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White Elephant Party Gift Ideas to Celebrate the Season

. Posted by in • San Antonio
white elephant gift ideas

For your next holiday party or family get-together, instead of regular gift-giving, why not try a white elephant gift exchange? Below, we’ll talk about what a white elephant gift exchange is, how to play, and give you some white elephant gift ideas.

What are White Elephant Exchanges?

White elephant gift exchanges turn gift-giving into a game. Instead of purchasing a gift for a specific person, everyone brings a silly or useful gift, and the group plays a game to find out who gets which gift.

By turning gift-giving into party entertainment, it reduces the stress of having to pick the ‘right’ gift, especially for people who you don’t know well or who are hard to please. It also can be a great way to eliminate pressure to spend a lot of money, as some of the best white elephant gifts can be under $5.00.

How Does White Elephant Work?

According to the website White Elephant … Read Full Post »

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Christmas In Orlando: Things To Do During The Holidays

. Posted by in • Orlando
Christmas in Orlando

Here in Orlando, we understand that we may celebrate the holidays differently than in other parts of the country. Instead of getting out our mittens and hats, we can sometimes swim on Christmas Day if the weather cooperates. Rather than snowy skies, we can enjoy the sunshine nearly year-round. Families from across the country flock to Orlando during the holiday season to escape the more wintery weather.

How We Celebrate the Holidays in Orlando

Although the weather outside is rarely frightful, we still find plenty of Christmas things to do in Orlando.

Giving Back During the Holidays

The holidays are a season for giving, and we are thankful there are many opportunities to give back to the Orlando community. Hands-On Orlando is a great organization to find volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and families. Children as young as three can participate with a parent, and an easy online calendar allows you to sign … Read Full Post »

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Ways to Give Back in Houston

. Posted by in • Houston
Volunteer opportunities in Houston

Of course, we are biased, but we think Houston is one of the best places to live and work in the entire country. When we volunteer, we can make our city even better. There are a lot of different ways you can get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston

Let’s look at just a few volunteer opportunities in Houston and the surrounding communities.

Volunteering for Adults

The Houston Food Bank can always use a helping hand. The organization needs folks to help sort, process, and pack food for hungry Houstonians. If you prefer, you can volunteer to prepare meals for kids in the organization’s dedicated kitchen. You can get your employer involved with one of the agency’s corporate programs. For college students and others looking to enhance job skills, the Food Bank also has leadership programs.

Enjoy education and reading? Then the Houston Public Library wants to hear from you. The Library has programs for adults … Read Full Post »

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Celebrate The Season With These Houston Holiday Events

. Posted by in • Houston
Houston holiday events

Houston sparkles during the holiday season, and when it comes to holiday events in Houston, there’s truly something for everyone.

2016 Holiday Events in Houston

Whether you’re on a budget or feeling flush, and whether you love brilliant lights displays, musical or theater performances, or shopping and festivals, the following Christmas events in Houston are sure to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Numerous holiday lights displays transform Houston and neighboring areas into a winter wonderland! Particular favorites include Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (through Jan. 15), Magical Winter Lights at Galveston’s Gulf Greyhound Park (through Jan. 8), and Festival of Lights at Galveston’s Moody Gardens (through Jan. 8). Check out our list of the best holiday lights for more ideas.

Holiday train rides at Hermann Park (now through Jan. 13) — Decked out in festive garlands, the train glows after dark with colorful lights. Tickets are $3.50 per person; children … Read Full Post »

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Holiday Recipes That Are Sure To Impress

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Holiday recipes

Thanksgiving might be behind us, but there’s still plenty of holiday cheer left in the year. And with just weeks left until Christmas, we’re betting you have a number of holiday parties to attend and few holiday dishes you’ll need to bring along with you.

Whether you are hosting a party, need an idea for a side for a potluck, or just ready for something new in your dinner rotation, you may not have the time nor the desire to look through your all cookbooks or pore over countless websites, looking for the perfect recipe.

So to ease your stress this holiday season, we compiled a list of holiday recipes that are sure to impress.

