Seaonal and Holidays

(BPT) – Flowers and Valentine’s Day go together like heart and soul. Something about a bouquet of bright blooms just brings a smile to your face, and you want to stretch out the joy of your floral gift for as long as possible. Unfortunately, flowers are often as delicate as they are beautiful, so you’ll have to take some steps to ensure yours last.

The flower experts at 1-800-Flowers.com offer some tips for prolonging the life of your Valentine’s bouquet:

Keeping roses red (or pink or purple)

Roses are the number one flower choice for Valentine’s, with red, pink and purple being the most commonly given colors. Prized for their color, beauty and fragrance, roses need some special handling to look their best for as long as possible.

If your roses arrive in a gift box, open the box immediately and place the roses in tepid water until you’re ready to arrange them. Remember, roses are often shipped as tight buds so the flowers will bloom fully after they’ve reached their destination. Check to see if yours have green/white “guard petals” and if so, carefully remove them. With time and care, the buds will open into beautiful blooms.

When you’re ready to arrange your roses, fill a vase at least three-quarters full with fresh water and add flower food (follow the mixing instructions on the packet). Hold each stem under water and trim 1 to 2 inches off at an angle. Immediately add the trimmed rose to the vase. Change the water and re-cut the stems every two days or so to keep roses as fresh as possible.

If a rose starts to droop (called a “bent neck”), remove it from the arrangement, wrap it tightly in wet newspaper and leave the stem protruding. Fill a container with water and cut the drooping rose stem under the water. Leave the newspaper on, and place the rose by itself in a vase of warm water. After a few hours it should be standing straight again.

Love your tulips

Another commonly received Valentine’s flower, tulips herald spring and come in a variety of dazzling colors. Trim tulips as you would any other flower — under water and at an angle, removing an inch or so of stem.

You can easily create a full-looking arrangement for your tulips using some clear tape. Simply place thin strips of tape over the open top of a vase in a grid or checker board pattern, then arrange trimmed tulips to space them evenly throughout the grid. Add some greens, such as eucalyptus, for more color and fragrance.

If your tulips are bent, you can straighten them using the same newspaper trick that works on roses.

General flower care tips

Of course, roses and tulips are far from the only flowers given on Valentine’s. You may also receive lilies, gerbera, carnations, alstro, daisies, calla lilies or orchids — all commonly given flowers for the holiday. Generally, all cut flowers will benefit from these basic tips:

* Trim stems with a sharp knife or clippers as soon as you receive flowers. After a few days, trim again and change the water. Place your bouquet in a separate holder while you add warm water and flower food to the original vase.

* If you run out of packaged flower food, you can make your own. Fill a clear vase three-quarters full with bath-temperature warm water. Add one capful of household bleach, one capful of mouthwash and a teaspoon of sugar (or a capful of non-diet lemon-lime soda). The bleach helps kill bacteria and keeps the water clear. The mouthwash stabilizes the acidity of the water, and the sugar acts as a nutrient for the flowers.

* As you continue to trim stems and remove older flowers, your arrangement will start to look different. At this point, you can mix things up by putting flowers in a smaller container, or separating out the best looking blooms to place in a bud vase on your windowsill or night stand.

To learn more about flowers and for flower-care tips, visit 1-800-Flowers.com.

(BPT) – When cupid shot his arrow, there was no turning back. You fell in love and that’s one of the best feelings in the world. It’s something that should be celebrated always, but of course there’s one day dedicated to honoring the power of love: Val…

(BPT) – When cupid shot his arrow, there was no turning back. You fell in love and that’s one of the best feelings in the world. It’s something that should be celebrated always, but of course there’s one day dedicated to honoring the power of love: Val…

(BPT) – If you’re like the majority of Americans, you probably received a gift card this holiday season. After all, gift cards are the most requested holiday gift year after year according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Consumer Spending Surveys. But just because you asked for a gift card, it doesn’t mean you’ll use it. If you don’t use a gift card within the first few months of receiving it, chances are, you’ll forget about it or simply won’t use it at all. Rather than hold onto an unused card indefinitely, put the gift card to use in another way.

