Hot Topics

No one likes to come to a gathering empty handed, but this often means the host ends up with unneeded gifts or an over-abundance of food that will go to waste. This year, consider asking guests to bring something you can put to good use—their loose change.

Set up jars or containers, like Ziploc® Brand Snap 'n Seal Containers for collections, and label each with the charity, shelter or organization to which you'll be donating. Include some information about each, and decorate the containers with craft paper and ribbon—a great way to get your kids involved.

You can also dedicate one bin to funding an act of kindness, which you can do as a family, like buying gifts for less-fortunate children or planting a neighborhood garden.

Put the jars out for Thanksgiving and keep them through New Year’s Day. Then donate the money and do something special as a family to celebrate your involvement in the true holiday spirit.

Then fill the container with inexpensive items that go well together. How about…

A toolbox.

 Stock it with yard-sale finds for new homeowners—tools, tape measures, assorted nails and levels. Or think beyond its original purpose and fill it with dollar-store art supplies for an ardent crafter, or makeup and nail polish for your favorite preteen.

A food container.

 Fill a large Ziploc® Fresh Shield® Container with Snap 'n Seal Lid with dry ingredients for cookies. Add a copy of the recipe, cookie cutters and measuring cups or spoons. If you’d like to keep the ingredients separate, consider first measuring them into individual Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags before placing them into the container.

A big ceramic bowl.

 For movie buffs, load the bowl with packaged microwave popcorn, movie candy and a few DVDs (check online auction sites like ebay.com for bargains—we found a new copy of our favorite romantic comedy for just $2.95).

First, figure out how your new habit will work into your current schedule. To start, you might need to commit time on your calendar and set up a reminder system, just as you would for a class or appointment. Online software with features like checklists, journals and email reminders (one example is lifetick.com) can help you stay on track.

Second, set up a support system of neighbors, friends or family who have a similar goal—and to whom you can report progress. Or try searching online for like-minded folk to support your efforts; meetup.com, for instance, is a great resource for finding exercise buddies or fellow hobbyists.

Rewarding yourself for progress can also keep you on track, as can keeping a journal or log of your accomplishments. Finally, many experts believe that it takes about three weeks to form a habit, so think positively and stick with it!

Fifteen seconds, or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (quickly), is how long it takes to wash hands properly, says Reneé Watson, manager of infection control and occupational health at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Watson's tips for the cleanest hands are simple: wet your hands, apply soap and scrub all the surfaces (including thumbs, between fingers, fingernails and wrists) for 15 seconds. Rinse with fingertips pointed down and dry with a paper towel, using the towel to shut off water. No water? Watson says alcohol hand sanitizers work as well, although soap and water are a better choice after using the bathroom.

Maximize your hand hygiene skills by tackling frequently touched areas in your house: doorknobs, faucets, toilet handles (and seats), phones, keyboards and light switches.

Oust® Surface Disinfectant & Air Sanitizer kills greater than 99.9% of germs—including influenza A —on hard, non-porous surfaces. What’s more, the US Environmental Protection Agency believes that products that are effective against influenza A are likely to be effective against the H1N1 virus formerly known as the swine flu.

Now that’s something to sing about!

Feeling stressed after a long day of work, child care or household chores? You don’t need to go far to get away from it all. Take five minutes of alone time and walk out to your backyard, deck or patio to tune into your five senses.

Breathe in the scent of freshly mown grass or fragrant flowers. Listen to the birds chirping or the breeze blowing. Feel the sun’s warmth on your face and notice the vivid blue sky and puffy white clouds. Take three deep breaths. You’ll feel yourself physically relax and recharge so you can face the rest of your day with a smile.

To keep the good vibes flowing or to brighten your mood anytime, light a soy-based candle from The Fragrance Collection by Glade® in the lively currants & açai™ scent. Then find a quiet corner, close your eyes and let your mind drift to a warm and sunny place.

Make him a stately throne at the table by slipping a pillowcase over the back of his chair and placing a throw pillow on the seat. Break out the craft supplies to make paper or foil crowns and cone-shaped princess hats fit for the royal court. Embellish them with glitter, rhinestones, sequins and ribbon streamers.

The queen and the court can work together to prepare the king’s favorite meal. Set the table, making it as majestic and elaborate as possible. Use trays, candelabras, and goblets to toast the king.

After the meal, it's time for entertainment! If you’re the “court jester” of the family, recite a funny poem. A musician? Play or sing him a song. Making dad king for a day will create lasting family memories —much more than any necktie ever could.

