Whether you’re hosting your loved ones in your 1st Lake apartment home or traveling to celebrate the holiday, there’s no better way to show them how much you care than with a thoughtfully crafted homemade gift. Homemade gifts can mean more to your loved ones, too. You put a lot of effort into creating the perfect gift exclusively for them! Nothing is more loving than that.
Even with a short amount of time left, there are still plenty of quick and affordable homemade gift options you can create without worrying. Some of our favorite homemaking websites offer a plethora of choices and instructions for these gifts, but we’re going to highlight a few of our favorites to get you started on your crafts.
Good Housekeeping caught our DIY-eye with this easy, thoughtful, and tasty gift idea for the coffee drinker on your list. “Coffee Mug Mixers” are created from vintage silver spoons and baking goods. Head to an area thrift or antique store, or hunt down a garage sale, and find some intricately designed antique spoons for cheap. Then, head down to the grocery store to pick up an assortment of baking sweets, like chocolate, crushed nuts, and candy. Melt your mixed sweets onto the spoons, let them dry, and wrap them in clear packages. Your coffee-loving visitor might just dip one into his or her mug immediately after opening this delightful and thoughtful treat!
If they are big fans of rustic-themed home makeover shows and decorate with reclaimed wood and metal accent items, shower them with a homemade wood gift. Both The Nest and Country Living Magazine have a great collection of homemade wood gift ideas to show them how much you notice their personal interests. We love the idea of wood-burned labels on cutting boards and cooking utensils. You can add your personal signature to these items with a wood burner from your local craft store. That way every time they use these items, they’ll be reminded of you.
This homemade gift option might require a little more effort, but for the loved ones on your list with a newborn, it will mean the world. Your local craft store will have everything you need to create this precious hot air balloon-themed mobile for their baby’s bedroom. Craftiness is Not Optional provides a great step-by-step visual guide to building this homemade gift with ease. If this seems too difficult, Craftiness is Not Optional has other easier new parent gifts.
We all know someone who spends their free time soaking in hot bubble baths and pampering themselves with sugar scrubs, pedicures, and moisture-rich lotions. Show them you care with your own self-care creations! There are do-it-yourself soap recipes, easy sweet or floral-scented sugar scrub formulas, and nurturing lotion how-to’s across the Internet! One of our favorites comes from PopSugar. Their DIY Spa Kit Trio features a scrub, a body butter, and a foot soak. We are not going to lie, this one you might want to keep for yourself!
These are just a few of the countless ways to make the holidays mean more this year. Do you have go-to homemade gifts you’ve perfected for the big day? Share your tips with our social communities and help your fellow 1st Lake residents make the ideal gift to go under the tree.
1st Lake Properties is committed to being a resource to our residents, especially during this time.
As of Monday, September 13th, all rental properties are open during regular business hours. Our teams are continuing to assess the damage to their properties. If you have any questions or concerns, we advise you to contact your leasing office directly.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding while we continue to rebuild our communities and provide safe living and working environments for our residents and our team members.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of resources for you that can offer further assistance during this time.
If you are a Jefferson Parish resident, we strongly encourage you to sign up for the JPAlert notification system that allows officials to contact you immediately during a major crisis or emergency. More information can be found here.
Points of Distribution (POD) sites are currently up and running in affected areas. You can find ice, water, MREs, and tarps at these sites. To view which sites are open, click here.
Hurricane Season Dashboard has easy access to everything from power outage maps to community resources to FEMA disaster assistance.
Follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Cox Communications has set up a disaster response page on its website with updates on restoring internet services, which can be found here.
FEMA Resources to Assist Your Recovery breaks down different agencies and programs with their contact information to streamline the recovery process.
You can also find answers to FAQs and rumor control about FEMA here.
Call 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov for rental assistance.
For temporary shelter, text LAShelter to 898211 or call 211 to find a shelter.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services received federal approval to begin Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations to provide additional food aid to families impacted by Hurricane Ida.
What applicants need to know:
To see the entire press release from Jefferson Parish, click here.
DSNAP applications will be handled by phone and benefit cards will be mailed to approved applicants through the U.S. Postal Service.
Residents in the approved parishes can call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center, 1-888-524-3578 to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP. Applicants should call 1-888-524-3578, select their language, prompt 6, and then 1 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Translation services are available for individuals whose primary language is not English.
