Mom and Dad and Emily and her man and three children and little dog are all coming to our house in a few days. I LOVE having them over. LOVE it. But, I admit, I’m the kind of girl who needs special motivation if I’m going to clean my house. I’ve found two tricks that work every time for me. Find what works for you and use them.
Trick One:: Get something new.
No, I don’t mean a new sofa, although how fun would that be? It can be as simple as a new candle, or a $4.99 bunch of mums, but, it’s amazing how a vase of flowers on the table can make me want to get the entire kitchen clean. It’s a small price to pay for enjoying the process and getting that ding a ling kitchen CLEAN.
Here are some things I recently purchased that are motivating me to clean today, this is not a sponsored post although, I am mentioning a sponsor, I just cannot help myself, but I hope you appreciate my recommendations, I love it when real people recommend stuff, I still use the Luxurious Volume line of hair care from John Frieda thanks to a thumbs up a year ago from Boo Mama.
Here we go:
1. Bona Hardwood Floor Mop
Back when I had my slipcover party the girls all helped me clean up and I remember Lily saying she would mop my floor but only if I had a Bona, I think she was kidding but I didn’t have one and my floors didn’t get mopped. Instead, an entire conversation was started about this Bona mop thing I’ve never heard of and how great they all thought it was and how much they liked cleaning their floors. ?! I forgot about it until two weeks ago when I got on facebook and asked Lily what that was again and promptly went out to Lowe’s and spent my $30 on it. She was right, I love it. Dear Bona, do you need a spokesperson?
2. Candle Mash Ups
I like to burn two or more flavors at a time. Today, it’s Yankee Candle’s Vanilla Cupcake paired with Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine. It’s so Christmasy and yummy. And if you try to candles and they stink together just blow them out.
3. Nuts
I love putting nuts {in their shell} out in pretty bowls. They are decoration and food.
4. Music
I’m in the market for some new Christmas music right now, but, once I download a few fresh songs from iTunes and add them to the Christmas playlist my mood magically changes when I hear them. {You are listening to Christmas music as you clean for Thanksgiving, right?}
5. Cleaning supplies that I actually like using.
You know what I’m going to say, right? Mrs. Meyer’s. Oh, that Mrs. Meyer’s you must try her products if you haven’t yet. If you only want to start with one item might I suggest the Lemon Verbena Countertop Spray? Excellent choice, ma’am. {insert mental picture of me in a waiter’s outfit holding a metal tray with a bottle of Mrs. Meyer’s wrapped in a spotless white chamois carefully titled so you can read the label}. {Disclaimer, I am actually working with Mrs. Meyer’s and I’ll include a coupon at the end of this post~WHOOOPIE but they are not paying me to talk about them~ yet}. My plans to take over the Mrs. Meyer’s world have begun though {also insert evil laugh and sounds of a spray bottle}
oh weird color, please sun, come out so I can take better photos and it bothers me so that my dog doesn’t curl his tail around his body like normal dogs.
Trick two:: Move things around/change up the decor
Again with the new feeling. Apparently I thrive on little changes.
1. I clear off the kitchen counters and put away any lingering clutter/tchotchkes to make room for the Third Annual Making of PW’s Cinnamon Rolls with Mom and Emily. PW is not paying me to talk about her. Although, I may need to fine her for the pounds I put on each year due to her recipes.
2. Consider each room {especially the public areas} and think about if they are set up best for lots of people. I ended up moving bigger table out of our front room into an empty space in the family room.
3. Pull out photos from Thanksgiving past and put them around the house. Beware, looking through old photos can get you off task, save this project for night time when you don’t have the energy to clean but still want to get something done.
4. Bring in the extra leaf to the table and use a simple/low centerpiece {sticks and candles usually work for me}
5. Wash the throws and place them strategically around the house.
And for your buying pleasure, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is now available at Walmart. I checked it out and it’s by far the best selection of Mrs. Meyer’s items in my town. And, here’s a $1 off coupon for to use while you are shopping~there’s one over there on the sidebar too that will stay up all month.
