Three Ways To Keep Your Home Guest Ready + DIY Sparkly Leaf Garland

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~ Three Ways To Keep Your Home Guest Ready + DIY Sparkly Leaf Garland ~

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! This year is extra special, because Dylan’s 14th birthday falls right on Thanksgiving Day, and we plan on going all out on getting all of his favorite foods and desserts. Is it exciting for me? Absolutely, but I have to be prepared, because it’s not just a Thanksgiving dinner, it’s also a birthday party, all in one day. Oh, and let’s not forget that I am pregnant. There will be lots of shopping, planning, cooking, and decorating to do (see below for a leaf garland DIY that’s perfect for Thanksgiving), but I plan on following my cleaning routine and using Scrubbing Bubbles® and Windex® that I buy at Walmart.That way, it will always be guest-ready within a matter of 15 minutes.

Have a busy holiday season ahead? Below are my top three  tips to keep the most important rooms in your house in shape,as well as a step by step tutorial to a simple DIY hanging leaf garland that’s perfect for hanging on a door, over a mirror, or on a mantle..

Kitchen:

This is a daily, never-ending task, especially when you have a large family like me. The only things that keep it under control is regularly cleaning the floor andnot to letting the dishes accumulate

Bathroom:

I normally give my bathrooms a deep cleaning once a month, but during the busy holidays, I clean it way more often in case I have guests. To keep it clean I depend on Scrubbing Bubbles® Toilet Cleaning Gel, because it is easy to use and leave an amazing, refreshing scent. Once a week, I pull out the Scrubbing Bubbles® Toilet Cleaning Gel  that I buy at Walmart in the cleaning aisle, inject it in to the sides of the toilets to keep them fresh, I wipe down the counters and then I take out the trash. This will ensure that if anyone decides to pop in unexpectedly, I won’t be embarrassed if they need to use the bathroom.

Living Room:

This is a tricky room for me, because it’s where I work and where Joseph spends most of his time, so it’s always a mess. What I do is decorate it with simple seasonal decor like the garland below, keep it dust free, and keep all the mirrors spotless. Getting these tasks done are so easy with Windex® Original Glass Wipes, that I also buy at Walmart, because I can even wipe down the TV stand and all the frames) that leaves a streak-free shine in less than 30 seconds.

I keep a pack in the kitchen and the living room.

**FYI From now until 11/1  $1 on any two Windex® products or any two Scrubbing Bubbles® products. Follow Windex® and Scrubbing Bubbles®  on Facebook to stay up to date on new products and savings.

DIY Hanging leaf garland

What You’ll Need:

Craft leaves

**If you’re lucky and have a backyard full of beautiful fallen leaves, I encourage you to use those. I live in Florida, so the leaves that are on the ground are not craft worthy.

Glitter Spray paint

Hole puncher

Scissors

Glue

Ribbons

Small branches **I bought mine at a craft store, but you can definitely use a real one

How To:

Spray paint all of your leaves

Punch a hole into the center of the leaf.

Run a ribbon through the hole and make a tiny tight knot in the back

Place, a small dot of glue below the hole you punched, and place a smaller leaf on top

Continue to glue and layer your leaves **I used three but you can add more for a fuller  effect

Set aside and allow to dry for about 30 minutes and you’re good to go.

The sparkles on the leaves are subtle when hung up but up close it’s so pretty! Set the branch on top of a mirror, on your door, or simply hang it on a wall. You can even spray it with a cinnamon scent before guests arrive.

I’m hoping that if I stay focused and organized I can have my house looking good and still  have some time to run out and get some pictures of Joseph at the Walmart photo center, who offer $5 off when you purchase 3 qualifying SC Johnson products. Click here to read all the details on this offer and make sure you visit ThanksGathering.com for a chance to win a $1000 Rewards Card towards a trip home. Now that’s definitely something to be grateful for!

How do you keep your home ready for the holidays?