Ways to Use Your Bonus Suite During the Holiday Season

If you’re looking at the calendar and feeling like you’ve got plenty of time before the holidays, pinch yourself. The weeks will fly by and suddenly you’ll be wishing for more time. Use the luxury you have now to get a few things ready in advance. Your bonus suite, for example. This area is probably used only occasionally, so it’s a great place to get an early start with your holiday activities and tasks.

Here are a few ways to use your bonus room during the holiday season.

1. Organize your décor. Bring out your holiday decorations and sort through them in this room. Inspect for damage and discard anything that’s unfixable (now is also a great time to donate usable holiday items you don’t want to thrift stores). Wash the glassware, serving pieces, and linens. Make a list of things you need to buy. Maybe you want to focus on a different color scheme or holiday theme this year. By planning ahead, you can get first pick of the seasonal décor in the stores.
2. Set up a gift-wrapping station. Wrap as you go. Bring your purchases to the wrapping room, where you have a table dedicated to gift wrap. Stock it with plenty of tape, a few pair of scissors, a tall (clean) trash can filled with wrapping paper, a box with tags and pens, a bin with ribbon and a separate one for bows. When everything is organized and easy to access, you can be more efficient with wrapping. For presents that will be shipped, set up a separate table with packing supplies (boxes, labels, packing tape, bubble wrap).
3. Make a holiday movie theater. Decorate the room with strings of lights and a snack bar stocked with a popcorn maker and other treats. Bring out your favorite holiday movies (or stream them). Invite friends or enjoy your own movie marathon to get in the spirit. Looking for something you haven’t seen yet? Dig deep and watch these under-viewed holiday movie classics: “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940), “Remember the Night” (1940), “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945), “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (1947, nominated for an Oscar), “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947), “Holiday Affair” 1949), “Bell, Book and Candle” (1958), “Pocketful of Miracles” (1961), “Fitzwilly” (1967), and, if you can find it, “It Happened One Christmas” (1977).
4. Treat your guests to a special getaway. If you use your guest room for holiday visitors, go a little overboard with your décor. Change the bedding to something festive. Add candles, lights, wall art, and some seasonal snacks (holiday cookies, chocolates, roasted chestnuts) and books. Have you ever read “A Christmas Carol”? Replace the bathroom towels and soaps to reflect the theme. Not planning on visitors? Redecorate any way and spend a few nights feeling like a guest in your own home!

This extra space is called “bonus” for good reason. How will you use it this time of year? Contact Epcon Communities to find the perfect home in the perfect community near you.