Be an Ideal Party Guest

"Happy 2009!" by Ginny is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, you’ll surely be making the rounds at parties throughout the next couple of weeks. Whether it’s a boss or colleague you’re trying to impress or your friends and family, keep these tips (courtesy of Apartment Therapy) in mind and you will be at the top of the invite list next year!

DON'T:

1. Show up right on time.

For most people it's second nature to show up at least 15 minutes late to a big gathering, but the perpetually punctual may have trouble with this. If you find yourself arriving at party within 15 minutes of the stated start time, nip around the corner for a coffee, or hang out at a bookstore for a bit, or just sit in your car. This will give your host a little breathing room and ensure that you don't walk in on them doing frantic last minute preparations.

A few exceptions to the rule: dinner parties, where it's rude to show up more than 15 minutes late. And any party where you know the hostess very well and feel comfortable offering to help out — in that case your punctuality (or even earliness) will probably be welcomed.

2. Bring something that requires a lot of prep.

If you're bringing something to the party, good on you. But don't bring something that will require a ton of prep space or kitchen time on the party end. Chances are your host has been cooking all day and counter space in the kitchen is at a premium. If you're in there chopping things and looking for bowls and knives and whatnot, things can get chaotic.

3. ''Ghost' without saying goodbye to your host.

You don't have to make a big deal of announcing your exit to every guest at the party, but you should at least find your host and let them know that you had a lovely time but unfortunately you have to leave. This will keep them from fielding questions about what happened to so-and-so all night long.

DO:

1. RSVP.

The art of the RSVP is dead, y'all. The number one gripe I hear from friends who host parties is that people don't RSVP, or they do and then don't show up, so it's almost impossible to tell who is coming to your party and how much food you need. So if you get an invite to a party, and you think you'd like to go, click 'yes'. Really, it's not that hard.

2. Offer to bring something.

Chances are good that your host will say you don't need to bring anything at all, just yourself, but offering anyway is standard party etiquette. It's also a way to help your hostess defray the cost of the party, which sometimes can run pretty high. And if you are asked to bring something, for gosh sakes, don't take it home with you at the end of the night (unless your host specifically asks you to).

3. Talk to people you don't know.

Sure, all your friends are at the party. But these are all people you'll see again — how are you gonna meet new people if you just stick with your group all the time? Go by yourself to get food or drink — this is a pretty natural time to chat up people you don't know. Talking to new people is also a HUGE favor to your hostess, who will have to worry less about guests who don't know a lot of people at the party.

4. Say thanks.

Throwing parties is lots of fun, but it's also hard work. And when you work hard at something, it's nice to have somebody else say: hey, thanks. Good job. Traditional etiquette dictates that you send a mailed thank-you note to your host: in modern times, this might seem a little over the top, but thanking your hostess when you leave (and maybe even in an email or text message the next day) will always be appreciated.

Pet Safety During the Holidays

"Bailey Puggins" by DaPuglet is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

For many people, pets are a member of the family, rather than a household companion. As there are hazards for children around the holidays, the same is true for pets. What household hazards should you be aware of this time of year? Keep these guidelines, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, in mind as you decorate your apartment for the holidays!

1. Avoid mistletoe and holly: While these decorations are fun and festive, they are poisonous to both cats and dogs. Go fake if you must have them around.

2. Opt for a fake tree if you have cats: While the toxicity levels in most fir trees isn't high enough to harm a dog, it can be high enough to cause stomach irritation and vomiting in a cat. Also, most cats can't digest pine needles, which isn't pleasant for pet or owner.

3. If you go real, cover that water: The most hazardous part of a real tree for dogs is the water bowl. There are countless pesticides and fertilizers in that water, which can be deadly to dogs.

4. Tape down cords: If you've trained your cats and dogs to avoid electronics, this isn't as much of an issue, but new things like twinkling bulbs can always cause crazy behavior in animals. Training tips can be found here, but if you find your little creatures are getting curious around those holiday twinkle lights, cover them with electrical tape and adhere to the floor to avoid electrocution.

5. Hire a smart and attentive sitter: When hiring a sitter over the holidays, let them know to look for signs of danger like broken bulbs or chewed cords and give them your vet's information just in case. If they know what to look for, they can step in and help in an emergency.

Of course, if your pet does a banner job of staying out of trouble, be sure to get them a stocking full of treats.

5 Things to Take Care of Before Your Holiday Travels

"Stuttgart Airport at dusk" by Andrei Dimofte is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The time is almost here for those long-awaited days off and heading out of town for the holidays! Of course you’ll remember to pack and wrap all of the presents, but there are some things to take care of before you leave that are probably at the bottom of your list, if they’re even on there at all. Don’t forget to take care of these quick tasks, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, before you leave town!

