Home For The Holidays

That special time of year is fast approaching. You know, when you gain 10 lbs in 30 days, everyone pretends to be nice, and you stick around your dead-end job in hopes of another disappointing end-of-year bonus check. That's right, The Holidays are here! And I'm sure most of you are preparing to head home. For me home is back East, so not only do I get to revel in the family drama but, in addition, I get to enjoy the freezing cold winter!

So, naturally I wanted to provide you with some extremely important info on one of the biggest holiday issues: how to properly shut down your apartment when you leave on a vacation.

1. Unplug All Appliances & Electronics- Yes, nothing is more annoying then re-setting your alarm clock when you get back home but it sure beats coming back to a fire blazed apartment. Plus, when your appliances are plugged in they are using electricity (even if they're not being used). So save a couple pennies and rip those plugs from the wall.

2. Get A Peeping Tom- Ask your neighbor or a good friend to keep an eye on the place. Have them get your mail as well.

3. Lock It Down- Do a triple check that all windows and doors are definitely locked. You should also draw your blinds.

4. Take Out The Paper & The Trash- Cause you don't want that yakety yak! (In other words, take out the trash and recyclables.) Remove items from your refrigerator that may spoil if you will be gone longer then a few days. Also make sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink or in the dishwasher if you have one, and don't forget to clean out the coffee pot and filter.

5. Do your laundry before you leave or take it home for your mother to do. Either way you don't want to come back to a laundry bag full of dirty clothes to add to the ones you will need to wash from your trip.

*BONUS TIP ALERT* Change your sheets and make your bed before you leave. Trust me it will be so nice to come home to a cozy bed after sleeping on the twin size bed you grew up on.

6. Water Your Plants- Cause it's just not fun to come home to anything dead.

7. Above All Else- DON'T FORGET THE V & A. That's right the Valium for the day the Ambien for the night. Your only sure fire way to survive going home for the holidays.

Gobble, Gobble,

The Guy In 2A