Sierra Vista seniors will graduate from Manvel High School on May 25. Your newly minted grad probably has a few ideas about how to celebrate, and you should listen to their input. If you’re planning a party and are stumped for ideas, we can help.

Pick a Theme

Your grad is going to want an Instagram- or TikTok-worthy theme. We think this “One Smart Cookie” idea is very sweet. The Breakfast Club has been enjoying a resurgence with this generation, so why don’t you throw a “Donut You Forget About Me” party? Your sports-minded grad will love this game-time theme. It’s twice the fun if you decorate in their new college team’s colors. Have some fun with a Friends party.

Instagram-worthy Backdrops

Designate a corner so everyone can get a photo with the new grad. Balloons make a perfect backdrop. You can go with an arch or try this holographic balloon backdrop. Set up a chalkboard and let people design their own backdrop. You can purchase simple sequined backdrops on Amazon. This Polaroid cutoutbackdrop is super cute. Be sure to purchase these photobooth props.

Double Duty Decorations

Send your grad off to college with the advice garnered from this graduation tree centerpiece. Don’t put out a guest book. Have everyone sign this guest poster your grad can have framed. We think you grad will get a lot of use out of this t-shirt. Guests are sure to get creative when asked to post their favorite memories.

Step Up to the Bar

Food bars are perfect for any graduation party. This hot dog bar is easy to create. Popcorn bars aren’t just for movies. No sandwich bar would be complete without these “diploma wraps.” If the weather is a little Texas-warm, cool thing down with this root beer float bar.

Fun and Games

You’re never too old for a party game. Send your grad and friends on a fun graduation-themed scavenger hunt while you get the party started. Find out who knows the honoree best. Everyone will enjoy pinning the tassel on the graduation cap. Gather everyone for a fun game of graduation jeopardy.

Party Favors

What’s a party without favors? Send guests home with these smart cookie favors. Pack up some sweet treats to send home in these graduation cap boxes. Who wouldn’t want to go home with these cotton candy favors? Fill these graduation cap mason jars with candy, pennies or anything you want. Guests will remember your grad has a bright future ahead.

If you’ve explored our model homes, you’ve probably been drawn to the beautifully decorated dining tables. You may have been wondering if you can get the same look in your home. Yes, you can! Just follow our tips for an elevated table your guests will be gushing over.

Consider the Shape

Before rushing to HomeGoods to purchase centerpieces, consider the shape of your table. A small square or round table may need only a single vase to dress it up. A long table may require several centerpieces.

Consider the Room

Where your dining table is located has decorating implications. A formal dining room near the front of the home can serve as an introduction to your decorating style. If your table is in the dining area of the great room, you will want your tablescape to match the surrounding décor.

Consider Your Style

Just because you have a formal dining room doesn’t mean you need to go all out on fancy decorations if it isn’t your style. Your dining table should reflect you. Choose the colors, shapes and decorations that fit your aesthetic. Don’t decorate the way you think you should because that’s what the magazines tell you. Of course, if you see a tablescape in a magazine that speaks to you, by all means, recreate it.

To Tablecloth or Not to Tablecloth

You need a good foundation on which to build your tablescape. If you have a beautiful tabletop, you might not need a tablecloth. If your table is stained (and not in a good way) consider covering it up. There are beautiful tablecloths in a variety of fabrics and patterns out there. Choose microfiber cloth as it rarely stains and is easy to clean. Pick colors that tie into your decorating theme or accent your tableware. For fun, change your tablecloth with the seasons for a fresh new look.

Terrific Table Runners

Table runners straddle the line between a tablecloth and a naked table. They work particularly well with long, rectangular tables. Square tables can also benefit as a table runner elongates the space. You can purchase one or make your own from a beautiful piece of fabric. As an alternative, lay down a line of fresh greenery, silk flowers or small candles.

Make a Statement

A table is meant to be used for dining. Clutter it up with decorations and there won’t be room for your guests. That means taking everything off the table when you use it. Instead, place a beautiful statement piece in the center. Large vases, bowls of fruit and sculptures work well for this. In addition to becoming a focal point for the room, a statement piece can be easily removed when it’s dinner time.

Keep it Short

A table centerpiece shouldn’t be higher than 24 inches. You want to be able to see your guests. Also, a tall centerpiece makes it hard to pass the potatoes. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a tall centerpiece. It just means you need to remove it before dinner is served.

