The time is upon us to begin the process of acquiring Christmas gifts for friends and families and decorations for holiday parties. While everyone is in a mad dash to purchase the hot new item on the market, you could ditch the department store and get supplies to make your presents. Not the crafty type? Not to worry – these DIY projects are simple and basic enough for the least creatively inclined among us. This year, save money and make your own Christmas cheer both you and the recipient can be proud of!
Ornaments – Everyone loves ornaments, and what better time to give them than Christmas? Put your own personal touch on Christmas ornaments this year by customizing them yourself. Start with buying plain glass ornaments and fill them with the contents of your choice and voila – you’ve created a personalized Christmas ornament in minutes! Some ideas for fillings are a small photograph, fortune cookie fortunes, tinsel, confetti or anything you can think of that will squeeze into the opening.
Luminary Centerpiece – This project can be used both for gifts or decorations to keep for your apartment. These luminaries can be customized for the holidays or any time of year, so keep this idea in mind for future occasions. There are three simple steps: 1) Find an image you love and print it on acetate projector paper, 2) attach the acetate to a piece of colored construction paper of your choosing that’s the same size, 3) wrap the paper around a glass canister. Then all you need to do is place your candle in the canister and you have a beautiful, unique centerpiece.
Recently, 1st Lake Properties put their passion for community service into action to support United Way and the Susan G. Komen foundation in honor of breast cancer survivors. Two 1st Lake team members initiated fundraising campaigns for each organization and together they raised over $10,000 with “Jeans and Jersey Day.”
Jeans and Jersey Day was a raffle for a two night stay at the Four Points Sheraton Downtown hotel, donated by Flooring Depot of Elmwood. Direct donations in addition to the raffle were also welcome. Christian Rooney, owner of Flooring Depot said, “1st Lake Properties has always been involved in community service, and we wanted to help them raise more funds.” Thanks to Flooring Depot’s generous donation, the raffle was a big success.
Both United Way and Susan G. Komen rely on corporate sponsorships and 1st Lake Properties values the opportunity to support these important foundations. Michele Shane L’Hoste, President of 1st Lake Properties, said, “Several of our employees have been affected by cancer or financial hardship either personally or someone they care for. We are pleased to see their willingness to give back. We get calls from the team members asking when the Susan G. Komen walk is or what the raffle will be for the United Way campaign.”
To get involved in volunteer and charity efforts such as these, contact 1st Lake Properties for career or residential availability, and you’ll be on the path to becoming a member of a socially conscious and caring community.
New Orleans truly is a magical place for the holidays. Immediately following Thanksgiving, there are a variety of joyous events to partake in. Fortunately for the 1st Lake community, if you are a resident of the Metairie, Kenner or River Ridge apartments close to New Orleans, you’re right next to all the fun. Take a look at what events the holiday season will bring this year.
Celebration in the Oaks – This giant Christmas light display opens the day after Thanksgiving in New Orleans. Thirteen acres of New Orleans City Park will be illuminated with elaborate light exhibits that people of all ages can enjoy. There will be the classic displays like Mr. Bingle and the Cajun Night Before Christmas, plus train rides circling the two miles covered in lights, and hot chocolate for the kids and hot buttered rum for the adults to enjoy, just to name a few attractions. The 2015-2016 holiday season at Celebration in the Oaks runs November 27 – January 2.
Reveillon Dinners – Reveillon dinners in New Orleans carries on the old Creole tradition of home cooked holiday meals and brings it to nearly 50 of New Orleans’ best restaurants. Leave it to talented local chefs to make a deliciously decadent holiday meal for the family this Christmas at unbeatable prices.
St. Louis Cathedral Concerts – Only in New Orleans can you see some of the best musicians in the city or even the country perform Christmas classics in the gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. The setting provides wonderful ambiance to get you in the holiday spirit to the tune of Amanda Shaw, Davell Crawford, Jeremy Davenport, and the New Orleans Nightingales, just to name a few. The St. Louis Cathedral Concerts run all throughout December.
Caroling in Jackson Square – Caroling in Jackson Square has been a New Orleans holiday tradition that has grown in size and popularity since 1946. Hundreds of carolers come out each year holding candles and singing Christmas songs in Jackson Square. It’s a memorable experience that starts at 7:00 p.m. Early arrival is recommended.
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#CelebrateWith1stLake & get crafty for the #holidays! Read our tips for livening up décor: https://t.co/09lRZ61o6z pic.twitter.com/Ldb8GBdZ99
— 1st Lake Properties (@1stLake) December 4, 2015
Related posts: Holiday Decorating for a Small Space, Holiday Gift Guide: What to Buy for Your First Apartment.
Last month’s Up on the Roof fundraiser for East Jefferson General Hospital hosted by 1st Lake Properties was a smashing success. Not only did all who attended enjoy an amazing, fun-filled night, but $150,000 was raised to fund important healthcare programs.
With the help of 59 sponsors, 150 volunteers and over 1,300 attendees, the hospital’s signature event went off without a hitch, and raised the record-breaking funds to support INSPIRE, The Foundation at East Jefferson General Hospital’s competitive grants program to fund innovative medical projects including specialized patient care, advanced technology and capital expansion.
While they were donating to a very worthy cause, attendees were able to sample over 80 beers and delicious food from 33 local restaurants while enjoying live music entertainment provided by The Boogie Men and B-97.1 FM emcees.
“We are so thankful to our sponsors, volunteers and the community support we received,” said Stacey Shane Schott, event chair and Senior Vice President of 1st Lake Properties. “We are humbled by the number of people who participate in this event; it shows the community’s support for EJGH.”
Following Up on the Roof, The Foundation gave the hospital a check for $1 million, its second installment for the expansion of the EJGH Cancer Center, part of a campaign to expand the Oncology Infusion Center, which is expected to open Spring 2014.
1st Lake Properties is honored to have hosted such a wonderful event and is looking forward to next year. See you at Up on the Roof in 2014!
For any holiday or special time of year, New Orleans hosts a large-scale, multi-dimensional celebration, and Thanksgiving is no exception. New Orleans is a wonderful place to spend Thanksgiving, and it serves as the kickoff to a magical holiday season. If you are a resident of 1st Lake’s New Orleans area apartments in Kenner, Metairie and River Ridge, then you’re lucky enough to be right next to the action.
Fairgrounds – The New Orleans Fairgrounds Racecourse and Slots’ opening season begins right before Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving Day will be a full day of horse racing complete with a Thanksgiving feast. Traditionally, attendees wear big, festive derby hats and the event is a lively and different way to spend a Thanksgiving, in true New Orleans fashion.
Bayou Classic – The age old rivalry between Grambling and Southern universities continues this year at the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. The Bayou Classic is much more than an annual football game, it’s several days of exhilarating events, including the Battle of the Bands between the Grambling and Southern marching bands, a Thanksgiving Day parade, a step show contest, gospel brunch and more. Don’t miss the Bayou Classic in New Orleans from November 27 – December 30.
Restaurants – If you don’t feel like slaving away to make Thanksgiving dinner for a change, there are many of the New Orleans area’s top notch restaurants that will do it for you on Thanksgiving Day! A few of these fine dining restaurants open on Thanksgiving include Bayona, Broussard’s and Domenica. Have a dirty dishes-free Thanksgiving in New Orleans!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
