This infographic shows that the spring housing market could be a sweet spot for sellers. Main points:
The biggest challenge in the housing market is how few houses there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy.
The number of homes for sale is up from last year but below pre-pandemic numbers, and that means we’re still in a sellers’ market.
The housing market needs more homes for sale to meet the demand of today’s buyers. If you’ve thought about selling, now’s the time to connect with a local expert.
💭 DM us @carealestategroup and let’s chat about the best options for you!
💡 For more home maintenance tips, real estate advice, and fun family ideas, follow us at @carealestategroup — we are more than just real estate!
Winter is an exciting time to visit Southern California for its alpine region. The resorts here offer a unique ski experience and are local to those who live in the Southern California cities. Our local experts have picked the top 5 ski resorts for you.
Top-notch terrain parks make it a hit with freestyle skiers and snowboarders
Highlights
Home to Southern California’s only Superpipe!
Take on the 2 mi Geronimo trail for a double black diamond leg burner
The lift pass covers you to ski at nearby Snow Summit too
Not the best mountain for traditional downhill skiers or families
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 16 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 117 miles (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Bear Mountain
If you want to ride park, Bear Mountain is the place. There’s not a lot of steep terrain but the entire mountain is a terrain park and snowboarder-heavy. It’s also home to the only halfpipes and highest lift-served peak in Southern California. The only downside is that Bear Mountain’s terrain is not the best choice for traditional downhill skiers or families. Nevertheless, you can ski nearby Snow Summit on the same pass. It is also nearby Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City which offer an array of lodging, restaurants, and nightlife. The town of Big Bear Lake has a friendly alpine feel, with plenty of places to kick back for some low-key après ski relaxation.
A family-friendly resort with plenty of cruisey blue runs, plus regular night skiing too
Highlights
Laidback terrain perfect for honing your skills
Extensive snowmaking operation keeps trails open
Excellent mountaintop eateries
Only 10% of trails are suitable for beginners
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 08 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 119 miles (2.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Snow Summit
Located in the heart of San Bernardino National Forest, Snow Summit is a short, scenic drive from the cities in Southern California. The resort is extremely family-friendly and known as a groomer cruiser heaven. There’s a dedicated beginner’s area and the terrain is best suited for intermediates. Unlike its sister resort Bear Mountain, Snow Summit is more popular amongst skiers and less focused on terrain parks. Its extensive snowmaking allows for some of the most consistent snow in Southern California and its night skiing isn’t too bad either.
Offering three distinct ski areas for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers
Highlights
Variety of terrain caters well for groups of mixed ability skiers
Plenty of accommodation options in nearby Wrightwood
Kids will love the tubing and sledding at Yeti’s Snow Parks
Lacks really steep trails for expert skiers
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 16 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 42 miles (45 minute drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 96 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Mountain High
Less than 2 hours drive from Los Angeles, Mountain High is one of the most visited resorts in South California. It is the ideal resort for groups of mixed abilities with three unique ski areas. North Resort for beginners, East Resort for intermediates, and West Resort for more advanced terrain. There’s also snow play activities for kids and stunning views of the Mojave Desert. The small mountain is often compared to Bear Mountain, however is less focused on terrain parks and is much more suitable for beginners and families. The only thing that might disappoint skiers here are the variable conditions due to lower snowmaking capacity.
Huge size, long seasons, and all the amenities you’d expect from a high-end resort.
Highlights
One of the longest seasons in the US
Large area and terrain for all ability levels
Tons of snow
Far from major cities
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 05 2022
Closing Date: May 29 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Mammoth Yosemite Airport – 14 miles (25 minute drive)
Reno-Tahoe Intl. Airport – 171 miles (3.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 318 miles (5.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Mountain is one of California’s biggest ski areas and has one of the longest seasons in North America. The modern resort is great for families of all ability levels as well as non-skiers who can enjoy a range of activities including tubing, snowmobiling, scenic gondola rides and snowcat tours. Other than the fact that holidays and powder weekends can bring a rush of crowds, Mammoth offers everything you could possibly want including a wide array of lodging and dining choices both at the base of the mountain as well as at Mammoth Lakes.
Family-friendly with a dedicated beginner slopes and lifts
Highlights
Quiet slopes are great for learning
Family-friendly resort
Night skiing on weekends
Limited dining options on the slopes
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 23 2022
Closing Date: Apr 09 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 47 miles (1 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 100 miles (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Snow Valley
Snow Valley in the San Bernardino National Forest, is a small family-friendly resort with a good mix of terrain. Since there is no lodging nearby, the resort doesn’t see many crowds and makes for a great day trip if you’re coming from Los Angeles. It’s perfect for those who want to level up on quieter slopes. Conditions also tend to vary as it has a lower elevation than nearby Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Nevertheless, this laid-back resort is great for those looking for a quick ski fix and even offers night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Most Profitable Small Businesses
Stock prices and mergers often take center stage in business news reports, while small businesses are treated more like the ensemble cast. But maybe it should be the other way around. Small businesses account for a staggering 99.9% of American companies, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.
And when they say small, they mean small. The majority of small businesses have one owner and no staff, and many have fewer than 20 employees. Still, nearly half of all jobs come from small businesses. In the past 25 years, small businesses have accounted for more than two-thirds of U.S. jobs.
With so much focus on tech giants and mega-corporations, sometimes the more subtle trends and new ideas coming from small businesses aren’t as apparent. Meaningful analysis of the U.S. economy should examine what’s happening in businesses of all sizes.
During 2022, the most profitable small businesses showed many entrepreneurs using their skills and interests to help other companies grow. Others focused on providing value by making everyday life more convenient or pleasant. Both online and in-person services have displayed solid growth and earning potential.
According to NerdWallet.com, these were last year’s most profitable types of small businesses.