Residents are encouraged, but not required, to take the following steps before calling to apply for DSNAP:
If you need any other assistance from us, please contact us on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
As of today, all of our apartment communities have electricity. We do have some isolated issues where Entergy is trying to restore electricity to a handful of buildings within some of our communities. We also expect the possibility of temporary outages as Entergy performs work in nearby areas. We have worked closely with Entergy to bring power back to all communities.
We have been assessing damage at our communities since right after the storm and have begun the work to repair damages. Until very recently, most of our Rental Offices did not have power, working phones or internet.
Starting Monday, September 13, 2021, all Rental Offices will be open during their regularly posted business hours. If you have any questions, please contact your office during those times.
Thank you for your patience as we move forward from Hurricane Ida.
For a list of resources visit our page here.
1st Lake Properties
Summertime is a great time for sunshine, smiles, and seeking new adventures! Looking for some fun places to explore that aren’t too far from home? We have put together a list of parks in the Greater New Orleans area that you should check out this summer!
Lafreniere Park is located in Metairie, Louisiana, and has several different attractions. From the walking path, playground, dog park, splash pad and more, the possibilities of fun are endless! Even more family fun awaits at Lafreniere Park’s Annual Uncle Sam Jam! This great event takes place in the park on July 4th weekend with music, food, and fireworks. Each Wednesday, the park hosts a Farmer’s Arts Market! You can find local vendors with unique gifts, fresh produce, and more!
Throughout the year, there is always something to fun going on at Lafreniere Park. From events to outdoor activities like running on the jogging trail or play on one of the sports fields. The 155-acre park also has several picnic shelters, playgrounds, a lagoon, a carousel, and a disc golf course!
Want to live within walking distance of this beautiful park? We have our Lafreniere, Breckenridge, White Water Creek, Orange Park, and Wildflower Apartments that are just a few steps away from here!
Play right next to Lake Pontchartrain at the Bonnabel Boat Launch Park. It is the perfect place to catch the sunset, or sunrise for early birds, over the water. Walk or bike along the Lakefront Trail, an over 9 mile-long paved path, that goes from Metairie to Kenner.
Visit the newest addition the park, the FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park. The Fitness Park is 1400 sq. ft. of shaded, safety-surfaced space that includes a combination of cardio, strength, balance and flexibility equipment designed for use by those of all abilities ages 13+. To learn more about FitLots and their locations click here.
Take a closer look at the Lake by utilizing the boat launch! It also has a dog park so your furry friends can enjoy the day with you too. A play area makes it a fun stop for the whole family.
Head to Bucktown for more outdoor fun! Walk along the newly renovated, 1,000 foot long Bucktown Marsh Boardwalk and learn about the plants and wildlife through its informational signs. Pack a picnic and enjoy under one of the covered pavilions. There’s lots of green space with a beautiful lakefront view to stretch your legs! The pier is a great fishing spot so bring your poles and bait.
Our residents at Breakers, Surf Rider I & II, and Park Oaks can take a short drive to easily access this fun spot!
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground used to be known as Metairie Playground. It is one of the oldest public playgrounds in Jefferson Parish, with its development starting as early as 1945. In 2003, the park was renamed to honor Wally Pontiff, Jr., who played baseball at the playground before his college athletic career at Louisiana State University. To learn more about Wally’s story and the Wally Pontiff, Jr. Foundation, you can visit the website.
You can find several sports fields, a track, a gym, and a couple of tennis courts at the park. Your fur-ever friends are welcome too! They can enjoy the dog park that is on-site as well. With a meeting center, picnic shelters, and a bird sanctuary, there are many ways to stay entertained here!
A quick drive away from here is our Rosedale, Boardwalk, Severn Pointe, and The Crossings Apartments.
Home to the Kenner Pavilion, a popular outdoor rental space, the park has a quarter-mile walking path for its visitors to enjoy. A couple of picnic shelters and playgrounds, including a handicap-accessible one, make this a great spot in West Jefferson Parish to stop by! Don’t forget the pup – there’s a dog park they can play in too.
Walking or taking a short drive is easy for our residents of Lakes of Chateau North & South, Harper’s Ferry, and Falling Water Apartments.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
