Choice Option 4th Edition | Page 6

Property 10 Checklistsfor a Well-Stocked Home Thank-you notes, first-aid kit, clear glass vases ... It’s easy to go with the flow when you’ve got the items you need at hand. A well-stocked home can help you handle the little surprises drop-in guests, dastardly spills life throws at you with a bit more grace. If you are setting up home for the first time or just want to refresh your space, these 10 checklists will keep you stocked with items you need for almost any occasion. Reference books. Even today, when you can find so much information online, there is still a place for a few well-chosen reference books in the home library. A trusted reference book can be speedy and satisfying to use, not to mention fun to flip through. Correspondence. If you’ve ever had to scramble at the last minute to find a card for a birthday or another occasion, you will appreciate having a collection of cards at your fingertips. Make a point of picking up beautiful cards when you spot them so you are always prepared. o o Thank-you notes Personal stationery printed with Home Bar. The beauty of a home bar is that you can decide how extensive or simple to make it. Want to offer only wine? Choose a house white and red, and buy them by the case. Love offering your guests a full range of cocktails, à la Mad Men? Go for the full setup described below. o es o o o o o o Balloon-shaped red-wine glassWhite-wine glasses Beer glasses Martini glasses Champagne flutes or coupes Highball glasses Old-fashioned glasses o Etiquette guide o Book of quotations o Home improvement manual o Dictionary o Good general cookbook o Cocktail reference book o General home reference book that includes cleaning and stain-removal tips o Book on art history o Book of rules for card games o Encyclopedia of plants and flowers o Regional gardening guide o Holiday songbook your name or monogram, or a signature motif o Forever stamps o Good pens o Birthday cards o Assorted cards for all occasions (wedding, baby, congratulations, love, graduation) o Address book (if you store ad dresses online, keep a paper copy for backup) o Shot glasses o Cocktail shaker o Strainer and stir stick o Bottle opener o Ice bucket and tongs o An affordable favorite wine (both a red and a white) purchased by the case to save a little cash, to serve as your house wine o A selection of quality liquors, such as vodka, gin, scotch, whiskey, bourbon, rum and tequila o Mixers and cocktail additions such as vermouth, bitters, club soda, tonic, grenadine, lemons, limes and olives Birthdays and gifts. Keeping a gift cupboard stocked with go-to gifts and signature wrapping supplies means you will never find yourself showing up at a gathering empty-handed. o Birthday calendar with family members’ and friends’ birthdays recorded (keep a printed one as a backup even if you store birthdays online) o Gift wrap, both printed and plain o Ribbon 06 | Choice Options o Scissors and tape o Gift bags in several sizes o Plain shirt boxes o Tissue paper o Birthday candles and matches o Balloons o Hostess gifts, such as candles, soap and tea towels o Signature baby gift, such as a favorite book or lovely knit hat o Gifts for loved ones purchased as you find them, to avoid last-minute shopping