Food trucks
Car wash services
Auto repair
Personal trainers
Newborn and post-pregnancy services
Enrichment activities for children
Mobile apps and entertainment for children
Shared accessories and attire
Shared home improvement equipment
Vacation rentals
Electronics repair
Academics courses
Language courses
Business or marketing courses
Personal wellness
Courses in hobbies or interests
Bookkeeping and accounting
Consulting
IT support
Graphic design
Social media management
Marketing copywriter
Virtual assistant services
Raising Money-Smart Kids
“Money doesn’t grow on trees!” Parents have said this to their children for generations, but the key is to back it up with information that shows how money does grow. Experts say teaching children the value of saving money is crucial to future financial stability. Saving also helps develop other good habits like discipline, goal setting, planning, and delayed gratification.
Start with a simple piggy bank (or any type of container) that enables young savers to see how coins and dollars add up in real time.
Check out money-saving apps that use graphics and gamification to teach kids about earning and saving money.
Establish guidelines for how much children should save from earned income and monetary gifts.
Encourage saving by creating opportunities to earn money doing household chores.
Educate children on comparison shopping, saving and using credit wisely.
Overall, it’s wise to discuss age-appropriate money matters with your family to foster healthy, lifelong relationships with household finances.
How To Get Compensated for Flight Issues
Do airlines have to compensate you if they delay or cancel your flight? Are you entitled to hotel or meal vouchers? Answers can vary, so be sure you understand your rights before you fly.
Find out what to do if your luggage is lost or you get bumped because of overbooking, mechanical problems or weather delays. You can find up-to-date information on the Department of Transportation’s new Airline Customer Service Dashboard at Transportation.gov.
Consider buying your tickets with a credit card that covers flight cancellations and service interruptions. Be aware of airline policies before purchasing tickets so you know what to expect in the event of a problem.
Pro Tip: Invest in a luggage tag with GPS tracking.
Tips To Lower Your Monthly Bills
Finding ways to reduce expenses isn’t always easy. But with some planning and creativity, you may discover surprising ways to revise your budget and lower your monthly costs. Try tracking your spending for several weeks, then prioritize needs and wants. Use this information and these tips to save on major expenditures.
Mortgage
If your mortgage payment is too high, think about moving to a more affordable home. You can also explore additional options, such as raising the deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy or bundling your home and auto insurance.
Utilities
Ask your cable, internet and cellphone providers for their best promotions. Research other utility options and switch to low-cost alternatives whenever available.
Transportation
If it’s practical, consider using public transportation. Refinance or trade in your car for a less expensive model. Look for a better deal on car insurance, and be sure to request all available discounts.
Food
Shop weekly grocery promotions, and buy only as much produce as you can use before it spoils. Cook at home more often and prepare enough food to save for leftovers.
Entertainment
Audit your streaming, subscriptions and other memberships for redundancies or little-used entertainment services.
4 Ways To Be More Productive on Your Phone
Instead of scrolling through social media when you have time to kill, why not get something done? Try these tips and tricks to boost your productivity no matter what kind of smartphone you have.
Put thoughts, ideas and drawings in a simple journal or notes app. Keeping all stray bits of information in one place is a productivity game-changer.
Dictate thoughts, ideas and reminders using your phone’s built-in microphone.
Purge, consolidate and organize things such as notes, emails, contacts, apps, texts, files, and photos. You may be surprised by how much unnecessary data you’ve accumulated.
Add shortcuts for frequent tasks on your home screen so they’re easily accessible.
Many of today’s homeowners bought or refinanced their homes during the pandemic when mortgage rates were at history-making lows. Since rates doubled in 2022, some of those homeowners put their plans to move on hold, not wanting to lose the low mortgage rate they have on their current house. And while today’s rates have started coming down from last year’s peak, they’re still higher than they were a couple of years ago.
Today, 93% of outstanding mortgages have a rate at or below 6%. That means a strong majority of homeowners with mortgages have a rate below what they’d get if they moved right now. But if you’re a homeowner in that position, remember that mortgage rates aren’t the only thing to consider when making a move. Your mortgage rate is important, but there are plenty of reasons you may still need or want to move. RealTrends explains:
“Sellers who don’t have to move won’t be moving. The most common sellers will be: Homeowners downsizing . . . people moving to get more space, [households] looking for better schools…etc.”
Top Reasons
So, if you’re on the fence about selling your house, consider the other reasons homeowners are choosing to make a move. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) breaks down why homeowners have decided to sell over the past year:
As the visual shows, the most commonly cited reasons for selling were the desire to move closer to loved ones, followed by moving due to retirement, and their neighborhood becoming less desirable. Additionally, the need for more space factored in, as did a change in household structure.
If you also find yourself wanting a change in location or needing space your current house just can’t provide, it may be time to sell.
What you want and need in a home can be reason enough to move. To find out what’s right for you, work with a trusted real estate professional who will offer advice and expert guidance throughout the process. They’ll be able to lay out all your options – giving you what you need to make a confident decision.
Bottom Line
When deciding whether or not to move, you have a lot to consider. There are plenty of non-financial reasons to factor in. Connect with a local real estate professional who can help you weigh the benefits of selling your house.
If you hate digging around crammed kitchen cupboards to find the right pot or pan come dinnertime, a hanging pot rack could change your life. Really.
Hanging pot racks are a major space-saver in a kitchen, freeing up cupboard room while also keeping your most-used items—your cookware—easily viewable and accessible. Just reach up, grab one, and you’re good to go!
Still, before you jump into the pot rack way of life, you should assess how much you like to cook and how often you actually do so. If your meal planning routine consists of spaghetti on Monday and then six days of takeout, you probably won’t get much use out of this kitchen feature.
You also need to allocate enough space—and the right spot—for a pot rack. Choose wrong, and it could be more of a headache than it’s worth.
So before you add to cart, here are some questions to ponder, as well as a rundown of the various pot rack styles available.
Most kitchens only sport a single window or two, so don’t block the only natural light you get by hanging your pot rack here. You’ll also want to avoid hanging a pot rack over the stovetop, because this is a recipe for all kinds of grime.
“It may seem convenient to put a pot rack over the stove, but doing so can cause grease to build up on your cookware,” says Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs Caterers.
One of the best places for a pot rack is over a kitchen island. Or if you don’t have an island, hang the rack over the portion of the countertop where you prep food.
