Updated on March 30, 2022
How to Turn Your Backyard into a Cozy Retreat
Your backyard is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But sometimes it can be a little too…well, bare. In this blog post, we will discuss some simple ways to turn your backyard into a cozy retreat! We’ll cover everything from adding furniture to creating a focal point. So whether you’re looking to spruce up your yard for summer or winter, read on for some inspiration!
Adding Furniture
One of the easiest ways to make your backyard more cozy is to add some furniture. A few chairs or a bench will give you a place to sit and relax, while a table can be used for dining or simply as a place to put your drink. If you have the space, consider adding a hammock or swing to really maximize your relaxation potential!
Creating a Focal Point
A focal point is a great way to add interest to your backyard and make it feel more like a retreat. Maybe you want to create an outdoor living space with a fireplace or patio set. Or, if you’re lucky enough to have a view, why not use that as your focal point? Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that you can enjoy both during the day and at night.
Adding Plants and Flowers
Adding plants and flowers is a great way to make your backyard feel more natural and inviting. Choose plants that are both pretty and functional, like herbs or flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of your backyard, but you’ll also be able to use the plants for cooking or decoration.
Making It Cozy
There are a few simple things you can do to make your backyard feel more cozy and inviting. Try adding some soft textiles, like blankets or pillows. You can also set up a small reading nook or add some fairy lights for ambiance. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that you’ll enjoy using and relaxing in.
With these tips, you’re sure to turn your backyard into a cozy retreat! So get started and start enjoying your outdoor space to the fullest. Thanks for reading!
Updated on June 14, 2022
5 Latest Home Trends for Every Home Owner
There are so many options out there for every type of home owner, from materials to color schemes. There are also a lot of different trends that you can choose from. We have compiled the five latest ones so that you can find your perfect home!
We will detail these 5 latest trends:
Rustic Chic
This is a style with origins in France and has been popularized by celebrities such as Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Miranda Kerr
Scandinavian Style
This design theme is inspired by Scandinavia’s architecture and furniture design traditions. It focuses on large windows, lots of light, comfortable living spaces and open-plan layouts
Modern Minimalist Design
With its focus on clean lines, simple shapes and a neutral color palette, this design style is perfect for those who want to create an open-plan home with lots of light
Funky Vintage
This trend focuses on secondhand finds from the 1950s through the 1970s. It typically includes bright colors and patterned fabrics that are both bold and fun to look at
Eco-Friendly Homes
This design trend is perfect for those who want to create a home that has low environmental impact. It focuses on recycled materials, sustainability and energy efficiency in the home
— Dave Miller (@cozycrates) June 7, 2022
These are just some of the design trends that you can consider when designing your home. These ideas are just a starting point – there are so many others out there to explore!
We hope this article helps inspire some of you to get started on creating your dream home!
Updated on June 3, 2022
Having Trouble Sleeping? Here Are Some Tips That Might Help
Many people experience difficulties sleeping at various points in their lives; for some, it is a constant problem that makes bedtime a trial to be dreaded. Stress from work, school, or home is often a contributing factor. Illness can be another cause. A lack of a proper bedtime routine certainly doesn’t help. In fact, there are four strong tips for getting a quality night’s sleep.
Set up and Stick to a Bedtime Routine
A bedtime routine can be as simple as the normal winding down of the house followed by brushing teeth and relaxing in an easy chair with a magazine for a half hour before crawling under the covers. It can be as elaborate as a warm bath with candles, soft music, and a partner’s massage before drifting off to slumber. The key elements are to make it relaxing and to make it consistent. This helps train the brain into recognizing that the time for sleep is nigh and to release the correct chemicals such as melatonin for nightly rest.
