Holidays

Decorate Safely This Holiday Season

Delta Media Group

Decorating for the holidays is one of the fun perks of being a homeowner, because your whole property becomes a blank canvas. Decorating is a great opportunity to get in the spirit of the season, show off your sense of style, and get your kids (even more) excited for the holidays. No matter how you choose to decorate your home this holiday season, just remember that it's also important to keep home safety in mind as you deck the halls. We've put together 5 decorating tips to help keep your home safe, without cramping your holiday decorating style.

1. Check It Twice – Holiday lights are among the most popular decorations, and for good reason! They're bright, beautiful, and can transform the look of your entire property. Before you start stringing up those lights, however, be sure to check for any signs of wear. If there are broken lights or exposed wires, it's time to purchase some new outdoor holiday lights. Remember that outdoor lights are exposed to the elements, so even minimal signs of wear can pose a risk.  Bonus Tip: If you're in the market for new lights, try LED lighting rather than incandescent bulbs. LED lights are more energy efficient, burn cooler than incandescent bulbs, and come in just about any color you can imagine.

2. Don't Overload Outlets – Overloading a single outlet is a fire risk, even if you're plugging in new, energy efficient decorations. Avoiding tangled wires is also good for holiday decorating safety, and it's easier to do when you use multiple outlets. Always plug decorations into outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, which are designed to shut down the circuit automatically if certain signs of electrical danger are detected.

3. Indoor/Outdoor – That giant, inflatable Santa Claus won't fit in your living room, so it's probably a safe bet that he can be used outside. But not every decoration makes the distinction so clear. For any decorations that rely on electricity, always check whether they're rated for outdoor use before you plug them in outside. This is a great step to take care of while you're shopping for decorations, as the necessary info should be available right on the packaging.

4. Rooftop and Ladder Safety – For many homeowners, the holiday season is one of the few times each year when we take our ladders out of long-term storage and venture onto our rooftops. Stay safe by taking your time, having a plan, and wearing sturdy boots (or sneakers) with strong treads. If you do plan on climbing on your roof or using a ladder to decorate, never do so alone. Make sure there's someone on the ground to "spot" you and aid if you run into trouble.

5. Clean Gutters – Since you're likely to be spending time up there anyway, it's a great idea to clean your gutters before stringing up any holiday lights. Dried leaves and plant matter in gutters can serve as kindling when a faulty wire leaks electricity. As a bonus, keeping your gutters clean is a great way to lower your risk of water-related roof damage throughout the year.

The biggest thing to remember for holiday decorating home safety is that electricity can be dangerous, especially if you're using older decorations. Check any decorations for signs of wear before putting them up, make sure that any decorations you wish to use outside are rated for outdoor use, and keep your gutters clean to reduce fire risk. And of course, don't forget to have fun!

'Tis the Season to Celebrate!

With the holiday season right around the corner, there's no reason your business shouldn't be in on the fun. Whether it's with your employees or the community, here are a few ideas for your business to celebrate the holidays:

Holiday Party

There is nothing more straight-forward than a holiday party. Host a staff holiday party or sponsor a holiday event within your community. Bring on the food, holiday music, and enjoy seeing everyone have fun together! A holiday party can boost employee morale and offers an opportunity to show your appreciation as an employer.

Volunteer

Volunteering and serving those in need makes the holidays even more meaningful. Take advantage of the opportunity to serve your community! Not only will this benefit your community, but it will also benefit your business by helping build meaningful relationships between your employees, business, and community.

Give away free samples and swag

'Tis the season to give! Give a gift that will also give back to your business! Choose products that are popular and useful, and then brand them with your logo and color scheme. Giving away free samples and swag can be the perfect way to spread holiday cheer while also promoting your brand.

Offer gift cards

Everybody loves gift cards! Make holiday shopping easy on your customer by providing a simple, easy way to purchase gift cards from your business. Giving a gift card is a great way to show you care, while also ensuring the recipient gets exactly what they want!

Host a giveaway or contest on social media 

Social media is a great way to engage your current customers and attract new ones. Hold a contest or give away a product or service related to your business. There are a lot of different ways you can structure your contest or giveaway, including comment to win, hashtags, or photo contests. Make sure to check that your contest is in compliance with social media contest rules, as they can vary by channel.

We hope you enjoy these tips on how to celebrate the holidays as an organization. Happy Holidays from all of us at Idaho Central Credit Union!

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We understand that no two paths to buying a home are the same. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate mogul, we have a variety of products and loans designed specifically to meet your needs. We offer local underwriting and fast approvals to save you time and money. We have options for down payments and additional resources like our Finally Home! online program to help guide you through the home-buying process. Contact one of our home loan specialists to discuss your options today!