Now, tell me what Christmas song {include the version/artist so I can download the right one} is your current favorite?
I love the whole Blind Boys of Alabama – Go Tell it On the Mountain album. I actually did not like it at first as a lot of the songs are not how you typically hear them (very bluesy), but now, it is my all time favorite.
I just discovered Mrs. Meyer’s products. Love the liquid hand soap. Smells good and doesn’t dry out my hands like so many soaps do.
I love to listen to *old* Christmas songs; I really like Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. –great duets from this father / daughter duo.
And simply having company gets my fanny in gear to give the house some special attention.
Hey! Great post! I love reading your posts- you really seem down to Earth. I really appreciate that!
I’m in the market for some great Christmas tunes so I’ll be checking out what others have suggested.
(and now I’m on to do some meal planning to make sure I’ve got enough food for the long weekend)
My favorite Christmas song now (and maybe forever) is Faith Hill’s “A Baby Changes Everything”. Oh, my. I get chills and choke up every time I hear it. Or watch her sing it on YouTube. Awesome!
Nester, the Andrew Peterson Christmas album “Behold the Lamb of God” is my all time favorite Christmas album ever. Try it out!! Favorite song on the album is: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.
Your dog is so cute, even if he doesn’t follow dog traditions and customs by curling his tail around.
I hold off on the Christmas tunes until Black Friday, and then it’s pretty much all I listen to until the day after Christmas. Poor Glenn Beck loses me for an entire month of radio listening. I love the oldies…Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” etc.
I think I need to meet this Mrs. Meyers….
I love country music at Christmas (ok – I love it all the time, but especially at Christmas). My all-time favorite is Trisha Yearwood’s Christmas album, closely followed by Amy Grant’s – she has two that are awesome. I just downloaded the new Dave Barnes – Very Merry Christmas – and I am also LOVING it. Happy Thanksgiving!
I have so many favorites – old ones and newer. I just read on another blog about getting the CD’s from Starbucks. That they are really good and blend some oldies with some newbies. I don’t get to Starbucks often, but think I may do that. I always like to keep one in my car anyway {like I might not find a rado station playing Christmas music now}.
Adeste Fideles by Il Divo.
O Holy Night by Il Divo.
Uh… anything by Il Divo… Did I mention that I’m in love with Il Divo?
LeeANn Womack/Harry Connick Jr – Baby It’s Cold Outside
Natalie Grant- I Believe
My favorite Christmas albums are “Glory In the Highest” by Shane & Shane and “A Christmas Portrait” by The Carpenters. Some others that I love are Christmas albums by Natalie Grant, Straight No Chaser, Mariah Carey and Point of Grace. I love Christmas music!!
Bebo Norman “Born to Die.” love the whole CD, actually!
are you going to put together a playlist for us?? : )
I thought I was the only way that looooved the Bona mop. I have the dusting cover and mopping cover and love them both. This products makes cleaning so much easier. Having guests is alot of work, but it is good motivation to get those chores dones that you have been putting off.
That Spirit of Christmas, Ray Charles…..Ahhh man , that is the best Christmas song! It’s the song playing in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark gets stuck in the attic watching old Xmas movies. I never get tired of hearing that song!
“Beware, looking through old photos can get you off task, save this project for night time when you don’t have the energy to clean but still want to get something done.”
This is why you are my idol. I would have totally done this step first, because it sounds like the most fun. But, the brilliant Nester has figured out how to turn this into a time-saver instead of a time-waster. :)
This CD is also on Itunes! :)
Oops. Forgot the link.
This CD, Merry Little Christmas, is also on Itunes. http://www.pianomusicnow.com/
I love Straight No Chaser’s Christmas album. It’s all good.
Loved this post. Maybe even enough to make me want to clean. Ok, probably not. The fact that it bothers you about your dog not wrapping his tail around him made me laugh out loud. I’d probably say something like that, too!
