Category: Community
3 Fun Games to Play at Your Super Bowl Party
Some of us go to Super Bowl parties for the football, some go for the food and some are there just to see the commercials! Make the day fun for all of your guests by adding one (or all) of these fun games to your party plan.
1 – Super Bowl Commercial Bingo – This one is fun for the kids too! Keep an eye out while watching the commercials for things like “Pepsi,” “Avocados,” or “M&Ms”
2 – Football Word Scramble – Another one that’s fun for the whole family. See how many of these football terms you can figure out in this printable scramble game.
3 – Mini Football Cornhole – Since this corn hole is mini-sized it can be played inside our outside this weekend!
No matter how you celebrate we hope everyone has a safe and fun time watching football this weekend. Enjoy!
7 Tips to Stick to Your Holiday Budget
The holiday season is here which means lots of events, shopping, dinners and parties! With all of that comes a lot of spending! Try to stick to a budget this holiday season with these 8 tips.
1 – Make a list and stick to it! Decide who you need to buy for and be strict with adding anyone else.
2 – Skip the impulse purchases! Stores put a lot of fun goodies right near the register for a reason. Skip checking out the impulse section this year and head right to the register instead.
3 – Buy online when you can. This helps because you can compare prices, find online promo codes and many stores offer free shipping this time of year.
4 – If you’re hosting a party or dinner, ask your guests to bring things! Don’t put the burden on yourself to purchase and supply the whole meal. Create a menu and give everyone something they are in charge of to supply.
5 – Use cash if you’re able. Try not to pull out the credit card to avoid any holiday debt.
6 – Rather than buy for everyone in the family, do a secret Santa instead. That way you can only buy for one special person instead of several.
7 – Avoid getting tempted by sales. If you are done shopping be done. Don’t buy something just because it’s now on sale.
We hope these tips are helpful and that everyone finds time to relax and enjoy the holiday season this year!
Non-Candy Treats to Give Out This Halloween
Halloween is this Monday! If you haven’t already picked up your treats for trick or treaters now is the time. Candy doesn’t have to be the only thing that is offered on Halloween. Here are some great ideas for treats that you can hand out this year that aren’t candy.
1 – Halloween pencils
2 – Stickers
3 – Fidgets (pop-its or fidget tubes)
4 – Bouncy balls
5 – Veggie sticks or Goldfish crackers
6 – Temporary tattoos
7 – Spider rings
8 – Halloween erasers
9 – Apple sauce/fruit pouches
10 – Stress balls
11 – Toy cars
12 – Mini notebooks
13 – Glow sticks or glow necklaces
14 – Bubbles
15 – Keychains
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!
Start Planning for Summer Vacation Now With These Tips!
Memorial Day is next week which means the unofficial start to summer is almost here! Pool days and outdoor fun are in order for the whole family for the next few months. Here are some great ways you can help your family prepare for summer now so you can enjoy fun in the sun!
1 – Make sure you purchase new sunscreens. Sunscreen has a shelf life just as food does. Check expiration dates on yours to make sure you are keeping your family safe in the sun.
2 – Do the same for your insect repellents! If you prefer natural remedies, make sure to stock up on essential oils like peppermint to repel the bugs.
3 – Locate and wash the swimsuits and pool towels. Pack a beach bag that has towels, sunscreen, bug sprays etc. so it’s always ready for an unexpected pool day.
4 – Start making plans for summer activities. Look out for local camp signups, community events and mark any special dates on your calendar.
5 – Prepare a summer schedule for the kids so they know what to expect. It might include chores, sports, camps and of course plenty of downtime to have fun and relax.
6 – Pack the car with beach chairs, a blanket, sand toys and an umbrella. You never know when you’ll need these items in the summer and you’ll be glad you have them!
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend! Cheers to a great summer ahead.
8 At Home Valentine Activities for the Whole Family
Sometimes staying in is just as fun as going out! If you’ve decided to stay in this year, here are 5 at home Valentine date ideas to try with the whole family.
1 – Movie Marathon. Everybody gets to choose their favorite movie (bonus if it is a love story). Spend the day watching the movies and eating fun, Valentine snacks together.
2 – Cooking Dinner Together. There are many at-home meal delivery services these days. Try ordering dinner for the family and sharing the task of preparing the meal.
3 – Decorating Treats. Whether its cupcakes or cookies, the whole family will have fun decorating some festive desserts together.
4 – Making Homemade Valentines. There is nothing better than a homemade card. Grab the art supplies and put your creative hats on to make valentines for each other.
5 – Play Valentine Bingo. You can download a fun version of Valentine bingo here. Instead of using the typical bingo markers, use conversation hearts to give it a fun, Valentine touch.
6 – Make a Valentine Playlist. Add everyone’s favorite love songs and play it all day on Valentine’s Day!
7 – Wear Matching Festive, Pajamas. Many stores are offering festive, Valentine pajamas for the whole family. Get warm, and cozy together in matching pjs this year.
