During the holidays, the inclination is often to
search out the biggest, the best, the most
spectacular places and events in order to make a
memory, whether it’s a tree lighting, a performance
of “The Nutcracker,” or a chance to learn more about
the meaning of Hanukkah .

And while you might think that creating holiday
traditions like these involves a trip out of town,
chances are you can find everything you’re looking
for right in your own backyard.

So this season, plan a trip to a local landmark
you’ve never visited, or book tickets to a holiday
show or concert in town.

We’ve rounded up lots of options that will let you
spend a happy holiday at home, starting with the
annual tree lighting at Chappaqua’s Horace Greeley
House, an occasion that includes a concert, and
then, a parade, of all things.

If you’re in the mood for some old-fashioned
Christmas cheer, don’t miss the annual holiday tree
lighting Dec. 4 at the Horace Greeley House in
Chappaqua.

There’s singing, crafts, period decorations — even a
parade of sorts.

The annual event draws a crowd, says Betsy Towl,
the executive director of the New Castle Historical
Society.

“This is such a long standing tradition in
Chappaqua; it really brings the community together.
We have children of all ages, who come for the open
house, but the tree lighting is the big event,” Towl
said.

The New Castle Historical Society, which uses the
house as its headquarters, has organized a full
afternoon of festivities, starting at 1 p.m. with an
Old-Fashioned Craft Workshop (for children) and
Open House.

 Docents will be on hand to lead tours of the fully
decorated historic house, which was Greeley’s
weekend and summer home from 1864 until his
death in 1872.

At 3:30 p.m., the Chappaqua Orchestra will host the
annual New Castle Community Sing, a combination
variety show-singalong, at the nearby Robert E. Bell
Middle School.

Then everyone walks over to the Greeley House for a
few more songs by the Madrigal Singers, a coed
choral group at Horace Greeley High School.

The switch to light the 35-foot-tall Colorado spruce
gets flipped at 4:30 p.m., followed by a visit from
Santa.

Then everyone heads across the street to the New
Castle Community Center for homemade cookies and
hot chocolate, courtesy of the New Castle Teen
Alliance.

And when you’re finished ogling the tree, head back
inside.

The Horace Greeley House has a charming little gift
shop with holiday gifts and ornaments.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? And it’s all free and open
to the public.

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Chappaqua NY Homes

Chappaqua Luxury Homes

If you find that your home and bedroom are getting into an unruly mess then its time to take action. The remedy for the clutter that has accrued over many months or even years is a wood closet organizer. Closet organizers manage your clothes, shoes, hats, scarves – in fact just about anything can be organized. In fact you wont know how you lived without one.

The main purpose of a closet organizer is to store your belongings in a neat and tidy fashion on the shelving and various compartments that are contained within the organizer. There are both simple and complex systems and this generally dictate how they can be installed. A simple one can be installed by the homeowner with suitable DIY skills but a complex one should be really left to the professionals to install

1. Use every inch of space. The coat closet is often the most under-utilized and overstuffed space in the house. “To make a typical coat closet more efficient you should remove the existing rod and shelf,” advises California Closets designer Lisa Lennard. This will make use of space that was dead before. “Then measure your longest coat and add two or three inches,” she instructs. “Reinstall the hanger rod at this lower height. In most cases, there will be room for two or three shelves above it where you can put baskets or boxes for small items.”

2. Double up. If your closet is wide enough, Lisa suggests installing a double closet rod. Hanging a second rod below the existing one will enable you to store another level of clothes, such as shorter jackets. Make sure to allow at least 36 inches between the top and bottom rod. An easy drill-free approach to achieving a double-hanging system is to use hanging rods that hook over existing rails. These nifty rods provide instant space for short-hanging clothes (Double hang closet rod, $10; The Container Store).

3. Make room for drawers. Remove the top shelf and raise the existing closet rod to uncover valuable vertical storage. In the space below the rod, install a chest of drawers for storing small items. Hang jackets or sweaters you’re using regularly on the rod above the chest. Longer coats, such as trench coats, can hang to the side of the small chest. Reserve the floor space below for weather boots.

No room for a chest of drawers? Buy a set of hanging canvas shelves. They are perfect for stowing everything from gloves and scarves in winter to sandals and caps in summer.

4. Purge. Determine clothing and accessories you wear and items that you need to give away. You can save more than a foot of space by donating three old winter coats. That’s enough space to install modular storage cubes, which can store gloves, scarves, and mittens.

5. Think outside the closet. Place a coat tree or a wall-mounted rack in your entryway for the outerwear you use every day. These organizers are great for grab-and-go items, such as jackets, scarves, umbrellas and hats.

6. Invest in space savers. Install an inexpensive over-the-door shoe organizer to store small winter necessities like gloves, earmuffs and knit caps. You can also keep keys, wallets, lint brushes and flashlights in this handy organizer.

7. Rotate seasonal clothes. In the spring, move winter coats to other storage places, such as less crowded closets, underbed storage units and unused suitcases. This will make way for lighter jackets, sweaters, warm-weather sports equipment and beach gear. The same goes for footwear: the boots of winter should give way to the sandals of summer. You can also try your local dry cleaner for more storage options. Many store out-of-season garments as a part of their service to customers.

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Chappaqua NY Homes

Chappaqua Luxury Homes