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For the first time, we're running a full-blown Christmas special! Merry Christmas, everyone!

SEGMENT 1: Family Traditions

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Christmas Traditions from Around the World

In these segments, we explore a number of remarkably strange traditions, including a tradition from Spain that you almost have to hear to believe . . . .

SEGMENT 4: Christmas Movie Debate

What's the Best Christmas movie out there? Is Die Hard REALLY a Christmas film? How does "The Grinch" fare in our opinions? We dig into all of these weighty matters and more....

SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Mel Trotter Ministries

In this segment we're on the phone with Beth Fisher and Regina Dix from Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, talking about the homelessness situation and what we can all do.

• Here's the link if you'd like to help out with a donation!

SEGMENT 3: Last Minute Gifts

Every year around this time, we sit down with Jeff Rietveld from Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles to get his take on the best games for the season. Here's the 2021 list!

• Find more info about Out of the Box here!

SEGMENT 4: Christmas Contest Finale

Today we dole out the last 4 clues in our Christmas Scavenger Hunt.

• Find the Entry Form here!
• More info about Bistro Bella Vita

SEGMENT 1: To Flush or Not to Flush?

Flushing the hot water heater is a common recommendation when you peruse DIY forums. However . . . there are a couple things to consider before you jump into that seemingly simple DIY project.

SEGMENT 2: Miracle Dryer Balls

Hailey is dealing with a lot of static electricity at home--especially in the laundry. And she's stumbled on a simple laundry room item that may help!

Check these Wool Dryer Balls out here!

SEGMENT 3: Wood Staining Tips

As we discuss in the segment, stains are sensitive! And by that, we mean the final color of any particular on wood stain is determined by more than just the color of liquid stain. We talk about all the things to pay attention to for great results every time!

SEGMENT 4: Christmas Contest Hints

Our Christmas Scavenger Hunt is in full swing right now! On this segment, we talk about all the cool stuff you and your family can do at the Muskegon Luge Sports Adventure Park (previously the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex). We also dish out a few more hints so you can enter our contest without having to travel!

SEGMENT 1: The Hot Water Heater Fiasco

Hot water heaters don't last forever! And when they go . . . well, they really can go! Dan's 10 year old hot water heater burst on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and in about 30 minutes the 1/2 the basement had an inch of water over the floor. On the show, we dug into some of the lessons learned . . . and really, it's all about being prepared.

Here are some ideas (and these work for ANY water-related fiasco):

• Know how to shut down your water heater in case of an emergency
• Locate the water shut off valves and make your whole family aware
• Get a good wet/dry vac and a submersible pump (if you don't have a sump pump pit)
• If you don't have a "go-to" plumber now, find one . . . when you don't have an emergency

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Quick Holiday Transformations

There's not a ton of time left before Christmas and New Year's, so we didn't want to dig into all kinds of huge paint projects. Instead, we decided to focus on some quick transformations for you home.

SEGMENT 4: Christmas Tree 101

Hailey loves to pick out her Christmas tree every year . . . but every year, she forgets which kind is the right one for her. So today, she walks through some of the trees that we'll find when we go shopping as well as some pros and cons for each!

ALSO!!!! We launch our 2021 Christmas Sweepstakes. Find all the information in the segment!

SEGMENT 1: Surfactant Leaching

Surfactant leaching is a somewhat common issue in newly painted bathrooms with high humidity. It can look TERRIBLE on your walls . . . but it's easy to take care of!

SEGMENTS 2-4: Home Repair Services

Home Repair Services is an organization in Kent County that we feel everyone needs to know about! We'll do our best as we spend three segments talking with Executive Director, Joel Ruiter.

SEGMENT 1: The Wishbone's Strange History

We all know the Thanksgiving tradition of two people pulling apart the wishbone to see who gets the wish . . . but do you know where this strange tradition comes from? Tune in to find out!

SEGMENT 2: Holiday Survival Guide

Whether you're a person who enjoys big Holiday gatherings or not, they can be a little stressful. We put together a Holiday Survival Gide that is sure to make family gatherings more enjoyable for both hosts and guests.

SEGMENTS 3 and 4: Brilliant Gift Recommendations

This is our 5th Annual Gift Guide and Dan is trying desperately to "win". Sadly, he comes up short again . . . .

Gifts for the Whole Family

Hailey: Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Family Membership

Dan: Home Theater (you can do it well AND cheaper than you may think!)

• Yaber Projector
• Pop-up Screen

Gifts for Kids and Teens

Hailey: (Kids) Dinosaur Explorer Gift set. But it's not just the set . . . get other related items and create a world!

