Watch the video below to learn a quick DIY craft for your holiday dinner table!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AykS0oKKTsA?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

It’s officially December and that means a month full of friends, family, fun and cold-weather activities! Whether you’re looking for a party idea, an outdoor activity or something to entertain your kids, we have you covered with some great ideas!

1. Go ice skating
2. Host a party with a hot chocolate bar
3. Attend a holiday tree lighting
4. Drive around to look at holiday lights
5. Go sledding
6. See a holiday-themed show
7. Visit the city for dinner or shopping
8. Have a holiday movie marathon
9. Bake cookies
10. Throw an ugly sweater party

With the holidays quickly approaching it means we’ll be welcoming family and friends into our homes for parties and events. Eliminate the stress of last minute cleaning and preparation by getting ready for houseguests early!

1. Clean spare bedrooms or sleeping areas for overnight guests now. Wash bedding and vacuum carpets/floors.

2. Tidy up your entryway. Put away any items that are cluttering the area and leave plenty of room for guests to put their shoes and store their winter coats.

3. Refresh your bathrooms by refilling all toiletries. Wash the floors and clean all surfaces of the bathroom.

4. Guests never show up empty handed. Clear some space in your refrigerator and throw out old items. You’ll want plenty of room to store extra food and leftovers.

5. Check the exterior. Make sure your walkways are cleaned up and clear. Also check your exterior lights and make sure none of the bulbs are burnt out.

6. Stock up on breakfast items. You’ll want to offer coffee and juice to your guests first thing in the morning. Make sure you have all of the essentials so you aren’t running out to the store bright and early.

Thanksgiving is officially less than 2 weeks away! If you are hosting this year you are probably in full-preparation mode already! Save yourself some time on turkey day by getting some things checked off your list now.

1. Order your turkey (if you haven’t already.) It’s risky to assume that you can go to the grocery store and pick up a turkey that’s the proper size for your dinner. Call ahead and order one now.

2. Buy all of the non-perishable items now. Don’t fight the crowds the week of Thanksgiving and spend hours in the grocery store. Shop for items like canned goods, baking supplies and beverages now.

3. Make a list of the items you’ll need to cook. Figure out how long each item will take (and at what temperature.) This will give you a great game plan for what to prepare first on Thanksgiving day.

4. Find your linens and place settings. If you store your fancier items away, pull them out of hiding now and make sure nothing is broken or damaged. Iron your cloth napkins and tablecloths early!

5. Order your centerpieces. If you are planning on having floral arrangements on your tables, go ahead and place the order now. You’ll want to be sure you can pick them up the day before your big event.

Last year we wrote a post about staying safe on Halloween. This year we want to make sure your pets are also safe! Whether you’re out trick or treating or handing out candy this Saturday, follow these steps to make sure your pets also have a great holiday!

1. Keep your candy is a safe place. Make sure it’s not left in a bowl that is close to the ground and tempting for your pet. If eaten, your animal could become very sick. To be safe, keep the Halloween treats in a seal-able bowl or on a high surface.

2. Make sure they aren’t in the yard. On Halloween night, make sure to find your pet and keep them inside. You won’t want any young kids playing tricks on your pet or feeding them candy.

3. Have a safe place for them in the house while answering the door. Whether it’s a gated room or a central space that has a door that can be closed, make sure your animal has a place to stay. Some trick or treaters may be afraid of dogs and you wouldn’t want to risk an escape.

4. Keep outdoor cats inside if possible the days leading up to Halloween and even the days after. Cats tend to be victim to Halloween pranks…especially black cats.

5. Make sure all candle-lit pumpkins are out of reach and outdoors. While you are busy answering the door you don’t want your dog or cat to accidentally knock over a candle-lit pumpkin. Stick to LED candles or flashing bulbs.

Cold weather may not officially be here yet, but it’s on it’s way so let’s get prepared together! It’s important to get your home ready for the colder months. We’ve put together a list that can help you get started so you’re home is in tip top shape for fall and winter weather!

1. Check your pantry. If you’re going to be stuck in the house at all during cold or stormy days, it’s a good idea to have lots of fresh, new pantry items at hand. You’ll thank yourself during the first surprise snow storm of the year!

2. Check your thermostat and heating system. Make sure everything is working properly so you can get the maintenance done that you need before cold weather hits.

3. Check your emergency kit. If you don’t have an emergency kit now is a good time to make one! Fill it with items like bottled water, flashlights, blankets, candles, etc. Store it in a place that’s easy to access in case the power goes out.

4. Check for drafts. Feel around your windows and doors and make sure you’re not able to feel any cold air. If you do, get it taken care of now (by yourself or a maintenance team on site). It’s best to be proactive when it comes to issues like these.

5. Find storage for your outdoor items. Patio furniture, umbrellas, planters etc. can get damaged in the winter months. Now is the time to start cleaning them up and finding a place to store them until spring.

Today is the last day of September so it’s time to get moving on our fall bucket lists! The autumn season is filled with so many fun activities for the whole family. Take a look at the fall bucket list we’ve put together to give you some fun ideas for your weekends in October and November!

1. Visit a pumpkin patch
2. Go apple picking
3. Go to a corn maze
4. Take a scenic drive
5. Go to a football game
6. Bake an apple or pumpkin dessert
7. Drink hot apple cider
8. Go to a local fair or festival
9. Take a hayride
10. Go to a haunted house or theme park
11. Have a bonfire
12. Go on a picnic
13. Carve pumpkins
14. Watch scary movies
15. Shop for Halloween costumes
16. Go on a hike
17. Build a scarecrow
18. Plant mums
19. Host a Halloween party
20. Make caramel apples (or just eat them)

It’s that time of year! Time to decorate your home with pumpkins and scarecrows. We love when our residents decorate for the seasons so we’ve compiled a list of 10 great fall balconies to give everyone a little inspiration this year!

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Before you get together with friends and family to watch football this weekend, watch this video for a great craft idea. You can join the refs in making calls right from your living room with these DIY penalty flags!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s54qUwhp3I?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

September can be a hectic time of year. We are no longer jetting away on tropical vacations or relaxing on the lake. Instead, we are getting our kids back to school and preparing our home for another busy year ahead. In order to lower stress levels and keep things organized while making the seasonal transition, read these great tips!

1. Keep a calendar. Some people like to use their cell phone calendars, others like a hand-held planner. Whatever your preference, start recording dates for important meetings, football practice and piano recitals before you forget.

2. Organize your documents. Get a file cabinet and designate specific folders for important documents. Bills, medical charts, permission slips, etc. They can all find an organized place to live.

3. Meal plan. Spend some time on Sundays planning out your family meals for the week (including lunches) so you aren’t looking for quick fixes in a rush during the week.

4. Cook extra. If you are cooking a big meal, double the recipe! You can freeze your extra food and easily thaw it out for dinner on a busy week night when you have a lot on your schedule.

5. Give everyone a job at home. Chores not only teach responsibility, they can be helpful to you! Delegate the laundry sorting and dishwasher emptying to family members to take some of the load off yourself.