Why huddle around a small game board when it’s nice outside? A little
imagination will help you create wonderful oversize versions of some of your
favorite games—and turn your lawn or park into a play space. Boxes painted with dots become dice. Ropes laid down can mark the path to victory. Poster boards can be painted to make any type of card your game may use. Colored paper plates can easily be transformed into playing pieces for games
like checkers. But for ultimate big backyard fun, you and your kids can become the playing pieces, moving around a board as large as your backyard.

Your big games are sure to be a huge hit and will keep you and your family (and probably the neighbors) outside all summer. Remember to use Raid® Yard Guard® Outdoor Fogger to keep bugs away from your outdoor fun for up to six hours.

Discover how easy it can be to make foods that you ordinarily buy packaged from the grocery store. Many can be made with simple recipes and common household ingredients readily available in your pantry.

Kids will love kneading bread dough made from yeast, flour, salt and water. Or spend quality time together making delicious ricotta or mozzarella cheese with this easy kit —and the cheese will be ready to eat in only 30 minutes. Other typically processed foods like ice cream and applesauce are also kid friendly and deliciously fun to make at home.

Your kitchen is a valuable classroom for you and your kids, and cooking together is a great way to bond as a family. Together, you’ll gain a new appreciation for where food comes from, while enjoying the wholesome taste of your creations. And remember, making a mess is half the fun, so keep a bottle of Nature's Source® All-Purpose Cleaner nearby for cleaning up spills.

Don't wait for spring—instead, go out and capture it. ''Gather your family together to make a list of potential spring finds to photograph," suggests Carol Endler Sterbenz, lifestyle expert and co-author of Pottery Barn Storage & Display. Then grab the digital camera and start nature hunting.

"Use the zoom function to get beautiful close-ups without disturbing your subjects," says Sterbenz. "The colorful patterns on a butterfly’s wings, water droplets shaken off a puddle-bathing robin or the velvet texture of a daffodil petal will give your photos the most impact." Then frame and display the prints together on a wall or mantle for a revitalizing daily reminder that spring is on its way.

Grow your gallery throughout the season by making it a weekly family get-together. And when the remnants of winter keep you inside, try a Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil in Outdoor Fresh® near your photo collection—it will remind you of your spring outings every time you walk by.

You don’t need to save your video camera for big events or family vacations. Why not use it today to create your own one-of-a-kind memory keeper? Sit down with your family and create a list of topics and questions, then let the camera roll. Answer questions, show off signature dance moves, share a craft or tell family stories, old and new.

Right@Home™ member Sheila J. of Hinesville, GA would always videotape her grandmother cooking. "She’d tell us the recipe and the story behind it," says Sheila. "Now we all have a video with some of her best and favorite recipes as a keepsake to pass on to our children."

Camera shy? Professional interviewer Jeanne Finnerty offers these conversation starters. "I begin with ''tell me about…,' then follow up with how, when and why. Asking someone to tell you a joke is also a great way to loosen them up."

Next time you can't make a decision, need a clever solution or simply want to get inspired, try dusting the furniture or cleaning the windows. The act of doing a repetitive task can free your mind to wander—and come up with a brilliant solution.

In their book The Breakout Principle, Herbert Benson, M.D., and William Proctor have found that by doing a simple repetitive mental or physical activity, you can unblock your previous train of thought. By performing a mindless activity, you can become "unstuck"—triggering new insights, increasing your productivity and renewing your creativity.

So when you're stumped, just grab a broom, or some Windex® Original Glass & Surface Wipes and tackle your windows. You could end up feeling less stressed, more relaxed and able to see things more clearly—in more ways than one.

The holidays can strain our pocketbooks and send stress levels soaring. Escape the mad dash and give something truly special this season: your time.

Give coupons for a candlelight dinner or a free day alone to your spouse. Create a book of coupons for five dog walks or several babysitting hours for your friends or neighbors. And how about coupons for a chore-free weekend or 30 minutes of extra play time for the kids?

Linda Facci, crafting guru and owner of Manhattan-based Facci Designs, suggests adding themed trinkets to the mix: "Wrap your candlelight-dinner coupon in a linen napkin, or attach a dog-biscuit-filled Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bag to your dog-walking coupon."

Download* (PDF) and print your coupons on heavy paper and embellish with ribbon or glitter. To create an entire booklet, punch holes in the upper-left-hand corners and attach several coupons with a metal ring or ribbon.

* Adobe® Reader® required

After a day of running errands, walking into restrooms and strolling through the park or playground, you may have collected an army of grit, grime and germs on the soles of your shoes. All that icky stuff gets a free ride—straight into your home.