8 – Drink Valentine Hot Chocolate. Pickup some cocoa bombs at the store or make yours festive by adding whipped cream and sprinkles.
However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day this year we hope you have a wonderful time together!
12 Essentials to Pack For Move-In Day
Packing to move can be a hassle. When you finally get the keys to your new place the last thing you want to do is be searching through boxes for essentials. If you’re scheduled to move into a new apartment with us soon, here is a list of essentials to keep in an easily-accessible (and clearly labeled) box on move-in day!
- Clean, dry bath towels
- Your toiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste)
- A hand soap for the bathroom
- Any medications you take daily
- A first aid kit
- Phone charger
- Sheets and pillows
- A shower curtain
- Paper plates, cups, napkins
- Toilet paper & paper towels
- Basic cleaning supplies (i.e. surface cleaner, a sponge, dish soap)
- Water & non-perishable snacks
You’ll be so glad you have these items available and nearby on your first day in your new home. We’re glad to have you as a new resident at Princeton Properties! Happy moving!
How to Make a Carved Pumpkin Last Through Halloween
Halloween is less than two weeks away and now is the time to think about carving those pumpkins! Whether you like a traditional jack-o-lantern or something a bit spookier, here are 5 tips to make sure your pumpkin looks great and lasts through Halloween!
1 – Clean the inside really well. Many carving kits come with scoops to use to scoop out all of the “guts” of the pumpkin. The seeds and guts are the part that starts to rot first. Make sure yours is as empty as possible before you start carving your design.
2 – Soak it in a bleach bath. After you’ve carved the perfect design, it’s time to give that pumpkin a bath. Fill a tub or bucket with water and add 1/2 cup of bleach. Let the pumpkin sit overnight (or longer if possible) before pulling it out and drying it off.
3 – Store is somewhere cool. When you’re not displaying your pumpkin, make room for it in your refrigerator or another cool/dry place in your home to keep it from drying out.
4 – Hydrate it! Fill a spray bottle with some water and give your carved pumpkin a spray daily. This will keep is fresh and moist as well.
5 – Use a battery-operated candle. Flameless candles help in making the pumpkin last longer since there’s no heat drying the pumpkin from the inside. Find an LED one that flickers for a spookier effect.
How to Plan a New England Fall Foliage Trip
The leaves are already changing in New England and now is the perfect time to plan your day trips to see the foliage! Here are some great tips for planning a day trip this October.
1 – Plan your dates based on where you are headed.
Remember that foliage arrives earliest where elevation is the highest. Usually New England hits the peak foliage time during mid-October.
2 – Find the perfect spot.
New England offers lots of beautiful scenery including covered bridges, white churches and barns that look beautiful for foliage photography. Find some great places and snap some great shots for your Instagram!
3 – Bring the right footwear.
Hiking is the best way to see the most color. Wear your comfortable walking/hiking shoes so you can climb to some areas for the best views.
4 – Opt for a printed map rather than GPS.
Sometimes GPS doesn’t work in remote areas where the best foliage is. Also, a printed map is just more fun for a road trip!
5 – Stop for festive snacks.
Did someone say apple cider donuts? Hot apple cider? These are necessities for a foliage trip in New England and you’ll find plenty of farm stands that sell both!
5 Ways to Go Greener at Home
Earth Day is approaching and it’s always a great time to start evaluating how we are treating our environment. There are plenty of ways you can go greener at home beyond the classic “reduce, reuse recycle.”
1 – Switch the lightbulbs in your lamps to energy efficient light bulbs. When shopping at your local hardware store just look for the “energy star” label on the package. While we’re talking about lamps…make sure to always turn yours off when you’re leaving a room.
2 – Use more reusable bags! These are not just for grocery shopping. Start thinking about packing your lunch in a reusable bag and bringing your bags to department stores for shopping as well.
3 – Plant a vegetable garden. Don’t have a lot of space? Many vegetables can grow in containers that you can put on your patio or balcony.
4 – Avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles. Purchase a reusable bottle to eliminate the amount of plastic water bottles you are using each week.
5 – Wash more things in cold water than hot. Washing clothes and dishes in colder water is much more energy efficient.
5 Virtual Valentine Gift Ideas
It may not be possible to safely deliver chocolates and flowers this Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver something special! Check out these great ideas for virtual Valentine’s Day gifts you can share with your loved ones.
1 – Make a photo montage video set to music. Share the link to the video on Sunday for your Valentine to enjoy
2 – Send an e-card. There are plenty of websites (like e-cards.com) that allow you to create your own virtual Valentine’s Day card rather than buying one at a drug store!
3 – Create a special Valentine’s Day playlist and share virtually with your Valentine.
4 – Have someone else do the delivering! Use apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats to have your Valentine’s favorite meal delivered to them this Sunday.
5 – Want someone else to deliver the words? Check out Cameo.com to have your Valentine’s favorite celebrity deliver a special greeting!