The Home Know-It-All

Storing Holiday Lights

One of the most dreaded parts of the post-holiday season is upon us. Storing holiday lights. But as much as you may hate putting those strings away now, carefully stashing them after the holiday madness means that when you go to take them out next year life will be a little bit easier.

Of course, before you put any of these ideas to use, remember to check that your lights are all in working order. If you see any frayed cords, broken lights, or other damage that can’t easily be repaired, it’s time to discard the strand.

(It’s also time to head to the store—you may be able to find Christmas decorations for as much as 80 percent off, so if they aren’t gone yet, now’s the time to stock up on LED lights for next year!)

Should you choose to use the old-fashioned method of winding the strands around your arm, here’s the best technique I’ve found: Hold the plug in your hand and bend your arm in an “L.” Then, with your other hand, loop the strand around your elbow and up between your thumb and forefinger until the entire strand is neatly wrapped around your arm. For an alternative way to do this technique that allows you to easily package the lights in a plastic bag, check out this handy YouTube video.

Want something a little tidier this year than the old hand-and-arm wrapping trick? Here are some supplies to help you keep your lights in order—easy!

Empty wrapping paper tubes. You probably have them on hand already, so why not put them to good use? Sarah Aguirre at about.com recommends cutting a small slit in each end of the wrapping tube, threading the end of a set of lights through the slit, and wrapping the lights around the tube. Then just thread the other end through the opposite slit and you’re done.

A piece of cardboard. As Martha recommends, storing lights is easy when you use pieces of cardboard cut to fit a plastic storage bin. Chrisjob at Curbly does a nice job of walking you through the steps involved in doing just that—I think I’ll follow Chrisjob’s instructions this year and try this method myself.

Storage reels. Holiday light storage reels—which can be purchased online—will keep all your lights tidy and safely stashed in one place.

Storage kits. Here’s another product if the cardboard ideas above just won’t cut it. This kit allows you to funnel a string of lights into a plastic bag. Once they’re in the bag, you can roll the lights up for storage next year.

Do you have other creative ways for storing holiday lights from year to year? Share them here!

Until 2008,
The Home Know-It-All

Note: The Home Know-It-All does not endorse the quality or effectiveness of any of the products listed above.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Once you’d had your fill of gazing at your Christmas tree adorned with sparkling lights and cherished ornaments and begin packing the decorations away, what do you do with your tree?

Why not add a little “green” touch to your post-holiday spirit and recycle those beautiful boughs? (Unless, of course, yours it the potted variety—in which case, just remove the ornaments and enjoy—or the planting variety—in which case, as soon as you can, get that thing in the ground and watch it grow!)

There are a number of ways you can get the most out of your Christmas tree aside from hauling it to the curb for garbage pickup.

Purdue Extension details a great idea—recycle your tree by adorning it with “bird feeder” decorations in the backyard so your feathered friends can enjoy it as much as you did.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, chop your tree into pieces for building the perfect fire. Don’t have a use for the wood yourself? Pass it along to a friend or neighbor to keep the Christmas spirit going even after the gifts are unwrapped.

Our friends at Iowa State University offer some other pointers for using your tree Christmas tree after the holiday festivities die down. Why not chip the boughs and use the chips as mulch around trees, shrubs, or flower beds? Phil for Humanity provides specifics on turning your Christmas tree into mulch using your woodchipper.

Don’t want to mess with the tree yourself? The National Christmas Tree Association has partnered with earth911.org to bring tree recycling to a community near you. Visit the earth911 website to find out where to recycle in your area—in some places, someone may even come pick up your tree for you.

Any other ideas for recycling your Christmas trees out there? Share them with me (and your fellow The Home-Know-It-All readers) today!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Smart Storage for Indoor Holiday Decorations

Happy day after Christmas! Hopefully you’re still at home with family or friends, enjoying new gifts and perhaps even leftovers from yesterday’s holiday dinner.

If you’re like me, you’ll keep your Christmas decorations up until the new year to enjoy the holiday spirit just a bit longer.

But once it is time to think about putting all the festive tchotchkes and ornaments away, how about a few organizing tips to keep breakables safe and make unpacking next year a breeze?

First, make certain that everything is clean and in working order before you put it away. Dust collectibles, toss broken ornaments, make sure strings of indoor lights work, and wash festive table linens and such.

While you’re at it, also weed out decorations you don’t use anymore. If you haven’t brought out that collection of glass Santa Clauses for a couple of years, is it really worth saving? Perhaps it’s time to pass the Saint Nicks along to a consignment shop to save room for the decorations you actually use. Besides, just as your home decor tastes inevitably change over the years, your taste in Christmas decorations probably does too. If you’ve moved on from colorful greens and reds to a scheme dominated by silvers and golds, perhaps it’s time to discard some of your the decorations that no longer fit your tastes.

Once you begin organizing, whether you use cardboard boxes or plastic tubs, make sure everything is clearly labeled so it’s easy to find next year. Try to group like items together—rather than tossing a random assortment of decorations in one box, keep ornaments separate from wreaths, cookie jars and other breakables in a different box than lights, and so on. Or if you’ve created a great decorating scheme and want to remember it for next year, perhaps you’d rather store items room by room so you’ll remember what goes where.

Coral Nafie at about.com has some great, basic storage pointers. I particularly like her idea of creating an “Open First for Christmas” box so you can easily find the necessities that are most important right away.

Of course Real Simple has some great tricks for storing ornaments, gift wrap, and more. The ornament packing ideas—including storing fragile ornaments in their original boxes and placing food-based decorations such as dough ornaments in resealable plastic bags—are particularly helpful.

Better Homes & Gardens also has some tips for storing ornaments, candles, and such.

Make holiday storage even easier with special tubs and totes made specifically for decorations such as wreaths, ornaments, and gift wrap. Check out the myriad options from Space Savers. And as Blue Suit Mom recommends, sturdy plastic tubs are better than cardboard boxes that are susceptible moisture, mold, and other damage. Or try Rubbermaid’s line of holiday storage products, which includes portable wrapping storage, collapsible cubes for decorations of all sizes, and even holiday wreath and tree keepers.

