Homeowner Holidays

By Jay Remer, Home Ownership Editor

As the holiday season gets into full swing, I hope everyone has the happiest celebration wherever you may be. Having a home and hosting a holiday party is one way to fully enjoy the season. Here are a few helpful pieces of advice, chosen randomly from 60 years of experience. Hope they are helpful.

1.   Household routines change dramatically over the holidays. These changes have an effect on everyone in the house, especially children and pets. When possible, keep daily routines such as eating, bathing, and sleeping on schedule. There is enough outside stimuli and breaking from daily routines is rarely positive.

2.   Christmas is the worst possible time of year to give pets as gifts.  This is a disruptive time of year and new additions to the family acclimate best when a regular routine can be put in place, and where excessive excitement is at a minimum. Small children and animals do not interact well unless under adult supervision. No one wants a traumatized puppy or an injured child.

3.   If you erect a tree, I recommend using a stand that has a reservoir for holding water. Christmas trees will stay fresher and drop fewer needles if kept in water.

4.   You cannot change your family or their habits. Not everyone in every family get along for a variety of reasons. This is not a matter for judgment, but rather for acceptance. However, this does not mean incivility is appropriate or acceptable behavior. Everyone needs to be respectful and cordial. If this is difficult, keep warring parties separated.

5.   Get into the spirit of giving. Remember those less fortunate members of your community. Food banks are wonderful places to make donations, even in the name of others, as a gift. There is no competition in giving and it is true that giving gives you a greater sense of gratitude than receiving.

6.   It isn’t necessary to overeat or drink too much over the holidays. We use such times as excuses, but wasting food and intoxication are not requirements for having a successful and memorable celebration.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season with best wishes for a wonderful New Year!  Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest.