Seattle Holiday Party Etiquette – Hostess Gifts and Thank You Notes

It’s holiday party season again in Seattle (okay, okay... and the rest of the country), and it’s better to give than to receive - okay, it’s fun to receive too. Whether you’re hosting or attending, here are a few etiquette tips to help you navigate the waters of hostess gifts and thank you notes.

Unless you’re attending an office holiday party or large charity-type event, it’s appropriate to bring a hostess gift. A bottle of wine or flowers are traditional options. However, don’t be afraid to think outside the gift box and choose an item better suited to your host.

For example, a “foodie” host and hostess might enjoy gourmet chocolates, decadent artisanal cheeses, and aged balsamic vinegar or limited-release olive oil. Dried fruits, premium nuts and exotic spices are also great options. Or consider fresh baked breads and locally made jams. Forgo the bouquet of flowers and bring potted rosemary or other herbs instead.

Throwing a holiday party is hard work, and gifts that help the host and hostess relax are popular as a result. Consider luxury bath oils and salts, bubble bath, aromatic candles, or a CD featuring soothing seasonal music. A tasteful quality little teapot, teacups, and selection of stress-relieving teas are another thoughtful option.

If you’re hosting and you’ve received a gift of food or wine, don’t feel as though you have to open it to share at the party. It is perfectly appropriate to save the gift for a time when you can relax and unwind alone. Thank the giver sincerely and let her know that you’ll be enjoying the gift later.

As a party guest, make an effort to say goodbye to your host at the end of the night, no matter how crowded the party may still be when you leave. Wait around if necessary, but do not leave without saying "Thank You" for their holiday hospitality. And while email is acceptable for almost everything these days, make your grandmother proud and follow up with a handwritten thank you note instead.

Outdoor Holiday Lighting Installation & Safety in Issaquah & Snoqualmie

When stringing lights on the outside of your Issaquah or Snoqualmie home (and sometimes, even inside), safety is paramount! Please... don’t ruin your holidays, or worse, risk severe injury by installing holiday lights on your home if you’re not fully prepared, and you have placed safety first!

This week, I witnessed a neighbor installing Christmas lights on their Snoqualmie Ridge home - in the wind-driven rain - and with the lights on! Several times, I watched him lean perilously from one eave to another on his second floor with the tangled lit lights dangling to the ground. I was fully expecting to have to call 911 at any moment.

With this in mind, beyond placing Christmas lights in your smaller trees and shrubs, perhaps it’s a better idea to leave the larger home holiday lighting jobs to the experts! A couple of holiday lighting companies have been serving the Issaquah and Snoqualmie area for several years. But act fast... their schedules fill up quickly!

Brothers Holiday Lighting
Providing classic Christmas lighting solutions to more than 400 residential and commercial clients since 2000. You can reach them at 425.829.4533 or visit the website at www.brothersholidaylighting.com

Flemings Holiday Lighting
Specializing in residential and commercial lighting throughout Seattle and the surrounding area. Reach them at 206.938.7405 or visit the website at www.flemingsholidaylighting.com

Checkout my personal blog for more information about outdoor holiday lighting.

Five Tips for First Time Home Buyers in Issaquah

When looking at Issaquah homes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when navigating through the home buying process, especially if you’ve never bought a home before. Here are five tips for first-time home buyers in Issaquah who wish to purchase their first home or condo:

1. Do your research: It's important to compare similar properties before placing any offers. Many Issaquah homes - particularly houses built in the last 5 years - have plenty of comparable properties to glean information from. Any experienced buyer's agent will do this as a part of the home buying and negotiation process. The last thing you want to do is put an offer on a house, pay for appraisal and inspection fees, and then find out the property was overpriced, or worse... you later feel that you’ve overpaid after moving in.
   
2. Get pre-approved: Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes new home-buyers make is viewing homes without being pre-approved for a loan. Sellers (and your agent) want to know that you are a serious potential buyer. The best way demonstrate your serious intent to purchase, is by getting pre-approved; this will indicate that you've already spoken with a mortgage lender, had your credit checked, and that your finances are in order. The lender will provide you with a letter which your agent will submit with any offers you make. It’s important to consider however, that a “pre-approval” is not an absolute guarantee your loan will go through - especially these days.
   
3. Be realistic about your budget: Just because your lender pre-approves you for a $2500 a month house payment, doesn't necessarily mean you should look at houses in that price range. Make sure to consider the potential mortgage payment along with your other monthly debt obligations and future savings. It is important to also consider the inevitable additional expenses associated with owning a home, such as utilities, lawn maintenance, home repairs, etc. Fortunately, there are homes and condos suitable for different budgets in the Issaquah area.
   
4. Think the long-term: When searching for a houses or condos in Issaquah, think about how long you plan to be there. If you will be starting a family, you will want to make sure there is plenty of space indoors and outdoors, and that there are family-friendly amenities available in the neighborhood. In addition, consider where you work, go to church, visit friends & family, your favorite shopping in Issaquah, etc., in order to make sure you're within a reasonable distance.
   
5. Always order an inspection: Just because you might be looking at a new house or resale home that seems to be in great condition, doesn't mean that you shouldn't get an inspection. Always hire an independent home inspector to thoroughly inspect any home you wish to purchase - no matter the condition or age. In addition to examining the overall structure and condition of the home, the inspector will look at the mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing and other important components which could cost you a lot of money to replace or repair should they fail.

Buying your first home is something you will want to carefully consider. Even in the Issaquah real estate market today, with plenty to choose from, you have to do your research, and be certain that your plans and expectations are realistic before viewing homes.