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Living in San Mateo County or the California Coastside area means that you have access to some of the most beautiful homes in California. With gentle sloping hills, quaint woodlands, and peaceful ocean views, owning a home in Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, or Montara is a dream come true. However, no matter where you live, the stress of the holidays can certainly make life a bit more hectic for everyone. Here are a few tips to ensure that you have a fun holiday weekend with your family and friends this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving: Tips for Hosts and Guests
Hosting the big Thanksgiving dinner is a huge responsibility. You begin to feel overwhelmed with cooking, cleaning, decorating, and maintaining the guest list. (And let’s not even begin to think about the clean-up afterwards!) Here are some tips on how to make Thanksgiving in your San Mateo home a wonderful event for the whole family:

1.  Remember, people will take your food- So, plan for leftovers ahead of time. Have some extra Styrofoam containers, paper plates, aluminum foil, and plastic grocery bags available for guests so they can take a little morsel or two home at the end of the evening. This will prevent the loss of your favorite Tupperware, plates, or bowls from your own cabinets
2.  Prepare for clean-up- Be sure to keep some extra cleaning supplies nearby just in case an accident happens, and it is also a good idea to always keep some soapy dishwater in the sink for used cutlery and plates as guests finish eating.
3.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help- As the host or hostess, it’s easy to assume that it’ your responsibility to do everything. This isn’t true! Asking for help with cooking, decorating, or cleaning will be a fun, easy way to get things done efficiently.
4.  Don’t leave out the specialty foods- Make sure that there is a variety of things for all of your guests to eat. It’s usually good to have a few dishes that are vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, and/or low-carb.

As a guest, it is important to remember that you have many responsibilities as well when it comes to showing good manners.

1.  Be thankful for the invitation – after all, it is Thanksgiving! A thank-you note or small gift (such as candles or box of chocolates) is a great way to show appreciation to your host or hostess. Also, it is a good idea to offer to bring a dish, even if it is not a potluck dinner.
2.  Keep your host/hostess informed- If you have special food needs (such as vegetarian, low sodium, sugar free), you need to make sure your host or hostess is aware of the situation and can make necessary accommodations for you.
3.  Timing really is everything- Simple concept: if dinner starts at 7p.m., be there at 7p.m.! It is always a good idea to arrive on time or no later than half an hour after the scheduled time.
4.  Be available to help- Remember, your host/hostess has gone through a lot of work to accommodate you. It is of utmost importance that you do as much as you can to lend a helping hand when you have the opportunity.

Black Friday: Tips for Savings and Sanity
Black Friday, as we all know, is known for being the day for “Door Buster Deals,” “Early Bird Specials,” and “Midnight Madness.” With so many deals going online and in stores, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Here are some tips to save your money and your sanity when Black Friday rolls around:

1.  Grab that newspaper- Your newspaper on Thanksgiving morning will probably be busting with ads and coupons in preparation for Friday. Don’t be afraid to combine coupons, if possible. This is also a great way to rack up the savings online!
2.  Online shopping may be the way to go- To avoid the hassle of waiting in line or camping out in front of the outlet mall, try shopping from the comforts of your own San Mateo County home! There may also be exclusive deals for shoppers who order online through their mobile phone.
3.  Keep those receipts- An easy return or exchange process is always highly appreciated. When buying gifts, be sure to always ask for a gift receipt, and make sure the recipient receives it.
4.  Check those social networks- Many times joining retailers’ Facebook groups or following them on Twitter will give you access to exclusive savings and “members only” deals. It pays to have good friends!

The quickly approaching holiday is sure to bring your friends and family plenty of good times. After all of your busy plans for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, you’ll be thankful to relax in your gorgeous San Mateo home. If you have any questions about living on the California Coastside area, or if you’d like to see some California homes in Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, and Montara, go ahead and contact us today. We’d love to hear from you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

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