Height is another variable you’ll want to get right. Make sure that the pots are low enough to be within easy reach, and won’t require you to climb up on a chair every time you boil eggs.
Still, the rack should also be high enough not to cause head bonks or obstruct your view.
Pot racks aren’t just a way to save cupboard space, but are also an excellent opportunity to highlight your collection.
“Use a rack to show off your more stylish cookware in an elegant, creative way that matches the rest of your kitchen decor,” says Correale.
You could match a stainless-steel rack with your stainless fixtures or appliances, or install a rack made from copper piping to match tones in your cabinets.
That said, make sure the bottoms of your pots and pans are super clean, or you really shouldn’t hang them up, says Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing. No one wants to be faced with scratched or sticky pot bottoms every time they enter the kitchen.
Correale also warns “not to overload a pot rack, since laden racks can make a kitchen look crowded, and too many pots may be too heavy for the hooks to manage.”
If you never use that 12-inch egg poacher, why is it getting prime real estate on your rack? Save this hanging device for everyday pots and pans you constantly reach for, like the little guy that holds two fried eggs, the oatmeal pot, or your trusty cast-iron skillet. Occasional-use items should be stashed in the pantry (we’re looking at you, turkey roasting pan).
Pot rack styles to consider
Rectangular, circular, metal pipes, a wooden board with simple hooks, and more—all are worthy pot rack shapes and materials. Here are some different versions, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Brushed stainless steel
Twelve hooks and a lifetime guarantee!
(Bed, Bath & Beyond)
Not only can you dangle your cookware from this attractive, brushed stainless-steel rack, but you can place cookbooks and lids on the upper shelf ($120, Bed, Bath & Beyond).
Half-circle bronze rack
This pick also comes in polished copper or stainless steel
(Amazon)
An oil-rubbed bronze option from Cuisinart looks classy and professional, so you know it can handle your old skillets. And the six hooks slide around the semicircle, making it easy to grab the pan you need ($60, Amazon).
Wooden ceiling rack
Birch wood and steel combine to create a strong rack
(Wayfair)
An open-grid rack like this one offers lots of ways to display your pots, and the top shelf is available to hold those lesser-used pans. This product also comes with extra hooks, so you can sneak in a few more ($81, Wayfair).
Wall-mount rail
Order two of these so you can also display utensils.
(Wayfair)
Saving space—and money? This easy-to-mount wall rack has room for 10 pots and supports up to 25 pounds of weight ($24, Wayfair).
Or go for the classic Julia Child style: a pegboard. Child was famous for her large board, which featured the outlines of every pot she owned, so she knew where to hang them when not in use.
“A pegboard is an underutilized hanging tool, and it makes sense in smaller kitchens or ones with empty wall space,” says DeMorrow.
Standing pot rack
It’s convenient, but it does need assembling.
(Wayfair)
Not every pot rack needs to be suspended. There are versions, like this one, that sit on the floor against a wall or tuck into corners, too ($340, Wayfair). Correale favors the standing type, since, he says, “It’s easier to reach and clean and you can move it around the kitchen as you please.”
Free-standing pot racks also seem sturdier since they have little shelves for each item, which means you don’t have to worry so much about how heavy your pots are, she adds.
It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who closely follows the economy or not, chances are you’ve heard whispers of an upcoming recession. Economic conditions are determined by a broad range of factors, so rather than explaining them each in depth, let’s lean on the experts and what history tells us to see what could lie ahead. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:
“Two-in-three economists are forecasting a recession in 2023 . . .”
As talk about a potential recession grows, you may be wondering what a recession could mean for the housing market. Here’s a look at the historical data to show what happened in real estate during previous recessions to help prove why you shouldn’t be afraid of what a recession could mean for the housing market today.
A Recession Doesn’t Mean Falling Home Prices
To show that home prices don’t fall every time there’s a recession, it helps to turn to historical data. As the graph below illustrates, looking at recessions going all the way back to 1980, home prices appreciated in four of the last six of them. So historically, when the economy slows down, it doesn’t mean home values will always fall.
Most people remember the housing crisis in 2008 (the larger of the two red bars in the graph above) and think another recession would be a repeat of what happened to housing then. But today’s housing market isn’t about to crash because the fundamentals of the market are different than they were in 2008. According to experts, home prices will vary by market and may go up or down depending on the local area. But the average of their 2023 forecasts shows prices will net neutral nationwide, not fall drastically like they did in 2008.
A Recession Means Falling Mortgage Rates
Research also helps paint the picture of how a recession could impact the cost of financing a home. As the graph below shows, historically, each time the economy slowed down, mortgage rates decreased.
Fortuneexplains mortgage rates typically fall during an economic slowdown:
“Over the past five recessions, mortgage rates have fallen an average of 1.8 percentage points from the peak seen during the recession to the trough. And in many cases, they continued to fall after the fact as it takes some time to turn things around even when the recession is technically over.”
In 2023, market experts say mortgage rates will likely stabilize below the peak we saw last year. That’s because mortgage rates tend to respond to inflation. And early signs show inflation is starting to cool. If inflation continues to ease, rates may fall a bit more, but the days of 3% are likely behind us.
The big takeaway is you don’t need to fear the word recession when it comes to housing. In fact, experts say a recession would be mild and housing would play a key role in a quick economic rebound. As the 2022 CEO Outlook from KPMG, says:
“Global CEOs see a ‘mild and short’ recession, yet optimistic about global economy over 3-year horizon . . .
More than 8 out of 10 anticipate a recession over the next 12 months, with more than half expecting it to be mild and short.”
Bottom Line
While history doesn’t always repeat itself, we can learn from the past. According to historical data, in most recessions, home values have appreciated and mortgage rates have declined.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this year, let’s connect so you have expert advice on what’s happening in the housing market and what that means for your homeownership goals.
Despite the promise embedded in its name, a dryer doesn’t always perfectly dry your clothes each and every time. That said, if you’re finding yourself with particularly damp clothes even after a full drying cycle, or you’ve noticed that the outside of the dryer becomes very hot while doing its job, it may be time to clean out your dryer vent ducts.
