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1st Lake Blog

How to Make a Holiday Charcuterie Board

A typical Charcuterie board usually consists of a variety of meats and cheeses and is a staple for holiday parties. This year, they have become more popular and people are making their boards with a variety of different items! 

We tried our hand at it with a couple of our own twists and tricks! See how we assembled two, modern charcuterie boards just in time for the holiday season, using items you will love! 

A Cheddar Together Board

    First up, we created a charcuterie board that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine! Our board included three main ingredients: cheese, grapes, and crackers. All of which were purchased from Rouses! This year, our holiday decor at Artesia Apartments featured a lot of snowflakes, and we decided to bring those elements to the board. 

    Learn how to make a fun, festive charcuterie board for your next get-together!

    We placed tinsel in the shape of a tree and alternated between grapes and cheese. Add some snowflakes on top and you have a cheesy winter wonderland scene. Not only did this one come out tasty, but it also added a festive flair to our countertop! 

    Dreamy Dessert Board

    For our second board, we decided to go down a sweeter path to make the dessert board of our dreams! We gathered all of our favorite holiday treats and found the perfect spot to share, at our new apartment community, Bella Ridge South

    If you want to make a stunning charcuterie board with a fun holiday twist, try serving a dessert themed charcuterie board!

    We suggest making yourself a delicious cup of hot chocolate or egg nog to enjoy this one. From staples like Little Debbie Treats, red and green gumdrops to peppermint marshmallows and even Oreo cookies, this board had everything! Adding popcorn and pretzels is a great way to add a splash of salty snacks into the mix. The final product is perfect to leave in the kitchen for midnight snacking or even to make as your table’s centerpiece!

    With oversized kitchens and huge floorplans, our apartment homes are a perfect place to come home to for the holidays!

    For more ideas on holiday decorating, check out our blog on how to create a Show-Stopping Table Setting


    DIY Holiday Gift Basket Ideas

    When it comes to gift-giving, it’s often said that it’s the thought that counts. However true this may be, you should strive to give the best gift possible.

    Adding a personal touch to your gifts is a way to show someone they’re special. That’s why DIY gift baskets are so cool – they’re a way to give a great gift with a personal touch.

    In this post, we’ll share some ideas for DIY holiday gift baskets. With a gift basket, you can give your loved ones an assortment of goodies that show you’ve been thinking about them.

    Read on for some great gift basket ideas!

    Wine & Coffee

    Both wine and coffee are great themes for a holiday gift basket. Chances are, you know someone who is a wine or coffee enthusiast, or both. There are lots of coffee or wine-themed gifts you can turn into a basket that will provide them with everything they need to enjoy their favorite beverage.

    For coffee, include mugs, to-go cups and lids, coffee beans of your choice, mini-creamers, and sugar. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can even include a coffee bean grinder.

    For wine, include wine glasses, a corkscrew, wine aerator, and a bottle of delicious red or white. For a more in-depth tutorial on wine baskets, check out The Wine Cellar Group’s detailed guide.

    Gardening

    Do you know anyone with a green thumb? If so, they’ll be delighted by a gardening gift basket.

    Use your gardening basket as a way to replace old or worn tools and provide inspiration for new things to grow.

    Include gardening gloves, a garden trowel, seed packets, gardening books, air plants, a garden cultivator, and gardening pots. Check out Gardening Know How for more.

    Grilling & BBQ

    The grilling gear basket is great for anyone who spends their holidays entertaining guests and flipping burgers out in the backyard.

    Include a basting brush, a high-quality dry rub or sauce, skewers, an assortment of grilling-related condiments, and top it all off with a cutting board. Country Living provides a few more ideas for the grilling pro in your life.

    Baking

    You probably also know someone who loves to bake. Because those who bake love to share the fruits of their labor, a “baking essentials” basket might end up being a gift to yourself as well!

    Include baking utensils, a whisk, spoon, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, tongs, and a strainer. Dish towels, oven mitts, and some kind of cake mix or dough are also great additions.

    Start Making Your Holiday Gift Baskets in Your New 1st Lake Apartment!

    Contact us today for information on our private residential communities.


    Fall at Home Activities

    Toward the end of November, schools are out for a few days and this break is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the wonders of fall! Embrace the season with fun activities that will spark creativity and bring smiles. Here are some fantastic ideas:

    Coloring/Activity Sheets

    Coloring sheets are a great way to explore your artistic side, while activity sheets are a great way to engage your mind. Simply click here to download some fall-inspired sheets, print them out, and let the fun begin!

    DIYs

    Looking to get a little more creative? The DIYs below are a fun way to get creative while using resources you may already have at home!

    • Tree Art
      • First, draw out the base of a tree and its trunks onto a piece of paper.
      • Then, put as many colors of paint as you like onto a paper plate, piece of cardboard, or anything else you don’t mind getting paint on.
        • For ease and convenience, you can also use a pre-potted paint set, like this one found at Michaels. 
      • Finally, dip your finger into the paint and press it onto the bare tree trunks to create “leaves.”

    • Turkey Handprint
      • Start by tracing your hand on any type of paper.
      • Cut out the traced handprint and begin decorating it how you like!
      • You can use pipe cleaners as legs, paint to color the turkey, a pen to draw a face, and more. The possibilities are endless!

    • Painted Pumpkins
      • A classic DIY project is painting pumpkins!
      • All you need to do is pick out the pumpkin size of your choosing, grab some paint, and let your creativity flow!
      • For extra pizzazz, you can even add stickers, rhinestones, and more!

     

    There you have it, a few simple and cost-effective activities to make this break unforgettable! Enjoy!

    Looking for a new home? Check out our communities here




    Creeks of River Ridge Truck or Treat Event

    We are excited to invite all Creeks of River Ridge residents to our
    Truck or Treat Event!

    Date: Oct. 24th
    Time:
    5 PM – 8 PM
    Location:
    Dog Park

    Food Truck Vendors: 
    Taste of Nola
    Hubbard Put a Shirt On
    Wolf Burgers

    Activities:
    • Tables for trick-or-treating with goodies from our sponsors and the Creeks of River Ridge
    • Costume contest (ages 0-13) at 7 PM with prizes awarded
    • Backdrop set up for photo opportunities

    🎃 We hope to see you there for a SPOOKTACULAR night! 🎃

    For more information, contact your management office.
    *Event is for Creeks of River Ridge residents only*

    THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

     




    Jefferson Parish Water Quality Report

    According to the 2022 Consumer Confidence Report, Jefferson Parish’s East and West Bank water systems received an “A” from the Louisiana Department of Health. See the attachments below for more.