Do you want a home for the holidays? Let's get started now!

10 Reasons to List Your Homes During the Holidays

Homebuyers need to purchase homes all year long, so there might be some advantages to placing homes on the market during the holiday season. Some of these  benefits include: 

1. People who look at property during the holidays are serious buyers and are more ready to make a decision.

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays, so property has less competition.

3. Houses "show better" when decorated for the holidays with the wonderful lights and festive colors associated with the season.

4. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays and often base their decision on the warmth and good feeling they receive when viewing your house.

5. Buyers have more time to look for a house during the holidays because they have designated time off from work to purchase a home.

6. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for financial and tax reasons.

7. January is traditionally the month for transfers. Transferees can't wait until the Spring to buy. Your house must be on the market to capture these buyers.

8. You may restrict showings during your own personal family events and still take advantage of your spruced up and decorated "show ready" property.

9. You can sell now, but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if you so desire and if agreeable to the other party.

10. By selling now you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when more properties are on the market.

Spring into Easter with Reinvented Family Recipes

Vegetable casseroles and carrot cake have been Easter menu mainstays for decades, but with the majority of millennials now hosting holiday family gatherings, retro dishes are getting a flavorful facelift with new ingredients and flavor twists.

Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens offers these tips to put a new spin on Easter favorites:

• Liven up the Easter ham with a spicy-sweet glaze of apricot jam, pineapple juice and chipotle chili pepper. Brush on a spiral-cut ham before roasting in the oven.
• Upgrade a traditional vegetable casserole by sprinkling a layer of cheddar cheese and topping with potato tots. Bake until the tots are crisp and golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
• Combine two classic Easter desserts in one; swirl carrot cake batter into a smooth and creamy cheesecake base with a hint of lemon. Bake and cut into bars.

Elevate your holiday meal with these creative updates to Easter classics. For more recipes and tips, check out McCormick.com and visit McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.

Carrot Cake Swirled Cream Cheese Bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 24
	1	cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, divided
	2	cups sugar, divided
	1 1/2	teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon
	1	teaspoon baking soda
	1/2	teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
	1/4	teaspoon salt
	2/3	cup vegetable oil
	4	eggs, divided
	2	teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
	1 1/2	cups finely grated carrots
	3	packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
	1/4	cup milk
	1	teaspoon McCormick Pure Lemon Extract

Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix 1 cup each of flour and sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add oil, 2 eggs, vanilla extract and carrots; mix well. Spread 1/2 of the batter into greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Reserve remaining batter. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, remaining 2 tablespoons flour and lemon extract; beat until well blended. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended.

Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture and reserved carrot cake batter, alternately, over carrot cake batter in pan. Cut through several times with knife for marble effect.

Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Apricot Pineapple Chipotle Glazed Ham
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Servings: 24
	1	bone-in spiral-cut ham, about 10 pounds
	1	cup apricot jam
	1/2	cup pineapple juice
	3/4	teaspoon McCormick Chipotle Chili Pepper
	1/2	teaspoon McCormick Garlic Powder

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham on its side in roasting pan. Mix apricot jam, pineapple juice, chipotle chili pepper and garlic powder in small bowl until well blended. Brush 1/2 of the jam mixture over ham, gently separating slices so mixture can reach middle of ham. Cover loosely with foil.

Bake 1 hour, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Remove foil. Brush with remaining jam mixture. Bake 45 minutes longer. Serve ham with pan drippings.

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Tater-Topped Casserole
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Servings: 14
	1	package (16 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed
	1	package (16 ounces) frozen cauliflower florets, thawed
	2	tablespoons butter
	1	cup chopped onion
	2	tablespoons flour
	1	teaspoon McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning
	1	teaspoon McCormick Garlic Salt
	1/4	teaspoon McCormick Coarse Ground Black Pepper
	1 1/4	cups milk
	4	ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, cubed
	1/4	cup grated Parmesan cheese
	2	cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
	1	pound frozen fried potato tots

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut up any large broccoli or cauliflower florets into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and pepper. Add milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Add vegetables; toss gently to coat. Spoon into 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Cheddar cheese and top with potato tots.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until heated through and potato tots are golden brown and crispy.

Beyond Pastel: At Home Offers Easter Looks for Every Style

 Easter comes early this year and, though decorating enthusiasts have hardly had time to take down their Valentine's Day decorations, it is time to brighten up homes for spring and one of the first holidays of the season.

While typical Easter décor focuses on pastels and simple white bunnies, At Home®, the home décor superstore, offers hundreds of Easter items to help the savvy decorator tailor Easter decorations to fit their personal space. From chalkboard eggs to a sweet chevron bunny, enthusiasts can find everything they need to celebrate the occasion.

"At Easter, it's sometimes hard to find décor that blends well with what you already have in your home," said Alissa Ahlman, Chief Merchandising Officer for At Home. "We love looking to people's favorite décor styles for inspiration in choosing all of our seasonal items, and are thrilled to share different and modern looks that fall outside traditional Easter pastels."