• Explorer Pack
• Dino Egg Excavation Kit

Dan: (Teens) A Mysterious Package Experience. You'll receive a package (or multiples) in the mail and within, you'll find letters, documents, artifacts and more that tell an unfolding story or mystery that you are challenged to solve!

Gifts for the Hard-To-Buy-For Person

Hailey: Snacks from around the world! Pick a country and receive a package of their favorite snacks.

• Japan's Favorite Snacks (for example)

Dan: An Audible Subscription. Give the gift of books on audio. Yes, it's a digital gift and no it doesn't have a lot of flair . . . but it does have "staying power"! This is the kind of gift that will likely be used ALL year long. Personally, I've listened to over 27 books in the last year . . . some of which (Anna Karenina, I'm looking at you) I don't think I'd have made it through if I was reading on my own . . . .

Gifts for Adults

Hailey: The gift they ALWAYS wanted as a child. Hailey goes for the nostalgia factor here and suggests finding a fun gift someone always wanted but never received. Her example is the famous (perhaps infamous) Red Ryder BB gun!

Dan: A membership (or several-month pass) to a gym. YES, I know this is an incredibly difficult gift to give. You have to be smart, suave, and tactful because nothing could say, "hey, you're not exactly good enough as you are . . . why not try this?" quite like a gym membership. So maybe it's a gift you give yourself! But still, as we head into winter, getting out and exercising can really make you feel a lot better!

A Unique Gift

Hailey: A Float Tank experience at PHLOT in Grand Rapids. It's a sensory-depravation experience and Hailey claims it's the most relaxing experience she's ever had! Also, it's remarkably good for people with chronic pain. So if you can get past the idea of spending an hour alone in the silent dark . . . this might be for you!

Dan: An Escape Room experience. We've talked about them on the show before . . . but escape rooms are just a TON of fun! You can find them in Grand Rapids, Holland, and at our favorite spot in Zeeland: Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles!

SEGMENT 1: Holiday Cleaning Tips

The Holidays are closing in and those of us who are hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas parties are starting to pull our homes together for guests. If cleaning is a big "To-Do" on your list, we've got some tips for getting some key areas in your home sparkling!

And here are links to the cleaners we mentioned:

• Zep Heavy Duty Degreaser
• Method Heavy Duty Degreaser

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Winter Prep with Ayers Basement Systems

Is your home cold in the winter? Is the basement frigid? Do you have a dirt floor crawlspace? Would you like to save 22% on your energy bill from here on out? If you answer "yes" to any of those questions, check out this interview with Zack Krieger from Ayers Basement Systems. Zack has a ton of great info about how to make our homes more comfortable in the winter as well as a way to bring our energy bills down significantly.

SEGMENT 4: Paint and Stain Touch-Up Tips

We started the show talking about cleaning for the Holidays. But when we clean, we're likely going to notice a lot of little areas on our trim and on our walls that need to be touched up! Dings, scratches, gouges . . . how do we fix them quickly and effectively? We've got the answers!

SEGMENT 1: Paint Hack Attack

Life hacks are all over the internet! And many of them are just terrible ideas . . . . One "paint hack from the pros" that we ran across involved pounding holes in the rim of your paint can. We talk about why that's such a bad idea.

SEGMENT 2: Color of the Year 2022

Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2022 is October Mist. It's a great color that "plays nice" with so many other colors! It's easy to work with and might be something to consider as you plan your next paint project.

• Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2022

SEGMENT 3: Tablescapes Made Easy

Putting together a centerpiece for your holiday table is easy. You just have to start with a few basic concepts and work from there!

SEGMENT 4: Avoiding Scams

It's pretty much always "Scam Season". We've all run into them from time to time and some of us have been hooked and taken for a ride. We talk about some current scams going on in the Holland area as well as some basics behind what scammers do and why. All of that info should help us avoid getting suckered by that next phone call.

Here are the articles we referenced in the discussion:

• Common Scams and Frauds
• Why Do We Fall for Scams
• Avoid Falling Victim to Scams

Segment 1: The Best Leaf Tarp

When you have a lot of leaves to deal with in the fall, you get creative! You look for new solutions everywhere. Well, I stumbled into what I think is the best leaf tarp out there. And it's actually a dump truck tarp. We'll tell you why we like it so much.

• Here's the tarp we were referencing

Segment 2: 10 Minutes with Your Refrigerator

Our refrigerators don't ask for much! But one thing we can do to possibly extend their life is to periodically clean the condenser coils. We'll tell you how (and the good news is it's quick!)

Segments 3 and 4: Hailey's Monumental Bathroom Re-do

Hailey's cat, Berger, couldn't get to his litter box the other day . . . and two weeks later, Hailey had a brand new bathroom. We'll talk about all the crazy steps in between!

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