Fancy Flowers

Floral arrangements are a go-to for many home decorators. Fresh flowers from your garden are seasonal and show off your green thumb. Find vases that complement your room décor and fill them up. For a short table, one vase should do. A longer table will look better with a collection of vases. And you don’t have to use vases. Bowls and wooden boxes are charming containers. Fill a bowl with fall leaves or a planter box with evergreen branches.

Let’s Talk Candlesticks

Candlesticks are a staple of dining table decorations. For a classic look, search thrift stores for silver candlesticks. For a more contemporary look, colored glass or wood look beautiful. Don’t worry if your candlesticks don’t match. An eclectic assortment makes its own statement. Choose candle colors that accent the room. Scented candles keep the room smelling nice but you’ll want to switch out for scentless when it’s time to serve food.

Overhead Lighting

A beautiful table deserves a beautiful light source. If your dining room has an oversized window, just open the curtains. At night, you will need an additional light source. Chandeliers are always a nice touch, but if that’s too formal or fussy for you, consider pendant lightning in your preferred shape. Lights should be on a dimmer switch so you can set the mood.

Mix It Up

Mixing up your table décor is a great way to have some fun and make a statement. Combine candlesticks of varying heights with a large vase full of silk flowers. A wooden tray piled high with placemats and napkins adds color to the room. A row of succulents brings nature indoors.

Visit Our Models for Inspiration

Need more inspiration? Visit the model homes in Sierra Vista. You might even decide to give your dining room table a brand-new home.

We don’t want to throw around words like “black hole,” but when was the last time you could easily find anything stored in your garage? Do you even know what’s in it? If you aren’t sure, it’s time for a little (possibly a lot of) spring cleaning. Overwhelmed at the thought? Don’t be. Just follow these 10 steps:

Start With a Plan

Before you start, plan. Are you thinking of installing a garage organization system or just weeding through years of accumulated stuff? Your goals dictate how you should proceed. Create a to-do list with an estimate of how much time you expect to spend on each item. Then double it. Clearing the garage is hard work.

Gather Supplies

Hit the home improvement store before you start. Make sure you have all the shelving bins, racks and other items you will need so you won’t have to go to the store halfway through the process. You may also need heavy duty trash bags, a broom or shop vac and degreasers.

Set Aside Time

As we mentioned before, tackling the garage is a big job. You might be able to do it all in one day — if it’s small or you regularly clean it — but it will most likely take the weekend. Clear your calendar, create a garage cleaning playlist and enlist some helpers.

Divide Your Driveway

Where are you going to put the things you take out of the garage? Your driveway. Use chalk or tarps to divide it into de-cluttering zones. Set aside spaces for things you want to keep, donate or toss. If your driveway won’t hold everything (scary thought), start in one of corner of the garage and work your way forward, organizing as you go along.

Sorting Your Stuff

Sorting is hard. After all, you wouldn’t have put your stuff in the garage if you didn’t think you would need it someday. Heirlooms and items of sentimental value probably shouldn’t be stored in the garage where they can get damaged. Find them a new home in your house. Keeping stuff for your now adult children? Let them store it in their own garages. Anything with a layer of dust an inch thick or covered in cobwebs can probably go. You obviously never use it.

Clean and Finish Your Garage

Give your now empty garage some love. Sweep it out and power wash the floor. Check any shelves and wracks for damage. If you’ve been thinking of finishing your garage now is the time. Coat the floor with a water and stain-resistant material called polyurea. Install cabinets and shelves or have a contractor do it for you.

Go Vertical

You don’t want to store things on the floor. Rodents can easily chew their way into boxes. If there’s a flood, your treasured items will be underwater. Store items on shelves, peg boards, bike racks and even the ceiling. Cabinets encourage disorganization because you can just hide the clutter. Shelves keep you honest.

Create Zones

Think of your garage like a store. Stores separate goods into zones so people can find things easily. Create a sports zone, gardening center, tool shop and seasonal items area. Place the stuff you use regularly in places you can easily get to them. Things you only use once or twice a year can go on the top of shelves or in the back.

Maintain the Organization

Once everything is squared away, have a glass of lemonade and a nap. Then choose a date to do it over again. Ideally, you should reorganize your garage twice a year to keep it looking tidy.

Buy a New Home in Sierra Vista

Better yet, purchase a new home in Sierra Vista and get a new garage — a garage that can be tailored to fit your storage needs with upgrades like cabinets and counters so you will be organized as soon as you move in.