To add Easter flair to your home, At Home has a few favorite products and tips to suit any style:

1. Embrace the tried-and-true bunny motif, but do so in your own way by selecting one that will look at home in your present décor like a moss bunny for those who lean toward more natural elements or this gold chevron bunny marquee or porcelain bunny for the modern decorator.
2. Share your feelings of excitement for the season with your guests through declarative tabletop décor such as green "welcome" and "bloom" or colorful "spring" and "Easter" signs.
3. Bring your childhood love of egg-hunting into your surroundings with eggs of all hues and materials including chalkboard, colored, or fabric.

Survey Finds Singles Aren't Dreading Valentine's Day

According to a survey conducted by OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), many singles (42%) across the country are looking forward to dining out in celebration of Valentine's Day this year.

"Contrary to popular belief and defying misconceptions about their Valentine's Day habits, singles are getting comfortable with dining out on Valentine's Day regardless of relationship status," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable.

The survey also revealed that almost half of the singles (46%) who plan to dine out for Valentine's Day plan to share their experiences on social media with one in five (21%) planning to share dish photos.

Singles may help restaurants fill their larger tables on Valentine's Day this year as one in three singles (35%) plan to dine with multiple platonic friends or family members.

More than half (59%) of the singles surveyed are fine with couples' PDA at the table, saying it is okay to feed your date a bite of food, à la Lady and the Tramp. However, singles are less enthusiastic about the concept of Valentine's Day marriage proposals with one in three (36%) indicating that any day of the year would be better, whereas only one in four (25%) of married respondents shared this sentiment.

For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable recently released its list of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2016. OpenTable also released a list of the Most Romantic Cities in America for 2016. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine's Day on the OpenTable Blog as well as details about our #savorthelove Valentine's Daygiveaway.

Candy continues to be an important part of Valentine's Day traditions

Sharing a sweet treat with a friend or loved one is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day, according to a recent national survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Some 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive a gift of candy or chocolate this Valentine's Day.

On February 14, 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to one to three friends or family members. And those sharing a sweet treat are embracing moderation as it relates to enjoying chocolate, candy, gum and mints, according to NCA's survey. More than 80 percent of percent of Americans believe that candy is treat, and its one that makes holidays even more special. Most people in the U.S. enjoy candy about twice per week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items.

NCA projects that retail sales of Valentine's Day candy in 2016 will be $1.1 billion (up 1.6 percent from 2015), a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.

"People understand that candy is a transparent and fun treat, and they are choosing to enjoy it in moderation this Valentine's Day and all year long," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Chocolate and other sweets have long been associated with celebrations. Even a small taste of your favorite candy can transport you to another place, and conjure up happy memories. Because of this, candy plays a wonderful and unique role in a happy, balanced life."

According to NCA's research, 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive candy or chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, compared to 89 percent who would like to receive a card and 87 percent who would like to receive a handmade gift. Perhaps indicating that Americans are still focused on affordable luxuries, 71 percent said they would like to receive flowers and only 67 percent would like jewelry.

Not having a special someone to celebrate with on February 14 will not stop Americans from enjoying the day. 43 percent of Americans say they will buy their own box of chocolate this year, and nearly half of all consumers say they plan to bake or decorate with chocolate or candy for Valentine's Day. Women (47 percent) are more likely than men (42 percent) to treat themselves, and millennials under age 30 (55 percent) are the most likely of any age group to shop for themselves.

Regardless of whether the chocolate was purchased as a gift, chocolate lovers can rejoice in this fact: scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients in cocoa and chocolate may be associated with heart health. These effects have been attributed to flavanols, which are natural compounds that occur in a wide range of fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied in cocoa. Over the past decade, studies examining the eating patterns of adults and their overall health over the course of several years suggest that those who regularly included cocoa products and chocolate in their diets maintained better cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that chocolate and cocoa are associated with improved well-being and happiness.

That's no surprise to the 55,000 people in the United States directed employed by the manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood, as well. For every job that is created by the confectionery industry, seven more are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent. The industry is comprised of hundreds of small and medium-size, family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.

For more sweet information on the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and how these treats fit into family and holiday traditions, visit CandyUSA.com and follow NCA on Twitter (@CandyUSA), Instagram (@CandyUSA), Snapchat (CandyNCA), and Facebook (NationalConfectionersAssociation).

Who needs chocolates and flowers this Valentine's Day? For romantics looking for big laughs, online novelty superstore Stupid.com complied a list of the 10 Most Stupid Valentine's Day Gifts of 2016.

Here are the 10 Most Stupid Valentine's Day Gifts from Stupid.com:

Dirty Valentine HeartsRomantic phrases like 'Cute Butt,' 'Bend Over,' and 'Do Me' put a risqué spin on this traditional candy conversational treat.

Bacon Massage OilLet the smoky aroma of bacon fill the air with this bottle of silky oil that stinks of a meat lover's paradise.

Weener Kleener SoapKeep any man's downstairs junk clean with this tiny ring shaped soap with a hole in it, that conveniently washes where the sun does not shine.