Stay tuned. Soon I’ll also be posting about the best ways to dispose of Christmas trees, store outdoor holiday decorations, and more.

What are your tricks for keeping everything organized until it’s time for next year’s holiday cheer? Share them here!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Merry Christmas!

The Home Know-It-All is taking Monday and Tuesday off from posting to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Enjoy all your fun holiday festivities! Then be sure to check out The Home Know-It-All in the next few days: I’ll be posting on essential things you need to know to unwind after the holidays, from smartly storing all those decorations to recycling your Christmas trees.

Until Wednesday,
The Home Know-It-All

Build a Better Wood-Burning Fire

When the weather outside is frightful, I make a beeline for my fireplace—after all, what could be better than curling up in front of a toasty hearth with a good magazine and a hot cup of tea? Besides making you comfy and cozy, a warm, glowing fire takes the chill out of winter weather. And a crackling fire easily enlivens any cold fireplace.

But to achieve a toasty fire, you have to first build it properly. Before you even attempt to build one, have your chimney inspected and cleaned to ensure it can safely accommodate a fire—and make this a yearly habit. Also be sure you have the right size fireplace screen. After all, you don’t want your fire to spread beyond the fireplace. Read up on chimney safety in this Washington Post article.

To achieve a clean-burning fire, stick with well-seasoned dry wood (more heat energy is consumed when wood is wet). Hard wood, such as oak, birch, or maple, is easier (and cleaner) to burn than soft wood. Avoid the temptation to toss trash in the fire. For other helpful hints, check out these tips from My Home Ideas.

The way you stack wood also impacts the longevity of your fire. I especially like Rent-A-Husband Kaile Warren’s “tower stacking” method, with four layers built from the bottom up, because it allows for good airflow. Keep this method in mind as you maintain your fire, though—rather than haphazardly tossing another piece of wood into the fire to keep it burning, thoughtfully add the wood as though you were rebuilding the tower. Try the tower-stacking method for yourself.

When it comes to lighting your fire, look no further than that old stack of newspaper you have laying around. Warren suggests laying a sheet of newspaper down, then sprinkling leaves, and pine needles on top. I’m saving up my wine corks so I can try this unexpected idea from Real Simple. But if you want to give your fire a little flair, just head outdoors and gather a few pine cones to create festive fire starters.

When it’s time to extinguish your fire, sprinkle water on top (you’ll cause more problems if you drench the fire). Wait at least four days to remove ashes—fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire. Good Housekeeping explains how to safely get rid of the ashes.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Festive Outdoor Decor

Once my tree is trimmed and my halls decked in holiday spirit every year, I take my decorating prowess outdoors and tackle my home’s exterior. Creating a jolly holiday display outdoors can instantly transform your home into a winter wonderland—even if the fluffy white stuff isn’t falling.

Before you begin, it’s best to draw up a plan. Ask yourself what kind of a look you’re going for (a gingerbread house effect? modern minimalist?) and what you’ll need to achieve this look. Brush up on helpful planning tips and check out a handy listing of holiday decorations—from energy-efficient LED lights to fiber-optic figures—with this holiday decorating guide from the folks at Lowe’s.

A few tasteful decorations go a long way in creating a festive display, so it’s best to think light and bright. For example, adorn trees, arbors, and other outdoor structures with a few oversize ornaments. Try these other ideas from Smith & Hawken. And if you have your heart set on life-size blow-up decorations, stick with one or two rather than trying to pack a bunch into your yard (your neighbors will thank you).

Why not embellish what you already own? It’ll help take the guesswork out of decorating, and it’s inexpensive. To give your outdoor décor a luscious peppermint-y twist this year, paint round stepping stones with red and white swirls. For other DIY ideas, check out Families.com.

In addition, your evergreen trees and shrubs can actually be your biggest decorating assets. Prune them, and use the greens to accent your outdoor decorating display. One nifty idea, courtesy of BHG.com is to mingle colorful ornaments with sprigs of fresh greenery in a wire basket. And iVillage serves up a bunch of tips for decorating with live plants. I’m snagging the berry wreath trim suggestion to spice up my front entrance.

When I was growing up, I loved covering pine cones in peanut butter, coating them with birdseed, and hanging them with pretty ribbon outdoors to attract birds. I still designate one tree as my “wildlife tree” and trim it with natural décor. Along with the aforementioned pine cone treats, the Audubon Society recommends wrapping your wildlife tree with strings of unsalted popped popcorn, dried fruit, and peanuts. Learn about other techniques for attracting feathered friends.

If there was one single element that defined outdoor holiday décor, it would be twinkling lights. Even the most simple lighting scheme adds instant sparkle and radiance. Read up on the nitty-gritty of installing holiday lights.

Getting your home’s exterior ready for the holidays can be a large undertaking, so why not enlist the help of a few friends or family members? When you’re all done, reward everyone’s hard work with warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and best of all, holiday treats. Cheers to holiday decorating!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Make Yourself a Man Cave

Gone are the days when a typical man cave consisted of a dingy couch, a spent TV, a few posters, and maybe even a workstation all crammed into wire- and box-filled utility room. Today’s man caves—also known as a guys’ hangout space—have evolved into more accommodating havens for relaxation with poker tables, sports bars, and more. Heck, these masculine-driven spaces are becoming so popular they even have a TV show named after them. Here’s how to transform your garage, basement, or other unused room into a cool space to kick back with the guys.

The best part about creating a man cave is that it’s your personal space to decorate—you can do what you want with it. So if you’re forbidden from displaying your autographed Brett Favre jersey in your redesigned blue-and-brown bedroom, you can proudly flaunt it in your man cave—along with your other Packers paraphernalia. Not sure where to begin? Glean decorating inspiration from these man caves.

Treat your man cave-building endeavor the same way you would tackle any other home improvement: arm yourself with specific ideas, carefully measure your space, stay organized, and allot yourself ample time. Prevent snags before you start by checking out the DIY Network’s 10 tips for designing and building the ultimate man cave. I especially like their handy how-to videos for projects such as creating a sports bar or a media cave.

