It's not a holiday gift for a person. It's a gift for a house! Why not choose a gift that will be appeciated by your neighbors and household guests this year? It's the gift that keeps on giving- both in happiness, as well as eventually in your home's appreciation value! Here are five different ideas for gifts to consider giving your home that will keep giving back to its owners as well.
The Gift of Paint
Does your house need a fresh coat of paint? Professional painting companies offer deep discounts in winter months when they're not traditionally working as much. Get a few estimates and see if a fresh coat of paint wouldn't be a fantastic way to welcome Santa to your house this year!
Bathroom Makeover Gift
Is your bathroom looking tired? Icky shower curtain, peeling paint from moisture or ragged towels? A bathroom makeover can be an inexpensive way to make a big difference in your house. Purchase a few matching towels, a new area rug, or a pretty shelf or towel rack. A fresh coat of paint and presto! You'll be in love with your bathroom again and able to enjoy a relaxing bath.
Gift to Home: Curb Appeal
What does your house look like when people drive by? A small landscaping project can make a world of difference for our home's exterior. Get an estimate from a landscaper for leaf removal, hedge trimming, and planting some bulbs that will come up in spring. A new mailbox, simply painting the front door, or getting a new porch rocker are all easy ways to spruce up your home's exterior.
New Energy-Efficient Appliances
Are your washer and dryer really clunking along? Does your dishwasher hardly wash the dishes anymore? Consider a new energy efficient appliance for your home- this will be a lovely gift not only for your home, but for the environment as well!
The Gift of Warmth
Does your house have a fireplace? If so, hire the chimney cleaner to be sure your fireplace is safe and ready to use this year for lots of cozy nights by the fire. Don't have a fireplace? Make one! A small mantel shelf and floor candelabra can create the same cozy feeling of a full-fledged fireplace and will offer your home the warmth and romance of a traditional fire- without the ashes!
At the end of the day, we expect a lot from our homes. They keep us safe and warm and provide shelter from a harsh world. Giving back to our homes is a gift we give ourselves in terms of the enjoyment and happiness we will experience as a result of taking the time to make a small improvement or two!
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