Here are three ways to get what you want from the gift card that you don’t.

1. Sell it online.

When you receive a gift card you know won’t use, it may just be the gift card someone else will love. This is when using a gift card exchange site — like Cardpool.com — is a helpful option. From your desktop or your mobile device, you can sell a pre-owned gift card to Cardpool for close to face value and choose to receive either cash or an Amazon gift card.

Cardpool connects gift card buyers and sellers to help everyone get the gift card they desire. You can sell a gift card to Cardpool using Cardpool.com or the Cardpool mobile app.

By selling a gift card you won’t use to Cardpool — perhaps a coffee shop gift card you received, even though you don’t enjoy coffee — someone who will can purchase it from Cardpool, at a discount!

2. Sell it in-person.

Take an unwanted gift card with you on your next shopping trip and sell it while you’re out. Cardpool partners with retailers to create an in-person version of its online experience. For example, you can bring your unwanted gift card to the electronics counter in most Target locations nationwide. They’ll take your gift card information, quote you an offer and will give you a Target gift card if you accept.

And, if you want cash fast, find a Cardpool kiosk near you by visiting Cardpool.com/locations.

3. Re-gift or donate to charity.

Do you know someone who could use the gift card? Extend the season of giving by re-gifting it. If you don’t have anyone in mind, consider donating the gift card to charity.

Fundraising committees for schools, churches, clubs and charities are always in need of gift cards that can be redeemed for supplies, auctioned at fundraisers or given as prizes. Or, you also can donate your gift card to charity via sites like Cardfunder.org. Donations to nonprofit organizations may be tax-deductible, too.

With the variety of options available, there’s no reason to let a gift card go unused. Whether selling, re-gifting or donating, your unused gift card could be just what someone else was hoping for this year!

(BPT) – If you’re like the majority of Americans, you probably received a gift card this holiday season. After all, gift cards are the most requested holiday gift year after year according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Consumer Spending Surveys. But just because you asked for a gift card, it doesn’t mean you’ll use it. If you don’t use a gift card within the first few months of receiving it, chances are, you’ll forget about it or simply won’t use it at all. Rather than hold onto an unused card indefinitely, put the gift card to use in another way.

Here are three ways to get what you want from the gift card that you don’t.

1. Sell it online.

When you receive a gift card you know won’t use, it may just be the gift card someone else will love. This is when using a gift card exchange site — like Cardpool.com — is a helpful option. From your desktop or your mobile device, you can sell a pre-owned gift card to Cardpool for close to face value and choose to receive either cash or an Amazon gift card.

Cardpool connects gift card buyers and sellers to help everyone get the gift card they desire. You can sell a gift card to Cardpool using Cardpool.com or the Cardpool mobile app.

By selling a gift card you won’t use to Cardpool — perhaps a coffee shop gift card you received, even though you don’t enjoy coffee — someone who will can purchase it from Cardpool, at a discount!

2. Sell it in-person.

Take an unwanted gift card with you on your next shopping trip and sell it while you’re out. Cardpool partners with retailers to create an in-person version of its online experience. For example, you can bring your unwanted gift card to the electronics counter in most Target locations nationwide. They’ll take your gift card information, quote you an offer and will give you a Target gift card if you accept.

And, if you want cash fast, find a Cardpool kiosk near you by visiting Cardpool.com/locations.

3. Re-gift or donate to charity.

Do you know someone who could use the gift card? Extend the season of giving by re-gifting it. If you don’t have anyone in mind, consider donating the gift card to charity.

Fundraising committees for schools, churches, clubs and charities are always in need of gift cards that can be redeemed for supplies, auctioned at fundraisers or given as prizes. Or, you also can donate your gift card to charity via sites like Cardfunder.org. Donations to nonprofit organizations may be tax-deductible, too.

