How to Prep Your Home for the Holidays
The holidays are officially in full swing! Is your home properly prepped for the season? If you’re in need of a little holiday homeowner maintenance, here’s your checklist to get the momentum going!
Clean Out the Fireplace
As the temperatures in Charlottesville, Virginia get cooler and the potential for winter weather and freezing conditions creep in closer to the holidays, taking some time to clean out your fireplace is a great idea. Not only is cleaning out your fireplace essential to ensuring healthy and long-lasting equipment, but it also prevents dangerous ramifications for yourself and your household. If you delay fireplace and chimney cleaning, it has the potential to cause blockage and a buildup of toxic gases within your home. So, in between wrapping presents and hanging stockings, consider taking a look at the fireplace during this most wonderful time of the year! Plus, of course, keeping a clean fireplace means Santa will be primped, pristine, and prepared to deliver more presents after his holiday visit to your home!
Clear Out the Heater Filters
Another task to consider tackling during the holiday season is clearing out your heater filters. Not only is this essential for making sure the air in your home is free and clear of dust and allergens, but can also save you money! When the air filter is clogged, your HVAC systems (furnace, air conditioner, etc.) have to work twice as hard to move air through your home. Therefore, clearing out the heater filters will lower your energy bill, be beneficial to your budget and carbon footprint, and will also extend the lifespan of your HVAC!
Prep All of Your Winter Tools
One of the best ways to prepare your home for winter weather is to make sure your winter tools are prepped. For tools like heating cables and snowblowers, it’s imperative to test the equipment before the first snow of the season. Making sure your tools are in working order and keeping spare parts stored away in the event that something must be replaced, are great ways to prep for winter weather. Additionally, for tools that are usually reserved for springtime maintenance like lawnmowers and leafblowers, make sure to clean them, sharpen and lubricate them, and store them in a dry and frost-free environment during the winter season.
Add Cozy Blankets
Is there anything better than cozying up on the couch with a warm and fuzzy blanket? Your holiday guests will think the same! Adding cozy blankets around the communal spaces of your home is a cute and comfortable way to incorporate seasonal touches and keep guests merry and bright when visiting this winter.
Light Candles and/or Tea Lights
Adding warm and soft light into a space instantly makes it feel comfortable and cozy for visiting guests. We definitely recommend lighting a few candles to exude that warm and wintery feeling, and not only are the delightful scents pleasing to the nose, but guests will also be charmed by the cozy atmosphere! It’s a wonderful and easy way to create an inviting space that your guests will surely appreciate this holiday season.
Get Your Holiday Shopping Done
Last but not least, the most important tip to remember when prepping your home for the holidays is to get your holiday shopping done! For most of us, December is a busy month, so make a plan for your holiday shopping that allows for plenty of time to gather gifts for all your family and friends. The holidays are a great time to tell the people who are important to you how much you appreciate them. For us here at Story House, that’s you! During this season of giving and gratitude and beyond, we are so thankful to all of our clients, business partners, and friends for allowing us to be a part of their stories.
From all of us on the Story House Real Estate team, happy holidays! If you have questions about buying or selling during the winter season, our three blogs Tis’ The Season, Now Is The Best Season to Buy a Home, and Selling in the Winter Attracts Serious Buyers, are great sources to reference! Additionally, to prep your home for winter weather, our two blogs, “Are You Prepared for the Potential Winter Weather in the Forecast?” and Tips for Prepping Your Home for the Holidays can be very helpful to all homeowners! We hope you have a great holiday season!