Create a Relaxing Environment
It is important not only to set aside a restful routine for sleep but to create a special locale for it as well. Use it for sleep and only for sleep and other bed-focused activities. The kind of preferred environment for most is one that is cool, quiet, and dark. Light exposure arouses the brain rather than setting it to a restful place, making sleep a challenge. This includes electronic screens that shed light just before bedtime. If shades that are light-proof, earplugs, or a white noise machine or fan are necessary to create these conditions, utilize them to ensure solid sleep. If screen addictions or work make electronic screens close to sleep a necessity, try using an app to block blue light or wear glasses that offer the same function.
Sleep on Quality for Quality Sleep
The mattress and pillows should be the correct degree of firmness or softness for individual needs. Not every sleeper’s particular situation is the same, and this leads to a number of options that can be confusing. A quality mattress supplier will help evaluate the needs of everyone using the mattress and find either a specific firmness or a happy compromise. Many people also make the mistake of overusing mattresses when the item’s life expectancy is just under ten years.
Try a Warm Bath or Shower
Showers and baths, particularly ones at comfortably warm temperatures, can do a lot toward easy sleep. For one, they are relaxing, easing tense muscles and cultivating a quiet mind. Another reason is that body temperature has a lot to do with feeling sleepy or awake. Studies have shown that warm bath or shower routines, taken within an hour and a half of bed, improve sleep quality and the rate at which people fall asleep as well as getting greater quantities of deep sleep.
With the proper routine, room, equipment, and a relaxing experience in the bathroom, a solid night’s sleep can be achievable for most people. Other factors to include are exercise, although not within two hours of bedtime, not eating or drinking caffeine too close to bedtime, and trying supplements such as melatonin or a soothing tea such as chamomile. Try these tips to get a good night’s sleep fast and continue it longer.
Updated on June 8, 2022
How To Overwinter Potted Plants In Your Garage
If you’re like me, then you’re an avid gardener and plant enthusiast. While most of my plants overwinter outside in the garden, I do have quite a few of them that I keep in pots. I try to bring them into my house at the end of each season and they do indeed fit, but I’ll be the first to admit that it can make for a quite for quite the cluttered living area. Another problem that I’m a bit more shy to admit is that it inevitably invites insects into the house that have been living in or on the potted plants all summer long – the most prevalent and resilient being fruit flies.
What if there was a different solution for storing potted plants over the winter if you don’t have a greenhouse? Well, this year I put some thought into it and I’m happy to say I came up with a solution – and that is to put them in my garage. Of course, most garages aren’t heated, so that was the main task to overcome. All said and done though, it’s been undeniably worth the effort.
Is There A DIY Solution?
If you or someone in your family is graced with the gift of handiness, you may be wondering if there is a do-it-yourself solution to making your garage a little more bearable during the winter. You may be quite surprised to hear that there are a few solutions you can whip up on your own terms. They range in complexity from simply adding a bit of insulation to somewhat intense heating devices that will take a bit of know-how and elbow grease. While these make-shift heaters are not for the weak-hearted, they are not too complex in construction. You just have to know how to use all of the tools and techniques required to put the pieces together, and most of the components can be sourced for relatively little money.
Is DIY Worth It?
Of course, the answer to this question depends on the route you go with as well as the goals you’re looking to achieve. If it’s fairly easy to insulate your garage – in other words, you won’t have to rip down any sheetrock to install it – then it may well be worth your efforts to go the DIY route. That said, once you start going down the path of making an actual DIY heater you have to put a lot more thought into whether or not it’s worth it. If you have someone in your family who is particularly handy, then you’ll probably be able to know with confidence whether this is the right route for you or not. In most cases though, this is just going to be a lot of effort when you can just use store-bought heaters to get the job done. Not to mention that DIY heaters can easily be extremely hazardous if they are not made, used, and maintained properly.
What Are The Alternatives?
I was delighted to find that there are fairly affordable electric garage heaters for exactly this purpose readily available at local hardware stores. These units tend to run in the hundred dollar range, and they put out quite a bit of heat. They’re a wonderful solution because you can adjust the heat setting and the direction of the fan. Since you’ll be needing to contact a licensed electrician for the installation anyway, you can have them put the heater on a timer, a switch, or best yet a thermostat.