A big-screen TV is a man cave must-have, as are comfy chairs and recliners, a wet bar, and games such as a pool table and dartboard. But if you’re going to go all out, check out the Gamerator. Designed by three guys, it packs just about everything a guy could ever want into one machine—more than 150 arcade games, a beer dispenser, and a 26-inch flat-panel HDTV. And because it’s difficult to hold a beer and play games at the same time, the Gamerator even has two strategically placed cupholders. My favorite part: You can even customize its appearance. What’s not to love?

If anything’s for sure, it’s that man caves aren’t going away any time soon. Watch this short video to learn more about their growing popularity.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Kitchens the Universal Design Way

Forte Secondary Faucet with Sidespray.
Photo courtesy of Kohler Co.

I’ve already posted about why I’m a fan of universal design. Now it’s time to get into the specifics of universally designed kitchens.

Why bother with universal design concepts in the kitchen? That’s easy. Few places in the home see as much traffic. And when you’re in the kitchen, you’re usually working hard—preparing food, cooking, and cleaning up. The daily tasks you take for granted in the kitchen, from filling a glass with water to loading the dishwasher, can suddenly become much more daunting if you or another person has to deal with broken bones, arthritis, weakened vision, or any number of challenges large and small.

Even if every person in your house is able-bodied now, you never know what might happen. And even perfectly healthy individuals face challenges in the kitchen—are dangerous items safely out of the way of small children? Is the microwave within reach of older kids? If one member of your family is considerably taller or shorter than the rest, does he or she have trouble sidling up to the counter or putting dishes away on tall shelves?

Rather than presenting a laundry list of recommended dimensions (of which there are many available online—I’ll direct you to a few good resources below), I’m going to give you a brief overview of what considerations might be made in a universally designed kitchen and how they impact the way you use the space.

The goal with universal design anywhere in the home is to incorporate design principles that make navigating and living in each room as easy and comfortable as possible while still creating attractive living spaces. I’ve seen some amazing, high-end kitchens jam-packed with universal design elements—but you don’t know they’re universally designed. That’s the secret. Great universal design is virtually invisible—but it’s there, and it makes everything you do easier.

Take, for instance, the food prep area. In a universally designed kitchen, you might find a stretch of open countertop near the cooking zone that’s perfect for preparing meals. One section of this countertop is lower than the rest (with open knee space underneath), so children or seated users can help too. There might be a butcher-block countertop or a cutting board affixed to the counter so you don’t have to scrounge around for one when chopping veggies. And the refrigerator—a counter-depth side-by-side unit with shelves that slide out—is located nearby.

For cooking, there’s a smooth-top cooktop with open knee space underneath located in the main work triangle, with a wall oven and microwave oven located nearby. On either side of the cooktop is heat-resistant countertop, so you can slide items directly from the cooktop to the counter. Items that are commonly used for preparation—think spices, pots and pans, utensils, and potholders—are stored within easy reach (no bending or lifting here). And a pot-filler faucet above the cooktop allows you to fill big pots with water right where they’re needed, rather than hefting them from the sink to the burner.

In the heart of the cleanup zone you’ll find a large two-basin sink. The sleek faucet includes a lever handle so it’s easy to turn on with a wrist or elbow if your hands are messy from food prep or cleanup, and there’s a sprayer that makes rinsing dishes a cinch. A raised-height dishwasher is located on one side of the sink so you don’t have to bend to load and unload it. And there’s smart storage here too—dishes, glassware, and utensils are stashed near the sink and dishwasher for easy access.

This barely skims the surface. This universally designed kitchen also includes cork flooring, which is soft underfoot to ease the stress of standing for long periods of time (baking and decorating Christmas cookies, perhaps?). And the cabinets are all outfitted with easy-glide hardware and knobs that are easy to grasp and pull. Plus all of the surfaces—from the countertops to the backsplash to the cabinets—are a piece of cake to clean, so once your delicious meal is over, cleanup takes no time at all. Everything in the kitchen is clearly visible, thanks to a smart lighting plan that includes general overhead lighting, undercabinet illumination in main task areas, and pendants over the island.

Want to learn more about what you can do to design a stylish, accessible kitchen? Visit Kitchen Design Notes and check out some great posts on universal kitchen design. Charles Schwab Architects has an informative page on universal designed smart kitchens. And GE showcases some handy appliances—and good ideas—perfect for creating an accessible cooking space.

While you’re at it, be sure to take a look at AARP’s information on aging-in-place kitchen design—regardless of your age, you’ll find useful design tips. And HGTV offers a handy list of actionable pointers here.

There are some great sources of design information online for people who are interested in learning more—including the links I just mentioned above. But your best bet is to contact a design professional with universal design expertise to help you create a kitchen that functions well now and for years to come.

Stay tuned for more on universal design soon!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Magazine Organization

If you love magazines even half as much as I do, you have a ton of them lying around. There’s the stack on the table that just came in the mail, the pile by the couch you’ve been reading when you get a few spare minutes, and the mountains of magazines in the office that you just can’t part with. How to keep them organized?

Easy. The first step is to sort through those piles. Weed out the magazines you know you’re not going to read—and be honest. I say I’m going to read every magazine I receive from cover to cover. But if I did that I’d have no life—ever. So be realistic about which ones you’ll actually get to, and toss the rest into a “To Recycle” or “To Give Away” pile.

Then take what’s left and divide them into more stacks. Make a “To Read” pile. These might go in a big basket or handy magazine organizer in the living room, on your desk, or somewhere where you won’t forget about them. Next make a “To File” pile. These are the magazines that you’ve read and that have stories you want to save but that don’t need to be stored away forever. Third, make a “To Store” pile. These are the keepers—those magazines you just can’t part with.

The “To Read” pile is easy enough to deal with. Just make time to get through those magazines regularly, and as you finish reading one, recycle, store, or file accordingly.