Appetizers

Whether you’re hosting a festive soirée or making a dish for your office holiday party, consider going smaller rather than bigger. Appetizers and small bites are the perfect addition to any party, as guests can munch and … Read Full Post »

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Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

. Posted by in • Houston
Teacher Christmas gift ideas

We all want to save time around the home, and there is no time of year when that’s more appreciated than during the busy holiday season. When thinking about who you need to buy for, your children’s teachers are very likely on your list. What’s the best way to show your appreciation for all the hard work which teachers do all year long? It can be a challenge to come up with the best way to show your gratitude.  

Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

If you have a long to-do list for Christmas, including shopping for a present your child’s teacher, here are some great gift idea suggestions.

For the Busy, Practical Mom

Gift cards are a fast and easy way for busy parents to give teachers exactly what they want or need. You or the designated classroom parent can even collect funds from multiple parents in the class online to give … Read Full Post »

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Enjoy A Favorite Holiday Tradition: The Austin Trail of Lights

. Posted by in • Austin

Ask a group of Austinites about their favorite things to do in our city during the holidays, and you are very likely to hear the same response, over and over again: the Austin Trail of Lights.

If you are new to the area, are just visiting, or somehow haven’t made the trip, a great way to get into the holiday spirit is by visiting the Trail of Lights in Austin. We at ABC Home & Commercial Services are excited to be involved in the Trail of Lights for the second year in a row. Look for ABC at Pooh’s Corner, where you can see Winnie the Pooh, already ready for next year’s Zilker Kite Festival!

Here are some fun facts about the Trail of Lights:

  • Over 400,000 attendees have enjoyed this beloved tradition
  • More than 15 marriage proposals have taken place at the Trail
  • This year, the Movies in … Read Full Post »
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Our Favorite Holiday Traditions

. Posted by in • Houston
Family holiday traditions

We often think of traditions when the holidays are approaching. These observances help us celebrate the past, enjoy the present, and anticipate the future. Traditions help connect us and reinforce our values.

Maybe you put on the same Christmas music every time you decorate your tree. Perhaps it’s making your grandmother’s pie for your meal on Christmas Eve. It may be as simple as what you leave out for Santa (reindeer food, anyone?).

Here are ABC Home & Commercial Services, we pride ourselves on being a family-owned and operated company which has been serving our customers for over 50 years. We care about our communities and support local charities.

Our Family’s Favorite Holiday Traditions

These are our favorite holiday traditions here in Houston:

Favorite lights displays & events

One tradition that we enjoy is to have a tractor hayride and tour the holiday lights of Prestonwood Forest. This neighborhood is well known in the Houston area … Read Full Post »

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How to Restore Your Lawn and Prepare for Winter

. Posted by in • Austin
lawn restoration

Cooler temperatures are upon us and summer is officially over. While you might think the temperature change is a good indication that you can take a break from lawn care until the spring, think again. Contrary to popular belief, fall is a great time to care for your lawn.

Many homeowners tend to ignore their lawn once they experience cooler weather. They also notice slower-growing grass and assume it requires less treatment. But the opposite is true. In preparation for winter—and in an effort to recuperate from our extremely hot temperatures—your lawn is absorbing energy, moisture, and nutrients for the months to come. Whether you contact a company for lawn restoration services or choose the lawn restoration DIY route, investing time in your lawn during the fall will pay dividends all year long.

Read our tips below to learn simple things you can do to keep your yard happy and healthy.

Let Your … Read Full Post »

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How To Scare Rats Away From Home

. Posted by in • San Antonio
How To Scare Rats Away From Home

There are few things in life that are certain, but one thing’s for sure: no one wants to come home to a rat. To prevent these creatures from taking over our homes, it’s worth looking at why they might find our houses more attractive than other nesting places.

Read our tips below to learn effective techniques to keep rats away from your home, garden and yard so that you don’t have to worry about an unexpected encounter with one of these unwelcome guests.

How To Keep Rats Away From Your Home

In the southern United States, many homeowners have to deal with the roof rat (Rattus rattus). These are brown or black rats that are smaller than the Norway rats that live throughout most of the rest of the United States.

The roof rat is better suited for these warm climates than the Norway rat. These rats set up their nests in … Read Full Post »

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