image © Sebastian Kummer

Craft rooms are fun. If you are a creative person and need space to store your supplies, then you need a craft room. Looking around your place, do you have room for that? If you do, then go crazy and make a dream craft room. You’ll like these ideas too, but if you are low on space, then these tips will allow you to achieve your dream.

If you have a finished utility room, then you can put your room there. It’s convenient too. If it has a sink, you can rinse your tools easily. The utility sink faucet is dream come true for some crafters. If you don’t have that kind of room, try a closet. Convert the closet into a craft closet. Open the closet and lower a desk. Add your chair. When you’re done, you can close it all. You can even use a room divider to “create” an entirely new room.

Create a craft room for your hobbies. It takes very little. You can build it in a closet. You can also create a craft corner instead of a room, in your kitchen. Some of the modular pieces you can buy work in your pre-existing kitchen cabinets. Insert the modular pieces in a few cabinets, near a table or breakfast nook, or counter. It’s still hidden from view. It’s accessible as you need it. You can create the perfect space to enjoy your hobby and store things away in a cabinet with those modular pieces.

Once you have you have the room set aside, you’ll need storage containers. There are so many neat modular furniture pieces and storage containers available to buy these days. When you create this part of the project, you will start to get excited. It’s fun to design the layout of these modular pieces. Sliders make the ease of access so much fun. Some of the modular furniture pieces look perfect for hanging things. Which leads to hooks.

The use of Duck Brand® has hooks that you can place on the wall to hold your crafting materials. There are so many ways to place these hooks. You can remove them too. If you’re renting, that is a must. Create your own personal hobby heaven. You can even place your crafting room in a closet.

Place a pegboard if you find that your walls don’t hold adhesive. Some walls are like that. You can add a pegboard against a wall or corner to hold things that hang. Some people create such amazing pegboards to hold supplies that it becomes a piece of art, in-and-of-itself.

The next step to take is to create the proper lighting effects. You can go blind if you don’t do this right. There are so many neat lights to buy for crafting. There is an amazing circle light on a stand that is adjustable. It even has a magnifier on it. It is perfect for crafting. It protects your eyes from damage. There are adhesive small lights that you can place anywhere now. They have led lights. Some even have remote controls. There are motion-activated ones as well. It’s amazing for crafting closets.

Consider paint. There are magnetic paints that crafters use in their craft room for some neat effects. You can place pictures of what you’re working with on the wall. There are caulk board paints as well. You can draw designs on it for your crafting plans. Your kids can draw on it and play as you craft. Either way, it’s creative and interesting.

If you are lucky enough to have a spare room for your crafting, go crazy and have fun. I guarantee you will get into the process of where to place each modular drawer or cabinet. It’s fun. If you only have a corner, utility room, or closet, you can still create your craft room. Look at the modular pieces that are available for crafting today. There are so many neat choices available to create the crafting room of your dreams. Space isn’t a factor if you are creative enough to find a way. It could even become a new crafting hobby, along with the other hobbies you enjoy.

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Nespresso sells or licenses several different coffee machines, mostly made in Europe.

The machines bear the names of well-known kitchen equipment manufacturers such as Krups, Breville and DeLonghi, but are mainly manufactured by the Swiss company Eugster / Frismag, which is one of the world’s largest coffee machine manufacturers.

For people who prefer to drink coffee, the manufacturer has created devices with the most convenient functionality that allows you to brew your favorite drink without unnecessary trouble.

To buy the best coffee machine, you should take a closer look at several popular models, study their characteristics and features.

Benefits of Nespresso capsule coffee machines

The main advantage of capsule-type coffee machines is the ability to brew one portion of espresso or cappuccino in a few seconds, followed by a completely different coffee drink by inserting a new capsule into a special slot.

The speed of cooking is not the only plus of such devices, because Nespresso devices differ from their counterparts in many advantages, including:

• variety of programs and functions;
• high pump pressure;
• precise dosage of ground coffee;
• cappuccino maker included;
• lack of coffee grounds in a freshly brewed drink;
• a large selection of branded flavors;
• silent work;
• ergonomic design;
• simple control with two buttons;
• ease of maintenance;
• long warranty period.

