Winter in the United States is a time of year that is rich with history, folklore, and traditions. It is a time of storytelling, traditions, and shared community. Many of these traditions are still alive today and have their roots in our history stretching back hundreds of years. In today's article, we?re going to explore some of those traditions and pieces of folklore. Some of which you may be familiar with and some may be new to you. If you have any of your own folklore or traditions that you?d like to share, please give us a shout in the comments below! We?d love to hear from you. The Furriest Weatherman: The Legend Of Groundhog Day If you were to describe what happens each year on Groundhog day to a foreigner, they would probably think that you are either trying to play a joke on them or that we Americans have gone a little crazy. The reality is that we don?t really have ourselves to blame. This quirky tradition actually originates in Germany and was brought here by settlers who ended up in the Pennsylvania religion, aka the Pennsylvania Dutch. In their homeland, they used a hedgehog to help ?predict? the end of winter while in the US, since hedgehogs aren?t native here, they had to use a groundhog instead. The Legend of the Yule Log The Yule log tradition has deep roots in European winter celebrations and remains popular across the United States today. Traditionally, families would burn a large log in the fireplace during the winter solstice, symbolizing warmth, protection, and good fortune for the year ahead. Today, the tradition continues in many homes as a cozy holiday ritual. Some families still burn a log, while others celebrate with a decorative Yule log cake (our favorite!) or even a televised fireplace to bring warmth and comfort to the season. The Woolly Bear Weather Forecast So you thought that groundhogs and hedgehogs were the only cute animals who could predict the weather? Well, you?re wrong! Here in the US, present in nearly every state, we have a caterpillar that is cute and furry (for a while at least) and it was long thought that by observing the presence and placement of a brown stripe on its back you could predict how mild or severe the upcoming winter season was going to be. While not scientifically proven, this tradition continues to spark curiosity and conversation each fall and winter. Polar Plunges: A Chilly Start to the New Year Well, one thing you can do to entertain yourself in the long, dreary winter months is to do as the Polar Bears do: take a refreshing plunge! Each year, many people will gather at a local lake or oceanside beach to take the plunge, literally, into the freezing water. It is said to have powerful health benefits as well as providing a great excuse to warm up right afterwards with a hot cup of cocoa. Conclusion We hope that this article about winter traditions and folklore across the United States was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Ah, February is here again and it's time to celebrate Valentine's Day. Some people celebrate with chocolates and others give flowers, while many use it as a perfect excuse to go out and enjoy a fancy, romantic dinner. We all like to celebrate in our own ways, but what exactly is the origin of this love-filled holiday? The answer may surprise you! In today?s blog, we?re going to talk about the holiday?s ancient origins and even some ways in which it is celebrated around the world, outside of the United States. If you have any fun Valentine?s Day traditions or stories, we?d love to hear them in the comments. The Origin Of The First Valentine Ancient Rome. Their civilization may have fallen, but their traditions will live on forever. Like many holidays celebrated in the U.S. and around the world, this special day has its origins in ancient Rome. Around the year 270AD the Roman emperor at the time Claudius II had outlawed marriage for his soldiers, believing that young unmarried men would be better fighters and less likely to leave the military service to be with their family. A Christian priest named Valentine defied the emperor and performed marriage ceremonies for young couples in secret. When he was eventually discovered, Claudius had him put to death and while Valentine was awaiting his execution, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the jailor?s daughter with the now-familiar signature ?from your Valentine.? Years later, the church recognized Valentine?s sacrifice and promoted him to sainthood and designated February 14th to be his day of remembrance and the holiday gradually took on a more romantic meaning. Writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare helped transform it into the celebration of love it is today. The Origin Of Valentine?s Day Traditions In The United States Valentine?s Day is about as popular as it is divisive among Americans these days. While many across the country look forward to it as a way to commemorate their love of their romantic partner, many single individuals dread the day as it is just another reminder that they are single and it feels like the whole world is just rubbing that fact in their face. Either way, Valentine?s Day in the U.S. is a big deal! Did you know that it is the holiday that involves the most card-giving outside of Christmas? Modern traditions for the day started in the 19th century. A woman by the name of Esther Howland from Boston who is known as the Mother of the American Valentine had a novel idea. She made cards that people could buy that were lace-trimmed and beautifully decorated that were a perfect way to say ?I love you? to your romantic interest. By the early 1900?s, Hallmark Cards took that concept and ran with it. Billions of dollars are spent on Valentine?s Day related products and services each year in the United States. The most popular traditions include exchanging greeting cards, gifting red roses, sharing boxes of chocolate, and enjoying romantic dinners. Jewelry, especially heart-shaped pieces, is also a popular gift. So, the next time you are shopping for your Valentine, remember that this all started because of an ancient roman