Test Your Valentine's Day Knowledge

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!  Today is the day for love and romance, heart-shaped chocolates and candlelit dinners.

What do you really know about Valentine's Day? Here are some fun trivia questions to test your knowledge.

1. When was the oldest-known Valentine's Day message written, and from where? 
2. When was February 14^th first declared as Valentine's Day? 
3. Who invented the first Valentine's Day candy box? 
4. What is the average number of marriage proposals on Valentine's Day each year? 
5. How much on average is spent on chocolate in America for Valentine's Day each year? 
6. How many roses are sold on Valentine's Day each year? 
7. How many Valentine's Day greeting cards are purchased in the U.S. each year? 
8. How many people typically purchase Valentines for their pets? 
9. If you send a snarky insult on Valentine's Day, what kind of "greeting" are you sending?
10. What year were the popular "conversation Sweethearts" not available?

Ready for the answers?

1. The oldest-known Valentine was in 1415, sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife from the Tower of London where he was imprisoned. 
2. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday in 1537 by King Henry VIII. 
3. English entrepreneur and chocolate-maker Richard Cadbury created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates. 
4. 220,000 
5. It is estimated that over $1 billion is spent in the U.S. each year for Valentine's Day. 
6. 189 million 
7. Approximately 1 billion 
8. 9 million 
9. Insulting Valentine's messages are known as "Vinegar Valentines."
10. The ever-popular "Conversation Hearts" were unavailable in 2019 after their manufacturer Necco declared bankruptcy in 2018. Thankfully, the Spangler Candy Company purchased the rights, and the candies returned in 2020.

How'd you do? 

Whether you are celebrating with your beau, your best friends, your pets, or your neighbors, we wish you a day full of love!

Still searching for the perfect holiday gift for the person who has everything? When you live in Boise, that's no problem! From local delicacies to art, candy, antiques, and so much more, the small businesses of Boise are sure to have just the right gift for everyone on your list. Many local businesses are also offering curbside pickup during this holiday season to make your shopping experience as smooth and convenient as possible. Our real estate agents have the details you need on 5 great Boise businesses where you can find unique holiday gifts this year.

1. Boise Art Glass – 1124 W Front St., Boise, ID 83702
   Boise Art Glass is one of the most distinctive small businesses located near Boise homes for sale, with a reputation for producing beautiful, artistic glass pieces that can add to the atmosphere of any home. Operated by local artists Filip Vogelpohl, Austin Grill, and Kevin Gray, Boise Art Glass is known for its colorful, creative glass designs that can brighten any room. You can shop from the extensive selection of items already available in the shop or order a custom piece when you truly want to surprise someone special.

2. City Peanut Shop – 803 W Bannock St., Boise, ID 83702

   Whether you're searching for a great stocking stuffer or a small, savory gift perfect for a gift exchange, you're sure to find something delicious at City Peanut Shop. Simplify your shopping by ordering from a wide selection of holiday gift boxes, which include items like peanut butter, peanut brittle, gourmet popcorn, chocolate, and of course, fresh roasted peanuts. There are also plenty of smaller gift items available, perfect for creating your own basket of holiday cheer.

3. The Mixing Bowl – 216 N 9th St., Boise, ID 83702

   Inspire the chef in your life when you give them something from The Mixing Bowl. This downtown shop is stocked with cookware, bakeware, bowls, kitchen gadgets, and more. From fun to functional finds this local shop is sure to impress. Be sure to stop in next time you're downtown, or purchase an e-gift from their website. 

4. The Chocolat Bar – 805 W Bannock St., Boise, ID 83702

   A gift that satisfies the sweet tooth never goes out of style, and The Chocolat Bar is creating plenty of special treats just in time for the holiday season. You can shop for holiday favorites like peppermint bark, peppermint caramel, and eggnog truffles, all created fresh by your Boise chocolate experts. Order online to make buying delicious gifts a breeze.

5. Molly's Healthy Pet Food Market – 817 W Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702

   Searching for a healthy gift for your beloved pet or your favorite pet owner? Then Molly's Healthy Pet Food Market is sure to have something for you, with free delivery available in the Boise area. From raw food to fresh-made treats and pet outerwear to unique home accessories, Molly's offers a little bit of everything for your four-legged friend. There's even a special selection of holiday-themed gifts, including new toys, ornaments, stockings, and even clothing items for pet owners. 

What could be a better gift for your family than finding the perfect home to call your own this holiday season? Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Boise, ID area.