Important! Nespresso coffee machines are produced by the well-known brands De’Longhi and Krups – they stand out for their impeccable appearance and high build quality, so the user can be sure that the device will last a long time without breakdowns.

Disadvantages of devices

One of the disadvantages of capsule-type coffee machines is that they are tied to the products of a particular coffee brand.
To brew coffee in a Nespresso machine, you will have to buy capsules from the same manufacturer, otherwise there is a risk that the appliance will not be able to brew the drink.

The disadvantages of the devices are also called:

• additional costs for coffee capsules;
• preparation of a small drink;
• there is no hot chocolate or tea in the line of flavors.

Principle of operation

Any user can handle the preparation of delicious coffee or milk-coffee drink using a capsule coffee machine, since the brewing process is extremely simple:

1. Water is poured into the water reservoir. The pump, located at the bottom, sucks in liquid and delivers it to the apparatus.
2. A capsule with a certain amount of natural ground coffee is placed in the compartment, which is perforated through with a needle after turning on the device.
3. The water quickly heats up to the desired temperature by flowing through the heating element.
4. Under high pressure, hot water flows through the coffee, as a result of which the drink is brewed and the liquid is filtered.
5. A used capsule is automatically thrown into a separate compartment – it can be removed immediately or thrown away after several used coffee containers are filled in the container.

What’s inside the capsules?

As the most popular capsule system, Nespresso offers customers a wide range of flavors using natural ground coffee as capsule filler.

Each capsule contains a verified portion of high-quality ground coffee beans, designed to prepare one portion of an invigorating drink.

For the long-term preservation of coffee, the use of preservatives is not required, since an inert gas is present in the capsules, which creates a vacuum – this prevents the raw material from oxidizing and allows it to preserve its freshness.

Before grinding, the product undergoes a thorough check, and the manufacturer indicates all information about the composition on the package.

Attention! Refillable capsules not filled with coffee powder began to appear on the market. Their use can significantly reduce the cost of disposable capsules, since the owner of the device will only need to purchase 4-5 capsules for different types of coffee.

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The Secret of Massive Gains From Small Amounts

Though it’s easy to flip a penny, you can turn small amounts into massive gains without choosing between heads or tails. The first step is to think small and in terms of a single penny. The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States gives you the option of buying stocks for $1 or less.

“Penny stocks” is the name given to public shares that sell at $5 or lower. Some public investors see discounts as a way of protecting their investment capital, so trading with only pennies at a time is a smart option. Sure, stocks that sell for prices under $5 are ideal for beginners, but seasoned investors with large-investment funds buy millions or billions of penny stocks at a time.

Warren Buffett—the grand-stock mogul of the 20th Century—preaches of the reliability of buying at low prices. You can only sell stock at higher prices if you first bought them at low prices. Penny stocks give investors a simple way of investing with lower costs and manageable risks.

“Flip” More Money in Less Time

It’s best to come to a clear understanding as to why penny stocks are ideal—before you invest in them.

Penny stocks work for so many investors because they present less-financial exposure. In the world of finance, if your money is exposed to 100% risk, then your money isn’t hedged. A hedge is a tool, a strategy, or an asset that protects you from losing money by minimizing the risks that money faces. Under 5 stocks are solid financial hedges.

Risk is the Brutal Reality of Investing

No financial instrument is void of risk. The inherent risks of investing, however, can be reduced with the help of price substitution. Business and economic majors understand that “the law of substitution” leads us to buy one new item instead of a past one in order to get the same results as the prior but at a lower cost.

Substitution works with penny stocks. You’re still buying actual companies that have balance sheets, innovative products, and profit potential, but you don’t have to settle with inflated costs when buying brands through penny stocks. Some of the wealthiest investors won’t even buy one share of Apple’s expensive stock, for example. Buying 1,000 shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) requires 254,810 USD.

Many top traders are only working with $100,000 in their accounts since it’s too risky to use their total investment fund all in one trade. Penny stocks will let you buy 1,000 shares for $500 from a company stock that’s worth $0.50.

Penny Stocks Under $5—The Rules of the Game

Making the final choice to buy penny stocks is easier once you understand how they work. Start with the key points below to build your penny-stock strategy on:

• Industry Startups—Penny stocks make scalable startup investments. Innovation enables a small company to grow by a thousand times in value once its innovation reaches its market consumer. Your profits can grow alongside small businesses if you understand real-market needs and which startups are offering solutions that appease the real interests of consumers. Prior to buying stock, determine how much each brand’s consumer has been or has yet to be reached.
• Dividends and Steady Payouts—Many investors only put dividend-paying stocks into their holdings. Some penny stocks, just like common, expensive, stock options, pay dividends on a regular basis and within every industry. Dividends are profit payouts made to stock owners as a bonus for owning a stock.
• Innovative Companies—No matter how you build your strategy, your highest-profiting potential comes from companies that are innovative. Measure the innovation of a company by examining its market demand. Companies are financially rewarded only when they solve society’s greatest challenges. Look for “penny-brands” that specifically work to provide answers to the public’s needs.

A Lot to Gain With Little

There’s no need to be hesitant with penny stocks. An initial investment of 100 shares could cost just one dollar. You decide on the best way to start by keeping your costs down and paying as little as you can.

At any time, penny stocks have the potential to grow 1,000 to 5,000 times the initial principal you invested. There might be something to lose, but, in the end, that amount is so small it won’t likely matter.

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Feeling tired even after a long night of sleep is common among both adults and teenagers. Read this to find out why you are always tired even after 8 or more hours of sleep and what you can do about it.

Feeling tired even after a long night of sleep may be very common but is not something to turn a blind eye to. Fatigue is a symptom of several conditions, some medical while others are simply the effects of your lifestyle choices. Lack of energy and fatigue is a very serious issue that could lead to other mental and physical conditions.

The following might be the reason why you are always tired:

You are probably taking too many refined carbs before bed.

While carbs are a quick source of energy, they could have a negative effect on your sleeping patterns. When you eat carbs, your body breaks them down to sugar which is then used as fuel for the body. Taking too much of refined carbs can make feel tired and drowsy throughout the day.

Processed carbs and sugar cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and this signals your pancreas to produce insulin in large amounts so as to get sugar from your blood to your cells. The rise in blood sugar can make you feel tired and exhausted throughout the day. This is especially worse for people who take refined carbs with all their meals. To keep your energy levels stables throughout the day, try replacing the refined carbs and sugar with fibre rich whole foods.

You don’t have an active lifestyle

Having a sedentary lifestyle could be the reason for your low energy level and tiredness. Most people will not exercise because they feel too tired or do not have enough time in their schedule. Lack of exercise will pose negative emotional and physical effects on you.

One of the effects of not exercising is risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome. CFS is characterised by extreme fatigue on the daily. People with CFS also have low endurance and strength levels and this can limit your ability to exercise, work, or even sleep like a regular person.

The best way to beat this fatigue is to have an active lifestyle. Exercise helps boost your energy levels, keeps you healthy and has major positive effects on your sleep pattern. If you are a morning person, you could exercise a couple of hours before work but if not, you could do it after work.

Make sure you exercise a couple of hours before your sleeping time so you do not mess up your sleep routine. Exercise increases energy levels and activeness and this can lead to lack of sleep and consequently tiredness which is why you need to do it a couple of hours before your bed time.

You are not getting high quality sleep

The quantity of sleep does not matter when the quality of sleep you are getting is low/ poor quality sleep is a very common cause of fatigue. You would think that not getting 7 or more hours of sleep would be the only issue leading to fatigue but that is not the case.

After a 7-hour sleep, you should wake up feeling alert, refreshed and energised. Your sleep should be comfortable, peaceful and interrupted to allow your brain and body to rest so you can wake up active and refreshed.

If you are eating right, involved in regular exercise, regulating room and light temperature then the issue might be your sleeping environment. A proper sleeping environment is essential for good quality sleep.

If you have noise and sound pollution chances are you will not get good quality sleep. An uncomfortable bed and mattress could be the reasons you are not getting good quality sleepy.

Bumps, holes and bulges on your mattress could leave you tossing and turning which prevents your brain and body from having a good night’s rest.

Replacing your beddings is essential for a productive night rest. Mattress direct will help you find a suitable mattress to increase your quality of sleep and reduce fatigue during the day. Noise cancelling headphones will reduce sound pollution and allow you to have 7 or more hours of interrupted sleep.

You do not take enough calories and protein

Believe it or not, consuming less calories can make you feel exhausted or fatigued during the day. Your body uses calories for physical energy and to do regular processes like maintaining a constant body temperature and breathing. When you eat less calories, your metabolism will slow down so it can conserve energy and this causes fatigue.

Most people need at least 1200 calories every day to have a regular metabolism. If you are older, you will need to eat more so you can perform normally without getting tired. To keep your energy levels up avoid drastic calorie cuts.

Inadequate protein is also a contributing factor to fatigue. Adding more protein to your diet can boost your metabolism rate as opposed to fat and carbs. Add high protein foods like meat, fish and eggs to your diet to increase your energy levels throughout the day.

You do not hydrate

Staying hydrated is also important when you want to maintain good energy levels during the day. biochemical reactions that take place in your body everyday use up a lot of water that needs to be replaced eventually. Mild energy levels could take away from your cognitive abilities and make you less alert.

You rely on caffeine and energy drinks

There are plenty of drinks that are known to increase your energy fast. Energy drinks include caffeine, sugar, amino acids and more. They provide a temporary energy boost but eventually lead to fatigue when the effects wear put. Such drinks have been associated to sleep issues like insomnia and sleep apnea. Cut back on caffeine and energy drinks and replace them with exercise.

Conclusion

High levels of anxiety and stress could also affect your productivity during the day. excessive stress will affect your sleeping patterns and eventually cause fatigue throughout the day. while it might be very hard to avoid some stressful situations, you could change the way you deal with them and avoid all the effects of stress.

The post This is why you are always tired even after 8-10 hours of sleep appeared first on A Hen's Nest - NW PA Single Woman Mom Blog.

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A shed is a feature of a home that is, often, underrated. Not every home has one. When they do, they are usually in disrepair. A shed does not have to be a dark and dirty place full of cobwebs. Even a large shed with a trending exterior barn door can be much more than just a dingy place for old boxes and broken down lawn equipment. The shed out back can be converted from a tedious eyesore into another pleasant part of a home.

Storage

The most obvious use for a shed is the most common one. Just because a shed is used for storing things, it does not have to be the stereotypical nightmare shed. Some simple organization can transform a mess into a pleasant place. Putting shelves on the walls provides places to place boxes of Christmas decorations or other seasonal items. Framing a corner into a closet section can provide a place for weedwhackers, lawnmowers, and other equipment that keeps the gasoline smell in. A table in the center leaves room for sorting through the stored items.

Greenhouse

An unused shed can be a good place to start or grow plants. There are several ways it could be set up. It is usually dark inside of sheds, but no light is necessary for sprouting seeds. That means that, even with no modification, it can be a great place to start a full garden. Some simple modifications, however, can transform a simple shed into a growroom. Electrical lighting and even an automatic watering system is the easiest way to get a garden going. A bit of work and some windows could be installed or half of the roof replaced with a clear pane of plastic to convert the shed into a functioning greenhouse.

Craft Room

It is always nice to have a room in the house to dedicate to crafts and projects, but that requires a room. A shed can be finished inside and become a great room for doing delicate crafting or textile works. Unfinished, it can still be used for heavier projects. A shed is a great spot for use as a woodshop or to keep some light metalworking equipment. It could even be converted to be a quiet and private office.

Play Palace

While a toolshed is no place for children to be playing, an unused shed can be converted into one. Instead of spending too much money on a plastic playhouse, a coat of paint and once over for sharp points can turn an old shed into a magical play place. With imagination, a child can make it anything they want it to be. A few shelves to place toys will help keep the play shed tidy. Industrious builders can even add features such a skylight to the roof or an adjacent sandbox to make it an even more child-friendly place.

She-Shed

A renovated shed can be a good place for the ladies to get together. While a shed does not sound like an appealing place for women, it can be with a few modifications. It would, of course, need a window installed because natural lighting is important for a beautiful atmosphere. A coat of paint and a rug or some carpeting on the floor would make the interior much homier. After the basic construction needs, it is a simple matter of accessorizing. A card table and a wine refrigerator could make it a pleasant place for those long summer evenings.

Mancave

A place for the guys to hang out is the obvious option if it is not going to be used for its intended storage purposes. It is a great way to get the ruckus and roughhousing out of the living room. It does not even need a whole lot of changes to be a great place for men to hang out. Paint is nice, but not even necessary. All the guys need is a couch for crashing, a big-screen television to catch the games and fights, and, of course, a refrigerator for keeping the beer cold. With those three things, a shed can quickly become the guy’s favorite room in the house.

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Shopping for the perfect gift for the women in your life can be a fight. Most women have everything they need, but you know there’s something out there she wants more than anything. She says to get her whatever you want, but you know there are certain things she really wants. In this article, we’ve listed ten perfect gifts for women that they will love.

Cowboy Boots

Every woman needs a pair of quality women’s cowboy boots. They’re versatile, trendy, and always fashionable. You can usually wear a pair of good boots for years. Whether she’s going out on the town or riding a horse, cowboy boots provide comfort and style. They look so cute with a denim skirt or dress.

Air Fryer

Air fryers are all the rage right now when it comes to kitchen appliances. Even if your woman has every kitchen appliance, she needs an air fryer. It makes yummy fried food that’s much healthier than everyday fried food. They don’t take up too much room and are easy to use.

Cozy Throw Blanket

No matter how many throw blankets the women in your life have, there’s always room for more. The softer, the cozier, the better is the mantra women take when it comes to throw blankets. You can put them in any room as an accent or throw around you for warmth.

Water Bottle

VSCO girls are the popular thing this year, and a VSCO girl always has an insulated water bottle. No matter if your woman is too “old” to be a VSCO girl, everyone needs an insulated water bottle. You can keep things fresh and cold for hours. Drinking water at the gym or just carrying water throughout the day is perfect when you have a good bottle.

Cheese Board

A cheese board is like a piece of artwork. The woman in your life can set out various cheeses and meats with fruits and veggies as an accent. They set it all up on a beautiful, big cheese board. Best of all, it’s also used as a cutting board so she does all the hard work in one place.

Bath Stuff

Women love the peace of a good bath. Throw in some bath salts or a bath bomb, and you’ve got perfection. She can chill out in there for hours at a time soaking up the amazing aromas. Some bath bombs and bath salts are made with different types of essential oils to fight fatigue and stress. Wiping away the stress of your woman’s day is priceless.

Pajamas

Women love comfort. Pajamas are something most women just don’t think about buying for themselves. Buy them a cozy, soft pair that they can lounge in all day then sleep in comfortably all night. Pajamas are always a great gift because people rarely ever buy them for themselves. Invest in a luxurious pajama set so they feel wrapped in elegance and comfort.

Gift Card

Okay, it’s not original, but who wouldn’t like to have some funds to go to the store they love the most and pick out whatever they want. Every store has gift cards available. Put in the amount you can afford, and she will be so happy as she heads on out for her very own shopping spree.

Photo Book

Most women love a good cry, and a happy cry usually comes with meaningful gifts. Make her a photo book filled with your favorite memories of her. Everything these days is on the internet so she doesn’t get to sit down and look at her memories much. A photo book gives her a way to sift through these memories and enjoy looking back.

Wireless Earbuds

Wireless earbuds are the newest thing in the music world. They’re easy and versatile. Especially for the woman who enjoys working out without losing her earbuds, wireless ones make a lot more sense. If they like to l

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The family is the most important unit in a child’s life. The people within the family are the very first people this child will engage with. From happy occasions, sad moments, to everything else in between, everything will be experienced first within the safe haven of the family unit. Thus, it is critical for parents like you to always keep communication lines open with your children.

You are their safe haven, the one they can go to during good times and bad times. Many people say that these ties seem to diminish when the kids get older, especially when they become teens. However, what many fail to realize is good communication is not built in a day. It is based on consistent, daily behavior that must be taken good care of so it would not decay. Consider the following communication tips to get your kids and teens to listen and to let them know you truly care. After all, you don’t just want to talk to them when there are only family issues to discuss. You want to be present in their lives, period.

Converse Even in the In-Betweens

Talking to your children doesn’t need to always be in a formal family meeting. Speak with them all the time, especially during the in-betweens when they are eating a snack, when you’re in the car, when you are out shopping, etc. There are many opportunities to casually talk with your children. It is during these relaxed times, when both your tongues are loose, that you can get them to open up.

You don’t always have to relate deeply and talk about major topics when you converse. Most times, talking about the most mundane things can seal that bond because your child will receive the assurance that they can go to you for absolutely anything and you will listen and not judge.

Set Aside Family Time

Apart from the normal daily in-between stuff, you really have to set time for your children and brand this as your family time. This way, your children will know that you have set time just for them because they matter to you. This doesn’t have to be fancy moments that need you to spend tons of money. You can do a game night wherein you just laugh around and talk to each other. It can also be a simple walk around the park or doing a barbecue at home.

These fun family times foster bonding and tell your children that you are a part of the same team. It is critical to do things as a family because it shows them they belong to a unit and it affirms that they are loved. When they feel this, they will be more inclined to open up because they trust and love you. They are so confident that you also feel the same way. Communication is something that must be nurtured.

Adjust Your Conversation Style

Although your kids all come from you, they don’t share the same personalities. One may like to talk in a lively manner with a lot of hand gestures. The other one may be more passive and just prefer to talk less. This is natural human behavior, so know that it has nothing to do with you if one child is just really quiet.

You must adjust your conversational style based on the personality of your child if you want to reach out to him or her effectively. Ranting and raving about something will result in having your pensive child clam up more. Instead, search for visual cues and tone of voice to figure out what is really going on. Being attune to your children’s feelings and personality quirks are an essential component of having a good conversation.

Ask and Don’t Attack 

Typically, when you are discussing an important issue, your children will be on the defensive mode the moment you attack. Screaming, shouting, and spanking have never resulted in anything good, especially for bigger kids. There comes a point where you have to sit them down and talk to them like a mature individual that they are.

Listen with not just open ears but an open heart. Usually, parents are very quick to judge. Before they know it, the damage has been done and the kids will just remain quiet as a sign of rebellion. If you want to keep communication lines open with your children, especially when you are tackling a critical topic, then learn to ask. Do not attack and be calm. Listen first and be fair in giving your judgment. Remember, they are little people with important feelings too.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there are many ways to improve communication with your children. The most important thing that you have to remember is that talking is a daily habit that must be fostered. You don’t talk to your kids just because you need to address something. You speak with them to show that you care. Sometimes, it is more than the big gestures. It is the little things, like simple daily conversations, that matter more.

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The holidays are often the most fun, yet the most stressful time of the year. There is always a lot to do and it takes a festive spirit to get the party started. We have a few ways you can get ready for the holiday season without too much stress.

Make a Master Gift List

If you have lots of people to buy for, those gifts start getting scrambled in your mind. Make a master gift list. First, write out each person’s name and what type of gift you’re searching for. Once you actually buy a gift, mark it out so you know that person is done. You can even go as far as to label which stores each gift can be found at so you aren’t left scrambling trying to go to ten different stores for gifts. If you can find most of the gifts online, take that master list mobile and go wild online shopping. Shopping for others should be fun, so don’t let it ruin your holidays.

Decorate Your House

One of the best ways to get into the festive spirit of the holiday season is to decorate your house. It might take a few days to bring all the decorations down from the attic and a few more hours to go shopping for the decorations you just have to have. Think of your house as a blank canvas. You can paint it with all of the festive fun. Hang stockings, throw lights on your fireplace mantels, turn the outside into Griswold City, and put garland everywhere you can in your house. Whether you choose to go with simple holiday decor or go a little wild with decorations, the holiday magic will begin to take over your home.

Dance Around the Christmas Tree

Part of those decorations is putting up a Christmas tree. That tree is a staple in itself. It’s up to each person if they choose to get a real tree or get the artificial one out of the box. You can decorate it with classic, elegant ornaments and other decorations, or you can decorate it with bright colors and character ornaments your kids will love. In fact, you can have multiple trees if you choose. Get the whole family into the decorating spirit. Turn on some holiday music and dance around the holiday tree as you decorate. In the end, it’s not about the perfection of the tree, but the memories made around that tree.

Throw a Holiday Party

If you’re up to it, get together a little holiday party. It doesn’t have to be the gala of the year. You can invite over a few friends, neighbors, and/or family members. Have everyone bring their favorite festive platter and have some fun. If you want to up your game, have everyone bring a small gift as well. Throwing a party during the holiday is just the icing on the cake of the season. It’s all about the magic. Seeing your friends and family during this time is so important to the feel of the season. Don’t forget to turn up the music and pass around the spirits. Let yourself have a little fun during this stressful season.

Send Christmas Cards

Go old fashioned and send out holiday cards. Make the family dress up in matching pajamas with cheesy smiles, put together a collage of your fave pictures from the year, or write a yearly summary. Holiday cards are a festive, fun touch of the season that lets others know that you’re still on their list. It’s a great way to connect during the holiday season. You don’t even have to sit down and hand write each address as technology can do it all these days. You also want to do these sooner rather than later. You don’t want to be the last holiday card arriving at your friend’s house after the season is over.

Pick Up a Few Extra Gifts

It always seems there is someone that needs a gift last minute. Choose a few random gifts that are gender neutral so you’re always ready. Whether it’s a last-minute secret Santa gift or someone you totally forgot about, you’ll be ready with your gift. If you never have to use it, either keep it for next year or consider it a special gift to yourself.

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Taking care of a house can be a very difficult and demanding task. There is so much to clean in a house that it is impossible for one person to do it by themselves. While many moms get stuck trying to do all of the housework themselves, this does not need to be the case. As your children get older, there are many ways that you can get them involved in helping keep the house clean. Since everyone lives in the house, it is everyone’s job to keep it clean. Here are some things you can do to make the jobs fun and rewarding for your children.

#1) Chore Charts

Chore charts are a great way to get all members of the family involved in doing chores around the house. You can make your chore chart or even purchase them. Chore charts are exactly like they sound. You place your child’s name on one side of the chart, list the chores they have to do, and then place a sticker or other mark when they did the job. You can require children to do some chores every day or even once a week.

The best thing about chore charts is that you can customize them to fit the age of your child. For example, you will not have your 10-year-old doing the same chores as your 5-year-old. You can customize your chore chart to meet the needs of each one of your children. You may give all of your children the same chore of making their own beds every day but may decide that they only need to change the sheets on their mattresses once a week.

#2) Chore Wheels

Different from chore charts, chore wheels are a great idea for chores that only need to be done once a week. If you and your family decide that Saturday will be your day to clean, you can break out your chore wheel that day. Again, you can decide to make your own chore wheel or even purchase one. You can put chores that only need to be done once a week on the chore wheel, like vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning windows, and more.

On the day that you and your family decide to clean, you can take the chore wheel out. Each member of the family can take a turn spinning the wheel. After each family member has spun the wheel you can all start cleaning and doing your individual chore. This shows your children that all members of the home are responsible for keeping it clean. You can use the chore wheel as a family bonding experience.

#3) Chore Apps

If your children are getting to the age where they might think that they are too old for the two things above, you can start using chore apps on the phone to get them involved in doing chores. There are many family chore apps that are popping up on the market. These fun apps may make children more likely to do chores since they get to use their phone or your phone to see what they need to do.

Many of these chore apps allow you to link bank accounts that can allow you to reward your children for doing their chores by giving them an allowance. You can use this as a teaching tool. Using an app to pay your children allows you the opportunity to teach your children about saving money and even online banking, which is becoming more and more popular today.

#4) Rewards

All children want to be rewarded for doing chores, and this is a personal preference for parents. Some people do not believe that children need to be given an allowance, while other people do. There is no right or wrong choice; however, your children should be rewarded somehow.

If you choose not to give your children an allowance, you can do something fun with them instead. For instance, after cleaning, you may decide to go and get ice cream as a family or watch a movie that your child has been wanting to see. You can even allow them to listen to the music of their choice while the whole family cleans. There are endless ideas for rewards that you can use for your children to help them have fun while doing chores around the house.

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Photo by Nick Moore on Unsplash

The nation’s capital is a fantastic place to consider for your next family trip.

The biggest problem is there’s so much to do that it can be tough to narrow it all down and decide what will be most appealing to your family and your unique interests.

From guided twilight tours of the national monuments to visiting the many museums, the options are nearly limitless.

The following are some things to keep in mind and consider adding to your itinerary during a family trip to Washington, D.C.

Getting Around in the City

You will likely find that it’s fairly easy to do a lot when you’re in D.C. because getting around is simple and efficient, so you won’t have to spend a ton of time going from attraction to attraction.

The metro system is convenient and affordable, and D.C. is fairly compact, particularly the areas you’re most likely going to want to see on a family vacation, so you should be able to walk to a lot of places.

Visiting the National Mall

The National Mall & Memorial Parks is the area of the city people most frequently associated with a visit to D.C.

Some of the sites on the National Mall include:

• Constitution Gardens
• Korean War Veteran’s Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Washington Monument
• World War II Memorial

Most of the monuments are open every day of the year, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling this unless you’re going to do a guided tour.

If you want a guided tour, there are quite a few different options including hop-on-hop-off bus tours, biking tours, walking tours, and private tours.

If you want to do a self-guided tour, there are apps that can serve as your tour guide, or you could print out guides.

Tours Requiring Tickets

Some of the things that are part of the National Mall may require admission tickets.

For example, if you want to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol, you need to reserve this in advance. The reservation is free, and you can start a guided tour at the Capitol Visitor Center.

If the Court’s not in session, you can do free, self-guided tours of the Supreme Court and there are also trained docents who give lectures throughout the weekdays.

The Smithsonian Museums in D.C.

If you’re taking a family trip to Washington D.C. it’s highly likely museums are on your list of must-dos. The Smithsonian Museums include a wide variety of exhibits.

Admission to all of the Smithsonian museums is free, and there are a total of 19 museums and galleries.

Most of the museums are within walking distance to each other on the National Mall; some are located in other areas of the city.

The museums that are on the National Mall include:

• Smithsonian Institution Building
• Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
• Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum
• Smithsonian Freer Gallery
• Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
• Smithsonian Natural History Museum
• Smithsonian American History Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The museums that are not on the Mall include the National Zoo at Rock Creek Park, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, among others.

As far as the museums that might be most interesting to kids, particularly younger kids, top picks include the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History.

If you can get to the museum fairly early, it’s going to make things easier and more enjoyable for you.

Head to Georgetown

While the area around the National Mall tends to be the most tourist-centric, if you have a chance during your family trip, carve out some time for Georgetown, which is a scenic part of the city located on the Potomac River.

There are amazing restaurants, including waterfront dining, shopping, and the kid-friendly Washington Harbor.

You can walk along the canal and look at the amazing homes in the neighborhood.

Finally, a few other things to do on a family trip to D.C. include a visit to The Yards Park, and the Eastern Market, at the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. This neighborhood is also home to the Washington Nationals’ baseball park, and there are water activities available in this area such as kayaking. If you want to see a Nationals game, you take the Navy Yard Metro Station on the green line and you’re there.

The post What Should You Know About Planning a Family-Friendly Trip to D.C.? appeared first on A Hen's Nest - NW PA Single Woman Mom Blog.