Cleaning these ducts isn’t just important for your clothes and time (and sanity). Over months and years, lint can accumulate in these ducts and mix with hot air and ignite, creating a fire hazard. Every year, dryer duct fires cause $35 million in damages, hundreds of injuriesand even deaths. If you ever notice a burning stench in your laundry room, this is another indication you should get cleaning sooner rather than later.
Experts recommend you clean out your dryer ducts twice a year. Doing so on your own might sound like an intimidating prospect but there are ways to do it easily, cheaply and relatively quickly.
Table of contents
What to do first
What you’ll need to clean your dryer vent
How to clean your dryer vent in 6 easy steps
How to prevent future build-up
What to do first
Before attempting a cleaning, it’s important to figure out whether your clothes dryer runs on gas or electric power:
An electric dryer will have a grounded 240 volt electrical outlet. The plug will also be larger than your standard plug, containing either three or four prongs.
A gas-powered dryer, on the other hand, plugs into your standard 110 volt three prong outlet and will also connect to a gas valve.
If your dryer runs on gas, you’ll want to turn off the gas supply valve while cleaning and be careful not to overly disturb the flexible gas line while repositioning the unit. If at any point you’re unsure about what you’re doing, call a pro.
What you’ll need to clean your dryer vent
A dryer vent cleaning kit — you can purchase one of these at your local hardware store or online for about $24.
Power drill
Vacuum or broom and dustpan
How to clean your dryer vent in 6 easy steps
Step 1: Find your vent
Before you can clean your dryer vent, you’ll need to figure out where it actually is. Dryers are usually connected to a short, 4-inch diameter exhaust pipe that then connects to ductwork inside a wall. Hot air from your dryer is pushed through this pipe and escapes through a vent on the outside wall of your home.
Once you’ve identified your outdoor dryer exhaust vent, take a peek inside and look for any debris, including dust, lint or even dead bugs. Wash any screens and clear out any noticeable obstructions.
Step 2: Carefully disconnect your dryer
Once you’ve figured out how your ducts work, you’re ready to unplug your dryer. Once that’s done, remove any metal tape or clamps that attach your dryer vent pipe to its exhaust. Be sure to apply a gentle pressure when pulling the vent pipe from the wall duct, so as not to break the pipe.
Step 3: Vacuum the lint
By now you should be able to get a clear look inside your dryer vent from inside your laundry room (or nook). Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to suck up any lint in or around the hole.
If you’ve got a handheld vacuum, you can repeat this process on the outside duct. Otherwise, try to clear debris manually from outside.
Step 4: Get in there with a brush
Attach the dryer brush from your vent cleaning kit to your power drill and insert the brush end of the rod into your duct. Push the brush as far back as you possibly can, bearing in mind that you might need to delicately maneuver the hose attachment depending on the route your duct takes.
If you’re unable to thread the brush through the entirety of your duct, or if your brush simply doesn’t extend that long, try inserting the brush head in the outside duct as well.
Step 5: Clean up and reconnect
At this point, you’ve likely unearthed a treasure trove of lint. You’ll want to use a vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan to sweep away your new fluffy friends.
Next, plug your dryer into the outlet and reconnect your wall duct.
One catch, though: if your dryer uses a soft foil-style vent to link to its wall duct, you’ll want to replace it with something sturdier. A 90-degree, fire-resistant aluminum elbow will suffice, while also providing superior airflow. You can buy them from Home Depot for just under $5.
Step 6: Celebrate
You did it! Cleaning out a dryer vent may not be glamorous work but you rose to the challenge and for that you deserve a victory lap. Turn on your dryer and listen as the air flows smoothly out the vent—the sweet sound of success. No more damp clothes, no more endless cycles. And you did it all on your own.
How to prevent future build-up
To ensure those pesky lint fibers don’t mess with your future drying game, be sure to take out the lint trap filter at the outer edge of your dryer door and remove the lint before every cycle. You’ll also want to vacuum the lint screen regularly, depending on how often you’re drying your clothes. Finally, it’s also a good idea to sweep and dust around your dryer.
A new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one.
A great way to ease some of those emotions and ensure you’re feeling confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind.
1. Price Your Home Right
The housing market shifted in 2022 as mortgage rates rose, buyer demand eased, and the number of homes for sale grew. As a seller, you’ll want to recognize things are different now and price your house appropriately based on where the market is today. Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, explains:
“Price your home realistically. This isn’t the housing market of April or May, so buyer traffic will be substantially slower, but appropriately priced homes are still selling quickly.”
If you price your house too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. And if you go too low, you’re leaving money on the table. An experienced real estate agent can help determine what your ideal asking price should be.
2. Keep Your Emotions in Check
Today, homeowners are living in their houses longer. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 5 to 10 years (see graph below):
This is several years longer than what used to be the historical norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.
For some homeowners, that makes it even harder to negotiate and separate the emotional value of the house from fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations along the way.
3. Stage Your Home Properly
While you may love your decor and how you’ve customized your home over the years, not all buyers will feel the same way about your design. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you focus on your home’s first impression so it appeals to as many buyers as possible. As NAR says:
“Staging is the art of preparing a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers in your market. The right arrangements can move you into a higher price-point and help buyers fall in love the moment they walk through the door.”
Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. A real estate professional can help you with tips to get your house ready to sell.
Bottom Line
If you’re considering selling your house, let’s connect so you have the help you need to navigate through the process while prioritizing these best practices.
Get ready to feast as Lunar New Year is coming! Following the lunisolar calendar, Lunar New Year officially starts on January 22 this year. This holiday is celebrated by many Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, and is commonly known as Tet, Seollal, Chinese New Year, and Spring Festival. Within each, there is some variation in traditions. For instance, this year marks the Year of the Rabbit for those following the Chinese zodiac, but for Vietnamese, it is the Year of the Cat. The cuisine from each country differs slightly, but with one commonality; it’s always in abundance.
We’ve rounded up 10 dishes for you to try during this Lunar New Year celebration. Check out which local businesses are serving them in your area on Yelp!