The “To File” pile is a bit trickier. If you’re a magazine lover like me, the thought of tearing pages out of precious issues may be startling or even horrifying. But when you move once or twice and realize you have more boxes of magazines than you do of anything else you own, it’s time to purge. If there’s only an article or two worth saving from a given magazine, rather than taking up precious space with the whole issue, tear out those pages that you want to hold onto. I have a file cabinet with folders labeled by topic, ie “Decorating,” “Home Repair,” “Recipes,” etc., and once I pull out the pages I like, I file them in the appropriate folder for easy reference.

If hanging folders aren’t your style, binders with plastic pages work wonderfully. And Jeri has some great tips for organizing those pages you just can’t part with.

Once you move onto the “To Store” pile, there are plenty of options for corralling your precious issues. Upright magazine files are inexpensive to buy—I have some clear plastic ones as well as the playful teal ones I recently purchased, above. Why not make magazine storage part of your décor?

Then you just have to decide how you’re going to organize your issues. Do you stash a year’s worth of a single title like I do? (That way I know exactly where to find my National Geographic Traveler collection or my back issues of Sunset.) Or here’s a great pointer for storing magazines by month so you always have seasonal ideas on hand.

There are plenty of other ways to stash your magazines too. Readymade shows you how to keep entire issues of magazines in binders. Or have fun with your organization. Real Simple (which, by the way is one magazine I make space to store), has a great aha! idea: Stash magazines in a wine rack.

Want more magazine storage ideas? Check out these options on Amazon—you’ll find something that works no matter the style you like or the space you have available. (I especially love the Adesso Zurich Magazine Rack).

And be sure to visit Design*Sponge, where you’ll find a terrific magazine storage guide that includes all sorts of cool organization products—many of which are as fun to look at as the magazines you’ll store in them! My favorite? The magazine rack sofa.

Learn more from Ms. Organization, Sumina Bhatti. Her video will have your magazines in place in no time.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Gift Week: Gifts for the DIYer

Gift Idea: Organic Print Ohio by Harmony Art

Whether we’re retiling our showers with funky iridescent tiles, giving our bedrooms a serious style update with a layer of vibrant paint, or building new storage solutions to creatively corral our clutter, DIYers always seem to be on the move from one home project to the next. So this year, give the DIYers in your life a gift that will inspire and aid them with their next project. And even if some people on your list haven’t been bitten by the home improvement bug yet, these sweet tools and gadgets will help release their inner DIYer:

Cordless Drill/Driver. In the wonderful world of home improvement projects, there are several necessary tools every DIYer should possess—and a cordless drill ranks high on that list. This hardworking 18V Compact Touch Cordless Drill/Driver, makes itself at home in any setting, maneuvering well in tight spaces without sacrificing power. Price varies.

Gift Idea: 14-inch Open-Top Tool Bag.
Photo courtesy of DoItBest.com

Open Tool Bag. If your friends like their tools right where they can see them—in the tool bag—this 14” open-top tool bag is perfect. With 21 pockets and 10 webbing loops, the bag keeps tools secure and ready to go. A removable, adjustable metal frame partition easily slides in and out for customized storage. For added comfort, the bag boasts a soft-grip handle and a padded carrying strap. Each bag costs $38.49.

Tool Holder. I hate misplacing tools—especially when I’m in the middle of a project. Luckily, the magnetic tool holder corrals wrenches, sockets, and fasteners in one spot so they’re always at the ready. While you’re at it, snap one up for yourself too—they only cost $16.98 a piece.

Power Scissors. When it comes to trimming materials other than paper, a basic pair of snips isn’t going to cut it. Enter the Black & Decker 3.6 V cordless power scissors Model SZ360T. These handy scissors easily cut through corrugate, canvas, vinyl, fabric, denim, paper, and cardboard—and you can mount them on the table for stationary use. Price varies.

Photo Art. Last year, I gave my best friend a framed photo of the two of us. This year, I’m keeping the photo idea, ditching the frame, and letting her choose what she wants to do. And you can do the same: A gift certificate to photowow.com lets everyone on your list transform a typical photo into a funky piece of pop art, wine bottle labels, ceramic tiles, or even an end table, with just a click of the mouse. Prices vary.

Gift Idea: Organic Print Silent Stumps by Harmony Art

Fabrics. From reupholstering a garage sale chair to making a new headboard slipcover, a bit of fabric can go a long way in giving your living quarters a fresh look. If you’re going to give fabric, why not go the eco-friendly route? Because it would be rather odd—and quite tricky—to wrap a bolt of fabric, the folks at Treehugger recommend surprising friends and family with a gift certificate to Harmony Art, which sells organic fabrics in sassy prints and solids. Gift certificates reduce your environmental impact—and that’s something to be merry about. Prices vary.

Magazine Subscriptions. So maybe that tricky person on your list—you know, the one who seems to have everything—is already well equipped with tools and gadgets. But she can always use more ideas—and the endless projects that stem from the pages of ReadyMade and Do It Yourself magazines are sure to inspire. Use the latest issues as stocking stuffers, and watch the creative juices flow. A one-year subscription to ReadyMade costs $19; a one-year subscription to Do It Yourself costs $19.97.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Gift Week: Gifts for the Garden Lover

Gift Idea: Home Window Garden Kit. Photo courtesy of Clean Air Gardening

Chances are, you have a buddy who prefers begonias to handbags or a relative who loves to spend his free time planting, pruning, and watering. Indulge their passion for plants with garden-theme gear—and maybe they’ll show thanks later on by sharing their garden bounty. Consider these cool gifts as you shop for your favorite green-thumbed friends:

Flower Aquarium. Tired of giving floral arrangements, only to have them shrivel and droop in a vase a few days later? I hate to see flowers croak, so I’m giving my good pals a Flower Aquarium this year. The globe-shape glass aquarium keeps flowers fresher longer than a standard vase. And it magnifies flowers, so everyone can get up close and personal with their favorite blooms. At $14.95 or $19.95 a pop (they come in two sizes), you can even afford to treat yourself—I know I’ll be ordering an extra one!