Bacteria like E. coli can cling to shoes for long stretches. In fact, 90 to 99 percent of contaminants tracked in get transferred to floors, where they can be transmitted to family members—especially children and pets, who spend their time at floor level.

An effective way to curb indoor pollution is to go shoe free. Simply place a shelf or basket near your entranceway, where family and guests can remove and place their shoes. Stash fun house slippers or socks nearby for a quick, comfy change.

For extra protection, vacuum your floors and mop them regularly with antibacterial floor cleaner.

To create your family calendar, buy a monthly calendar with enough space to write in everyone's commitments. (We really like Mom’s Plan-It Plus calendar.) Choose a central place to hang it, such as in the kitchen or by the door. Assign a different color to each family member and store the colored pens close to the calendar to make it easy for everyone to get into the habit of adding in their obligations.

If your family is tech savvy, consider setting up a shared online calendar that can be accessed from work, school or home computers. Online calendar services are easy to find—just type "shared online calendars" into your favorite search engine. Some services will even send event reminders to your mobile phone.

Whichever method you choose, you'll be able to clearly see where everybody needs to be on any given day. You'll never miss carpooling or soccer practice again!

When Carla O'Connor lost 20 pounds, she needed a new wardrobe—and to get rid of the old one. Her solution: host a clothing swap. She invited friends to bring over clothes they no longer wore, and everyone took turns "shopping" for treasures.

O'Connor's swap became an annual tradition. After the birth of her twin daughters, it expanded to include baby clothes. Since kids outgrow clothes so quickly, says O'Connor, "it's nice to know someone else is going to use them."

Make sure everyone knows that the clothes they bring should be clean and free of stains, rips or other damage. Also, arrange to donate any items your guests don't want to a charity or shelter.

Add a little extra fun to your swap—treat your friends to glasses of Super Fruity Sangria.

With the money you save by swapping, you'll be able to treat yourself, too. A handbag to go with your "new" wardrobe, perhaps?


Hot Topic August 2008

For just a small investment, you can rent a DVD projector and screen (or simply hang a white sheet against the side of your house or garage). Then spread some blankets on the lawn and invite your family, friends and neighbors to watch their silver-screen favorites.

Don't forget the snacks. Make a few batches of popcorn for your eager guests and pass it out in easy-to-fill Ziploc® Brand Expandable Bottom Storage Bags that stand upright for effortless snacking. Hand out an assortment of popcorn toppings (like grated cheese, cinnamon sugar and garlic salt) in individual, easy-to-stack Ziploc® Brand Snap 'n Seal Containers.

If mosquitoes threaten to spoil the mood, set out plenty of disposable OFF!® FamilyCare Insect Repellent VI Towelettes.These individually wrapped wipes are convenient and give perfect control over each application, so the proven protection goes on where it’s wanted.

The only thing left to do: decide between a romantic comedy and a crowd-pleasing action movie.


Hot Topic for July 2008

Before guests arrive, schedule a quick pow-wow to discuss how you can work together to help the party flow smoothly and make everyone feel welcome.

Let each family member choose how to help from a variety of age-appropriate tasks. For example, adults can greet guests or take drink orders while older children can hang jackets or show guests around. Even young ones can help out by entertaining more bashful cousins.

And make sure everyone knows where you keep these party essentials: Scrubbing Bubbles® Antibacterial Flushable Bathroom Wipes to touch up bathroom surfaces to a beautiful shine and Shout® Wipes for helping guests quickly remove party stains from clothes.

With everyone in the family on the same page before the party begins and knowing what to do throughout, you’ll all feel a sense of accomplishment, party prep will be stress-free and your get-together will be a success.


Hot Topic for June 2008

Get started by making your usual list, including every part of your daily routine. Write down morning rituals like making breakfast, tidying bedrooms and cleaning and dusting. Include appointment making, grocery shopping and after-school pick-ups. Add on making dinner and washing up and…whew! It’s clear it takes a mother to take care of a family and home.

When you’re finished, hand your list to your partner and the kids and let it become their list. Now they can take care of you for the day! Depending on age and maturity, supervised kids can do the cleaning, shopping and even the cooking. And their other loving parent can take on pick-ups and deliveries.

You’ll get your well-deserved holiday—and your family will appreciate just how much you do to create an organized and comfortable home life for them!


Hot Topic for May 2008

Cleaning. Cooking. Organizing. Decorating. These are just some of the many ways you shine. Because you know—deep down—what helps make a house a home.

And here’s another way you can let your shine come through. Enter the Windex® Win a Diamond Sweepstakes and you could win a $25,000 cash prize to purchase a dazzling diamond of your choice from your favorite jeweler.