Banh Tet or Banh Chung
A Vietnamese savory cake offered to the ancestors at Tet that is sticky rice filled with mung beans and then wrapped in leaves to boil to perfection. Banh tet and banh chung are distinguished by the South and North Vietnam with subtle differences such as their shape (cylindrical versus square) and the type of leaves they are wrapped in (banana versus la dong). This dish is known to be extremely versatile as you can sweeten the cake by adding sugar on top or pair it with pickled veggies and fish sauce for a more piquant taste.
Photo from Banh Mi Oven (San Jose, CA) by business
Tteokguk
This Korean rice cake soup is a staple among Seollal feasts. This bowl signifies becoming a year older, good health, and a bright year ahead. It’s filled with rice cakes (that resemble the old Korean coin currency), vegetables, eggs, and sometimes mandu (dumplings) mixed into a bone broth.
As the name suggests, longevity noodles are eaten during joyous celebrations to bring a long life and prosperity. These hand pulled noodles are commonly stir fried with other veggies and proteins.
Galbijjim, a braised beef short rib stew, is a hearty dish to share amongst friends and family around celebrations. The fall off the bone, tender ribs are commonly served with carrots, potatoes in a sweet and savory sauce, and served on a hot skillet to keep warm.
Photo from Sun Nong Dan (Los Angeles, CA) by Annie W
Whole Fish
Eating a whole fish on Lunar New Year signifies more abundance, prosperity, and surplus of fortune. The Chinese pronunciation for fish, Yu, is similar to that of abundance, hence the correlation. The dish is generally steamed and based with a light soy sauce blend, then topped with a tower of herbs.
Also called the treasure pot or Chinese casserole is filled to the brim with a number of ingredients—seafood, meat, and vegetables. Options may include pork belly, abalone, shrimp, turnip, taro, napa cabbage, and more. Originating from Hong Kong, this dish is of true abundance with a long preparation. The term directly translates to “basin vegetables.”
Also known as yusheng or lo hei is a common Singaporean/Malaysian dish. The dish is encompassed with a blend of colorful salad ingredients and raw fish, typically salmon. The ingredients are all nicely divided until you are ready to eat and commence the ‘prosperity toss.’ This dish symbolizes togetherness and the reunion of friends and family for celebration.
Photo from Kopitiam (New York, New York) by business
Jeon
AKA the Korean pancake is commonly eaten as a side dish or appetizer for Lunar New Year. A savory pancake-like dish filled with green onions and sometimes seafood or kimchi, then lightly fried until golden brown.
These sweet chewy balls in a sweet syrup are common in both Vietnamese and Chinese celebrations. Tangyuan are mini mochi balls in a brown sugar blend, while che troi nuoc are glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste and dunked in a ginger syrup. Toppings can vary to add extra creaminess or crunchiness like coconut milk, ginger, sesame seeds, and peanuts. Eating this dish symbolizes togetherness and completeness, ending the new year celebration on a sweet note.
Another sweet glutinous treat roughly translates to new year cake. This treat also symbolizes prosperity and a symbol of growing each year. These can be served lightly fried or steamed.
Some people love it, some would rather have a sunny day of beach activities. Either way, I think we can all agree that the rain can stop us from doing some things we want to do. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a ton of fun rainy day activities, whether you’re a kid or an adult!
If you look at it another way, you can think of it as an opportunity to do the activities that you might have been putting off for a long time. More importantly, it can also be a chance to tick off ideas from your bucket list.
Let’s seize the chance to turn the frown upside down with this list of fun things to do on a rainy day!
Rainy Day Bucket List: Fun Activities & Things to Do Indoors
1. Bake Something Delicious (Like Pie & Cookies)
For all you pie lovers, there’s an art to making the best homemade pie. It’s all about the fruit inside, creating the perfect pie crust and making it with a touch of love. It doesn’t matter if it’s apples, lemons or peaches — choose whatever is sure to make your mouth water.
Get yourself The Perfect Pie cookbook or use one of these popular recipes to help you with your pie:
Maybe cookies are more of your ideal treat for a rainy day? Baking cookies can get a little messy, but who doesn’t like a home filled with smiling faces and the smells of fresh-baked cookies? It doesn’t matter whether it’s snickerdoodles, oatmeal raisin or simple chocolate chips, spend an entire day just baking. The one who does the most work gets to lick the spoon!
If you’re brave enough and there’s some equipment available, or you happen to be at a karaoke bar, singing your lungs away to your favorite tunes, alone and together with your friends, is another fun way to spend a rainy day. Choose your favorite tunes released in the year, and make them yours. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a great voice or not, so long as you are having fun!
This is the perfect thing to do on a rainy day! Cook up some popcorn, cozy up under a blanket and find the perfect TV series to binge watch. I have happily and obsessively watched all the seasons of The Good Place, You and Schitt’s Creek. They were all fantastic! You can easily find something fun and entertaining on-demand or there’s plenty of options if you are an Amazon Prime member. If you are struggling to find a show , then the 33 best TV shows to binge-watch will help you out.
4. Break Out of an Escape Room
An escape room is known to offer live games where participants are locked in themed rooms for an hour and left to solve puzzles in order to find their way out. They offer an immersive, fun, and entertaining way of engaging your brain as you compete with other participants.
5. Brew your Own Beer
It has been claimed that beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. No matter where you are, you’ve probably noticed craft breweries popping up with uniquely named flavors — the industry has grown way beyond the simple Coors Light! Why not try your hand at creating your own flavor profile that fits your taste buds? It’s easy to do with the perfect beer making kit and a few award-winning home brew recipes.
6. Build a Model Airplane or Car
With hundreds of little pieces, building a model is one of those rainy day activities that takes a lot of time, effort and dedication. Choose from these best selling model airplane kits or these top car models, and then put your patience to the test.
7. Indoor Camp in the Family Room
How fun would it be for the whole family, kids and all, (or just the two of you) to have an evening camping in the family room? Move the furniture out of the way and set up a pop up tent right in the middle of the room. Then gather up your pillows, blankets, snacks, books and any other for activities you want to do while you are disconnected.
8. Check Out an Indoor Skating Rink
Going to an indoor skating rink for some is just a cute date night idea, but it’s also a terrific opportunity to sneak in some exercise without even realizing it.
