About House & Home: Kick-Start Your New Year

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Change is what the new year is all about, whether you've decided to transform your life or make small changes that will help you be who want to be. To help, we're offering inspiring resolutions, ways to boost your energy and tips for planning the perfect party to usher in 2011. From all of us to all of you, we wish you a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year. 8 Easy Green New Year's Resolutions New Year's resolutions don't need to be difficult to be effective. In fact, some of the best goals are those that are simple and easy to achieve. Like these green resolutions that will not only help you save the planet but save you money, too. See More About:  green shopping  organic food  energy use 7 Effective Resolutions for Your Home If you're like me, I usually have at least one resolution devoted to my home. Often it's about keeping organized, but I find by the end of January my plan to stay on top of household chores has slipped. This year, I'm adding these resolutions to my list. My personal favorite? Ensuring all household members take part in keeping our home clean. See More About:  resolutions  cleaning goals  Feng Shui Tips for an Energy-filled New Year The best feng shui tip for the new year is to have your home reflect your dreams and wishes, to have your home be ready to receive all you want in the new year. And to do that, you can create and attract the desired energy into your home by following these inspiring and easy to follow tips for creating the perfect space. See More About:  feng shui tips  feng shui for a healthy home  feng shui colors A New Year's Eve Fresh Start Party Now that you're inspired to create your list of New Year's resolutions, why not start the year off right by hosting a fresh-start party? This article provides you with all the information you need to create the perfect celebration. House & Home Ads New Year New Year 2011 New Year Resolution Happy New Year Keeping Resolutions Featured Articles 6 Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree Landscape Design for Beginners Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat Free 2011 Calendar Pages Knitting With Wool 9 Steps to a Well-Organized Garage   More from About.com Top 10 Media Stories of 2010 Discover which blame games, survival stories and key media figures under fire made our list. More> Ten Best Talk Show Moments Oprah and Conan left to start new ventures, but there were a few other shocks and surprises in 2010. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Last Minute Holiday Tips

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Every year I swear I'll have everything done so I can actually enjoy the few days before company arrives. And every year finds me running to the store, panicked because I forgot stocking stuffers for my cousin's twin boys or that Aunt Sally likes pickles with her turkey. So for all of you who are running out of time, this newsletter is for you! How to Find Parking During the Holiday Shopping Spree The malls are packed. Your list is long. The weather is frightful and no parking can be found. But wait. You remember seeing a great article on how to find parking at the height of the holiday season. Thanks to these tips, your panic subsides as you turn the car into the only available spot in the entire snow-covered lot. See More About:  holiday shopping  ergonomic tips  How to Childproof Your Home for the Holidays If your guest list includes small children, it's a good idea to take time to ensure your home doesn't pose any dangers for little ones and, at the same time, your antique decorations that have been in the family for generations are safe from curious fingers. See More About:  childproofing  safety tips  How to Clean Around Your Guests With guests comes mess. They just go together. But instead of worrying about how you're going to keep the house clean, find out how to tidy up while still finding time to enjoy the holiday company. See More About:  entertaining  holiday guide  Last Minute Gifts (in a Jar!) Before you head out to the mall for those last minute purchases, check out these beautiful (easy to make) gifts for the hard-to-buy-for. Like brownie-pie mix in a jar. Oh, yes, please! See More About:  gifts in a jar  frugal gift ideas  frugal christmas planning House & Home Ads Holiday Gift Ideas Holiday Fun Christmas Gifts Holiday Mall Hours Easy Gifts Featured Articles Top 5 Exotic Pets for Kids Holiday Centerpieces from the Garden Winter Crafts and Games for the Whole Family Create a Cozy Bedroom Home Theater Stocking Stuffers How to Barter for Goods and Services   More from About.com Great Gadget Gifts iPad or iPod? Kindle or Nook? Point-and-shoot or DIL camera? If you're confused by this year's must-have gadgets, check out our top picks. More> The Gift of Entertainment The lowdown on the latest holiday releases, plus recommendations on the best in music, movies and more. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Inspiring Holiday Decorating Ideas

