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7 Fun and Easy Housewarming Gifts for A New Homeowner

7 Great Housewarming Gift Ideas Whether you have new neighbors next door or old friends moving across town, a housewarming gift is a great way to show you care.

New owners always appreciate anything that relieves the pressures of moving and settling in to an unfamiliar neighborhood.

Here are seven fun and easy housewarming-gift ideas for your friends moving into their home.

A Door Wreath

You can choose a wreath that fits the season or that is simply attractive on the front door.

Include a wreath door-hanger and storage box so they can easily hang it or put it away.

A Pair of Candlestick Holders

Candlesticks are a simple, yet practical gift for a new home.

They’re perfect for a mantel, dresser or table. Choose attractive candlestick holders that match the house’s décor and include a set of candles to burn.

A Homemade Meal

Moving and getting settled in a new house takes a tremendous amount of time and effort.

This leaves little time to cook nutritious meals.

Bring either a takeout or home-cooked meal along with disposable plates and utensils for a much appreciated housewarming gift.

Fresh Flowers

Nothing makes a room look more inviting than fresh-cut flowers or a lush green plant.

Flowers add a punch of color while plants last longer while still requiring little work.

Choose flowers that fit the season or a plant with full, green leaves that is easy to maintain.

Scented Candles

Not only are they practical, but they also help bring comfort and serenity to the chaos of moving.

Choose a theme for the candles, such as a color or a scent that matches the style.

Include candles of different shapes and sizes and a lighter.

Picture Frames

Keep in mind the house’s décor as you choose a picture frame.

Wood, pewter, bamboo or decorative glass looks great in a casually decorated house.

If the house has a more formal décor, choose crystal or silver.

It’s be fun for your friends to have a place to display their new memories.

There are few experiences that offer the excitement of moving into a new home, and you can add to that excitement and wonder by giving one of these housewarming gift ideas.

And if you want to be the one receiving housewarming gifts by moving to a new home, then call your trusted real estate professional today!

9 Ideas to Save Money and Make Your Home Greener

Saving money and going green are both hot topics right now. So, I’m sure you’ve already heard the tips to turn off water while brushing your teeth, turn off TVs and computers and swap out old light bulbs for the new energy-saving versions.

Swap stuff There are hundreds of online sites where you can get furniture, books, CDs, DVDs and even a place to stay for free by swapping stuff with other people. And, I’m not just talking about Craigslist. Two of the most popular and easy to use swap sites are Paperbackswap.com and SwapaDVD.com.

Recycle your cell phone According to the EPA, if the 100 million cell phones no longer being used by Americans were recycled, enough energy would be saved to power more than 18,500 homes for a year. Give your cell phone back to its manufacturer ordonate your cell phone to charity. A great charity to donate to is Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active duty military members and veterans.

Recycle other electronics Keep old TVs out of landfills by taking them to a safe e-cycling facility. Return iPods to Apple for recycling or sell them for parts. Take e-waste to stores like Best Buy and Staples that have recycling programs. You’ll save money by not having to pay to dispose of the electronics.

Eat foods that are in season It’s healthier, less expensive and better for the environment. Oh, and one more big plus: the food tastes so much better!

Install a water filter Bottled water isn’t any healthier than tap water, and all that plastic waste is terrible for the environment. It’s also expensive! If you use a water filter in your [city] home, you can get great-tasting, clean water while reducing your waste and saving money.

Turn down your water heater You won’t notice the temperature change, but your water heater won’t work as hard and won’t use as much energy.

Plant a vegetable garden If you don’t have the space to plant a garden, plant a tree or put some plants outside. Find vegetables and plants that grow well in your area for the best results. Ask your local garden center for that information.

Use green cleaners There’s no reason to use harsh chemicals to clean your home. Use biodegradable cleaners that are safe for the environment or make your own green cleaners. Use old towels and T-shirts instead of disposable wipes and paper towels to cut down on waste and save you money.

Check your insulation Adding insulation to your home will cost money initially, but you’ll quickly earn it back plus more by saving long term on your heating and cooling bills. Skeptical? Start out by insulating your attic and keeping track of your energy savings. It averages out to about $116 a year in savings.

Want more tips to save money, organize your home and become greener? Check out the links in this blog. It’s free and easy!

4 Tips to Freshen Up and Give Your Home a New Look

Why not start at Home with These 4 Easy and Inspiring tips?

January not only means a new year, it means it’s time to start making realities out of all those resolutions you made in December, and to begin looking at everything around you with a positive, and fresh perspective.

1. Add color and life with flowers and plants

Add life in your rooms with flowers and plants. Flowers are arriving at home centers, florists, and even grocery stores everywhere in droves, as the winter greenhouses ship out their big spring batch.

A full low arrangement can add color, spice, and life to any area of your home! Arrange your own flowers and save hundreds; find small containers and cut the stems short, and always buy twice as many as you think you’ll need.

2. Rearrange your mantel

The hearth is often viewed as the center of the home. That being said, the mantel is a great place for displaying a story about the home or homeowner. It’s a place for showcasing our favorite things, or it can be that one area for rotating weekly doses of design.

Feeling like a fresh start for your mantel now that the holidays are winding down? Here are some simple ideas to kick off the new year.

3.Change up your fabrics and covers

Now is a great time to switch out those dark colors and patterns with light linens and cashmere, and slipcover those dining room chairs! Take the opportunity now to change out the dark and cozy, for the light and comfy! You can find great prices on home interiors at stores like Home Goods and Ross Stores.

4. Paint a Room or Two

Paint is an economical way to transform the look of any room in your home and give a room a fresh new look is by painting the walls. Choose hues that appeal to you! If you are considering selling your home, stick to neutrals, such as white, ivory, beige or soft classic hues with great appeal, such as light grey-blue, tan or taupe.

A great way to record and save all your paint samples and color names is to keep them organized in your Ultimate Home Journal. This will help have all the information you need at your finger tips when you need to repaint or remember what color you used in each room.