This can also be a chance to learn how to skate on the ice if you haven’t done this before. And though it may look similar to roller skating, you’ll feel the difference once you’re in the ice rink, so give it a shot!
9. Clean Out & Organize Your Closet
It is surprisingly rewarding to be able to purge some clothes, plus it is purely a bonus that you can donate or consign them! If you are anything like me then it’s pretty hard to decide what to keep and what to give away, so use these 17 Invaluable Tips For Anybody With Too Many Clothes.
10. Complete a BIG Jigsaw Puzzle
This is one of those fun things to do on a rainy day that most of us haven’t done since we were children! You don’t find too many opportunities where you can concentrate on one thing, so be present and let everything else in your mind go. That alone will be worth every minute.
Both Blogger.com and WordPress.com offer free blogs with easy setup, all you have to do is come up with something creative to talk about. Some of the most popular blog topics are Money, Travel, Food, Mommyhood, Technology and Celebrity Gossip. Put a new spin on any of these things and start writing!
During rainy days, you will have a lot of time cooking, and what better way to incorporate your love for food than creating your own family cookbook that you can pass on for generations.
Family cookbooks are a traditional handcrafted gift. Make yours extra unique by incorporating a little family history and honoring the individuals and places that inspired the recipes you enjoy.
Creating a scrapbook is a great way to be able to look back and reminisce about all the adventures and good times you have had. You can preserve all your experiences in the form of pictures, ticket stubs, pressed flowers or just about anything else. And if you get the entire family in on this beautiful project, it will be something you cherish for a lifetime. PS: Here are some cute layout ideas!
14. Create the Perfect Rainy Day Song Playlist
Music is a great way to get you geared up for any day, especially one made for spending it chillaxing indoors at home. Having a hard time thinking of songs? Spotify has made it easy with its hundreds of playlists to choose from, one of my favorites is the Best Chill Music.
15. Create Your Own Cocktail
Become your own mixologist by concocting the perfect cocktail. The best part about this bucket list goal is that you will have to do a lot of sampling before coming up with your own perfect harmony of flavors. Practice makes perfect! If you’re not the best at creating drinkable concoctions, you can check these 10 tips on how to make a great cocktail. Or base your drink off of one of the Great Classic Cocktails.
After many trials and errors, my signature cocktail creation was a Lemon-Basil Fizz made with prosecco, coconut rum, raspberries, basil and lemon sorbet (see the video below and get the recipe here).
16. Jump at an Indoor Trampoline Park
You might get stuck out with the youngsters and their never-ending energy on rainy days. The Indoor Trampoline Park is a fantastic location for children and the young at heart!
Though it might be tempting to perform backflips and stuff (unless you’re a professional), it’s better to exercise caution for a fun and safe jumping experience.
17. Finish a Crossword Puzzle
Select a challenging crossword to attempt and don’t cheat! No dictionaries or assistance allowed! Finishing a crossword puzzle can take many hours, but if you don’t want too much of a challenge buy the New York Times Light & Easy crossword puzzle book and make it a challenge to see how many inside the book you can complete.
18. Get Ordained
Have you ever wanted to officiate a wedding ceremony? Then think about becoming an ordained minister — it’s easier than you think. Simply Google “get ordained” and a slew of websites will come up that offer free ordination. On my last birthday, I got ordained with the American Marriage Ministries. It was super simple, free, and only took mere minutes. Get started now with this article on How to Get Ordained Online: 5 Easy Steps to Ordination
Be aware that each state has different laws on who can marry someone, check with Marriage Laws to find the rules in your state.
19. Go 24 Hours without Internet, Radio or Television
Now, I know, this is a tall order and may not be easy for some. We use the internet for everything nowadays. But think about it. When was the last time you went for two hours without your phone? Try going 24 hours without internet, radio or TV. Read a good book, talk to your family or use the time to complete some of the other ideas on this rainy day bucket list. Soon enough you will wish you had these quiet and peaceful moments more often.
20. Go Bowling
Yes, you can go bowling anytime of the year, but bowling during a rainy day is a great way to escape the weather outside. You can enjoy putting on those oh-so-cute shoes and taking your best shot at getting a strike. Bonus bucket list points if you bowl a turkey—three strikes in a row!
21. Have a Dance Party
Of all the things that we have on this list, this is one of the activities you can enjoy, rain or shine. You can invite your family, friends, neighbors, anyone!
There is no limit to what type of dance you can do. It can be a Zumba dance party, ballroom, or even freestyle. If you don’t know how to dance, it’s okay, it’s a rainy day activity just for fun!
22. Have a Board Game Night Marathon
Stay in for the evening, get cozy in your jammies and have a board game night marathon. There are different games for all ages, but Bingo and Scrabble are favorites for almost everyone in the family (this bingo set comes with everything you need!). You can make it even more fun by adding prizes for the winner, like store gift cards, candies or extra TV time for the kids.
23. Have a Movie Marathon (Watch all the Oscar Winning Movies)
One of the most enjoyable things to do on a rainy day is to watch some old and new movies. Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to spend a whole day inside vegging out and watching movies.
Keep a warm blanket on hand to snuggle under, prepare a bowl of popcorn, and settle down to watch the shows!
24. Have a Pajama Day
What kind of luxury would it be to spend all day in your pajamas?!? Put on your most comfy pair and lounge for a full 24-hours.
It’s entirely up to you whether you invest in a treatment at a high-end spa or create your own at home. In any case, a self-care day will leave you feeling completely revitalized. Put on a moisturizing face mask (I love this one!) and let the rain’s pitter-patter serve as your personal white noise machine.
26. Have an Arts and Crafts Session
Bring out your inner craftsman at home by doing some arts and crafts projects. You can set up your materials on a kitchen table and try out some things, like coloring or painting, doing origami butterflies or flowers, anything!
Doing arts and crafts can also serve as an opportunity for discovery. It can be the start of finding a new pastime for the hobby bucket list that you will love or rekindling an old one that you used to do when you were a kid.