With the variety of options available, there’s no reason to let a gift card go unused. Whether selling, re-gifting or donating, your unused gift card could be just what someone else was hoping for this year!

(BPT) – As we head into the coldest months, it’s important to ensure both your indoor and outdoor decorations are safe and securely assembled. These items are often overlooked around your home during the season and they can cause very serious hazards, including fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 357,000 home fires per year between 2009-2013, causing 2,470 deaths and $6.9 billion in damage, according to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association). That’s why it’s important to check your lights and heating systems for any faults while also installing preventative measures to keep you and your family safe.

The following safety tips for inside and outside of your home to keep your family safe this season:

Outdoor hazard prevention

It’s important to make sure your outdoor décor can safely withstand harsh elements like rain and snow. By following the precautions below, one can avoid outdoor fire hazards and ensure décor remains intact all season long.

* Ensure all extension cords and electrical decorations used for outdoor decorating are marked for outdoor use.
* Outdoor decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold and are simple to install.
* Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
* Exercise caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from them.
* Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or extension cords. They can overheat and cause a fire.
* Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.

Indoor hazard prevention

The busy kitchen activities and rooms lit by candles can also lead to a variety of fire hazards this winter season. That’s why it’s important to consider preventative measures for outlets, like Leviton’s SmartlockPro AFCI Outlet, which can detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults caused by plugged in lights or devices. Once an AFCI Outlet detects an arcing fault, it immediately shuts off power to help prevent potential ignition of a fire. These are important to have in living areas like bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens to protect homeowners from unexpected electrical hazards.

A few ways other ways to avoid the risk of electrical fires indoors include the following:

* Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.
* Similar to outdoor use, consider replacing standard outlets with Tamper-Resistant (TR) Outlets, which are designed for child safety. TR Outlets have a shutter mechanism inside the outlet which blocks access to the contacts unless a two-prong plug is inserted.
* Use only portable heating equipment that is approved for indoor use. Space heaters are temporary and should only be used for a limited time each day.
* Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip. Do not plug anything else into the same outlet while a space heater is in use. Do not use space heaters with frayed or damaged cords.

(BPT) – As we head into the coldest months, it’s important to ensure both your indoor and outdoor decorations are safe and securely assembled. These items are often overlooked around your home during the season and they can cause very serious hazards, including fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 357,000 home fires per year between 2009-2013, causing 2,470 deaths and $6.9 billion in damage, according to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association). That’s why it’s important to check your lights and heating systems for any faults while also installing preventative measures to keep you and your family safe.

The following safety tips for inside and outside of your home to keep your family safe this season:

Outdoor hazard prevention

It’s important to make sure your outdoor décor can safely withstand harsh elements like rain and snow. By following the precautions below, one can avoid outdoor fire hazards and ensure décor remains intact all season long.

* Ensure all extension cords and electrical decorations used for outdoor decorating are marked for outdoor use.
* Outdoor decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold and are simple to install.
* Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
* Exercise caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from them.
* Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or extension cords. They can overheat and cause a fire.
* Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.

Indoor hazard prevention

The busy kitchen activities and rooms lit by candles can also lead to a variety of fire hazards this winter season. That’s why it’s important to consider preventative measures for outlets, like Leviton’s SmartlockPro AFCI Outlet, which can detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults caused by plugged in lights or devices. Once an AFCI Outlet detects an arcing fault, it immediately shuts off power to help prevent potential ignition of a fire. These are important to have in living areas like bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens to protect homeowners from unexpected electrical hazards.

A few ways other ways to avoid the risk of electrical fires indoors include the following:

* Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.
* Similar to outdoor use, consider replacing standard outlets with Tamper-Resistant (TR) Outlets, which are designed for child safety. TR Outlets have a shutter mechanism inside the outlet which blocks access to the contacts unless a two-prong plug is inserted.
* Use only portable heating equipment that is approved for indoor use. Space heaters are temporary and should only be used for a limited time each day.
* Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip. Do not plug anything else into the same outlet while a space heater is in use. Do not use space heaters with frayed or damaged cords.

