to head to the mall in the eleventh hour, try a DIY gift instead! You can craft an ornament or bake some holiday cookies for the last people on your lists.
2 – If you can’t get out to even buy a gift card, consider printing one right from your home computer! Many stores offer online purchases and they can e-mail you your digital gift card right away.
3 – Consider gifting an experience rather than an actual gift. Head to Groupon or Living Social and purchase an outing or lesson for your friends or family members.
4 – Check store websites to see if you can pickup items that you purchase online. Some stores (like Walmart) offer free pickup until 6pm on Christmas eve of items purchased online. You can skip the search and the crowds and head right to the pickup section of the store.
5 – If all else fails….regift! You may have something at home that you haven’t opened or used that might be great use to someone on your list.
QUESTION 5: Do you prefer to receive gift cards or actual gifts?
Head back over to our Facebook page here and leave your answer in the comments to be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways – Day 4
It’s Day 4 of Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways! Guide Santa’s Reindeer to your house this Christmas Eve with this DIY Magic Reindeer Food! Watch the video below to learn how and answer today’s question to be entered to win a $100 gift card.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhEQaQ09OzA?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
QUESTION 4: What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Head back over to our Facebook page here and put your answer in the comments to be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways – Day 3
Happy Wednesday, friends! It’s Day 3 of our 5 Days of Giveaways!
There are certain holiday songs that you love to hear every December. Whether you’re driving in the car, shopping at the mall or listening at home, you’re sure to hear some of the classics. Billboard released the ten most popular holiday songs in the chart’s history and they are listed below…
Billboard’s 10 Most Popular Holiday Songs
10 – “Last Christmas” by Wham
9 – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams
8 – “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
7 – “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
6 – “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives
5 – “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano
4 – “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
3 – “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole
2 – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
1 – “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
QUESTION 3: What is your favorite Christmas/Holiday song?
Head back over to our Facebook page here to leave your answer in the comments to be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways – Day 2
Watch the video below to learn a delicious recipe that will help you warm up this holiday season!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlSq-9HtNVo?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
QUESTION 2: What is your favorite warm, holiday drink?
Head back over to our Facebook page here and give your answer in the comments to be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Princeton’s 5 Days of Giveaways – Day 1
Happy Holidays! We’ve had our first snow of the season this year so we’ve all probably pulled out our shovels, gloves and boots! Whether you love spending time skiing in the winter or you only go outside to get to your car, you need to warm up. Here are some tips for drying out your clothes and warming up after spending time out in the snow…
- Have a designated spot in your home (maybe in a back hallway or by the front door) that you can keep a tray for wet shoes and boots. Let your footwear dry after coming inside and avoid tracking snowy footprints in the house.
- Use a drying rack to hang wet clothes in the bathroom or laundry room after you’ve taken them off.
- Speaking of wet clothes…don’t linger in them! Take them off as soon as possible to change into something warm and dry.
- Our feet and hands tend to be coldest after being outside. Step into some warm slippers and hold onto a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate to warm up.
- You should always wear a hat outdoors in the winter, but if your hair got wet, use a hair dryer soon after changing clothes to keep cold, wet tresses off your neck.
QUESTION 1: What is your favorite outdoor, winter activity?
Head back over to our Facebook page here to give your answer in the comments on today’s post. Then you’ll be entered to win!
5 Tips for Wrapping Holiday Gifts
It’s time to pull out the scissors, tape and ribbon and start wrapping those holiday gifts! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uninspired, read these tips before you start cutting that wrapping paper!
1.If you prefer using gift bags over wrapping with paper, make sure you have enough. Count the items you have and measure their sizes before heading to the store to purchase your bags. Don’t forget the tissue paper!
2. Now is a good time to create a gift wrapping storage solution if you haven’t already. Plastic bins or even garment bags make for great storage. Put your paper, scissors, tape, tags, ribbon and a pen in the bin or bag so you know where everything is.
3. Rather than buy a bunch of different wrapping paper patterns, try using brown craft paper to wrap your gifts. Add color and patterns by choosing different colored ribbons to your brown packages.
4. Try adding some unique additions to your packages like bells or greens. Tie them onto your ribbon for a fancy and impressive touch on your packages.
5. If you purchased wrapping paper on rolls, put empty toilet paper or paper towel roll around your roll to avoid paper rolling open and getting ripped.
DIY Cranberry and Cedar Centerpieces
Make your table festive and beautiful with this easy #princetonsDIYproject!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMBOyk2rDGw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
7 Tips for Setting A Thanksgiving Table
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and if you’re hosting you are probably busy with preparations! Your turkey is thawing, your vegetables are chopped, the house is clean….now it’s time to set the table! Read these tips before you start putting out your napkins and flatware…
- Iron your tablecloths and napkins the day before.
- Wash and set aside all of your flatware and glassware the night before. Make sure to dry everything so there aren’t any spots or watermarks.
- Consider using place cards. It makes things easier and it makes your dinner table much more personalized. Your guests will be happy that you’ve chosen a special place for them at your meal.
- Add some seasonal touches by putting centerpieces on your tables. Consider flowers, candles, pumpkins or faux leaves to give your table a festive look.
- Keep in mind that bread plates go on the left and drinks go on the right of each place setting.
- Wow your guests with a festive napkin fold! Try one of these ideas
- Make sure to have the guests water glasses filled before they sit down. Have a full water pitcher on hand in the fridge so you can easily refill.
DIY Waffle Cone Cornucopias
Want to send your Thanksgiving guests home with a fun, festive treat? Watch the video below to learn how to make your own waffle cone cornucopias with only 2 ingredients!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJts1Z4uLPo?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
5 Ways to Get Your Outerwear Ready for Winter
There is already talk of snow in the forecast in New England so it’s (finally) time to start pulling out the winter jackets, hats and boots! In order to keep things organized and to make sure your gear doesn’t take up too much space, follow these tips:
- Start by washing your winter coats, gloves and hats and scarves after you pull them out of storage.
- Make sure you have matched all of your gloves and mittens and fold or tie them together to keep them from separating.
- Shop for a shoe tray if you don’t already have one. Clean a spot by your front door to place it so you can take off your wet, snowy boots without making a mess.
- Have baskets laying around the house? Use one for your gloves, one for hats and one for scarves to keep things organized. Put the baskets on a shelf in your coat closet.
- Pull your lightweight jackets out of the closet to make room and put them in storage. Hang your winter coats underneath your baskets for your cold weather accessories.