All in all this upgrade cost me less than $1,000, which was more than worth it to get the extra space for my plants. Not only do I now have a great place to store more of my potted plants, but I can also start seedlings early on in the season here to get a jump start on my vegetable garden for the coming year. Give it some thought, it might just be the solution for you!
Updated on October 25, 2019
The Advantages of Soundbars Over Traditional Stereo Systems
Over the years, entertainment has evolved quite a bit. Back in ancient times, people were entertained by communicating at gatherings or events involving acting, dancing music, and storytelling. It’s crazy to think how far it has developed from there. Though the basic concepts of entertainment probably haven’t changed much, the mediums through which they’re communicated have certainly changed drastically. As Heraclitus said, “The only thing that is constant is change.”
These days with the help of technology, it’s much easier for performers to get the word out. As we all know, we’re far more likely to engage with with music and storytelling by watching television or listening to the stereo.
It’s become fairly commonplace for people to have their own home entertainment system. Most Americans do in fact, and get quite a bit of enjoyment out of watching movies and concerts on their spare time. If you do your due diligence and pick a high-quality sound system, technology has come so far that it is almost like going to the cinema or to a concerts in person.
The problem is that high-quality home entertainment systems do not come cheap. A truly great sound system is usually going to come with a hefty price tag. As we’ve already mentioned, things are always bound to change. We would think that as technology evolves the pricing will always come down too, but this not always the case. Stereo systems have seemingly maintained their high value status, at least when you’re buying new.
Luckily for us, there are times when innovative people will come up with an alternative technology that is just as good (or at least almost as good) as the existing technology, but available at a much more affordable price tag – and we have seen this happen with home sound system technology.
Generally speaking, a sound system consists of several components including the source, the amplifier, and an array of speakers. Those are the basics, and it is quite common to see sound systems that include quite a few speakers and a subwoofer as well. Generally they are bought as a package so that you get a bit of a discount, but some people choose to buy the components individually so that each and every piece suits their tastes. As you can imagine, this can add up to a investment indeed. Add to that, you will need a lot of space to house everything, as well as mounting and properly hiding all the wiring if you want it to look sightly.
This is where the lower-cost alternative enters the arena with a few additional advantages to offer, and that alternative is called the soundbar. A soundbar is like an all-in-one component, and it boasts a relatively small footprint to boot. The speakers are contained in a slender rectangular bar, and many of the systems come paired with a subwoofer. Many people are turning to soundbars because they do not have enough space for all of the components of a traditional stereo system, but the price is also appealing and the ease of installation is a big plus. If you take a look at the best soundbar under 100 dollars, for example, you’ll find that it’s a fairly high quality product with great sound – especially for the price your paying.
So, which would be a better choice for your home? Traditional stereo systems can produce exceptional surround sound that will surely make your entertainment enjoyable. However, as previously mentioned, they come with a lot of components that tend to be bulky and take up quite a bit of space. Because of this, there will certainly be more wiring involved and it will generally take more time and effort to get the whole system up and running.
On the other hand, while a soundbar may not have quite as high quality sound as traditional stereo systems, the design is compact, easier to set up, and has minimal wiring. It is also usually far less expensive than the traditional stereo systems. Even it does not sound better, it still provides great sound quality for your entertainment.
The system you choose will ultimately be up to you. Hopefully this will help you to decide not only which to choose for your home but also what your priorities are when you’re choosing between the two types of sound systems.
Updated on May 1, 2019
Are Professional Organizers Worth The Money (Hint: Absolutely!)
Organization is all the rage these days. With professional organizers like Marie Kondo putting it on the map, organization is important to making your spaces look clean and tidy. The question is if professional organization is worth the money. We’ll give you a few reasons why getting the boost you need in putting things away will make your space a happier place.
