Christmas 2011: Best holiday gifts for your home
Christmas is fun for many reasons: Holiday parties, festive decorations and, of course, gifts. You shower your friends and family with fruitcakes, sweaters and a plethora of other gifts, but what do you do for your house around the holidays?
Instead of dressing up your home in lights that are equivalent to you dressing up in an ugly Christmas sweater, show your house some love with a special gift or two this holiday. I've put together a list of best holiday gifts you can pick up for your home that are guaranteed to make this a very merry season.
Furnace filter: Your furnace keeps you warm all winter long, but when was the last time you changed the filter? Filters typically need to be replaced every one to three months. If you haven't checked the filter since last spring, now is the time to do so and, if necessary, buy a new one. The average cost of a filter is less than $20 -- a bargain holiday present for your home.
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Light sensors: All those dazzling Christmas lights flickering outside your home are probably connected to a sensor, but why not add a few light sensors inside? Indoor motion sensors turn lights on when you enter a room and off when you leave -- a great feature during the holiday party season, when guests are wandering from room to room in your home. The light sensors are also a great way to help you save money on electricity bills, which might come in handy after a festive period of dazzling light displays.
Humidifier: Dry, cold air damages more than just your skin. According to the MSN real estate blog, your house also suffers when the cold winter air pulls moisture out of doors and other woodwork. A humidifier is the perfect remedy for all the tears and cracks caused by dry weather. It acts like a dry-skin lotion by moistening the air in your house. Instead of buying a portable humidifier, find one that works with your heating and cooling system so your whole place can benefit from the much needed moisture. Your home will thank you.
Solar arrays: Go green this holiday season by decking your home with solar arrays. The cost of solar panels might scare you away from considering them as a holiday gift for your house, but they're one of the best presents to give this season. Prices are dropping as solar technology improves, and installing them now on your roof will help lower your electricity bills in the long run.
Paint: Your home is probably due for a quick facelift after a long year. How about a fresh paint job to usher in the new year? You can stick with the same colors you're currently using, or go adventurous with a vibrant shade like Tangerine Tango -- it's Pantone's color of the year for 2012. You'll instantly brighten your home before the holidays are officially over.
While it isn't as flashy as new jewelry, investing a little bit of money into your home this holiday season could pay off big time in 2012.