Home Window Garden Kit. Perfect for the budding gardener, this indoor container gardening kit comes with everything you need—just perch the containers on a windowsill, give them a little water, sunlight, and TLC, and voila—you’ve brought a bit of Mother Nature indoors during winter. Each kit costs $24.99 and comes with four containers—organic tomato, organic basil, catnip, and dill.

OXO Gardening Tools. Let’s face it: Gardening can be a workout. That’s why you should arm your favorite gardener with OXO gardening tools. After all, the ergonomically designed line features soft, comfortable, nonslip grips to make all that bending and kneeling a little easier. I’ve got my eye on the cool, colorful watering cans, which have a translucent, swiveling spout—brilliant! Prices vary per item.

Squeeze Pots. Whether you bend ’em, squeeze ’em, or bounce ’em, chances are you won’t be able to break these flexible flowerpots—which is especially good if you’re having them shipped. While they resemble classic terra cotta, the pots are made of an eco-friendly blend of 100 percent recycled rubber and plastic. The pots come in different sizes; prices range from $5 to $10 per pot.

Gift Idea: StarterHouse. Photo courtesy of FlowerHouse

Flower Houses. There’s no better way to show you care than with these durable yet easy-to-assemble tent-like houses that shelter seedlings and full-grown plants from the elements. From the basic StarterHouse (above) to the walk-in DreamHouse, the lightweight, compact houses take the chill out of winter weather, protect plants from UV rays, keep pesky bugs at bay, and offer stellar ventilation. Need I say more? Prices vary per house.

Gift Idea: Oxygenating Watering Can.
Photo courtesy of Clean Air Gardening

Oxygenating Watering Can. If ever there was a gift that kept on giving after the holiday decorations are put away, this would be it. By increasing oxygen saturation levels up to around 150 percent, the Oxygenating Watering Can stimulates plant roots and helps boost production of flowers, fruits, and veggies (hopefully the recipient likes to share!). Each can costs $89.99.

Have other nifty garden gifts you’re planning to give this year? Do tell—I’d love to know!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Green Gift Wrapping

Why go green with your gift wrap? It saves you money. It could save you time (no need to add all those wrapping necessities to your shopping list on top of everything else). And it’s good for the environment. Don’t believe me?

Consider that, according to the EPA, holiday wrapping paper is a large part of the 25 percent increase in waste generation between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Plus there’s the environmental impact of manufacturing all those papers, ribbons, and the like.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, fun, and attractive ways to wrap your gifts that don’t involve buying roll after roll of paper every year.

Perhaps the easiest way to cut back on your gift wrapping consumption is to reuse what you’re given. When I was growing up, we’d always parade around with bows on our heads as we opened gifts (OK, I admit, we still do this). Then the ones that were still in good shape would be saved for next Christmas.

Bows aren’t the only items that can be reused. As long as they survive their first use, gift bags and boxes are worth saving too. You can even reuse wrapping paper that’s in good shape—the paper that covers children’s gifts may be a lost cause, but you can carefully remove yours, fold it, and save it. (One hint: avoid going overboard with tape and it will be easier to save your gift wrap.)

If you do buy new wrapping paper, make sure it contains recycled content. Look for papers with high Post Consumer Waste (PCW) content, which means they were recycled from consumer use, not waste from paper mills. One hundred percent recycled paper printed with soy-based inks is about as eco-friendly as you can go with actual paper products. Or use treeless sources of paper, such as hemp wrap, instead. And if you’re using gift bags, make sure they’re reusable ones made of recycled paper or fabric. Learn how to make fabric gift bags from eartheasy.

There are plenty of great options for wrapping boxes beyond purchased packaging too. You can’t go wrong with newspaper—that’s what my aunt always wrapped our gifts in when we were growing up (and what I used for a couple of gifts under my tree this year, above). Pick a particularly thought-provoking article or the comics and you’ll not only wrap your packages in style, you’ll also provide a couple of minutes of entertainment for the recipient!

I also love using brown mailing paper or even paper bags from the store too. It’s an incredibly eco-friendly choice—and you can decorate away with stamps, markers, potato prints, you name it. I think one of the prettiest Christmas trees we had growing up was the year we stamped brown mailing paper with silver and gold shapes to wrap the gifts that went under it.

Old maps, posters, calendars, or leftover wallpaper are great for covering boxes too. Better yet, make your entire packaging part of the gift. For the foodie, place an assortment of pastas, sauces, olive oils, and sauces in a basket or a colander rather than wrapping them. Are you giving a close friend a handmade journal? Why not just wrap the book in a beautiful silk scarf? If you’re baking gifts this year, consider giving cookies and other treats on a pretty platter that can be reused, or wrap that lovely loaf of bread in an organic cotton dish towel.

Another option: learn how to use a Japanese furoshiki (or any big, pretty cloth) for wrapping gifts this holiday season. This instructional video shows you how.

If you don’t have bows to save (perhaps all your friends and family are into green gift wrapping too and stopped using them!), you can pick greener options. Purchase hemp and raffia—they’re abundant materials not made from trees. Or forgo ribbon altogether. If you want to add a decorative touch to your package, adorn it with something recipients can actually use instead—perhaps cute cookie cutters for a friend who loves to bake or golf tees for a family member who loves to hit the course. You can decorate packages with natural items too—try branches, pinecones, or sprigs of berries from the backyard. (Or if you’re lucky enough to live near a beach, shells are a nice touch.)

Check out The Daily Green’s great slideshow of recycled papers, biodegradable and natural ribbons, hemp paper, and more. And peruse Gaiam’s Top 10 Green Gift Wrap Ideas for great eco-friendly gift wrapping options, including recycled aluminum foil (festive!) and recycled silk sari yarn (lovely!).

For some, the green packaging doesn’t end with wrapped gifts. If you’re shipping gifts to family or friends who live elsewhere, be sure to pick the smallest box that fits what you’re sending. Try to reuse packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and such too. Or if you need inexpensive packing materials and don’t have any leftovers on hand, use shredded paper or purchase biodegradable packing peanuts, which are made of starch so they dissolve in water.

