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Homeowners, it’s time to turn it up this holiday season!

For the fourth straight year, we are hosting our annual Homeowner Holiday Lights Contest exclusively for Tuskes Homeowners! Join us as we spread joy around our communities and light up the Lehigh Valley and Sand Springs. By sharing photos of your decorated homes with us, you will be entered to win prizes, which will be given to the top three submissions:

• First Place: Win a $250 Visa gift card!
• Second Place: Win a $100 Visa gift card!
• Third Place: Win a $50 Visa gift card!

If you’re already decorating, why not enter to win some great prizes while you’re at it? We are accepting submissions from now until December 31st! Send your submissions to alyssap@tuskeshomes.com, and the winner will be announced on Facebook in January. In your submission, please include your exterior photo, the community you live in, house number, name, and phone number.

And be sure to check out all of the amazing decorations around your community this holiday season!

Of all the things to be thankful for this season, the Lehigh Valley should be right at the top of the list! At Tuskes Homes, we are so grateful to build homes in some of the most amazing communities in the country (though we may be a little biased!). One of the best benefits of living in the Lehigh Valley is the huge array of events there are to attend during this holiday-filled time of year. From 5Ks, to food fights, to football and more, here are Team Tuskes’ favorite Thanksgiving weekend events in the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley Thanksgiving Weekend Events

Thanksgiving Food Fight

When? November 24-27

Where? DaVinci Science Center

What is it? If you like to play with your food, but don’t like the clean-up, come to the DaVinci Science Center this Thanksgiving weekend! This is the only place in the Lehigh Valley where you’re allowed to eat AND play with your food. There will be a marshmallow shooting gallery, carrot cannons, flying turkey, and more!

How much is it? $13 per person

Turkey Trot 5K

When? Saturday, November 25

Where? Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites

What is it? Work off those Thanksgiving calories with this timely Turkey Trot 5k. Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this run is a local favorite held in the picturesque Industrial Quarter of Bethlehem. Don’t forget to dress warm!

How much is it? $45 to compete, $30 for fun

Annual Easton-Phillipsburg Football Game and Bonfire

When? November 22-23

Where? Easton Area High School and Lafayette Stadium

What is it? Come celebrate one of the biggest high school rivalries in the world, held right here on the Lehigh Valley border! For over 100 years, Easton and Phillipsburg have gone head-to-head in a Thanksgiving rivalry game that will have you cheering. Visit Easton Area High School on the night before Thanksgiving to see their annual huge, record-breaking bonfire and pep rally. Whether you’re new to the LV or are a long-time local, you can’t miss this Thanksgiving tradition!

How much is it? $10 per ticket for the game, bonfire is FREE

Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony

When? November 24

Where? 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA

What is it? Mayor Bob Donchez will kick off the Christmas season with Bethlehem’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be live performances, as well as free hot chocolate and cookies. Santa will also be in attendance. And make sure to stop by and support the small, local businesses on Main Street Bethlehem – from Moravian Book Store to the Brew Works, there’s so much to see and do to get in the holiday spirit!

How much is it? FREE

Now that you have some great options, we hope you find the best activity for you and your family to enjoy! If you’re new to the area, talking to your neighbors is another great way to discover even more local activities to partake in. There’s always something to do in the Lehigh Valley, and an amazing community of people to do them with!

At this time of Thanksgiving celebration, our thoughts turn gratefully to our families, friends, and customers with warm appreciation. We wish you and your families a happy, safe, and fun Thanksgiving!

The garage is probably one of the most preferred stash places in your home. The attic is great, but it can be difficult to access. The basement is good, if you have one, but you might worry about dampness. Or you have a finished basement that’s already full.

Rather than continue to pack and stack boxes and bury items so deep that they are essentially lost, spend some time reorganizing your garage. Take back the space! Here are some de-cluttering and storage tips for garage organization.

• Start with a blank canvas. Remove all the clutter from the garage. Otherwise, you will be shifting things around, not truly organizing them. Sort things out as you go. Set up bins for “Discard”, “Donate”, and “Keep”. Eliminate all items that really aren’t worthy of valuable space (like your t-shirt collection from the 80s). Will you ever repair that broken thingamajig? Be honest with yourself. If these things are buried in your garage, are they worth keeping? Once the garage is empty, sweep and clean the floor. An empty garage is perfect for cleaning the various stains and repairing cracks. You might even consider painting the floor for a really fresh start.
• Plan the storage zones. Think about the uses of your garage: tools, car care supplies, seasonal décor and clothing, sports gear, lawn and garden care, and paint/home repair, to name a few. You probably also need an area for your trash and recycling. Once you determine the storage zones, choose the most suitable place for each, based on the frequency of use. Label each area so you know where everything will go, and you can visibly see the flow from zone to zone.
• Design the storage spaces. Your garage offers many options for creating storage zones. In addition to the walls, you have the overhead area where you can attach hooks and shelves. You can install cabinets and pegboards. Explore the local home centers to get ideas for smart storage systems. Invest in a lockable cabinet to store potentially hazardous items (chemicals, sharp tools).
• Respect the new and improved space. Place the items from your “Keep” stash in the designated storage zones. Give all household members a tour of the new and improved garage and remind them that your garage storage system must be maintained.

Look at your calendar and schedule a weekend for garage organization. Use the reward of not just having a perfectly organized garage but also finding the treasures that have been long lost in the clutter!