LOVE the Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena Countertop Spray! I use it on my kitchen and bathroom counters. It smells so fresh that it makes the whole rest of the house feel cleaner.
I just got busted by the Christmas Music Police (in the form of my 8-year old son). He said, “Mom, you should be listening to Thanksgiving music.” I told him he’d have to be happy with the fact that I was THANKFUL for having so much great Christmas music to listen to. My favorite Christmas CD is Christmas Carols from the Young Messiah. An oldie but goodie.
Thanksgiving is in three days, but I am caught up in re-covering my disgusting blue denim recliner instead of cleaning and reviewing recipes. Hey, you strike while the iron is hot, right?
Happy Thanksgiving!
the Newsboys have a wonderful new Christmas CD out. A little rockin’ and little tradition, and a whole lotta holiday cheer. You can find it on itunes.
Happy Thanksgiving week!
Those two tricks are my motivators too! Especially the one about re-arranging the furniture or decor. I started putting up Christmas decor last night and will want to clean the whole house once I am done.
I love pretty much any song from Mariah Carey’s Christmas CD (from the good ole days)! I recommend streaming Pandora…you can create a Mariah Carey Holiday station and it plays some great artists like Michael Buble and you don’t have to worry about picking out each and every song.
I was actually listening to Christmas music on my way to work this morning. BTW, this is something I NEVER do before Thanksgiving, but for some reason this year it’s different. I would highly suggest Josh Groban’s Christmas album. His voice is so beautiful!
I actually typed in “holiday” in Pandora and have fallen in love with it!
Oh…one of my favorites on the Mariah Carey Holiday CD is “All I want for Christmas is you”. Enjoy :)
I love ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ by Sugarland. It’s a slow song, but her voice just stays with me. Merry Christmas!
Your house looks the best I’ve ever seen it!
“Winter Snow” (sung by Audrey Assad) on the Chris Tomlin cd (i almost said “album”!) I play it over and over and over when I’m alone in the car :)
Happy Thanksgiving…it’s always fun to pop in to see you these past 2 or 3 years! Thankful for you and your happily helpful blog!
I love the Chris Tomlin Christmas album. I think it’s called Glory in the Highest.
Yea! Great tips! I love rearranging, and I’ll buy something new and tell my hubby that The Nester made me do it.
I haven’t checked out any new Christmas music yet this year, but my favorite last season was “The 12 Days of Christmas” by Straight No Chaser. I got a fun Bob Dylan download free on iTunes last year too – some Santa Claus thing that was really catchy. I love everyone’s lists and can’t wait to check them out!
Christina, I’m so impressed that you are slipcovering this week! This summer I sold almost all of our curtains on ebay to redecorate, and still haven’t gotten around to making the new ones. For some crazy reason, I went and got the fabric this weekend, like I was just going to whip those out in a day or two. Maybe I should see what I can get done. Then I wouldn’t have to clean my house either…
O Holy Night…it gets me every time!!!
go check out phil wickham’s christmas album, it’s called ‘songs for christmas’ and it’s wonderful! you can buy the download at his website: http://philwickham.com/
You’re too funny with the comment about your dog’s tail, that made me laugh out loud and I really need a good laugh right about now!
Tania
The “Elf” CD…I love the mix of old, classical and new songs and totally gets me in the Christmas spirit!
Okay, 2 things:
1. I also use that John Frieda spray stuff that Boo Mama raved about. I told Lily about it and she bought some too.
2. Speaking of Lily, how is it that I’m her best friend and have never heard of Bona? Probably because she knows I never {well, almost never} mop my floor.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Toy Packaging” by Sara Groves is hilarious. I think you will appreciate it.