Windex® products help you keep your home clean and beautiful and get that famous streak-free shine on glass, chrome, mirrors and more. In recognition of everything you do, Windex® is offering you the chance to win $25,000 to purchase a diamond—or one of over 100 other brilliant prizes. You can also share your personal shine story with the world.

So take a quick break from the many ways in which you shine and enter to win. Because one brilliant shine deserves another.


Hot Topic for April 2008

Pamela Brunderman of Organized For Life in White Plains, NY, helps her clients look at spring cleaning as an opportunity for making a fresh start by clearing out the clutter in every aspect of their lives. The same approach could also help you to gain back control of your life, your possessions and even your time.

“It helps to focus on the benefits you will receive,” Brunderman says.

A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, Brunderman tells us that a clear head and reordered surroundings provide an increased sense of control, well-being and energy. So try clearing out things that really no longer serve a purpose or a function for you. That simple act can free the way for something new—maybe even better—to come into your life.


Hot Topic for March 2008

This year’s leap day (February 29, 2008) means there’s one extra day to schedule some refreshing “me” time.

“You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others,” says Laura DuPriest, author of the book, Natural Beauty: Pamper Yourself with Salon Secrets at Home. “To give ourselves the energy to give, we have to take a little break.”

DuPriest’s book offers ways to refuel with easy, inexpensive at-home spa treatments. One of her favorite moisturizing face masks is simply made of mashed avocado or banana—spread it on thinly, and rinse it off after 10 minutes. If a skin-soothing bath sounds more tempting, stir powdered dried milk into warm (not hot) water or add in oatmeal that you’ve ground to a powder in the food processor. Just set a Glade® Wisp® Flameless Candle on a nearby shelf or countertop, and you’ve created a soothing at-home oasis for your extra day.

Whether it’s at-home spa treatments, reading a book on the sofa, or inviting some friends over for lunch, make the most of your leap day break…after all, the next one is four years away!


Hot Topic for February 2008

“We wish we could all eat together more often” Cathy Hall says. “We fit in what we can, mostly on weekends.” Cathy is a busy working mom in Bedford, NH, who owns a physical therapy clinic and has to plan meals around the activities of her two school-age children. Cathy already knows what recent studies are showing: there are many benefits to having meals together as a family.

But with our hectic lifestyles, that’s often hard to do. Experts say not to beat yourself up about it. Even if you can manage only a few sit-down meals a week, it’s better than none at all. And it doesn’t have to be dinner. Family breakfasts or lunches work too.

How can this help your kids? While every family’s experience will be different, research points to healthier eating, better behavior, improved schoolwork, more communication and less chance of risky behavior as a teen.

One great trick Cathy uses: have the kids help prepare the meal. “They eat much better when they are proud of making it!” she says.


Hot Topic for January 2008

Wondering how to give back to your community this season? Just find your passion and share it!

When neighborhood kids went wild over the toy truck Mel Hartman carved for his grandson, he decided to enlist the help of fellow Minnesotans, the residents of a senior-citizen home and even inmates at the local penitentiary; 17 years later, his company TLC Toys has hand-crafted over 150,000 toys for local charities.

Sound daunting? Not at all; everyone has something he or she can share with those less fortunate, including time. For example, one community pooled its cooking smarts and backyard grills to barbecue over a thousand turkeys for a Thanksgiving charity. Another family, inspired by their son’s love of sports, donated wrestling gear to an inner-city church; the next year they took disabled kids to a hockey game.

The personal touch is what makes it priceless — and not just for the recipients. For as Hartman, a retired insurance executive and now full-time tiny-toy carver, observes, “Give more than you think you can, and you'll have more to give than you can.“


Hot Topic for November 2007

To make a family pumpkin tower, start by carving small pumpkins to represent each member of the family, including the family dog or cat. Don’t worry about making an exact likeness advises pumpkin-carving expert Lisa Berberette, aka The Pumpkin Lady®. To suggest who the pumpkin is meant to be, include some telling detail, e.g., big eyebrows or lips, eyeglasses, etc. Then cut holes in the top and bottom, stack ’em on top of each other and secure with toothpicks. Place a tall candle inside the bottom pumpkin so the light shines all the way up—eerie and attention getting!

Pumpkin R.I.P.

To make your carved jack-o’-lanterns last longer, coat their cut edges with petroleum jelly. But once a pumpkin starts to smell and decay (usually a couple of days past Halloween), it’s time to dispose of it. Scoop up the remains and add them to the compost heap. If you don’t have a compost heap, place in a large plastic bag, secure tightly and discard.


Hot Topic for October 2007