The holidays can be a difficult time for children who suffer from abuse and neglect. To help make the holidays bright for them, you too, can help. Book our services before October 31, 2009 and we’ll spread the cheer to Washington’s Treehouse for Kids with a 10% cash donation.
Treehouse for Kids offers assistance to foster kids by providing a warehouse of clothes where kids can shop. They also pay for activities that kids deserve like hair care and drivers’ education. They send kids to summer camp, provide tutoring, offer college planning and more.
Give yourself the gift of some holiday cheer with a decorating design plan from Holiday Assistants and give back to the kids of Seattle. Need help with your holiday party? Greeting cards? Shopping? We can help you with it all. Call us today. We’re booking up fast.
Whatever type of business you manage, Holiday Assistants can provide you with holiday decorating services, greeting card and newsletter management, party planning, gift services, and more. Our planning and organization assistants take the burden of these tasks off your shoulders so that you and your staff can concentrate on tending to your customers.
For hotels and other businesses we offer decorating of entranceways, lobbies, hallways, banquet rooms, meeting rooms, auditoriums and cafeterias. From lobby decorations to an entire building concept, our elves can transform your business into a holiday wonderland that will bring smiles to the faces of your staff and clients. Bring a little holiday magic into your business this year.
We fulfill holiday decorating visions for corporate offices, restaurants, day spas, commercial spaces and more. And we’ve worked in all areas of the medical community, bringing design ideas to life for hospitals, retirement homes, retirement communities, and medical office buildings.
Let us help you make a great impression this year. We can exceed your expectations while staying within your practical budget. Call us today to get a jumpstart on all of your holiday needs.
If your business is considering decorating for the holidays this year, now is the best time to call Holiday Assistants. Our schedule is filling up fast and if you book early, you can do so at a lower cost. We decorate commercial buildings, restaurants, spas, professional offices and more.
From a single themed tree to an entire building design concept, Holiday Assistants will bring your vision to life. Check out our design portfolio to see the types of holiday decorating we can do. Get into the holiday spirit and make a statement this year with a bold holiday design.
We provide more than decorating services, so if you’re short-handed, our planning assistants can take care of all of your holiday responsibilities. They can plan your holiday staff and client parties; buy corporate gifts; manage the design, printing and mailing of your greeting cards and newsletters – sparing your staff from taking on extra duties during an already busy time.
Our elves are standing by, ready to put their creative talents to work for you now!
We know everyone is busy wrapping up their vacations, planning their next weekend camping trip, and getting ready to send the kids back to school. So now is the perfect time to begin preparing for the holidays. If you outline your plan of attack now, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
Admit it … fall is nearly as busy a time as summer. There are school open houses and teacher meetings, high school football games and homecoming, Halloween and so many other activities. Before you know it, you’ll be basting that turkey and wondering how you’ll get to your decorating, shopping and cards.
And for those who are heading out of town soon – not to return until just before the holidays – you must begin planning your holiday season now!
At Holiday Assistants we take the stress out of the holidays by managing of every aspect of your decorating, gift buying, party planning, card mailing and more. Call us today so you can sail through your busy fall and holiday seasons stress-free, knowing you got ahead of the game and that everything is taken care of for you.
Now, that’s the picture of holiday happiness we see in the movies!
Sparkling Pear Wreath
So you’ve decided you do not want to have a wreath like everyone else’s on the block. That’s fabulous, but you also don’t want to spend $250 per wreath for a custom designed masterpiece. Who could blame you? So how do you create a holiday wreath? There are three basic steps.
Step 1: The Store
Whether your going with an artificial or real wreath the first step is going to be to purchase the wreath and any accessories you like to go on the wreath. Make sure to measure the area you want the wreath so that you know it will fit. Almost any item you can put on a Christmas tree can be secured to a wreath. Make sure you have a needle and thread for securing items. It is also a good idea to have a wreath hook of some nature that will be able to hold your finished product. (3M makes some great removable hooks, but be sure to get one that will be able to hold the weight of your loaded wreath. If your wreath will be over 28inches in diameter I would suggest using a metal hanger.)
Shopping list:
Wreath
Ornaments, accents, and/or bows
Thread
Needle
It is also a good idea to have a set of gloves available to avoid skin irritation from repeated contact with your wreath.
Step 2: Decorate
The first thing to do is to fluff the wreath. This means adjusting the branches so that the wreath appears full and vibrant. Since wreaths are shipped bundled together they can become compressed and a few minutes of fluffing can make all the difference.
Now, figure out where you want your items on the wreath. If you have garland to go in or around the wreath, this will need to be put on first. Use string to attach the garland at different points around the wreath so that it won’t move as you get everything else into place. (Wreaths usually have a ring in the back that everything is attached to. This is where you will tie the string to secure each item.) The next item would be the bow or ribbon if you’re design uses this element. Just like the garland this will need to be secured to the wreath from behind. The last items are floral blossoms and ornaments. As with everything else, these will need to be secured so they won’t fall off when you hang your wreath. When you have everything secured stand back and look at your masterpiece. Make sure everything is where you wanted it and if not, make adjustments.
Step 3: Hang Your Wreath
That’s it. No one said creating a wreath was difficult. It is a wonderful way to express your creativity and share the holiday spirit with friends and family. If your comfortable with your children handling a needle and thread, get them involved.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Kristi
Whether you are intentionally trying to be a part of the new eco culture or just like the idea of being able to put your holiday wreath in the yard waste bin at the end of the season without worrying about removing this and storing that, building your own wreath can be a fun and rewarding time for you and your family. Building an eco-friendly wreath is fairly simple and the elements can be changed up year after year so that your wreath will never look the same as your neighbors.
If you plan to buy a wreath, buy from your local florist or nursery and make sure they can tell you exactly where the wreath came from. Though most fresh wreaths are local, some are trucked in from other states.
What to decorate with? There are many things you can add to your wreath. Some of these items will need to be removed after the season, while others can be left to be composted with the wreath itself. I will list these in two columns so you know which is which.
Keep On: Remove:
Cranberry garland Ribbon or bows
Poinsettia (or other floral) blossoms Beaded garland
Pinecones Ornaments
Paper Bows/Raffia Plaques or Signs
When you decorate you will need to have string on hang and if you are using ribbon (fabric or paper) you will want a sewing needle so that you can secure everything to the back of the wreath. You can string your own cranberry garland with a needle and thread. This is a great task for children whom you are comfortable handling a needle.
Happy decorating everyone,
Kristi
Everyone loves a sale and what better time to get the last of your holiday shopping done than on the biggest sale day of the year? Besides that, what else are you going to do with Aunt Maude for an entire afternoon? This year the sales are supposed to be the best ever, but don’t think that gives you a license to spend. There are still a few rules to keep in mind in order to stay on your budget, get everything you want, and enjoy your time at the mall.
First, read the fine print. Sales do not necessarily last all day at the same percentage. Some stores have early bird specials on top of their sales for shopping who arrive before a certain hour. It is also important to know the return policies on sale items just in case that wonderful gift is more for you than its intended party.
Second, have a list. If you don’t know who you are shopping for and what you are looking to find you’re going to spend way too much and get next to nothing on your holiday list. Even if your shopping for yourself, spend some time figuring out what you need so when you get in the stores your not draw to the glitter and away from your target.
Third, Go Early. Even if the sales last all day, it is still going to be easier to find a parking space and take your time shopping and enjoying yourself if you leave early. Taking a break at mid-day is also a good idea as the stores will be packed and the risk of theft increases at that hour. Take some time out to have lunch with those you came with and save yourself the crush of late shoppers. (Those who slept in and have just spent the last hour looking for a parking space.)
Lastly, Be Cautious. If a sale looks too good to be true, it likely is. If the person standing by the bench gives you a weird vibe, walk away. Just because you’re there to spend money doesn’t mean you are a charity. Go with a purpose and keep your focus. Never go alone! That is the easiest way to spend too much and become a target for sales clerks and shady characters alike.
We wish you a safe trek this season whether you choose to walk off Thanksgiving dinner at the mall or at the park!
Kristi
Let’s face it we never eat the whole bird in one sitting. It’s a fact that leaves us with extra turkey and few ideas on ways to make it look, taste, or be anything but leftover bird. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With only a few simple ingredients leftover turkey can be transformed into something the whole crowd will enjoy.
For the healthy crowd, turkey makes a wonderful substitute in Chili’s, Soups and Salads. If you want something with a little more kick try Enchilada or Thai Curry. For a milder option how about Au gratin Potato Casserole, pasta or combine lots of leftovers on a hoagie roll for a huge feast of a sandwich.
Turkey is a great substitute in any recipe that calls for Chicken and most that call for Beef. Consider changing out the flavor for a new one. Transforming your leftovers can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.
Thai Curry Turkey:
3 Cups chopped cooked Turkey
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Sweet Onion
1 clove chopped garlic
10oz Coconut Milk
1 Tablespoon Curry Paste (use to taste)
Handful of basil (Thai basil if you can find it)
Chop the vegetables into bite sized pieces. Add a little oil to a large skilled and combine the vegetables. Cook for 3 minutes then add turkey. Continue cooking for 3 more minutes. Combine curry paste and coconut milk in a bowl and slowly pour into the skillet. Cook for 3-5 more minutes. Add the basil and turn off the heat. Let the mix sit for a minute or two before serving. Best with rice!
Enjoy the feast!
Kristi
Rising food costs, high fuel costs, and concerns over economic instability are making for an interesting conundrum this holiday season. Should we eat in or out for Thanksgiving dinner? The answer to that question is a personal one, but for those on the fence I have a few facts for you.
The average Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings including drinks, turkey, and the all important desert average about $25-$30 per person for a family of 10. Add in to that fuel costs for your family to arrive, the dishes you will have to wash after, the house cleaning and other small projects that have to be done before everyone arrives and then finding enough chairs to go around the ever shrinking table. It’s fun, but is it worth it?
The average meal out is about $20 per person with an extra $5-$10 for the desert of their choice. There are no dishes, no cleaning, and no scrambling for chairs. The travel costs are the same as everyone would still need to meet to enjoy the feast, but no one slaved over the stove or burned the turkey.
To be quite honest, it has become a draw on the cost front. So how do you make the decision? Personally I toss a coin. The restaurants are going to be a bit crowded, but no more so than they are every year at this time. More restaurants are planning to be open and more so are having Thanksgiving specials which should help to keep your group on budget. If, for what reason I cannot fathom, your group doesn’t go for the turkey route there are a million other choices to wrestle over.
Whatever you decide this holiday season, give thanks that you are able to get together and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re in a generous mood, try helping out at one of the homeless shelters or at the food bank, making someone else’s holiday as bright as your own.
Kristi
With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, it’s time to start planning out the decorations for the season. Whether you plan to put lights on your house, a reindeer in the front yard or a tree in the living room it is important to keep safety in mind. Electrical fires and ladder accidents are the most common types of accidents and the easiest to avoid.
When working with a ladder make sure it is set-up properly and on a level surface. Always work with a companion so there is someone to help hold the ladder safely. Never stand on the very top step of any ladder as this leaves you nothing to hold on to if you should lose your balance even for a second.
Before hanging lights check them out thoroughly. Look for exposed wires, cracks, broken or scorched insulation or other signs of damage. Also plug them in to make sure all of the bulbs are working properly and nothing smells funny. (If you smell anything from a strand of lights, discard it. This can be a sign of damage that can lead to serious problems including fires or electric shock.) Also check that when fitting two or more strands of light together they fit snuggly. Loose connections can slip and cause sparks which will ignite anything and everything near it. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when connecting multiple strands of lights together. Wire can only handle a certain amount of current, so be sure not to add more strands than the manufacturer suggests.)
If you have small children or expect to have children present at any time while your decorations are in use, make sure to use appropriate protective products such as cord covers and plug cover. Even if you are not expecting small children it is a good idea to consider using a clapper to turn on and off any decorations where cords are hard to get to. This will save you energy as well as lessening the risk that your tree will fall over causing multiple problems.
It is always a good idea to have a companion assist you when setting up decorations so that if something does happen, someone is there to assist you. Make sure ornament hooks are strong enough for the size and weight of the item you are hanging, and always use appropriate hangers for larger objects. If you’re planning to have topiaries or other decorations outdoors, make sure they are weather resistant and well secured. Keep cords and objects away from well trafficked areas to lessen the risk of falls.
We wish you the best this holiday season!
Kristi Bennitt
