Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

10 Must-Haves for Hosting Holiday Guests

The following guest post was contributed by Amanda Kuzak. After more than a decade as a professional organizer, she has some great tips to help us enjoy our guests instead of dealing with a madhouse.

Hosting guests for the holidays is supposed to be fun, but for many, it can actually be very stressful and time consuming. With proper preparation, it doesn’t have to be. By anticipating common needs and providing overlooked items, hosting can truly be a breeze. These 10 things are a must:

1. Organized Closet

Keep the spare closet clutter free with a supply of extra hangers, shelves, and a small laundry basket.

2. Bathroom Essentials

Keep a display tray or small basket stocked with travel-sized necessities like toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner. For an extra touch, include a mud mask, loofah or new body lotion for them to try.

3. Hanging Space

Add extra hooks behind the door and in the bathroom for coats, bags and towels; I love and recommend Command Hooks.

4. Tech Corner

This will probably be the most used space in the guest room. Supply a corner with extra phone chargers (include both Android and iPhone to be safe). Also, add a note with the Wi-Fi network and password, so no one is without access to their Netflix or Hulu accounts.

5. Extra Bedding

This is essential to make your guests the warmest and comfiest they can be. Try having two extra firm and two extra soft pillows on the bed so guests can choose which they’d prefer, and extra blankets in the closet or in a decorative basket in the room so they can layer if needed.

6. Add a Fan

Include a floor fan by the bed so they can be in control of adding a little extra air flow in their room or if they want it on for some white noise.

7. Bathroom Tools

In the bathroom, place a hair dryer and other hair tools for your guests to use. This will help them save space in their suitcase.

8. Wastebasket

Place a small wastebasket in the bathroom and guest room to avoid a clutter pile up on the counters and dresser.

9. Alarm Clock

While most people use the alarm on their phone nowadays, many older folks prefer to go device free. Put a small alarm clock on the nightstand for grandparents and those who like to stay on a schedule.

10. Let Them Know

Your guests will appreciate a phone call or note letting them know what you have on hand, allowing them to streamline and only pack the essentials.

About the Author:

Amanda Kuzak is passionate about helping people lead efficient lives. Through her work as a popular blogger and professional organizer, she specializes in top-to-bottom home organizing, relocation, liquidation and estate sales. Originally from Michigan, she and her family now reside in Northern California. Connect with Amanda on Kuzak’s Closet.

Operation Turkey: Donating Thanksgiving Meals to Those in Need

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Operation Turkey is donating free Thanksgiving meals to anyone in need who requests one online or by phone. The meals are delivered right to your door and contain turkey, stuffing, vegetables, pie, and a drink. Currently, they only service these states: Colorado, New Mexico, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

I think everyone deserves to enjoy the holiday with a special dinner, regardless of their wallet. This is the type of charity we should all support, since most of us are so incredibly fortunate that we take a turkey with trimmings for granted.

“Happy Challah Days” Candle Giveaway

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Decorating for Hanukkah is something I look forward to immensely. That’s why it’s so disappointing when most retailers offer little to pick from in-store. (It’s not uncommon to find only one or two measly, cheaply made products on an end cap that look terrible!) A new online Judaica shop, Peace. Love. Light. was started for this very reason, and they are offering a huge array of tabletop, pillow covers, candles, wall décor, and accent pieces that will brighten the Jewish home year-round.

The “Happy Challah Days” candle is my favorite since it’s so clever and stylish! Offered in pomegranate cider, lavender cucumber sage, and unscented varieties, I selected the pomegranate cider and it is remarkably good.

This artisan item is handmade to order and crafted with the finest essential oils and fragrance oils, producing a candle that’s not only beautiful to look at but also healthy for our homes and the environment. The scent is light, soothing, and comforting, not strong, fake, and irritation-inducing like a lot of commercially made products can be. (As someone who lives in a family that struggles with allergies and asthma, this is very important to me!)

Soy candles are a great eco-friendly alternative to traditional candles made of paraffin. Made from soy beans, it’s a sustainable crop grown right here in the USA, which supports American farmers. They burn 30-50% longer, produce much less soot, and don’t emit harmful toxins.

One of the most interesting parts of soy candles is that they have a memory and burn more evenly with proper use. They should be used for 2 hours the first time. Subsequent uses can be whatever is desired.

Peace. Love. Light. will be expanding their categories and adding new product in 2018, so make sure you stay in contact with them thru the website and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

One winner will receive a “Happy Challah Days” candle to enjoy. Simply enter the giveaway, which will be open until 12/2/17. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Edible Menorahs (Sweet & Savory Options)

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If cooking is an art, these creations are true masterpieces! Seriously, how fun would it be to brighten up your Hanukkah table with one of these edible menorahs? So clever!