While you’re busy getting crafty with your green gift wraps, why not make this fun ornament from magazines you have lying around too?

(Oh, and I still believe that buying fewer gifts to wrap in the first place is the best way to go green. But if you’re still shopping, mosey on over to Yahoo’s rundown of green holiday gift guides.)

One last Know-It-All Note: If someone in your family likes to toss gift wrap in the fireplace, tell them to stop! Aside from the fact they may be tossing perfectly good paper that can be reused, many of the inks and foils in gift wraps can be toxic when they’re burned.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Gift Week: Appliance Wish List

Gift Idea: 48-inch BlueStar RNB (with griddle) in Ruby Red.
Photo courtesy of BlueStar

For all you appliance lovers out there (or even those of you who just covet a cool kitchen tool or two), I’ve compiled a list of some of the appliances large and small I’d ask for this holiday season (if I had someplace to put them and money was no option).

Once you’ve checked out my list, I want to know what you’d put on yours. Post a comment below to share!

Bosch Evolution Dishwasher. Talk about green and clean. Named one of the top 10 green building products for 2007 by BuildingGreen, the 800 Series SHE98M line of Evolution Dishwashers from Bosch have been called the most energy-efficient and quietest full-size dishwashers available in the United States—in fact, the Energy Factor of this dishwasher is 73 percent higher than the Energy Star requirement. Whew. I’ll take it.

Bright BlueStar Ranges. Aside from the fact that they pack the cooking power and performance of professional-grade cooking ranges, what I love about BlueStar ranges is the fact that they’re available in 190 colors. Yes, you read that right. 190 colors. Although they’d look ridiculous in my current kitchen, I can’t stop staring at the bright orange and lime green options. Try out the colors yourself. Yummy.

Gift Idea: Wave cooker hood by Elica.
Photo courtesy of Elica

Elica Hoods. Is that a cool pendant light suspended above your cooktop? Nope, it’s a ventilation hood. But guests will be none the wiser when you install these striking range hoods from Elica that look more like décor than a functional part of your kitchen. Ooh and ahhh and add them to your wish list, but as far as I can tell they’re not sold in the United States yet, so you may be stuck dreaming about them for now.

Viking Induction Cooktop. How about another green gift idea? Cook faster—and use less energy—with the Viking All-Induction Cooktop, which transfers heat through a metal pan into the food, so almost all of the heat goes directly into your cooking rather than getting lost like it does with standard ranges and cooktops.

GE Profile Wine Cellar. I know I don’t need a wine chiller (and they’re not the most energy-efficient appliances in the world, so that’s a definite drawback) but it sure would be fun to have one, wouldn’t it? You can store up to 57 bottles in GE’s wine cellar. Now to pick out my 57 favorite wines …

Gift Idea: Lussino Ice Cream Maker
by Musso.

Lussino Ice Cream Maker. I absolutely love ice cream. In a dream world, I’d have this gourmet, stainless-steel ice cream machine made by Musso on my kitchen counter for whipping up rich, creamy ice cream and gelato whenever the mood strikes. (Of course, I’d have to get rid of that pesky milk allergy first …)

Gift Idea: Nespresso Essenza D90
Coffee Machine.
Photo courtesy of Nespresso

Espresso Makers. OK, so coffee that’s been prepackaged in little capsules may not be quite as delicious as a freshly ground cuppa joe. But for convenience (and price), the Nespresso Essenza espresso maker can’t be beat. If you’d rather play barista every morning and whip yourself up a gourmet espresso, then consider adding the Miele Plumbed Coffee System, which features a built-in coffee maker and espresso machine, to your Christmas list. It fits in your cabinetry, comes in sleek and stylish stainless and black, and makes one heckuva cup of coffee.

Aside from the “dream” appliances I listed above, I’ve been toying around with getting a few more attainable ones sometime soon. I love baking, so KitchenAid’s stand mixer would be the perfect addition to my kitchen. And I can’t eat enough Italian food, so maybe it’s time to try making my own pasta—anyone have any recommendations for a good pasta maker?

Oh, and one of my more frivolous kitchen wishes came true last Christmas when my honey gave me a chocolate fountain. Why more kitchens don’t come outfitted with one I’ll never know—it’s a chocolate-lover’s dream, and one you should definitely add to your wish list!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Christmas Shopping Organization

It’s Gift Week at TheHomeKnowItAll.com!

To kick things off, try these tips for getting organized—and hopefully staying sane—during the madness that is holiday shopping.

Start early. If you’re reading this now, you’re probably technically past the early point. But if you get organized, you can still have your shopping done in time to relax the week of Christmas rather than frantically searching for gifts at the last minute.

Make a list. Try this trick: Take a blank sheet of lined paper and divide it into four columns. List the recipients you’re buying for in the first column, how much you’d like to spend on each in the second, and gift ideas in the third. Then leave the fourth column blank—that’s where you get to put a big fat checkmark as you purchase each recipient’s gift. If you want to make life even easier, use five columns. List backup gift ideas in that extra column in case your original idea falls through (which is likely to happen if products are sold out or if they don’t end up being quite the deal you thought they were).

Set a budget. If you made your handy list, you already have a good idea of how much you want to spend on each recipient. But setting a budget it important enough I’m repeating it. Stick to what you plan to spend and refrain from impulse purchases. (As beautiful as that cashmere sweater is, it’s too expensive to buy for a friend you’ve allotted $20 for. So. Put. It. Down.) Need help sticking to your budget? Try these tips from Mommy Auctions.

Create a game plan. Blogger Sherrie Le Masurier recommends devising a shopping strategy before you hit the stores. If you’re trying to check as many people off your list as possible in one trip, save yourself the frustration of backtracking by taking a minute to plot out a map of where you’re going ahead of time. Read all 10 of Sherrie’s tips for making the most of your Christmas shopping experience here.