27. Have an Indoor Picnic
Picnics aren’t just for the outdoors—clear a space on your living room floor and recreate a memorable dining experience. You can even pack a traditional wicker basket with your favorite picnic foods and enjoy the feast without going too far. Real Simple magazine can help you out with their Picnic Packing Checklist. If you want to set up an Instagrammable picnic, here’s a cute red checkered picnic basket.
28. Have an Indoor Treasure/Scavenger Hunt
Are there any children in the house? A treasure hunt will keep them occupied indoors on a wet day, but it’s a fun rainy day idea for adults too. Make one set of clues for each player (for added fun, rhyme the clues), with each clue leading to the next and, eventually, the treasure. Seal them in envelopes with a clue number to make it easier for the treasure hunters to track them down. Of course, having a prize at the end will help motivate them even more.
29. Eat Breakfast in Bed
Start your rainy day morning in a truly relaxing way, with a tasty breakfast in bed. The easiest way to complete this goal would be to order room service at a hotel, but don’t cancel out the opportunity to do it in your very own home too. How dreamy does it sound to indulge in some waffles, eggs and mimosa’s while still cozied up in your bed.
30. Head to the Mall
There are many things to enjoy about a trip to the local mall, whether it be window shopping, eating food, or even just people-watching. Plus, you may find some hidden gems that you realize you need or want.
31. Hit Up a Local Brewery
You don’t need the sun to enjoy a cold local brew, it’s a fun thing to do on a rainy day too! Most of them also provide behind-the-scenes tours, so you can spend an afternoon learning all about how they make beer while enjoying a pint or two of beer.
32. Host a Tea Party
Throwing a tea party is one of the most traditional things to do on a rainy day. Put on your most formal attire (or pajamas!), prepare the table with fine china, and put on your most eloquent demeanor (remember to extend your pinkie and sip on your tea politely).
33. Host a Video Game Tournament
Even if you’re not a big gamer, having a few friends around (or online) to compete for the title of ultimate champion is a lot of fun. It doesn’t have to be something like Fortnite or Call of Duty. Even with classic games like Tetris or Mario Kart, the friendly competition will make everyone hyped! So, get that gaming console out, pick a few favorite games, and get your competitive spirit on!
34. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Start by listing five things you are grateful for. In the beginning it will probably be a struggle to come up with a mere five, being wrapped up in a world full of fear can disguise the good in your life. Think hard. Did you just drink a deliciously warm cup of coffee? Or did you connect with a friend by text? Or enjoy a heartwarming movie on television? There is always something to be grateful for—always.
Go to the local craft store (or order online) and pick out your favorite yarn to knit yourself a cozy scarf. You can find different How-To videos on YouTube or even learn from family or friends if you don’t know how to make one.
Bring on the abracadabra! Everyone can appreciate the good old vanishing coin trick or pulling a flower bouquet out of your sleeve. If your whole family is bored, you can even have each member in the household learn a different trick and then put on a show!
You should be able to find an illusion to attempt within these 10 easy magic tricks, or simply buy a Card Magic Kit that includes tons of tricks to try. By the way, if you want to perform a card trick, but no ordinary deck will do, then step it up a notch with some sparkling gold foil cards.
37. Learn a New Language
You can learn a new skill at any age, so why not learn a new language? It can be a fun and interactive experience for the whole family. Perhaps you can learn the language of a dream destination where you hope to go on a vacation someday? Dream big!
I have always been wowed when I see a perfectly calligraphed letter—it truly is an art form! You can start with faux calligraphy that uses a standard ballpoint pen or buy a simple lettering set that includes a brush pen!
39. Learn How To Cook
It doesn’t matter if you’re already a Chopped champion in the kitchen or if you can barely boil water. Cooking classes are all about learning to make delicious food and then eating it, so they’re ideal for a rainy day!
There are several online cooking classes to pick from, where you may learn from the finest chefs how to cook new recipes or even techniques to improve your cooking.
40. Learn to Juggle
You’ve got some time to kill at home? Grab a few oranges (or apples) and perfect your juggling skills. This video says that you can learn in 10 minutes—let me know how that turns out for you!
41. Try to Meditate
Meditation is much more than sitting in a lotus position chanting “om” over and over again—it is a way of life. Clearing your mind through meditation has many benefits, like lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels. Plus, it can give you a brighter outlook on life! Having an “empty mind” for even a few seconds can seem like a challenge, but this 10-minute guided meditation will help you along the way.
42. Learn to Play a Song on an Instrument
It’s time to channel your inner rock star and learn a song on the instrument of your choice. Pick something like a guitar, keyboard, ukulele or even a harmonica for your musical gadget then pop onto YouTube to find a class.
Learning a song of the harmonica has been on my bucket list and this harmonica and lesson guide will have you playing When the Saints Go Marching In in no time at all!
43. Learn to Use Chopsticks
Not very many adults know how to do this and even fewer kids can comfortably use chopsticks. Do you want to seem sophisticated and well-cultured, then learn how to use chopsticks. It can even be a fun way to eat your favorite bowl of noodles, and you can impress your friends when you are all out for sushi.
44. Make a Bucket List
If you don’t have a bucket list yet (why the heck not?!?!?!), take this opportunity at home to create one. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to start—you’ve come to the right place—here are some articles to help you:
We are all gifted with unique natural skills like dancing, singing, drawing, acting and so on. To showcase your skills or creativity and to get a chance to see just how many people find that impressive, why not create a YouTube video? Just create your first YouTube video showcasing your natural flair and upload it. It’s a brilliant way to tap into your creative side and you just might make money out of it. Plus, it can be simple and free!
46. Make an Origami Animal
Origami is a big part of Japanese culture and it truly is fascinating how little tiny pieces of paper can be crafted into beautiful pieces of artwork. The crane is one of the most popular shapes and you can fairly easily learn how to make one. There are countless videos and instructions online and below are two that worked for me.
One of my fondest memories as a child was helping my Italian grandmother make fresh pasta on the kitchen table. It didn’t matter what shape it was, the handmade pasta always tasted better. There is nothing like the taste of fresh pasta and it is fairly easy to make, using only 3 ingredients you can make fettuccine, pappardelle or tagliatelle. This pasta recipe is the one I use at my restaurant.