Price
The rates for organizers varies from place to place. It’s up to you to decide if the rate is worth your time and effort. Think of all the places you need organizing and the hours it will take you to attack those places plus the hours it will take for you to trash, donate and store those items. It can get overwhelming. You don’t even want to think about the best ways to organize those places yourself. Paying an extra few hundred bucks might save you lots of hassle in the end.
Consignment, Donate or Trash
A professional organizer will help you decide what doesn’t need to be stored or donated, but actually consigned meaning you get money back in your pocket. To you some items might be a pile of old junk, but to a collector or someone that needs things for projects, your trash is their treasure. This means just because you pay an organizer, you get money back from all of it. The professional can help you decide the other items that need to just be donated, can be saved or just need to be thrown out. You might have a pile of old ink toner cartridges than can be refilled, a plethora of wine corks someone wants for a project and/or a bunch of old decaying candles that can be cleaned out for their wax. A professional organizer can help you go through all of these items and make the best decisions.
Declutter With A Sound Mind
If it were left up to just you, think of all the junk you might keep. You might pick up that dress from 1984 and think it’s going to come back in style and you need to keep it just in case. Odds are, you haven’t worn it in decades so even if it comes back, you aren’t going to wear it again. A professional will give you the sound mind that helps you let go. She’ll help you go through pots and pans stacking up that you think you might just use that random pan in the back one day. Odds are, nope, it’s collecting dust. Then the organizer can help you store these pots and pans in a way that looks tidy and makes it even easier to cook. Old papers in your filing cabinet from 30 years ago that you think you just need to keep for some odd reason the organizer can help you decide what you really need then organize these papers in a fashion that if you did need them, they are easy to find.
A Professional’s Mind
Not everyone has the mind of a professional organizer. They may put things out in a way that dazzles you because you would have never thought of it on your own. It’s worth the cost when you see your things organized in a way you’ve never imagined, yet it helps you life your life better. One service that comes recommended is The Transitional Organizer, LLC. They are worth checking out should you decide to hire someone. Your mind and space will be decluttered just because someone else came in and fixed it all. If it was up to you, the space might be free of clutter in a sense, but probably not in the best possible way. A professional comes in with a neutral mind not attached to your things and can still help you organize them in the best way possible.
Updated on March 14, 2019
Lacking Bass? Here’s How To Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Subwoofer
Consider installing a sound system in your vehicle to ensure that during the time of travelling you are active and not bored. When purchasing a sub-woofer or amplifier, there are various factors to take into consideration to ensure that it’s efficient and reliable. To ensure that your drive is not boring then it is of great significance to spend some money to buy a sound system and if you already have a subwoofer or amplifier then consider upgrading it to attain the sound of your choice.
There are many things to consider before purchasing or upgrading your car speakers. Just to name a few:
- Checking the bass and treble tone before making any upgrade decision.
- Cost should be considered selecting the cheapest upgrade method.
- The watts for the woofer and amplifier.
- The size of the sound system.
We’ve gathered our favorite ten-inch subwoofers for your car that will give you the best and deep Bass. The car subwoofers are well designed with unique features to meet your interests. They are relatively cheap and reliable. These subwoofers are available at various electronics shops and the online business including Amazon. The information provided by researchers will enable you to make the right decision to ensure that your money is not wasted and while driving, you have fun. The best car subwoofers include;
1. Rockford Fosgate P3D4
Coming in at the number 1 spot is the Rockford Fosgate P3D4. This beast is widely renowned as the best 10 inch car subwoofer. It’s a 10- P3 Punch Subwoofer with 1000 watts. The Rockford Fosgate P3D4 is designed with the shape of a Bucket; it’s sturdily built, its fitted with a p3 punch that enhances loud sound and its build with advanced technology to provide you with a bigger cone area. These features have led to Rockford Fosgate P3D4 to be rated at the top by the Amazon editor.
