Page 8 December 7, 2017
Prepare Your Home for Holiday Guests
(BPT) - As the holidays approach, the
decorator in us gets excited about how to
deck the halls and drape the tinsel to create
a festive home for the season. Social media
is full of inspiration, but before you embark
on decorating projects, the following are a
few easy ideas to ensure your home is as
functional and welcoming as it is festive for
family and friends.
A pristine paint job is the
perfect backdrop for holiday
entertaining. Throughout the
year, the walls of your home
take a lot of abuse, from
kids banging their toys into
the corners and chairs hitting
the walls, to the nail holes
and cracks that appear over
time. To restore your walls
to their former glory, fill in
those dents, holes and cracks
before you repaint with ALEX
Plus Spackling, which delivers
professional strength and
durability when making repairs
on a range of surfaces such as
drywall, wood and metal. If
you have troublesome reoccurring
cracks that just won’t go
away, ALEX Flex Spackling
is the perfect solution for a
lasting, seamless repair. And
for the ultimate professional
finish, use ALEX Flex Premium
Molding & Trim Sealant
to fill gaps and cracks around
interior window and door frames and along
baseboards, chair rails and crown molding
for a crack-proof, seamless finish.
A warm, roaring fire is a cozy centerpiece
for after-dinner storytelling and catching up
with family and friends. Whether your home
is equipped with a gas or wood-burning fireplace,
it is important to ensure the unit is in
good working order. First, inspect the area
and repair any damage to key pieces, such as
the baffle, damper or mantle, that may have
occurred during the year. Next, schedule a
time for a thorough chimney sweeping to
remove excess buildup of soot and creosote.
There’s nothing like visiting with old
friends or reconnecting with family members
you haven’t seen in a while. Of course, with
the increased foot traffic in and out of your
home comes the question of where to put
your guests’ belongings so they are out of
the way and organized. If you have a coat
closet, be sure to clean it out and make
room for your guests by storing your coats
in another room. You might also consider
using an additional coat rack and strategically
placing some festive decorative baskets for
holding shoes and purses.
If you plan on hosting friends and family
members who have small children, take some
time to kid-proof your home, particularly
anywhere they are likely
to play. Along with putting
plug covers on all of the
outlets, remove any common
hazards young kids might
get into. Secure electrical
and window treatment cords,
protect hard-edged furniture
and put breakables out of
reach. Once the groundwork
for a safe, kid-friendly space
is cleared, add toys, games,
comfy pillows and more, so
they’re entertained and feel
welcome.
When it comes to prepping
for holiday guests, don’t
forget about high-traffic
areas outside the home. Be
sure to clear the walkways
of any snow and ice and
replace outdoor lights with
fresh bulbs to help guests
safely navigate their way to
your home.
These quick and easy
preparations will help you
and your guests feel more at
home, setting the stage for all to enjoy the
festivities and fun of the season. •
633 California
BRE # 00946399
John Skulick
BRE #01064179
310-350-4240 TeamSkulick@gmail.com Rose VanHook
310-350-5920
Coming Spring 2018
4 bedrooms 2 baths.
2000 sq. ft.
Remodeled Kitchen.
Hardwood floors
throughout.
Detached 4-car
garage. $1,399,000
BRE #02034572
Pol Schönhöfer
310-980-5530
Brand New Home!
Gorgeous single family.
New construction.
This will KNOCK your
socks off! Fabulous Extra
Wide Lot. Call for Details...
NEW LISTING
Home for the Holidays!