Have someone else wrap gifts. If stores offer gift wrap services or clubs or organizations are offering gift wrapping in exchange for donations, take them up on their offers. Then when you get home all you have to do is put the gifts under the tree. Or, rather than adding gift wrap, ribbons, tape, tags, and all the other gift-wrapping necessities to your list, check back Wednesday for easy, green gift wrapping pointers.

Shop online. My mom bought all of her gifts this year online one Sunday afternoon, mocha in hand no doubt—and was much less stressed for it. The Domestic Goddess does it too. Shop online and you may even score discounts. Plus many companies will wrap packages for you so they arrive ready for giving. Just be sure you don’t wait too long or your gifts won’t arrive by Christmas.

Leave time for shipping. If you’re mailing gifts yourself—here or abroad—make sure you leave ample time for delivery. Check out the USPS Christmas mailing dates so you make sure to ship things on time.

Don’t shop in the first place. If you really want to avoid the stress of holiday shopping, just don’t do it. Instead, consider donating money to charity in your family members’ names. Bake your neighbors cookies (that’s what I did yesterday). Take close friends out for dinner—or have them over for your specialty. There are plenty of ways you can show your thanks to the people who matter most in your life without burning a hole through your credit card.

If that last tip didn’t convince you to abandon your Christmas shopping to-do list altogether, check out the National Retail Federation’s Top 10 Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping to get even more shopping survival pointers. And visit organizedchristmas.com for everything you need to know to survive the holiday season.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

How About a Green Christmas?

I absolutely love the holidays, but I’m acutely aware of how wasteful this time of year can be. In fact, I just read a National Geographic News article that stated that Americans produce 25 million tons of “festive rubbish” every year—yikes! And that doesn’t even take into account all the energy wasted illuminating holiday lights, all the fuel consumed shipping gifts, and all the money spent on said gifts. What’s an eco-conscious person to do?

Here are some easy ways to make this Christmas a little greener and still have fun—no Grinches here!

Trees. When I was an apartment dweller, real trees weren’t allowed, so I bought a fake one at an after-Christmas sale. It’s still got a few years of use left in it, so I’m going to keep assembling and taking it down until it croaks. Then I’m switching to real trees, because fake ones can have some pretty nasty ingredients in them, such as PVC and even lead. Plus there’s the environmental impact of manufacturing and shipping the trees. If you purchase a fake tree, make sure it’s a sturdy one that will last for quite some time so it’s worth the impact on the environment.

Are real, cut Christmas trees more your style? If so, look for organic tree farms near you or ask around for vendors of sustainably grown trees in your area. And read up on Sierra Club’s tips for buying and giving holiday trees.

Better still, buy a living Christmas tree that you can plant once the holiday is over. Learn all about the benefits of buying balled and burlapped trees for planting later from this article. (If the ground isn’t frozen in your part of the country yet but it might soon, dig a hole for your live tree now!) Or buy small trees or tree-like potted plants that you can decorate for the holiday and keep around all year—that’s what my mom did last year, below, and it was adorable!

Lights. String energy-efficient LED holiday lights indoors and out. (They’re now available in most places where standard holiday lights are sold.) LED lights come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors and, in addition to lasting a lot longer than standard Christmas lights, can reap big energy savings for your home. Or go solar with these holiday lights from Gaiam.

Decorations. It’s simple. Make your own. You can easily create your own wreaths, ornaments, and other décor. Or just decorate less. A festive candle here, an organically grown Christmas tree strung with LED lights there, stockings you made yourself hung by the chimney with care … what more do you really need?

Greetings. If you’re sending holiday wishes this year, how about e-cards rather than print ones (which inevitably end up in the landfill, no matter how witty your prose). Or if you insist on old-fashioned greetings (they are fun to give and receive, aren’t they?), look for cards made with recycled paper.

I’m intrigued by ReProduct greeting cards and envelopes—the cards come in two-way envelopes (sort of like Netflix) with pre-paid return postage to Shaw Industries. When the recipients finish with the cards, they stick them in return envelopes and drop them in the mail. Shaw uses 100 percent of the cards and envelopes to create carpet backing for new carpet tiles. Cool, huh?

Here’s one more idea worth trying: send natural holiday cards that come embedded with seeds. Once spring rolls around, the recipient can plant the whole darn card, water it, and watch as flowers or even trees sprout from the ground. Try Green Field Paper’s Grow-A-Note cards or pretty plantable paperworks from Botanical Paperworks.

Gifts. Buy fewer, more meaningful gifts. Or consider making donations to recipients’ favorite charities instead. If you can’t get out of the gift-giving cycle, buy local to support your community’s economy and cut down on the fossil fuels used for packaging and transportation. And check out Treehugger’s gift guide for eco-friendly ideas for everyone on your list.

Parties. I absolutely love throwing holiday parties. Every year I get my girlfriends together for a fete at my place, during which we overindulge in homemade treats and tasty drinks, listen to Christmas music, and catch up. But there’s always room to go green.

This year I’m going to say no to disposable plates, cups, and silverware. If you don’t have enough glass dishes for your party, pick up an assortment from Salvation Army or ask a friend to loan you some. And if you’re dreading cleaning all those dishes, enlist some help. With a glass of wine and your closest friends or family members armed with dish towels by your side, it’s not so bad!

During the party, also be sure to set out bins or bags for recycling paper, aluminum, glass, and such. (Just be sure you label the recycling clearly—last year my paper recycling bin ended up filled with chocolate-covered strawberry tops!)

For more eco-friendly holiday decorating and entertaining ideas, head over to The Decorating Diva.

Keep reading the blog this month too, because there are plenty more festive, green tips to come—next week I’ll fill you in on green gift-wrapping ideas, then later in the month I’ll highlight the best ways to recycle that lovely Christmas tree (if you can’t plant it).

(Oh, and if it’s too late to implement some of these green tips this year, don’t despair! That’s what bookmarks are for, so you can come back and try these pointers out in 2008!)