This morning, after reading your post, I got out the Spruce scented candle, and hesitantly lit a vanilla candle next to it. WHY, oh why, did I not do this sooner. My home has been filled with the delicious scent of vanilla christmas tree. YUM. Thank you Nester. Even little tips like that are appreciated! Now, I’m off to find another fab mix……
Dave Barnes’ Christmas cd – yummy! Here’s a link to the video for one of the songs (a duet with the girl from Lady Antebellum!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUgfLwBPVR0
Also, I have NEVER been a very good mopper. I always feel like my floors look worse when I’m done. (The same goes for washing my car.) So I’m going to check out that new mop!
I love meyers stuff and I think I saw it at Walmart…wow!
I love the Christmas song by George “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart”…
I feel young again when I hear that song at the ripe old age of 38! I could listen to that song over and over again!
Sandy Toe
I am loving “Carol of the Bells” by Barlow Girl right now! You can also listen to Christmas music on Grooveshark.com (I promise I am a real person, not an advertiser!). I LOVE listening to Christmas music during this season too, it’s really amazing how it can change your mood!
The whole Dave Barnes Christmas album. It’s yummy!
It is not officially the Christmas season until I hear “Mary’s Boy Child” by the Bony M.
Avalon’s “Joy” and “Jesus Born on This Day”
FFH’s “Do You Hear What I Hear”
I am so old. lol My favorite CD at Christmas, which starts in October here because I love it so much, is Michael Bolton’s Christmas cd. I know it’s over 10 years old but I love it!! Mrs. Myer’s is at WalMart?!?!!? Oh be still my heart! Time to make a quick trip into town tomorrow.
I really like David Nevue’s (solo piano music) “O-come-emmanuel” http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/o-come-emmanuel/id6234079
thanks for the great tips, nester!! =)
without a doubt, frank sinatra – the christmas collection, is the only way to start the season. it’s my all time fave holiday CD, filled with retro-kitschy-cool tunes.
made a quick wally-world run yesterday (for $100 worth of nothing) and TOTALLY forget to look for mrs. meyers). WAH!! oh well, i’m sure i’ll be making another trip (or ten) before weeks end.
on a side note: anyone ’round these parts used beadboard wallpaper?? since my halls are already decked, thought i’d spend my t’give holiday (post-turkey) re-doing our study (because i feel the BEST time to start a project is just before 15 relatives show up for the weekend, dont’ you?). it’s currently choc. brown and i love the rich color, but it needs a good shot of white for balance. any tips would be greatly appreciated, as i haven’t hung wallpaper in about 7 years.
You have a very helpful and quick tips. I’m too loaded with work everyday and seldom fixed my horrible apartment but nevertheless your tips are sure way easy and engaging.
I also agree that having a new look or re-decorating doesn’t mean buying expensive things but rather simple yet appealing decor such as flower would do wonders.
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Loving the new Dave Barnes Christmas album. There are some classics and some new orignals. Some are super cute, and some are romantic and make you want to curl up in front o fthe fire with your hubs!
Any Christmas song by Amy Grant is also a must!
Hi!! I just read your blog for the first time and wanted to tell you that I’ve spent countless minutes also wondering why my dog doesn’t curl her tail around her body. I thought it was hilarious that you mentioned that! She is a 4 year old black lab and just loves to sit exactly like your dog- straight up with a straight out tail!!
Love your site! Your tips are so helpful…we are having Thanksgiving at our home for the first time this year and reading your site makes me more excited to prepare for it:)
personally, I think its a crime that the technical “Christmas season” is only a month long so I’ve been listening to Christmas music for awhile now:) My favorite is Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas” — always puts me in the mood! That and a good christmas candle and some hot apple cider!
What a great post! So useful when company is coming. Thanks! I love the picture with your dog in it – I didn’t even notice his tail until you said something.
My fave Christmas Carol is ‘Silver Bells’. I like most versions but heard Barry Manilow’s version today and loved it.
I don’t have a good Christmas song recommendation, because I am in dire need of updating as well.
However, I want to thank you for the coupon. I will be heading back to Fred Meyer to use it on another bottle of the limited edition Orange Clove scent. It is so yummy!