10 Ways to Give Thanks to Your Home ... Starting Now
Feeling inspired by this year's Thanksgiving celebrations? Here's some ways to shower your home with gratitude
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving today, don’t leave your house out of your festivities! Here are 10 creative and thoughtful ways to express your gratitude for your home – now and throughout the year.
3. Make a photo book of your home
How fun would it be to have a coffee table book about your house? Online photo sites make it easy to combine photos with your own text, so you can personalise your book; or you can put together a traditional album. When snapping pictures for your album, don’t aim for perfectly styled shots. The small, everyday details (like your child’s messy room at a certain age) are what will make this book a treasure in years to come.
How fun would it be to have a coffee table book about your house? Online photo sites make it easy to combine photos with your own text, so you can personalise your book; or you can put together a traditional album. When snapping pictures for your album, don’t aim for perfectly styled shots. The small, everyday details (like your child’s messy room at a certain age) are what will make this book a treasure in years to come.
4. Make a list of things you are thankful for about your home
The simple fact of having a roof over your head, the warmth of your home’s original wood floors, the way light streams in your kitchen window – record it all. And if you are making a photo book of your home, be sure to include this list!
The simple fact of having a roof over your head, the warmth of your home’s original wood floors, the way light streams in your kitchen window – record it all. And if you are making a photo book of your home, be sure to include this list!
5. Treat your home to fresh flowers or a fabulous scent
Make a point of picking out a bouquet the next time you are at the market – it doesn’t need to be expensive to be lovely.
Or, if you prefer, treat your home (and yourself) to a deliciously scented candle or room fragrance … and be sure to use it! These small gestures make a home feel loved.
More: How to Create a Home That Satisfies the Senses
Make a point of picking out a bouquet the next time you are at the market – it doesn’t need to be expensive to be lovely.
Or, if you prefer, treat your home (and yourself) to a deliciously scented candle or room fragrance … and be sure to use it! These small gestures make a home feel loved.
More: How to Create a Home That Satisfies the Senses
6. Fix a decorating quandary that’s been bugging you
From super-narrow entryways to kitchens that lack storage, all homes have their quirks.
If yours has a spot that’s been difficult to decorate, devote some laser-beam-like attention to the matter and get it resolved. Invite a design-savvy friend over to move furniture, get help from the Houzz community, hire a pro — do what you need to do and find a solution that works.
From super-narrow entryways to kitchens that lack storage, all homes have their quirks.
If yours has a spot that’s been difficult to decorate, devote some laser-beam-like attention to the matter and get it resolved. Invite a design-savvy friend over to move furniture, get help from the Houzz community, hire a pro — do what you need to do and find a solution that works.
7. Clean every corner
It’s normal to skim over corners when doing a quick cleaning – but there’s something symbolic about clearing the (real or metaphorical) cobwebs from every corner of your home. Go straight to those nooks and crannies, and thoroughly vacuum and mop right into the corners. Other often-neglected spots to tackle: skirting board, the tops of picture frames and areas behind the appliances.
8. Stay in
When your home is fresh and clean it’s the perfect opportunity to stay in to relish a quiet afternoon or evening. Put on music, light candles and watch movies or read. Enjoy your space!
It’s normal to skim over corners when doing a quick cleaning – but there’s something symbolic about clearing the (real or metaphorical) cobwebs from every corner of your home. Go straight to those nooks and crannies, and thoroughly vacuum and mop right into the corners. Other often-neglected spots to tackle: skirting board, the tops of picture frames and areas behind the appliances.
8. Stay in
When your home is fresh and clean it’s the perfect opportunity to stay in to relish a quiet afternoon or evening. Put on music, light candles and watch movies or read. Enjoy your space!
9. Name your home
Adopt the name of a famous home, fictional or real – like Jane Austen’s Pemberley – or come up with something that speaks to your home’s location or physical characteristics – or your sense of humour. If you like, have a sign made and hang it up. Why not? Life at home should be fun!
Adopt the name of a famous home, fictional or real – like Jane Austen’s Pemberley – or come up with something that speaks to your home’s location or physical characteristics – or your sense of humour. If you like, have a sign made and hang it up. Why not? Life at home should be fun!
10. Have your home’s portrait painted
Portraits aren’t just for people – search a site like Etsy for “custom home portraits” and a bevy of options should come up. If you’re purchasing a home portrait online, the artist will be working from a photograph that you provide, so make sure you have a clear photo with your home front and centre. If you would like an artist to paint your home in person, seek out a local one whose work you admire and ask if he or she takes commissions. You can ask that the portrait be labelled with the street address – and if you came up with a name for your home, this is the perfect place to use it!
TELL US
Share what you’re most thankful for about your home in the Comments.
MORE STORIES
The Neighbourly Way to Keep Chooks
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Portraits aren’t just for people – search a site like Etsy for “custom home portraits” and a bevy of options should come up. If you’re purchasing a home portrait online, the artist will be working from a photograph that you provide, so make sure you have a clear photo with your home front and centre. If you would like an artist to paint your home in person, seek out a local one whose work you admire and ask if he or she takes commissions. You can ask that the portrait be labelled with the street address – and if you came up with a name for your home, this is the perfect place to use it!
TELL US
Share what you’re most thankful for about your home in the Comments.
MORE STORIES
The Neighbourly Way to Keep Chooks
Recharge Your Mojo With a Me-Time Parent Retreat
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours: 10 Ways to Keep the Peace
Whether you think of it as a no-gift housewarming or home blessing, having a party to welcome friends and family into your home is a meaningful event. If you never got around to throwing a house-warming party, why not do it now?
2. Get a guest book
I say it’s time to revive this old tradition – it doesn’t have to be fussy. Get any pretty journal you like and invite guests to write a message in it. If you’re throwing a party, pick one up before the event so your friends can sign it. For extra personalisation, set an instant camera beside it so partygoers can snap pictures of themselves to tuck inside.