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Hanging Outdoor Lights

One of my all-time favorite holiday traditions—which I’ll never outgrow—is driving around the neighborhood, oohing and aahing over the displays of twinkling lights. Hung right, just a few strands of lights can instantly take your house from drab to dazzling. Here’s how to hang your exterior lights in style—and stay safe while doing it:

It’s best to avoid overloading your home with lights, or you risk transforming it into the, um, festive Griswold residence a la Christmas Vacation. You’ll also run into other problems, such as overloaded circuits. Purchasing a variety of long and short strands will help you better fill small holes or gaps. But just how many lights should you aim for? BeJane shows you how to find an accurate number.

To prevent unsightly holes, rust stains, or residue that could mar your home’s exterior, secure your lights with clips, hooks, and stakes rather than nails, staples, or tape. Before you go shopping for your lighting accessories, it’s best to draw up a plan. The folks at True Value help you determine how to create the best layout.

Selecting the right lights can brighten your smile when you get your energy bill. To save money, opt for energy-efficient LED lights over standard incandescent bulbs.

Chances are, your exterior lighting endeavors will involve a ladder. In addition to the risk of falling, crushed fingers can put a serious damper on your holiday spirit. For more ways to stay safe, check out these tips from Consumer Reports.

You’ll also want to carefully examine each light strand—don’t use anything that looks frayed or damaged. And make a practice of unplugging your light display every night before you go to bed. Here’s how to avoid fire hazards.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Easy Holiday Decorating

With the addition of twinkling lights, fresh greenery, and glistening décor, your house can look magical during the holidays. But actually achieving that holiday-perfect appearance? Sometimes it’s a not-so-magical process. Luckily, decking your halls needn’t consume hours of your time (nor drain your wallet). Make your house merry and bright with these ideas:

Holiday decorating can be as easy as tying jingle bells to your doorknobs, using a wreath as a table centerpiece, or placing leftover colorful ornaments in a glass bowl. BHG.com provides other quick tips for simple holiday décor.

Kids love getting crafty, so enlist their help in making decorations. From ornaments constructed from empty aluminum pie plates to a felt menorah, MyBaby offers up some kid-friendly crafts sure to enliven your home.

If you feel like your mantel or hall mirror deserves a little attention but you’re not quite sure what to do with it, Nell Hill’s Christmas at Home author Mary Carol Garrity offers these suggestions for dressing up high-impact spots around the house in a snap.

Illuminate your home Hanukkah-style by making a modern menorah that you can use as a striking centerpiece. Sunset shows you how. And while you’re at it, try these other tips.

If you celebrate Kwanzaa incorporate the holiday’s seven basic principles into your decorating scheme.

One of my favorite ways to get festive is to spike oranges with cloves in decorative designs. Bonus: Not only does it add a splash of color, it smells yummy. For other quick and easy ideas, check out iVillage’s 9 holiday decorating ideas for busy women (and men!).

Who says you’re limited to that box of decorations you keep stashed in the basement? Instead, glean decorating inspiration as you browse the aisles of your local grocery, craft, or stationery store. Real Simple shows you how to transform everyday items into striking holiday décor—for example you can put that bag of kidney beans to good use by lining the bottom of a wide glass vase with the beans, then inserting a pillar candle.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Disguise Your Appliances

Without appliances there wouldn’t be much we could do in our kitchens. But sometimes—functional as they are—appliances get in the way of the style of a kitchen. When you’d rather hide your appliances than have them on display, try these ideas.

Cabinetry-matching panels. Panel and trim kits allow you to “hide” your appliances behind panels that match the cabinetry in your kitchen. They are easy enough to install that you can do it yourself.

Specialized panels. Who says your only option for hiding appliances are panels that match your cabinets? You can also install panels that change the color of your appliances (I’m considering one so my almond-colored dishwasher matches my stainless oven, cooktop, and microwave) or even allow you to go wild with special effects. Chalkboard panels, anyone?

When it comes to shopping for custom panels and trim, Frigo Design should be your first stop (you’ll find all sorts of options there, and a lot of other sites that sell this sort of thing are hawking Frigo kits). You might find some options worth checking out at Cabinet Door Shop too.

Removable magnetic panels. Change the way you disguise your appliances as often as you change your hair color with decorative removable magnetic panels. Vincon sells vibrant panels covered in colorful fruit if you’re feeling brave—how about a strawberry-covered refrigerator just for fun?

Ventilation hood disguises. You can hide your ventilation hoods behind cabinetry, although it’s not quite as easy as installing panels on dishwashers or refrigerators and is probably best left to the pros. Or get rid of the old ventilation hood altogether—these innovative Elica hoods, which interior designer Patricia Gray writes about, hide their functionality behind the look of striking pendants.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Cleaning Holiday Messes

Wine spills, candle wax drips, and muddy footprints are only a few of the cleaning challenges that homeowners face during the holiday season. As the festive spirit increases, so do the mishaps. Try these tips for taking care of spills and such right away—so you can focus on the yuletide fun, not the yuletide messes.

Laura Telluric, author of Speed Cleaning 101, showcases some of the great products available to help you tackle Christmas debris (such as cookie crumbs), red wine spills, candle wax on the mantel, and more.

Want more ideas on handling wine spills? Get more pointers from Online Wine Tour. Or try this recipe, which I’m keeping handy in case someone spills red wine on my new carpet this season: Spritz the spill with club soda, blot, and repeat until the stain is gone. Easy, huh?

Learn more about how to handle candle wax on hard surfaces and fabric—plus what do with red candle wax, which can be particularly pesky—from Suite101.com.

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is making (and, even more so, eating) pies. But when a beautiful, bubbly apple pie overflows in the oven it can leave a real mess. Here’s a homemade oven cleaner to try (stay away from those toxic oven cleaners—the fumes are nasty, and the taste of them can even linger on the food you bake in the oven afterward).

Looking for more solutions? Read this fun online chat with Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean. She’ll even fill you in on cleaning grease splatters off the walls after the Hanukkah tradition of frying latkes.

What holiday cleaning concerns do you have? Let me know and I’ll track down the scoop on how to take care of them in the coming weeks.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All