priest and an entrepreneurial woman from Massachusetts. Conclusion We hope that this article about New Year?s Resolutions was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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As 2026 roars to life, taking some time in this cold, gray January is the perfect opportunity to set your home up for a wonderful year of hosting and entertaining ahead. While many homeowners focus on decluttering or repainting, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked upgrades you can make is updating your window coverings. New blinds, shades, or shutters can completely transform a room's appearance, improve functionality, and set the perfect stage for all the entertaining you'll do throughout the year. Whether you're planning to host a Super Bowl party in February, an elegant Easter brunch in spring, or casual summer BBQs on your patio, the right window treatments create the ideal atmosphere while offering practical benefits like light control, privacy, and energy efficiency. Let's explore how investing in new window coverings now can elevate your home and enhance every gathering you host in 2026. Setting The Scene For The Big Game And Other Winter Gatherings One of the best and most fun events to host each year is ?the big football game? and now, we?re not talking about soccer. Well, to host this game, you are going to have a lot of people in your home, and all of them are going to be looking around at your decor and stylings in between bites of nachos and chicken wings. Create a great viewing environment using window coverings In order for your friends and family to be able to view the TV screen in the best way, you will need to block out as much light as possible. That?s where your shades come in handy. Using blackout cellular shades or roller shades, you can be sure to eliminate harmful and annoying UV rays so your guests can concentrate on their game. Another thing to consider is the ambient temperature of the room. Cellular shades also help to provide valuable insulation to help ensure that your game viewing room is warm and comfortable instead of light and drafty. Gearing Up For Summer Entertaining: BBQs, Pool Parties, and Outdoor Connections Summer is prime entertaining season, with weekend BBQs, pool parties, and casual gatherings extending from your interior spaces to your outdoor areas. Your window covering strategy should facilitate this indoor-outdoor flow while protecting your home from intense summer sun. Exterior solar shades or patio shades These are great for rooms that open to your patio or deck, where most guests will be filtering in and out Vertical blinds or panel track shades If you have large sliding glass doors or expansive windows near your backyard, then these are the ones to get. These treatments glide smoothly, making it easy to open up your space completely when you want maximum connection to your outdoor entertaining area, or close them partially to create shade while maintaining visibility. Dual shades Does your home have a western exposure where gatherings tend to happen? Then these are perfect for you! These state of the art shades combine sheer and blackout fabrics in one handy system. During the afternoon BBQ you can use the sheer layer to reduce heat and glare without making the room feel like a dark cave. And during the evening, you can switch it to blackout to provide privacy to keep the party going strong Conclusion We hope that this article about getting new window coverings was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Part of the joy of the holiday season is getting gifts from others, however, sometimes an even better joy can come from the gifts you give yourself. A New Year?s resolution is a fantastic way to give yourself a gift that keeps on giving all year long, if you stick to it. In today?s blog, we?re going to talk about how you can learn to make better resolutions and stick to them in order to give yourself one of the greatest gifts of all: the feeling of a job well done. Make Your Resolutions Specific and Measurable Part of accomplishing your goals is to set them properly. It?s really hard, even impossible to achieve a goal that has no clear definition or conclusion. For instance, you can?t just say that you want to ?lose weight?. You have to set a specific number and timeframe to your goal. A better way to help you lose weight is to say you want to hit a certain bodyfat percentage by the six month mark, or be able to fit into a certain size of clothing. That way you have a clear, definable goal that you can measure your progress toward. The SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound?remains one of the most effective goal-setting methods. Use Implementation Intentions This is a great way to build positive habits and fulfil your goals with intentionality. Start building if-then statements into how you go about accomplishing your goals. For example, if one of your goals is to ?work out more? turn that into real action by saying ?if it is Wednesday or Friday mornings at 6:30am, then I will be at the gym starting cardio warmups.? Build in specific if-then scenarios so that you can take realistic steps to accomplishing your goals. Create Environmental Support Use your environment to help you make better decisions in the moment. For example, if you want to start eating more healthy foods, then take the unhealthy foods out of your pantry and replace them with fruits, vegetables, and healthy snacks so that you always have good options at the ready. The same is true if you want to read more books or cut down on screentime. Keep a book by your bed and in the bathroom to help you easily stay away from your phone. Track Your Progress Visually A neat psychological trick to help you stay on track to accomplishing your goals is to track them visually as you reach milestones. Pick up a cheap whiteboard or large piece of posterboard and hang it on a wall somewhere you can see it each day. Keep track of your milestones and your end goal and use things like hash marks or checkmarks to show your progress. Each time you update