2. Polk Audio db 1040
This is a 10-inch subwoofer with the single voice coil. It has up to 540 watts giving you pleasant Bass. This subwoofer will look good for your car as its design is pleasing. It has numerous features including it being clean, affordable, marine certified, its durable and even has 28-200 Hz frequency response.
3. Kicker 10C104 Comp
This is a 10-inch subwoofer with 300 watts. It is also very reliable and efficient as it is designed to fit in any car.
4. Infinity Reference 1062w
This subwoofer has infinity reference of 1062w regardless of the music you are listening to as the bass is consistent.
5. JL Audio 10W3v3-4
This 10-inch subwoofer has an elevated Frame cooling design that makes it regulate heat. It offers peak power of 600 watts and 300 watts as the continuous power handling. The technology used to make it is efficient hence increasing its durability.
6. Planet Audio AC10D
This subwoofer has two voice coils of 2- inch aluminium that are lighter as compared to copper thus amazing power handling. It is designed to operate in a sealed and ported enclosure. When this subwoofer is mounted to the ported enclosure, your car will be filled with powerful bass.
7. BOSS Audio CXX10 AC
This sub has 36 Hz resonant frequency, and its sensitivity is rated at 86 Db to meet the satisfaction of your years while driving. It is fitted with copper voice coil which is a better conductor as compared to aluminium. With this subwoofer in your car its possible to enjoy fairly powerful bass with the single 4 Ohm Voice Coil. BOSS Audio CXX10 AC has peak power as 800 watts and the continuous power of 400 watts.
8. Pioneer TS-W254R Component
This woofer is made out of injection molded polypropylene; this element promotes the strength and resistance. This subwoofer uses the 6- layer copper voice that produces crystal clear and pleasant bass. You should consider this sound system as it complements the look of every car. Its able to handle up to 1100 watts of the peak power as well as 300 watts of continuous handling power.
So, there you have it. If you are looking to upgrade your vehicle’s subwoofer you’d be mistaken not to go with a nice 10 inch model. We hope you find one that’s right for you!
Updated on January 11, 2019
Get Your Fall Exterior Cleanup Done Fast With A Pressure Washer
As Fall approaches and the window for outdoor home maintenance begins to close, you may notice the exterior of your home looking extra dingy and dirty. As Winter creeps ever closer, taking care of exterior home cleaning and maintenance chores can get difficult and can feel insurmountable. Using a pressure washer to knock out some of these cleaning chores can make a huge difference in expended effort and time. A pressure washer can clean the exterior of a home efficiently and more thoroughly than would be possible with manual scrubbing. Some pressure washer models are equipped to apply a detergent solution and then switch to clean water to rinse the grime away. These detergent friendly models are a wise choice for homes that require an intense cleaning. Others rely fully on the high pressure water nozzle to blast grime, residue, and dirt away. Electric and gasoline powered models are available, and it is up to your personal needs and preferences to determine which type to use.
Before pressure washing the exterior of your home, check for anything that could become damaged or get in the way of the process. Clear away fallen leaves, foliage, and anything that gets in the way of direct, all over cleaning. Make sure no exterior power outlets are in use, and close the covers over them if possible. Secure the covers with tape so the high pressure water does not blast them open accidentally. Remove anything that may be too fragile or delicate for the intensity of a power washer. Keep in mind what type of paint the exterior of your home is painted with. Some paint types may hold up differently than others to the intense water pressure. If your home exterior may have been painted before 1978, use a lead paint testing kit to determine if there is lead present. Do not pressure wash a home that is painted with lead paint. Most modern forms of exterior paint can hold up well to pressure washing. Once you’re sure that all hazards and potentially damaged items are out of the way, it’s time to pressure wash.
It is important to use the right tools for the job when pressure washing. If your home is multiple stories, extended spray gun nozzles can help you to reach the upper portions without risking your safety. Generally, it is a good idea to wear eye protection when pressure washing. If you are using a detergent with your pressure washer concrete cleaner, apply it with as little pressure as possible working from the bottom up. Allow it to sit for a few moments, and then use a higher pressure to wash it off from the top down.