(BPT) – Hosting friends and family at your home is a guaranteed way to make long-lasting memories.

Not only will your guests be reminiscing about the wonderful chats and laughs you shared, but thanks to some quick tips from Minwax(R) spokesperson, Bruce Johnson, they’ll remember how great your home looked, too.

To prepare your home for guests, no matter how long they plan to stay, consider these 9 easy tips:

Mats and rugs: The sand and dirt on the bottom of guests’ shoes act like 60-grit sandpaper, wearing away your floor’s finish as they move from room to room. Protect your floors with fresh doormats and colorful rugs on each side of your doors. Plus, new rugs add a welcoming touch while instantly refreshing your space.

Fill furniture nicks: Make furniture look new again by filling in marks and scratches the easy way with Minwax(R) Stain Markers(TM). Available in a wide range of wood tone colors, Minwax Stain Markers have a convenient felt tip that delivers stain precisely where you need it, making your worn furniture look virtually new again.

Move fragile objects: Hosting can mean extra activity throughout a home and accidents can easily happen. Rather than a friend accidentally bumping into your grandma’s heirloom porcelain vase, opt to store it for a while. Breakables are best put away when guests are over, especially when hosting large parties.

Clean hardwood floors Keep your floors looking great for company with Minwax(R) Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It’s an easy to use cleaner that will gently remove dirt and grime, without leaving a soapy film behind.

Protect finishes: A great way to preserve and protect the finish on any of your wooden furniture is with a coat of Minwax(R) Paste Finishing Wax, in either natural or special dark. Rub it on, let it begin to dry, then buff with a soft cloth to a semi-gloss sheen.

Directions: Finicky furnace? Touchy toilet? Microwave with a mind of its own? Ease guests’ stay by posting a small note card with directions for anything that might not be obvious. You’ll make them feel at home!

Set out guest towels: Overnight guests will need to shower and prepare for the day. Set out extra towels and washrags for their use either by the guest bathroom sink or on their bed. Not only is this convenient, but it also encourages guests to wipe up wet messes which will eliminate future mold and mildew growth.

Protect tabletops: To avoid unintended white rings and water spots on wooden surface, apply a coat of Minwax(R) Wipe-On Poly a few days before your guests arrive. Then, set out coasters and trivets for easy use so guests stow drinks safely throughout your home.

Quick Cleanup: No need for a full cleanup after an event, but basic steps can help avoid long-lasting damage. Make sure to visit each room and pick up plates, cups, napkins and glasses. These often have moisture or food under them which can damage furniture (and smell) if left overnight.

(BPT) – Hosting friends and family at your home is a guaranteed way to make long-lasting memories.

Not only will your guests be reminiscing about the wonderful chats and laughs you shared, but thanks to some quick tips from Minwax(R) spokesperson, Bruce Johnson, they’ll remember how great your home looked, too.

To prepare your home for guests, no matter how long they plan to stay, consider these 9 easy tips:

Mats and rugs: The sand and dirt on the bottom of guests’ shoes act like 60-grit sandpaper, wearing away your floor’s finish as they move from room to room. Protect your floors with fresh doormats and colorful rugs on each side of your doors. Plus, new rugs add a welcoming touch while instantly refreshing your space.

Fill furniture nicks: Make furniture look new again by filling in marks and scratches the easy way with Minwax(R) Stain Markers(TM). Available in a wide range of wood tone colors, Minwax Stain Markers have a convenient felt tip that delivers stain precisely where you need it, making your worn furniture look virtually new again.

Move fragile objects: Hosting can mean extra activity throughout a home and accidents can easily happen. Rather than a friend accidentally bumping into your grandma’s heirloom porcelain vase, opt to store it for a while. Breakables are best put away when guests are over, especially when hosting large parties.