At my Italian restaurant we use the red Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine every single day and love it! They have a bunch of other cool colors too.
48. Make Homemade Pizza
People can be picky little eaters, but almost everyone loves pizza! From kneading the dough to adding your favorite toppings and sprinkling hearty amounts of cheese, everyone in the house can have fun making their own personal pie.
Instead of going to the grocery store to buy your favorite ice cream flavor, set up shop and make some at home. And making your own is not as hard as it may seem. The trick is to perfect the basics, then expand on it by adding different flavors. If ice cream seems too complicated, try making fun flavored popsicles, like Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt. Yum!
One of the best rainy day pleasures for people is to dip into a calming hot bath filled with your favorite (or homemade) moisturizing soap blend. After a long day, a tub full of bubbles is the ideal tonic to unwind, release tension, and disconnect from the outside world.
51. Master Your Favorite TikTok Dances
Is there a popular dance or two in Tiktok that you’ve always wanted to learn? Well, now is your chance to do so! You can check out some dance tutorials on how to perform these, or you can also make your own dance choreography for those songs.
52. Mend Old Clothes
Do you have a pile of old garments that you’ve wanted to mend but haven’t gotten around to it? A day spent indoors is the perfect opportunity to rummage through your closet and pull out all the items that require repairs. Grab your emergency sewing kit and start mending up those rips, snags, or tattered ends!
53. Plan a Vacation
When you’re stranded at home due to the weather, you might be dreaming of getting tanned by the beach or going on a beautiful mountain getaway. Now is the perfect opportunity to start organizing your trip!
Make a cup of coffee, open your laptop, and plan your trip, including where you want to go (maybe our ultimate travel bucket list can help?!?), when you might be able to take time off, and how you’ll fit it into your budget. You can also check out our printable packing lists to help you on your trip!
54. Play a Round of Mini Golf
If you love golfing or would want to try it out but can’t because of the weather, then go on a game of minigolf or putt-putt instead! Not only is it beginner-friendly, but it is also a great rainy day activity for kids and adults.
From pirate islands to castles to the craziest courses, you will have a fun yet competitive experience playing minigolf!
55. Play Cards
Card games are a fun and entertaining way to bond with family or friends. It only takes a deck of cards, your wits, and just a bit of luck to play.
You can have a game of the classics like Old Maid or Poker, even ones like Uno (which has its deck of cards.).
Need more ideas? See our Card Game Bucket List that has 100+ fun ones to play with family & friends.
56. Read Some Books (Read a Classic)
I know, this doesn’t sound like the funnest thing to do when you’re bored, but have you ever read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee? How about ‘Diary of a Nobody’ by George and Weedon Grossmith? The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien? Well, the movies are more entertaining but the novels are pretty sweet too and more detailed. The point is, you can learn more when you read these wonderful classics than you typically do playing Candy Crush on your phone.
It’s getting easier to find out your roots, so spark up an interest in genealogy and start researching your family tree. You can start your search at My Heritage who offers a 14-day free trial or Ancestry.com who gives you a free starter account.
58. Indoor Climbing Gym
Are you a fan of spelunking or climbing? You will surely enjoy scaling the walls at an indoor climbing gym! Not only is it challenging and fun for all skill levels, but it is also a great way to work up a sweat during the rainy season in the comfort of the gym. You’ll also get to meet new friends with the same interest in the process.
59. See a Foreign Film
Sometimes those darn subtitles keep us from watching a foreign film—this time, don’t let them! There are masterpiece flicks made around the world and here are 25 of the best.
60. Splurge on a Solo Meal at a Fancy Restaurant
It’s okay to treat yourself to some fancy food every now and then, so dress up, wear that bow and tie or dress and head to the finest restaurant in your area.
Though dining at a fancy restaurant alone might make you feel uncomfortable, trust me when I say that eating out alone can be an empowering experience.
61. Stay Up All Night
Do you remember when the two of you just started your relationship or you just got some news to share with your BFF? You would spend the wee hours of the morning just talking on the phone. Try to replicate that special period of time by planning an all-nighter that may include chatting, laughing, cooking together or dancing in the kitchen.
It is always interesting to learn something new about something, whether from a loved one or even the town you were born in. Museums let you travel back in time with their fascinating exhibits and discover their history, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.
63. Volunteer—Virtually!
You no longer have to be onsite to do the good deed of volunteering—you can help right from your comfy couch! Many organizations need help fostering dogs and the United Nations online volunteering program needs everything from researchers to designers to content editing.
64. Write a Haiku
A Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of only three lines and a total of 17 syllables. The first and third line has 5 syllables and the second has seven. The lines do not need to rhyme, actually most of the time they don’t.
On one of my birthdays, I wrote this one:
A plane flies over,
you dream of being on it.
Ideas flourish.
Want to write your own haiku? The how to write a haiku article will help, and it includes 15 examples!
65. Write a Letter to your Future Self
Writing a letter to your future self can help to lead your life in the right direction. Share your current thoughts on love, family, career, finances, aging, etc. and also your hopes for each of these things in the future. Tuck your letter away and do not open for at least five years!
On my 40th birthday I wrote a letter to my future self. It is a beautiful piece about exactly how I felt at that point in my life. After not reading it for five years, I have now vowed to visit it on every birthday.
Make your letter even more special by picking some pretty paper (like this Japanese Stationary) and handwriting it.
66. Write a Thank You Note to Someone Who Deserves It
So often people want to tell a company or friend how they feel when they are not satisfied, instead write a thank you to show your appreciation for a job well done.
Writing your note on a simple sheet of paper is fine, but stocking up on blank greeting cards may be a good idea instead. I literally just bought these bird greeting cards which would be perfect for a simple thank you.
. . .
You see, there are plenty of things to do on a rainy day to make it worthwhile. Instead of being cooped up at home scrolling through your phone, why not make fun and lasting memories with these ideas, even when you are indoors!
So the next time you wake up and the skies are gray, I hope this bucket list of rainy day activities will come in handy.
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