1. Clean out stinky spots

The trash cans (not just the kitchen one — think about cans in your bathrooms, office or bedrooms), dishwasher, fridge and coffee maker can all be nightmares to come home to if they've been left full of stuff to rot and get stinky while you're away. Empty them all out before you go, but also give them a quick swipe to clean them.

2. Security check

Doors, windows, garage door — are they all closed and locked? Are blinds and curtains closed? Are you leaving a car at your place? Make sure you don't have any valuables in sight. Leave a light on or check your light timer. Can you go a step farther and lock gates to your home and other entrances, too? Make a quick sketch of your floor plan and all the things that need locking, and make check marks as you walk around the house. You can keep that sheet with you as you get on the road in case you get any of those "did I lock that?" feelings.

3. Save energy and protect from damage

Unplug all your electronics. Check the heating system and your water heater — are they turned down low to save energy? Even consider shutting off the water lines to your washing machines to avoid leaks or accidents while you're away. Make sure all your appliances are turned off like the stove, oven, coffee maker and others.

4. Water plants

Give all your green lovelies a nice long drink before you go, and move them to the optimal spot in your home — where the best light is and a spot where they won't get cold drafts (if that's something they wouldn't like).

5. Make sure your neighbors have the info they need

If your neighbors are watching your home for you while you're away, make sure they have keys to everything, phone numbers (and alternative numbers) to reach you if there's ever a problem. If they're watering plants, make sure they know how much and when to do it. Let them know if you'll need the garbage cans brought in or to the curb. Typing up a quick FAQ sheet to leave for them is often helpful.

Allow Your Space to Breathe

"_MG_2804" by CharlotWest is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

It’s getting cold outside, so there’s no doubt you’ll be spending more time indoors than you did over the spring and summer. So how can you spend more time indoors without feeling smothered by your apartment? By decorating in a way that gives your space room to breathe. You may be pressed for space as it is, so don’t overcrowd your apartment  (yes, there is such a thing as over-decorating). Use these tips, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and spacious!

1. Declutter and use furniture that pulls double-duty

In a small space, sometimes sacrifices have to be made to make a space feel more airy. If you've got a piece of furniture you're no longer using, get rid of it. And then make the furniture you do have in there work extra hard, like in the image above, where an upholstered ottoman doubles as a coffee table or extra seating.

2. Rearrange and move big furniture to the back

Consider moving your bulkier furniture away from the room's entrance. Place your heaviest, most important pieces on the wall the farthest away from the door, and then arrange the rest of the furniture based on trying to visually balance out the space. You won't feel like a room's furniture is ganging up on you when you first walk into the space.

3. Use paint to unify and disguise

Camouflage a piece of furniture — take away its visual weight — by painting it the same color as your wall. It's drastic, but it works (find images in this post as proof). By camouflaging a piece of furniture in this way, it doesn't grab your attention as easily, and it doesn't feel heavy or imposing. But also use paint to disguise and hide bulky, unwanted things that stick out in the way like radiators, fans, anything else that gives visual clutter to a room.

4. Keep surfaces clear and free of unnecessary clutter

Getting to create vignettes and display your favorite items on surfaces is always fun. But keeping them clear and clutter-free can have a huge impact on making a room feel more airy. You don't have live in an empty space, but try clearing off surfaces and see which ones make a room feel better when they're empty.

5. Don't choose oversize art or go crazy with wall collages

Though oversize art can certainly play an important role in interiors (as can wall collages), oversized pieces of art, even if they make for a dynamic look, can feel imposing in a small room. Wall collages, if they're too large or randomly sized, can feel busy. It can literally feel like the walls are squeezing in slowly. So stick to a moderately sized piece of art that complements your space (and as you can also see illustrating our point about not choosing all these tips at once, this room sports a not-clear coffee table).

6. Keep window coverings simple (or don't use any)

I love a set of curtains that pool on the ground dramatically, and they can really up the feeling of coziness and softness in a room. But, pool on the ground a little too much, especially too close to furniture, and it might feel like they're inching toward you. While you're consider curtains, think about your rugs, too. Too many small ones in one space can add to the feeling of clutter in a room. Keep the textiles simple in your space for a more wide open feel.

7. Use mirrors to your advantage

It's a common suggestion around here, but it's because it works. Not only will it make a small space feel bigger, it'll help cut down on that claustrophobic feeling by not letting those walls feel too imposing or solid. And spreading more light around a space can't hurt.