Archive for the ‘Holidays & Traditions’ Category

5 Ways to Create a Welcoming Guest Bathroom

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/14/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Are you expecting guests over the holidays? Whether they spend a week or just a day, make them feel welcome by taking a few minutes to spruce up your guest bathroom. Clean the room thoroughly, and then incorporate a few of these ideas.

1. Set out a stack of fluffy towels on the bathroom vanity or elsewhere in a basket. Top it with a package of monogrammed hand soaps tied with ribbon and a tag that says, “Welcome!”

2. Be sure your guests have a hook or two to hang towels, robes or pajamas. If your guest bathroom doesn’t have enough hooks or towel bars, temporary hooks can be applied to walls or doors without damaging paint.

3. Create an attractive place for storing extra toilet paper where it will be visible to guests, like a basket on the toilet tank. Or stock up the vanity cabinet and let your guests know where to find it so they don’t have to ask you later. Include a box of tissues, too.

4. Place a pump of hand lotion next to the sink. A light scent is nice, but consider that your guest may have a fragrance allergy so avoid anything too strong.

5. Leave a new toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a small bottle of mouthwash inside the medicine cabinet, with a note that reads, “Help yourself!”

Your guests are so sure to feel welcome, they might even clean the bathroom before they leave!

 

 

 

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6 Steps for Organizing Your Pantry for the Holidays

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/08/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

6 Steps for Organizing Your Pantry for the Holidays

Turkey. Cornbread stuffing. Pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving will soon be upon us, ushering in the holiday cooking season. Which means that now is the time to get your kitchen—and especially your pantry—organized! An hour spent before the cooking flurry begins will save you many more in the weeks ahead. Follow these steps for a clean and well-organized pantry.

  1. Clear the countertop closest to your pantry area of any small appliances or other items.
  2. Remove the contents of your pantry cabinets and stack everything on the countertop.
  3. Gently wipe down the cabinet doors first and then the insides of the cabinets. Use a damp cloth with mild soap or a cleaning product designed for wood furniture. Dry with a clean towel or rag. (See a previous blog post for more information about how to clean your Merillat cabinets.)
  4. Reorganize the space by thinking about how often you reach for each item. Designate one area or shelf for baking supplies and another for soups and vegetables. A corner cabinet with Lazy Susan may be a good place for cereal and breakfast items. If space is at a premium, install a spice rack on the inside of a door. Group together any items you use only for holidays, like Christmas cookie sprinkles or cupcake liners.
  5. Assess each pantry staple as you move it to its new home. Check expiration dates on spices and canned goods and toss anything old. Empty any half-full bags of pasta or flour into a canister to consolidate space and to keep them from spilling.
  6. Make a shopping list of any supplies that are low or out, especially those items you’ll need for your holiday recipes. Be sure to leave room for these items in your newly organized pantry so they can be put away as soon as you return from shopping.

All that’s left to do is wipe down the countertop and take out the garbage. Your pantry is ready to tackle any cooking the holidays bring!

Just for fun: what’s an item found in your pantry only during the holidays? Leave a comment and let us know.

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