This top down spraying method prevents unsightly streaks and makes the pressure washing process more efficient. Because home exteriors encompass a large surface area, a spray gun nozzle that allows for a wide, even spray is ideal. The wider the spray, the faster you can work. Be careful to avoid windows, as the high pressure will break them. Be careful when washing exterior doors, as the water can easily get around the door frame and leak into your home. The pressure washer can also be used on gutters to blast away water stains and stuck on plant matter, completing a polished and spotless exterior home appearance.
Cleaning a home exterior with a pressure washer is easily the fastest method to return your home to a like new appearance, and can also serve as a preparation method for fresh paint. With care, planning, and preparation, using a pressure washer can turn a time consuming and exhausting task into a quick, consistent, and enjoyable one. Taking the time to pressure wash every possible exterior surface in Fall will leave your home clean, fresh, and looking spectacular and ready to show off to guests and neighbors with Winter holiday decorations.
Updated on January 21, 2021
2018’s Top Kitchen Essentials
Your kitchen doesn’t have to be filled with gadgets for you to cook yummy food. All you really need are the essentials. When you have the right gear, you’ll be able to cook smarter and simpler, making life easier in general. Collect these 11 kitchen tools for 2018 to free your inner all-star chef.
Cutting Board
A well-stocked kitchen will include a good cutting board. Go with your preferences. A durable, wood-fiber composite type will be dishwasher safe while giving you the solid feeling of natural wood. If you go with a composite, you won’t need to oil it to keep it in good working order. A nice grippy plastic one is another good option. This type of cutting board will protect your fingers when you’re prepping a meal. You can also disinfect a good grippy cutting board in your dishwasher.
Wooden Spoons
You may be tempted to buy a plastic spoon, but a nice wooden spoon will provide more support because the material is stiffer than plastic. This is perfect for mashing and stirring. Wooden spoons are better for your pots and pans because they’re non-abrasive. Yours will last for years as long as you don’t put it in the dishwasher.
Quality Knives
Get a chef’s knife. You’ll need one for most of your prepping needs, so be sure to invest in a nice one and take good care of it. This means that you may need to sharpen it and wash it by hand. Kitchen essentials also include a serrated knife. This tool is best for cutting homemade bread and tomatoes. You should also consider getting a paring knife. It will come in handy for smaller cutting tasks.
Measuring Cups
Cooking requires you to measure ingredients, which means that you’ll need a set of measuring cups. Consider getting stainless steel ones. They’ll hold up for years, and they won’t become stained or scored like plastic ones will. Along with a stainless-steel set of measuring cups, get a few glass measuring containers. Not only can you use them for measuring, but you can also make sauces in them.
Sheet Pans
You’ll use sheet pans for everything from roasting vegetables to toasting garlic bread. They also come in handy for baking cookies and cooking meats. If your kitchen is on the small size, then consider getting half sheets. They’ll do the same job, but you may have to cook up less at a time. These smaller pans are easier to store.
Pans
Kitchen essentials include a set of pans. You’ll need a sauté pan for sautéing food items. This kind of pan is especially good for blending pastas together. You should also get a non-stick pan. With this pan, you can cook up pancakes and eggs with ease. A grill pan is ideal for meats and vegetables while a cast-iron skillet will make it easy for you to cook things like frittatas, bacon and fried chicken.
Spatula
Flipping things is so much easier with a spatula. You’ll need one if you like grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes and hamburgers. They also come in handy when you need to scrape up batter or sauce. A spatula is practically required if you bake french fries on sheet pans. Spatulas are also perfect for turning vegetables and moving cookies to the cooling rack.
Strainer
A strainer is a kitchen essential that makes life easier when you need to remove liquid from something that you’re cooking. This may include straining pasta from the water you boiled it in or even for washing vegetables and removing fried goods from hot oil.
Prep Bowls
Anyone who likes to cook should have a set of prep bowls in their kitchen. Different sizes are necessary since you’ll be prepping different types of food. Lettuce prep always requires a bigger bowl than you think while small bowls are perfect for spices and food items like chopped onions or peppers. If you have limited kitchen space, then buy a collapsible set.
Whisk
Our list of kitchen essentials includes a whisk because with one, you’ll be able to blend ingredients together thoroughly. Different whisk sizes are available, so if you blend a lot, then you may want to get two or three of varying sizes.
Tongs
Tongs are handy because they let you move hot food items from their cooking surface to a plate or a cooling rack.
Kitchen Essentials Make Cooking Easy
When you stock your kitchen with the essentials, you’ll have what you need to cook the foods that you want when hunger strikes. Keeping it to the basics will also prevent you from buying kitchen items that you don’t need, decreasing kitchen clutter.
Updated on June 3, 2022
How to Host A Home-Run Family Gathering
The holidays are just a few short weeks away, and it is the time of the year where everyone in the family tree wants to converge at one central point and celebrate their common lineage. Well, if you are the person who has been given the task of hosting the get together, you may feel a little bit or a lot overwhelmed, especially if the gathering will feature a lot of people. Well, here are a few quick-fire tips which will help you achieve that perfect home-run family gathering regardless of the number of people that you will be inviting to the party.
Make a sound plan
This is the first and basic step in hosting a successful party. Think of a date and a location that will work best for everyone. Start picking the dates and informing the attendants in time so that if you land on a date when most people will not be available, you can just adjust it to a time when everyone will be there. Another way that you can make this first and most important decision is creating a small committee to pick dates and places. The beauty of the current world of technology is that you can actually create a WhatsApp or other social media group and hold this discussion with others, regardless of where they are located in the country.
Delegate roles as early as possible
Planning an event is not easy. Even though there will be the temptation to plan it all by yourself to prove your hosting prowess, get help as this will protect you from losing your head during the planning and execution stages of the preparations. If the event will feature 30 people or less, think about allocating the following roles:
· Finance Director: This is the person that will handle all the finances and makes the budgets and purchases for the event.
· Lodging Liaison: There is the possibility that people who will travel from far to come to the event will not have somewhere to be accommodated. It is important to make sure you have a person planning on possible places where they can be accommodated after the event.
· Food director: Food is a central part of a reunion, whether small or large. First, decide whether you will handle the cooking or deal with outside catering. The food director will help come up with a menu, buy the needed items or liaise with the catering company to have the foods ready ahead of the event.
· The entertainment director: A get together is also all about the entertainment. When planning for it, make sure that there is one member of the family making plans about the music that will be played. If it will be a large gathering, they are also responsible to plan the PA system and select an emcee.
Get a backup plan
The biggest secret that all event planners know is that once the event starts rolling, nothing goes exactly according to plan. It is possible to have the catering company cancel at the last minute, the lights could go out at 6 pm and people might fail to show for the get together, even those that have an important role to play. If you do not want your party to be a mess of mistakes, create a backup plan as soon as you start the planning. Every plan that you make for the party should have a backup. Get generators just in case the lights go off, get a second caterer on standby, or a place where you can order food for a large party on short notice; in simple terms, cover all your bases.
Create a plan of activities for the day
The other mistake that people make when they are planning a get together is assuming that once everyone has converged, everything will just flow. The reality is that things can get mixed up when the party starts and everyone has their own agenda. Create a program for the day and let everyone know what the main purpose of the get-together is. Make sure that the event starts on time, as long as you have quorum. Ensure that each of your family members gets an activity which they enjoy in the entertainment itinerary. This will make everyone feel welcomed and create a successful event.
The success of a family gathering depends on how well you plan it. Start long before the event and consult with people who have planned before because they will give you insights into what works well in planning and what does not.