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor I haven't had a chance to put up our Christmas lights yet, so our house is the only one on the block that's sad to look at, especially because we live right next door to Dave. Dave's house is the brightest, jolliest house I've ever seen, with enough lights to shine all the way to the North Pole. At least, that's what his kids are hoping for. Find Inspiration in Festive Light Displays If you're looking for some inspiration, check out these incredible displays of lighting magic. Plus, find out when holiday lights became part of our seasonal celebrations. See More About:  holiday decorations  christmas lights  led lights Christmas Decorating Ideas for the Yard Now that you've been inspired by the gallery of holiday lights, take a look at some of the other ideas for creating a winter wonderland that will add sparkle to your outdoor displays. See More About:  christmas decorations  christmas lights  lawn decor Scrapbooking Handmade Christmas Cards I love receiving handmade Christmas cards. I always save them and bring them out each year to use as decorations around the house. Even though Christmas is around the corner, show how much you care by making these one-of-a-kind holiday cards. 12 Days of Home and Garden Holidays The 12 Days of Holiday Home & Garden is your one stop shop for all things holiday - crafts, decorating, cards, pets, holiday party planning and gift ideas. Find your inspiration, right here. See More About:  12 days of holiday  holiday time managment  House & Home Ads Interior Decorating House Decorating Christmas Gift Ideas Decorating Ideas Holiday Gifts Featured Articles Gifts for the Green Home Remodeler Santa Postcard Collection Easy Gift to De-Stress Family & Friends 8 Reasons to Buy a Home Save Money When You Buy Furniture Easy Candle Making Projects   More from About.com Great Gadget Gifts iPad or iPod? Kindle or Nook? Point-and-shoot or DIL camera? If you're confused by this year's must-have gadgets, check out our top picks. More> The Gift of Entertainment The lowdown on the latest holiday releases, plus recommendations on the best in music, movies and more. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Gift Giving Ideas for Under $50

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor My holiday gift list is incomplete. There are a lot of question marks beside people's names since I have no idea what to get them. Instead of panicking, I turned to our Home and Garden Guides for some help and decided to share their gift suggestions with you - all for under $50. Best Kitchen Gifts Under $40 Wow! Over 25 gifts for under $40 that will not only satisfy the hard-to-buy-for, but will ensure that your gift will be well-used and loved. My favorite? The chocolate melting pot. Now, who wouldn't want one of those? See More About:  gift ideas  gift baskets  home decor Green Gifts for Under $50 Ten gifts for the people on your list who prefer to recycle and reuse rather than buy new. My favorite? A cheese serving platter made from used chalkboards. And if guests are confused by the artisan cheeses you're serving, write the name on the board itself - yes, chalk is included. See More About:  green shopping  green home products  green holidays Gardening Gifts for Under $25 Even though I consider myself a novice gardener, I always appreciate garden-themed gifts, especially now that winter is here. My favorite? The microwavable corn bags. The sore neck I developed from bending over my Christmas shopping list feels better already. See More About:  containers  plant for sun  container photos Woodworking Gifts for Under $50 I bet if you asked people on your list if they like to work with wood, a resounding number would say that they do. Like my physiotherapist. After knowing him for almost two years, I was surprised when he told me about his hobby. But now I know what to get him for Christmas: A ZEM hearing protector. It'll not only protect him from noisy woodworking projects but also my endless complaints about the exercises he gives me to do. See More About:  woodworking safety  finishing  jigsaws House & Home Ads Unique Gift Ideas Personalized Gifts Birthday Gifts Wedding Gifts Corporate Gift Featured Articles The 12 Days of Home and Garden Holidays Stocking Stuffers for Knitters How to Repair Your Furnace All About Attic Storage Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist Apartment Rental Tips   More from About.com Great Gadget Gifts iPad or iPod? Kindle or Nook? Point-and-shoot or DIL camera? If you're confused by this year's must-have gadgets, check out our top picks. More> The Gift of Entertainment The lowdown on the latest holiday releases, plus recommendations on the best in music, movies and more. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement