Tips for apartment living across the nation

January is National Soup Month, and now is the best time to get your slow cooker out to try some new soup recipes. Gather around your dining room table for some comfort food, and melt the winter chill away with the steamy aroma of wholesome, flavorful soup.

Photo by Jugglerpm/Flickr

Who Started National Soup Month?

Nobody really knows who started Soup Month or when it began. Some believe it was started by a popular soup company, but no commercial endorsements of this national holiday can be found. While January is publicized as National Soup Month, there are no congressional records or official proclamations for this. Regardless, National Soup Month is widely celebrated as a time to embrace and explore a wide variety of soups.

What Is the History of Soup?

Soup, as we know it, has been around since humans learned to boil water. Technically, however, soup can be dated back as early as 6000 B.C. , when it was served cold in rudimentary cooking vessels such as animal skin or clay pots. In ancient Greece, soup was sold on the street and considered the first “fast food.”  Soup got its name from “sop,” which was a piece of bread served with broth. Later, the focal point switched from the bread to the ingredients in the actual soup. In the book “Soup Through the Ages: A Culinary History with Period Recipes,” author Victoria Rumble calls soup “the world’s first prepared dish, which became the unpretentious comfort food for all civilization.”

Why is Soup Good for You?

Basically, soup provides fluid. Especially in cold weather, many people forget about drinking water, so a hot bowl of soup can provide the body with much-needed hydration. While chicken noodle soup is not really a cure for the common cold, the steamy broth can comfort and open up a congested nose.  The ingredients in the soup determine how healthy it is. However, not all soups are good for you. Some canned soups are loaded with sodium, and powdered soups can contain harmful artificial additives. According to Dr. Robert Vogel, chief medical director for Pritikin Longevity Center and Newsweek magazine, you should stay away from cream soups for its high fat content. One restaurant chain’s popular cream of broccoli soup has as many fat grams as a 20-piece Chicken McNuggets.

What is the Most Popular Soup in America?

According to the Campbell’s Soup Company, chicken noodle soup and tomato soup are two of the most popular soups in America today. However, many international soups have made their way into our mainstream culture. Japanese miso soup, French onion soup, Chinese hot and sour soup and Mexican black bean soup are a few international soups that have been made popular in America today.

How Do People Celebrate National Soup Month?

Many people participate in soup swaps through churches, clubs or other community organizations. Some people plan soup swapping get-togethers among friends and neighbors. But you do not need to exchange soup to honor National Soup Month. Experimenting with new recipes and trying new soups is enough to get in the spirit of National Soup Month.

April Lentini loves using her Crock Pot and enjoys vegetarian soup recipes. She writes for Apartment Guide in Boston. Browse the many apartments available in Boston on apartmentguide.com.

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Like many other people, the stress of the holidays may have left you worn out and in sore need of a getaway. After you tear down the holiday decorations and once you get your income tax refund, take advantage of the travel deals in January or February for some quality rest and relaxation.  Here are five great places to vacation with your income tax refund money.

Take a drive to Red Rock Canyon Near Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Nothing is more American than gambling with your income tax refund. Risk takers will have fun making those dollars work for them by playing Blackjack or Craps in the casino capital of the world. However, fancy casinos are not all that Las Vegas has to offer. You can easily spend a few days exploring the many attractions on the strip. Some of them are free such as the nightly performances at the famous Treasure Island Casino or the fountain light show at the Mirage.

January and February are the best times to visit Vegas because it is off season and also because you will not have to endure the overbearing desert heat of the summer. In addition to the fine dining and great shows on the strip, there are some nearby outdoor state parks that are definitely worth a day trip. Rent a car and take a drive to the Red Rock Canyon to see the Joshua trees. February is a great time to take a drive to the Mojave Desert to experience the blissful, silent solitude that contrasts all the action in Vegas.

Austin, Texas

Not only is Austin a fun winter destination, but for those on a budget, it is a very affordable January or February vacation. If you are coming from a cold city, you will enjoy the very pleasant weather in central Texas during the winter months.  With cool nights, warm days and little rain, this charming state capital is perfect for getting out and exploring local attractions.

If the weather is warm enough, you can go for a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring which is open year round. There are many posh clubs for bringing in the New Year, and don’t forget about the fabulous music venues in Austin.

Tucson, Arizona

Clear your foggy winter head with a warm, dry climate in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona. On your getaway to Tucson, you can enjoy majestic mountain peaks, unique southwestern cuisine and a relaxing balance of natural outdoor beauty and an eclectic, thriving city.

Tucson not only has some of the best spas and golf courses in the world, but it also has a little something for intellectuals. History buffs will enjoy many historical sites in Tucson, including the breathtaking Mission San Xavier del Bac, acclaimed as the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. There are many cultural events throughout the year so be sure to check for concerts, shows and festivals taking place in the months after your tax return check arrives.

Boston

If you do not get your income tax refund check until April, you may want to consider a vacation in “Beantown”. April in Boston is one of the most beautiful months out of the year to visit this city as the frigid weather fades and colorful flowers start to bloom.  Boston, also known as “America’s Walking City” is a great place to stretch your legs and explore this historical city on foot.

If you decide to take a vacation in Boston in April, you will be able to catch just about any major league sporting event that you wish. See the Red Sox get the baseball season started, check out the Celtics wrap up their basketball schedule or root for the Bruins as they finish up their Hockey games for the year.  There are many attractions for Boston tourists including whale watching, world-renowned museums and walking tours.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs has over 300 days of sunshine each year so if you are looking for a sunny place to shake off the winter, an outdoor adventure in Colorado Springs may just be the perfect thing. Go rock climbing on one of the magnificent rock formations or tackle the rapids on a river rafting tour that twists through the Royal Gorge. Colorado Springs is a great place for sports such as fishing, camping, hiking, bike riding, skiing and even hot air ballooning if you are looking for something different.

Colorado Springs also thrives on culture. Enjoy the symphony and performing arts center, as well as over 50 other attractions including a diverse range of museums. Garden of the Gods is one of the nation’s most wonderful city parks. Nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, the stunning red rock formations draw photographers to capture a perfect shot of the rocks framing the snow-capped peak.

Tax refunds are a great reason to travel if you have made no other plans for the extra cash.  Many discounts can be during the beginning of the year when most people need to recover from the busy holidays. Spend some time traveling by yourself or with your family and enjoy your tax refund vacation.

April Lentini writes for the Boston ApartmentGuide. Browse the many apartments available in Beantown.

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As we ride the crest of a recession into 2010, home is a place where Americans are spending much more of their time. Home improvements not only support the value of your home, but they can make life much more pleasant if you opt for money-saving “staycations” or nights eating in. Here are five New Year’s resolutions for home improvement, whether you choose to take on a remodel project, redecorate or just resolve to maintain your home more efficiently.

1. Check for Energy Efficiency

Are the drafty windows causing your heating unit to kick into overdrive? If you have an older house, it is especially important to make sure you are not washing money down the drain with outdated energy fixtures and appliances. Replacing old windows and doors with newer energy-efficient ones is ideal, but you can also seal your old windows with caulk or replace the rubber strips on your doors in the meantime. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or refrigerator, check to make sure the new model has the “Energy Star” logo for maximum energy efficiency (along with a sweet tax deduction as well).

2. Sell or Donate Stuff You Don’t Use

A new year has never been a better time to practice the “out with the old” mantra. Consider all the things in your garage that you never use. Think about all the space in your closet being wasted on clothes that you will never wear again. Become friendly with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, and donate anything you do not use. After all, you don’t want your house to end up on a reality TV show called “Hoarders.” By clearing the clutter and purging your home of things that just collect dust, you will enjoy spending time at home with a fresh just-moved-in feeling. Your house guests will appreciate it, too. No one wants to hang out in a space that they can’t move in.

3.  Rearrange, Refinish or Repurpose Old Furniture

If you can’t afford to spend money on new furniture, you may want to consider sprucing it up. You can create a new furniture feel by staining old wood or recovering chairs with new fabric. Perhaps the way you have your furniture arranged now is not optimal. Look at your rooms with a fresh eye. Would there be more room if you put the couch up against the wall? Would your bed be better situated in the center of the bedroom instead of pushed up against the corner? Also, consider other uses for furniture. That clunky dresser that crowds the small guest room may make a great entertainment center in the living room. Put the TV on top, and load the drawers with games and DVDs.

4. Spiff Up the Outside Property

Do not neglect the landscaping around your home. This is the first impression that guests will have of you when they pull up to your house. If your lawn is overgrown with weeds, and you have not picked up the soggy newspapers in your driveway for weeks, what kind of impression does that give other people? Some regular maintenance and a few colorful plants can make all the difference in the world. If you have a lot of overgrown trees but do not want to spend the money to have them removed, give them a good “haircut” by hiring a landscaping company to bring up the canopy. By trimming a few branches off the bottom layers, your house may be clearly visible from the road, making it safer and cleaner-looking.

5. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

Paint is the cheapest and easiest face lift you can give a house. If your walls are looking tired, or you’ve just outgrown the color, it’s time to repaint. (If you are in an apartment home make sure that you get the okay from your landlord.) Need inspiration? There is a discount section in most paint stores or paint departments known as the “oops selection.”  Perfectly good, unused shades of paint are returned and sold here at a discounted price because they were the wrong color. But someone else’s wrong color could very well be your perfect shade, especially if you have nothing to match it to.  Go nuts with someone else’s “oops” and create a color scheme around the paint.

You do not need a lot of cash to make improvements to your home. With a little creativity and organization, you can stick to your 2010 resolution of making some home improvements that will enrich your everyday life.

About the Author
April Lentini and her husband are tackling home improvement on a budget. Their most recent accomplishment is re-tiling a bathroom. April writes for Rentals.com.

This article is featured on WomensOnlineMagazine.com

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Retirees have good reasons for wanting to move away from cold weather. Shoveling snow and putting salt on the driveway every winter is back breaking work. Not to mention, cold weather in general can wreak havoc on arthritis. If you are interested in spending your golden years under some golden warm sunshine, here are ApartmentGuide.com’s top five affordable cities to retire in.

Photo by firsttidy (Flickr Creative Commons)

# 1 Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona is a great change of pace for snow birds who want to get away from the cold weather. Tucsonans enjoy 360 sunny days a year.  Surrounded by five mountain ranges, Tucson sits in a desert plain. If you want to explore your creative side, visit the Center for Creative Photography to see the largest collection of Ansel Adams works or take your own photos in this photogenic city. Don’t think that retiring is only filled with eating, drinking and taking long siestas every day. Active retirees enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding and golf in this dry, sunny city.

# 2 Hendersonville, North Carolina

Just 27 minutes down the road from Asheville is Hendersonville, N.C. The charming town of Hendersonville is perfect for retirees who appreciate easy access to all the beautiful sights of the North Carolina Mountains.  The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Pisgah National Forest are just around the corner from your apartment in Hendersonville. Active retirees can take advantage of the great outdoors with their pick of activities. Horseback riding, tennis, golf, water sports, fishing and cycling are just a few of the warm-weather recreational activities available to adventurous retired residents.

#3 Englewood, Florida

Englewood is a great place to retire because it is one of the lesser-known cities in sunny Florida, helping it retain its incredible retirement value. Located on the Southwest coast of Florida, Englewood is about an hour south of St. Petersburg and about an hour and a half north of Fort Myers. Not only is the sunset view from your home on Lemon Bay amazing, but the Town Center neighborhood has many amenities that make it a quality, safe place to live with very low crime rates.  Enjoy your retirement years in a quiet, educated neighborhood with lots of fellow seniors and other age groups.

# 4 Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces is located in southern New Mexico.  Retirees in Cruces enjoy 350 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures range from the high 90s in the summertime to the upper 50s in the winter. Not only is the weather in Cruces pleasantly warm, but the view is superb. Many artists and photographers are attracted to this town because of the very unique blend of colors in the sky during a sunrise or sunset.  Making Las Cruces your home, you will enjoy the cultural perks that come with living in the same town as New Mexico State University as there are many shows, galleries and exhibits open to the public. Plus, if you like Tex-Mex style food, you will appreciate living in the “Chile Capital of the World” as Las Cruces is known.

#5 St. Simons Island, Georgia

It seems completely appropriate to spend your golden years in Georgia’s renowned Golden Isles.  Just 60 miles from Jacksonville, FL and 70 miles from Savannah, GA, St. Simon’s Island provides convenient day trips to many attractions. While hurricanes are always a possibility, retirees enjoy summerlike weather almost seven months of the year.  With its sandy beaches, lush marshes and moss-draped live oaks, St. Simons Island has blossomed into a resort community with many seasonal residents, as well as a steady base of year-round residents.

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If you are like most college students, you need a roommate to share your housing expenses. There are many things to consider for your protection and everyone’s best interest. If you have never had a roommate before, or you are looking for a better roommate, here are some ways to help you find and choose the right college roommate to fit your lifestyle.

Photo by: Zach Klein (Flickr Creative Commons)

Finding Qualified College Roommates

You may have some friends that would be willing to room with you. While it sounds great to live with a friend as opposed to living with a stranger, keep in mind that friends do not always make the best roommates.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon once joked about how having a good friend as a roommate is never a good idea.

“It doesn’t work out,” he said. “You will fight each other [because] they have too much dirt on you. They’ll crush you in an argument for no reason. Like, you’ll just say, ‘Hey, man, the dishes have been in the sink for, like, two weeks, and they’re your dishes. Are you gonna clean them or what?’ And they’ll say, ‘Yeah, remember when you had [an embarrassing disease] in the sixth grade?’”

Look at finding the right roommate as an opportunity to make a new friendship. Some of the pressure is off since you do not have to be especially chummy with them. Also, opening your mind (and apartment) to a new person gives you the chance to meet someone cool that you may otherwise never get to know.

Roommate listing services, college bulletins and personals Web sites have huge databases of people looking for roommates or seeking a room for rent. Some people are professionals who want to split expenses, and some are students. All these sites can be helpful in locating and matching you with a potential roommate. Some of these sites have comprehensive services, such as pre-screened applicants who have completed criminal background checks and credit reports. Others are just personal ads that leave the screening up to you.

Screening Potential Roommates

You will have to meet a few people in person once you find a match in the classifieds. Look at their general appearance and you’ll probably have an idea how they’ll keep an apartment. Also, if you can get a glimpse of their car, that is usually a good indication of how they live as well. Can you see the floor board, or do they have fast food wrappers and junk piled up on the floor and seats?

Have a list of questions handy. You don’t want to make it look like a formal interview, but there are some basics you need to know about the person that you will share your space with. Here are a few of them:

1. Are they smokers?
2. Do they party and stay up late listening to loud music every weekend? (More importantly, do they plan on hosting parties in your shared apartment?)
3. Do they have a boyfriend or girlfriend that will be visiting often? (And if so, does he or she have any good-looking friends, perhaps?)
4. Are they morning birds or night owls?
5. Do they have any annoying food preferences that would cramp your style? (If your roommate is a strict vegan and you hunt and cook your own meat every night, that may be a problem.)
6. Does the potential roommate have any social or moral beliefs that do not jive with your own?

During the meeting, it is important to be honest about your own personality and let the potential roommate know about any weird habits you may have yourself. You don’t need to get too personal, but fill them in to how you live and what they can expect from you as a roommate.

Once you get past the preliminary interview, you should consider it absolutely necessary to do background checks on potential roommates. Have the applicant fill out the required forms, and ask your apartment manager to do a criminal background check on your roommate-to-be before they sign the lease. For most residential apartment complexes, this is a necessary procedure to begin with. Your apartment complex will also probably want to run a credit report on the individual to make sure that they have a clean credit history. Any car repossessions, defaulted loans or broken leases will be a huge red flag.

If you rent a house and do not have access to a leasing office that provides these background services, it is in your best interest to pay for a service yourself. There are multiple sites that offer criminal background checks, and the potential roommate should be able to provide you with a credit report.

Protect Yourself in Writing

If your name is currently on the apartment lease, make sure that your roommate puts his or her signature on the lease as well. First, your landlord should know you are sharing an apartment with another person who is equally responsible for the property. You may want to include other details in a contract such as what bills will be split, when the rent check is due and agreements on social rules, pets, sharing food and the like. To get a better idea of the kinds of things you may want to include in a contract, visit lawdepot.com to get a free roommate contract template.

With a little investigative work and some forethought into choosing the most qualified roommate for your needs, you can enjoy living in harmony with anyone.  However it’s important to be realistic. Keep in mind that no matter how cool you or your roommate is, it will never be perfect all the time. There are occasional problems that arise anytime you live with another person, but as long as each of you are respectful to each other and have an open communication, you should be able to work it out.

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You were lured by an apartment with a cozy fireplace. But before you crank up your gas, wood or electric fireplace this season, you should be aware of some safety precautions that could save your home, and even your life, from a fire disaster.

Photo by: paulandaline (Flickr Creative Commons)

Stock up on the hot chocolate and brandy.  It’s that time of year to gather around the fireplace with some good friends. But first, especially if this is your first time renting an apartment with a fireplace, there are some important safety things you should be aware of.

Keep Fireplaces Clean and Clutter-Free

If you have a wood chimney, you should have it inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist. They will check for creosote buildup and make sure that the air supply is not restricted. If you have a gas fireplace, it should be checked for gas leaks and carbon monoxide. Also, make sure that the area around the fireplace is clean and free of debris. Many apartment and house fires start around the holidays when people decorate their fireplace with garland, Christmas stockings and other flammable materials.  You should always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces and leave the glass doors open while burning a fire.

Use the correct fuel

For wood fireplaces, never use flammable liquids to start a fire. Use only seasoned hardwoods or specially treated burning logs that are available in stores. Place logs near the back of the fireplace on a grate to allow proper ventilation. Do not throw paper, cardboard or other materials in your fire. Never leave a fire unattended and extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.

Protect your home

If you live in an apartment, you should make sure that your smoke alarms work. Replace the batteries when needed or call maintenance to test your smoke alarms if needed. Store your firewood as far away from the fireplace as possible.

With a little precaution, you can safely enjoy the warmth of the fireside in your cozy apartment during the cold months. Just use a little common sense and follow the guidelines for lighting, maintaining and extinguishing your apartment fireplace.

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This season’s trendy look is comfortable, easy and best of all, very affordable. Pair some opaque cotton leggings with a tunic sweater and some boots and you have “the look” of the season. This fashion trend is a revived 80’s look that has been updated to flatter almost any size or shape. You don’t have to worry about the pieces going out of style soon because they are so versatile that you can wear them with other things. The leggings easily double as dance or workout bottoms. The tunic sweater can be worn with jeans and of course the boots can be worn with just about anything including; skirts, dresses or a pair of skinny jeans.

Photo by: Lupzduts Flickr Creative Commons

How to get the tunic sweater dress look:

Tunic Sweater Dress
Cost: $15-$40
Where to get it: Ross, Marshals, T.J. Max, Kohls, Old Navy, Sears, JC Penny

If you are truly a renegade bargain fashion hunter, discount stores like Ross can be rewarding when looking for this season’s tunic knit top. I have some friends who do not have the patience to hunt for items at these types of discount stores. While I do love to browse these stores, I have to admit it is hit or miss. You may find the perfect tunic sweater top for example, but you may not find it in your size and you have to sort through a lot of crap. Kohls and Old Navy also carry a nice selection of trendy tunic sweater dresses, but don’t forget to check out the “softer side of Sears “or JC Penny. These retail stores have come a long way with fashion and both have young and hip clothing lines that are privy to the tunic-style sweater dress.

Leggings
Cost: $5-$20
Where to get them: Walmart, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Burlington Coat Factory

If you shop wisely, you shouldn’t have to pay more than 20 dollars for a pair of leggings. To get the most out of your leggings, it’s best to go with dark neutral colors such as brown, black and gray. However, if you are really bold, don’t hold yourself back. While I have never been able to pull it off personally, I’ve seen good use of royal blue, mustard and even wild patterned leggings on fashion-forward women this year. Look for leggings that have a good blend of spandex and cotton for a smooth look. If you go too cheap, leggings may bunch up at your knee making you look like a little kid.

Boots
Cost: $50-$150
Where to get them: DSW, Shoe Carnival, Rack Room Shoes

They’re not “pleather”, they’re “Vegan.” Saving money on boots is easy when you don’t buy real leather. In recent years, there have been some great advances in vinyl materials previously mocked as “pleather”. Today, real leather is actually passé. In fact, some of my favorite shoe designers such as Blow Fish and Steve Madden mostly design vegan shoes and they look and feel great.  For the tunic sweater dress look this year, I personally think it’s best to have knee length boots. However, I have seen it done with ankle boots as well. It really depends on how long your legs are and your weight distribution to decide what works best for you.

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If you are hosting holiday events this year, there is no need to stress over decorating and preparing fancy food. Learn to apply the “less is more” rule to your holiday preparation, and create a decisively elegant atmosphere for your next gathering.

Whether it’s your turn to do Thanksgiving this year, or you have been chosen to host the traditional gift-giving exchange in December, here are some tips to make your holiday entertaining run as smoothly as possible.

Declutter Your Home

Remember the first time you saw your home, before you moved your stuff in? It was a blank canvas, alive with pure potential. You don’t have to strip your house down to the stark basics, but do take a fresh look at your home. Pack up or get rid of any unnecessary accumulated extras, especially in the rooms where you will be entertaining. Clear, open space makes visitors feel at ease. Besides, your guests and family will be bringing loads with them, including wine, food and gifts. Clear a path, and make some room for the holiday tidings.

Change Your Home’s Color Scheme

Upholstery and fabric are two of the most basic items that can change the mood of your home. Purchase a red or green slipcover for your sofa. Change your curtains. For window treatments, consider lush, velvet materials in royal blue or rich purple. Metallic gold or silver also looks festive. Rugs, pillow covers, blankets and lampshades are also effective and simple ways to change up your home’s color or texture. Modern holidays come in all rich hues, so don’t limit yourself to traditional green and red.

Decorate Minimalist-Style

A few sprigs of rosemary from your backyard in a vase of water, some ribbon and even some well-chosen twigs and pinecones from your backyard can go far. In a clean, uncluttered space, just a few festive accents will speak volumes. Spray-paint the twigs a metallic color and put them in a colorful vase. Tie some red ribbon around the spray-painted pinecones and hang them from doors or drawer knobs. If you choose to decorate a tree for the holidays, choose a simple theme, and clear the space for it, so it is more of a decoration than an obstruction. If you have a smaller space, get a couple of pre-lit, artificial topiary plants in place of a tree.

Delegate the Holiday Meal

When it comes to food, stick to your specialty and leave the rest to the guests. Don’t expect to do everything yourself. Unless you have a staff of people working in your home, your guests will be eager to help you with the food preparation. So, if you are known for your fabulous macaroni and cheese and almond pound cake, just cook those. Let Grandma bring her homemade stuffing and tell your brother-in-law that he is in charge of the sweet potato casserole. Plus, you can actually make out nicely with the leftover bottles of alcohol your guests bring, using them to stock the bar for the next party you host.

Make Your Pets Party-Perfect

Your guests should know if you have any pets. If you have three cats, the last thing you want is someone coming over who is severely allergic them. De-funk your home or apartment with a deodorizer, even if you don’t smell anything. Chances are, you have become desensitized to the smell of your pet. Also, make sure your pets are clean and groomed a day or two before your guests arrive. If you have more than two dogs or cats, you may consider boarding them for the night or keeping them away from all the action during your holiday gathering.

Keep Kids Entertained

Kids will not be impressed with your decluttered home or your spray-painted sticks tied with a ribbon. However, you can minimize their boredom by planning ahead to keep them entertained. For younger children, fill a toy box with crayons, paper, coloring books, building blocks or other things to keep them distracted. Older kids may want to watch a DVD or play a video game. Make sure you have some movies and games on hand so they are content to stay at the kiddie table.

Holiday entertaining can be enjoyable if you keep things simple and remember that the whole point is to share a good time with your guests.

April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com.

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Large crowds require space and various accommodations. Whether you are using the community banquet hall at your apartment complex, or you are turning your rental house into a buffet restaurant for holiday guests, here are some tips to make your holiday meal go smoothly.

photo by: wili_hybrid Flickr Creative Commons

The holidays may be the only time of year when you see so many of your friends and family together in one place. Sure, you read all the home decorating blogs, no one has ever complained about your fabulous cooking and everyone loves your choice in music. But while you may consider yourself a seasoned entertainer, you may have not thought of everything about hosting a large gathering at your apartment clubhouse or rental home.  Check out the tips below to make sure you have everything covered.

Make space

Even if you do not have much to work with, you can alter your rooms or clubhouse to use space in a smart way. For example, in your living room, get rid of your coffee table so that people have room to stand, mix and mingle. If you have no place to store your coffee table, move it over to the side and put some cushions on it, repurposing it as additional seating.

If your home or clubhouse has a patio, use it. If it is cold, you can rent portable gas lamps and put folding tables outside for a cozy gathering al fresco. If it is comfortable, most people prefer to hang out outside.  Set up a buffet-style meal, where the kitchen counters become the food zone. Let guests fill up their plates, and then plop down in the adjacent room or patio.

Don’t hide your trash can

If you normally hide your trash can discreetly in a clever kitchen cupboard, now is the time to let it hang out in plain sight. No one should have to ask; “Where you put your trash?”  Depending on how large your group is, you may need to have more than one trash bin. Clearly mark your trash cans, and for recycle bins, indicate what items go where.

Accommodate all guests

If you don’t want smokers flicking their cigarette butts on your rental property or depositing their ashes in drinking cans, you will need to make sure that they have ash trays. Use make-shift ashtrays if you have to, but make sure that they have something to use when they grab their smokes. If you know anyone else with special needs that will be attending your holiday party think ahead and plan accordingly.

Get restrooms ready

Restrooms can get crowded at large events in a house. If you are using your apartment community’s clubhouse, you will probably have adequate restrooms to accommodate your guests.  If you are entertaining a large group of people in your rental house, you may consider opening up your personal bathroom, the one connected to your bedroom which no one usually sees. To avoid embarrassing situations, stock plenty of spare rolls of toilet paper in your restrooms. You’d be surprised how much toilet paper guests can tear through.

Keep kids entertained

The best way to fully enjoy the company of your adult friends and family is to keep the kids at bay. Provide the little ones with plenty of things to do. If you think well enough in advance, you could stage a somewhat elaborate treasure hunt in the courtyard with maps, puzzles and clues to keep them busy. You can also designate a “kid” room, complete with movies and games.

If you keep everyone’s basic comfort in mind, you can easily transform your home into a holiday banquet hall that is fit to accommodate your large crowd.

April Lentini writes for Apartmentguide.com

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