Clean hardwood floors Keep your floors looking great for company with Minwax(R) Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It’s an easy to use cleaner that will gently remove dirt and grime, without leaving a soapy film behind.

Protect finishes: A great way to preserve and protect the finish on any of your wooden furniture is with a coat of Minwax(R) Paste Finishing Wax, in either natural or special dark. Rub it on, let it begin to dry, then buff with a soft cloth to a semi-gloss sheen.

Directions: Finicky furnace? Touchy toilet? Microwave with a mind of its own? Ease guests’ stay by posting a small note card with directions for anything that might not be obvious. You’ll make them feel at home!

Set out guest towels: Overnight guests will need to shower and prepare for the day. Set out extra towels and washrags for their use either by the guest bathroom sink or on their bed. Not only is this convenient, but it also encourages guests to wipe up wet messes which will eliminate future mold and mildew growth.

Protect tabletops: To avoid unintended white rings and water spots on wooden surface, apply a coat of Minwax(R) Wipe-On Poly a few days before your guests arrive. Then, set out coasters and trivets for easy use so guests stow drinks safely throughout your home.

Quick Cleanup: No need for a full cleanup after an event, but basic steps can help avoid long-lasting damage. Make sure to visit each room and pick up plates, cups, napkins and glasses. These often have moisture or food under them which can damage furniture (and smell) if left overnight.

(BPT) – From decorating, shopping, cooking and cleaning, there’s a lot to do during the holiday season. Time is running out to get it all done before your next big gathering, and you may be thinking, “where do I even start?” Merry Maids, the nation’s largest home cleaning company, is making it simple by sharing the easiest ways to clean the messiest spaces in your home this holiday season.

1. Inside your oven

Between roasting turkey and baking pies, your oven will see seen a lot of action. Let your oven racks clean themselves overnight. Remove the oven racks, place them into large plastic trash bags and spray them generously with a degreaser solution. Let them sit overnight in a ventilated area away from pets, children and other hazards. The following morning, remove the oven racks from the plastic bags, rinse them in the sink with warm, soapy water and wipe them dry. Wipe down the inside of your oven with a microfiber cloth, then slide in your newly cleaned oven racks.

2. Carpets and rugs

From footprints to spilled wine drops, your rugs take a beating during all the holiday festivities. With any stain, make sure to tackle it right away and blot the stain with a paper towel or microfiber cloth to remove excess liquid. Even if the stain has been lingering, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cool water and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Using a clean microfiber cloth, dip it in the cleaning solution and blot the stain.

3. Toilet

Hosting families and friends means your bathroom works overtime. Surprisingly, vinegar is perfect for cleaning the hard-water deposits in your toilet bowl. Pour a cup of white vinegar and a few fizzy denture tablets into the toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. The following morning, scrubbing will require less time and less elbow grease.

4. Windows

Kitchen windows are an unexpected place for grease and grime buildup, but heavy cooking and baking can do a number on them. Rather than reach for a cleaning product, make your own. Mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of water and add a tablespoon of white wine vinegar. You’ll be looking outside at the snow through a grease- and fingerprint-free window!

5. Refrigerator

Refrigerators are home to lots of meals throughout the holidays, so now is the perfect opportunity to refresh yours. A quick and easy trick: place an orange peel filled with salt in the refrigerator to deodorize it and help keep the fridge smelling clean and fresh. Just cut an orange in half, scoop out the pulp, fill the rind with salt and place it in a bowl at the back of the refrigerator. Replace as needed!

If you’re taking on cleaning your home (whether before or after the holiday season) and need a time-saving tip, or lifesaving stain removal tip (even if it’s a stain from last year’s celebration), Merry Maids is here to help. Ask the experts via Facebook or Twitter, using #SeasonsCleanings in your question, and Merry Maids will share its best tips and tricks to get your home in order.