Moving into a new home in Sierra Vista is great. Packing up everything up in your old home, not so much. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Follow these tips for a stress-free move:

Gather Supplies

Start gathering moving supplies as soon as you have a move-in date. You will need boxes in all sizes as well as specialty boxes for things like moving flat-screen televisions. You will also need bubble wrap, packing tape, markers or a label maker, box cutters and a dolly for the heavy lifting.

Plan It Out

Not everything needs to be packed at the same time. Create a checklist and a calendar. The checklist tells you what to pack; the calendar when to pack it. As a rule, items you don’t use often can be packed one to three months ahead of your move. As you pack, get rid of items you never use so they don’t follow you to your new home.

The Kitchen

Kitchens are the hardest to pack. There’s just so much stuff! Wrap your dishes in bubble wrap and pack them vertically to keep them from breaking. Glasses should be packed in boxes with dividers. If you have a silverware tray, remove it from the drawer, wrap it in plastic and set the whole thing in a box. Remove blades and attachments from small appliances before wrapping. You can put them in bags and tape them to the appliance. You may be tempted to pack as much in one box as you can. Don’t. Heavy boxes are hard to lift and can break, sending your dishes to the floor.

Home Office

Home offices can be tricky to pack ahead of time if you plan to work up until the day you move. Pack up as many office supplies as you can in the month before the move. The night before, pack up your electronic devices. Be sure to store power strips, cords and chargers together so you won’t be searching for them the day after the move.

Clothes

Clothes are easy to pack. Purchase wardrobe boxes and just hang them up. Pack any clothes that are out of season first. To move the clothing you keep in drawers, just pull out the drawers, wrap them in plastic and place on the moving truck. If you don’t want to invest in moving boxes, use trash bags or suitcases.

The Bathroom

Declutter your bathroom before packing anything. Have one box for each bathroom. Keep toiletries together. Pack your medications in a to-go bag and make sure it is in the car on the day of the move.

Spare Rooms

Spare rooms can usually be packed up at least a month in advance. Wrap comforters, pillows and sheets in plastic before storing in a box. If you don’t need the bed, disassemble it. Valuables can be moved to another room for safekeeping.

Kids’ Rooms

Get your kids involved in the packing. Have them pack their clothes, school supplies and other items. Favorite toys should not be packed until a few days before.

Furniture, Mirrors and Art

Wrap mirrors and art in bubble wrap. If they don’t fit in boxes, label them by whatever room they will go in. Remove legs from tables and chairs to make them easier to maneuver. Cover the tops of tables with blankets to keep them from getting scratched.

General Tips

Take a picture of what’s inside each box. Give the box a number and write down what’s inside. That way you know where everything is and don’t waste time opening boxes filled with stuff you don’t need. Pack a box of essential items for each room. Those could include tools, bathroom items like toilet paper, pet food, first aid kit and clothes.

Make Easter “eggs-tra” special for your kids by letting them express themselves creatively. From fun egg-decorating ideas to fool-proof festive food, we’ve put together a list of activities everyone will love. In between activities, why not take a look at our finely crafted homes in Sierra Vista?

It’s All About the Eggs

Sure there are bunnies and chicks, but Easter is really all about the eggs. Make your Easter eggs sparkle with a little glue and lots of glitter. Get cracking with these fun rainbow eggs. Got a toddler? These three Easter egg dyeing crafts are easy and fun.  Skip the dye altogether and pull out the Sharpies for these tie-dyed eggs.

Who Doesn’t Want Bunny Ears?

Easter bonnets are so last year. Make these adorable pipe cleaner bunny ears instead. Check out this cute template for making cute paper plate Easter Bunny hats. Paper plates also make great bunny masks.

Faux Eggs

Don’t want to decorate real eggs this year? No problem. Break out the colored paper and make these bright 3D eggs. Find some egg-shaped rocks and let the kids go wild with acrylic paint. Preschoolers will love adding dried pasta to these paper Easter eggs. Use your Easter egg cookie cutters to craft these salt doughmasterpieces.

Great Garlands and Wreathes

Hang these kid-created garlands around the house to welcome the Easter bunny. It just takes a little paint and a lot of shaving cream to make these marbled paper Easter eggs. Older children will enjoy making these Easter egg wreathes. “Chick” out these adorable yarn garlands.

Festive Food Fun

Teens in particular will have a great time making these bunny ice cream cones. No kid will be able to resist these carrot-themed chocolate dipped strawberries. Peeps are just marshmallows, and marshmallows are the main ingredient in s’mores. These Peeps go vroom!