the board it helps to reinforce the momentum you are building in your mind. You got this! Conclusion We hope that this article about New Year?s Resolutions was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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The winter time is commonly known in the US as "the holiday season" and not just because it includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. This is a time in which many major holiday celebrations take place like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more! In today's blog, we're going to explore some of the major holidays that are celebrated every year by people all over the country. Please let us know in the comments what winter holidays you and your family like to celebrate and some of your unique family traditions that make each year bright and fun! We always love hearing from you. Christmas You may have heard of this one! Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is the most popular winter holiday in the US. Common Christmas traditions include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, attending religious services, and gathering with family and friends. Seasonal music, festive lights, and holiday meals play a major role in how communities celebrate throughout December. Hanukkah Hanukkah, also called ?The Festival of Lights" is a Jewish holiday that typically falls in late November or December and lasts for eight nights. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a menorah, playing traditional games like dreidel, and enjoying foods fried in oil, such as latkes. The holiday emphasizes faith, resilience, and the preservation of cultural traditions. Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Created in the United States in the 1960s, Kwanzaa honors African American heritage and values. It is not a religious holiday, but rather a celebration of culture, community, and shared principles. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven core principles, including unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility. Celebrations often include candle lighting, storytelling, music, and reflections on heritage and identity. Three Kings? Day Three Kings? Day (also known as Día de Los Reyes in Mexico) is a celebration of the three Wise Men who gave gifts to Christ. The day, celebrated on January 6th, is a day dedicated to honoring the people who brought Christ gifts upon his birth. It marks the end of the Christmas season and for some cultures, like in South America and Spain, it means even more presents for children than Santa typically brings at Christmas! To celebrate, families will make or buy a special cake called Rosca de Reyes, or King?s Cake. It is oval in shape and eating it is a bit of a game. In each Rosca de Reyes cake there is a little figurine hidden inside that represents the baby Jesus. The tradition states that whoever gets served the piece of cake with the figurine inside is considered very ?lucky? that year and good fortune will shine upon them this year, and also they are obligated to host the next celebration, which is the Día de la Candelaria or Candlemas which takes place on February 2nd. Conclusion We hope that this article about winter holidays was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would l
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Advent calendars are such a fun way to help celebrate and build anticipation in the holiday season. Whether yours are filled with chocolates or tiny toys or messages of love, advent calendars bring a daily dose of joy to your family and that by itself is worth its weight in gold (or frankincense, or myrrh). In today?s blog, we?re going to explore the different Advent calendar traditions around the world as well as their origins in modern society. Let us know how you like to celebrate with Advent calendars in the comments below or on our social media profiles! We?d love to hear about your unique family traditions. The Origins of the Advent Calendar As with many of our modern Christmas traditions here in the US, this tradition stems from Germany. It traces its roots back to the early 19th century before printed calendars were widespread in the average person?s home. Instead, they used handmade and simple ways to mark the advent like marking on the walls with chalk, lighting candles, and other similar activities. By the late 1800s, these practices evolved into what we would recognize as more modern Advent traditions, such as groups of illustrated cards that children could place on a door or wall of the home each day to mark each day of Advent. The first known printed Advent calendar appeared in the early 1900s (also in Germany). These early calendars often featured religious imagery and Bible verses rather than treats. Small doors or windows were opened each day to reveal a picture or message tied to the season. In the 1920s, the idea of including chocolates behind the doors emerged, transforming the Advent calendar into a more playful and child-friendly tradition. This innovation quickly gained popularity and spread beyond Germany to other parts of Europe and eventually around the world. What Advent Traditions Are Celebrated ARound The World? Unsurprisingly, Advent calendars are popular around the world in many different cultures and continents. Here are a few of our favorites that we wanted to share with you. Germany Since it all began here, we thought we would start here. In this day and age, they still are wildly popular and while chocolate calendars are common, many families also use reusable wooden or fabric calendars filled with small notes, treats, or activities. Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) Physical Advent calendars are also popular here, but they do something that other countries do not. They have a special short TV program dedicated to marking the Advent each day for children. As part of their special holiday programming for Christmas, they show little short episodes daily to help children count down days until Christmas. While they also have physical calendars, they are less about chocolate and treats and more about storytelling, folklore, and cozy winter themes. The United Kingdom Initially focused on religious imagery, they gradually evolved to include chocolates and small gifts. Today, British families enjoy a wide range of Advent calendars, from traditional designs to novelty versions featuring favorite characters or luxury treats. Conclusion We hope that this article about winter advent traditions was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Thanksgiving is a great time to take some time to connect with your closest friends and family and to reflect on what you are grateful for. Of course, there is also plenty of fun and celebrations to be had! That's what makes the holiday so special. It can be a lot of work to set up and to execute, but along the way you can have some fun and spend time with loved ones and explore what makes everyone grateful. In today?s blog, we?re going to showcase some of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions and hopefully inspire you to create and imagine some of your own. If you have any Thanksgiving stories or traditions that you?d like to share, please let us know in the comments below or on our social media profiles. We always love hearing from you. Exploring Our Favorite Traditions There are so many things that you can do on a Thanksgiving day, but there is only so much time. We will give you some of our favorites and you can mix and match the ones that suit your family and celebration style. There?s no wrong way to do it! Make it yours. Morning Traditions -Start the day off with a bang! Do something active together like join a local turkey fun run, or go for a nice relaxing walk around your neighborhood or local mall to take in the sights and enjoy each other's company -Cozy up on the couch with your favorite seasonal movie or tune into the Thanksgiving Day parade! -Prepare a special breakfast for your parents or grandparents. Nothing says ?I?m grateful for you!? like a delicious breakfast to start this special day off with Midday Traditions At the dinner table: -Take some time to let everyone share what they are thankful this year -In dinner preparation, use special dishes, platters, and silverware that have been part of the family for a long time -Create a special centerpiece craft with your loved ones! -Cook a signature dish every year. Sure, you can do all the traditional items like turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, but what if you also made something truly unique and unforgettable like a key lime pie or fall flavored beer cheese sauce? Evening Traditions After dinner is over: -While you are digesting your dinner, get comfortable and sit around the living room sharing stories from years past. -Share favorite memories from your childhood or from a special loved one. The funnier the better! -Let the kids help in the kitchen with cleanup. Each kid can have an assigned task to help them feel more connected to the holiday and to make sure that you get a little bit of help in the kitchen -Share and preserve recipes. If you have a favorite holiday recipe from a loved one or one that you love to do that is your signature move, then put them all together in a book or electronic document and share it with the family to keep your traditions and good eating alive for generations to come. Conclusion We hope that this article about Thanksgiving traditions was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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The holiday season and stress go together like pumpkin pie and whipped cream. You can?t have one without the other. But, there is hope! In today?s blog, we?re going to cover some of the very best ways that you can de-stress before and during the crazy holiday season. While it?s important to make sure that things go smoothly for your guests and family, it is just as important to take some time to make sure you are taking care of yourself. If you have any tips or suggestions, please let us know in the comments. Create Calming Routines Before the Season Begins If you can get some stress-reducing habits in place now, then you will have a strong foundation for de-stressing once the holidays hit full stride. Take a walk for at least 10 to 15 minutes every day. Whether it?s in the morning or in the evening as you are winding down for the day, taking a short walk can help you re-center and feel relaxed while also getting some much needed exercise. Build a daily wind down routine. As you are getting ready for bed, take 10 to 15 minutes to enjoy a warm beverage or meditate or read a good book. Something that will help you relax and get ready to finish the day in a less stressed way. Practice saying ?no? without feeling guilt. Many of the things that stress us out the most in the holidays is getting swept up into commitments that we didn?t plan on in the first place or got roped into at the last minute. Allow yourself to say no and not feel guilty about it rather than trying to please everyone at all times. Simplify The Holidays Wherever Possible If you try to do too many things for too many people, then nothing will really feel special or fun because your mind will always be wandering off thinking about the next thing that you have to do or prepare for. A huge way to de-stress is to pare down your commitments and gifts. Think about what events and celebrations that are important to you and cut out a few of the ones that are less important If you are hosting, ask guests to bring dishes so you don?t have to prepare everything on your own Simplify things when you can Use gift bags instead of wrapping every present with wrapping paper Buy pre-made side dishes or desserts Order gifts online whenever possible to cut down on store trips and to help keep within budget Pay a niece or nephew to help you clean your house and yard before a big party instead of trying to do it all by yourself Conclusion We hope that this article about de-stressing during the holidays was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window coverin
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