Gummy HeartGiving someone your heart has never tasted so chewy, with this lifelike mold of a human heart made of pure edible gummy goodness.

Small Pecker CondomsWant to make that ex-boyfriend squirm? These tiny condoms are the perfect prank for getting a big laugh from that tiny manhood.

Understand Men Breath SprayMen – who gets them? After a few sprays from this tiny bottle of instant-guy knowledge, anyone can be an expert.

His & Hers Bottle OpenerShaped like a woman with a nice rack, and a man with some large junk, these openers are great for cracking a romantic brew.

Wash Away Your Sins SoapThis liquid soap promises to wash away that morning guilt after any sinful Valentine's Day roll in the hay.

Tipsy Wine GlassesA two glass set feature a twisted, curing stem, making them the perfect explanation for why any drinker is so tipsy!

Sex Smarts GamePut your partner's sexual IQ to the test, and see if they're worth putting a ring on it with this colorful 1000-question card game.

Shop For Food Safely During The Holidays With Help From The Home Food Safety Program

The holiday season means it's time to shop – for gifts and groceries. While shopping for gifts can be hard on your wallet, shopping for groceries, if not done properly, can be hard on your stomach. Grocery shopping must be done safely and smartly to reduce your risk of food poisoning. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has released a new infographic to help consumers understand the dos and don'ts of shopping safely.

"Food is a major part of the holiday season, and whether it's for a dinner party or stocking the pantry for houseguests, grocery shopping is the first step for every consumer to make sure the food they bring home is safe," says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson Alissa Rumsey. "By following recommendations and downloading the new Safe Food Shopping infographic, everyone can work to ensure the food they bring home is safe for their families and friends."

Bring Along the Necessities As you head out for your grocery shopping trip, bring along hand sanitizer to use before sampling any foods; clean, reusable shopping bags; and a cooler if you plan on being out for more than two hours. "These shopping necessities can help you keep food safe throughout the entire shopping trip," Rumsey says.

Shop In OrderOnce you get to the store, shop for non-perishable items like canned and boxed goods first, then move on to refrigerated and frozen items. "Perishable items like dairy products and meats must be refrigerated within two hours, so this will limit the amount of time they are out at room temperature," Rumsey says.

Inspect All Packages and Foods Check the "sell-by" date and don't buy the food if the date has passed. In addition, make sure food packages are free from holes, tears or openings. Rumsey recommends checking each food item as you put it into your shopping cart:

• Pick produce that is free of major bruises and damages.
• Avoid buying cans that are deeply dented, bulging or rusting.
• Choose a milk carton that is cold to the touch.
• Check that eggs are clean and aren't broken or cracked.
• Pre-packaged meat and seafood should be tightly sealed, cold to the touch and free from dents and tears. Remember to place raw meats, poultry and seafood in plastic bags before placing them in your cart, so juices don't drip onto ready-to-eat foods.

Check Out Carefully At the checkout counter, bag refrigerated and frozen foods together to help them stay cold. Bag raw meats, poultry and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods to avoid those foods coming in contact with raw meat juices. "It can be easy to forget about food safety at the end of your shopping trip, but don't neglect these important principles at any point," Rumsey says.

Download the Safe Food Shopping infographic to guide your shopping experience. For additional holiday food safety advice including articles, videos, infographics and more, visit www.HomeFoodSafety.org.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods' Home Food Safety program is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of food poisoning and providing solutions for easily and safely handling food in their own kitchens. More information can be found at www.HomeFoodSafety.org.  

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and

BIGGER & Brighter! Dallas Holiday Season Kicks Off

The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB) introduces a citywide partnership with area arts institutions and attractions in the Dallas Arts District, at Fair Park, and throughout Dallas to showcase the full array of holiday events and other activities for everyone in the family to enjoy this holiday season.  

Launched for the first time in Dallas, BIGGER & Brighter! is a collaboration between the Dallas CVB and 14 organizations to provide visitors and out of town guests with ideas and easy-to-find details about the holiday activities and special exhibits occurring over the next three months and into the New Year. 

"From musicals to holiday spectacles, and festive celebrations – Dallas offers an unforgettable holiday experience for local residents and visitors," said Phillip J. Jones, president/CEO of the Dallas CVB.  "As the number one visitor destination in Texas, the Dallas area has a lot to offer families that will put a holiday twinkle in everyone's eye," continued Jones. 

"By bundling several holiday activities under the BIGGER & Brighter! experience we are presenting Dallas as a BIG holiday destination – all with a special Dallas flair," said Noelle LeVeaux, Chief Marketing Officer for the Dallas CVB.  "North Texans know how Dallas transforms into a magical city during the holidays; now we're inviting people and families living in other Texas cities and neighboring states to come, see and share this incredible Dallas experience," added LeVeaux.

The collection of BIGGER & Brighter! events includes free and paid concerts in the Arts District with hundreds of sparkling lights and a boutique shopping experience; award-winning musicals and other new and returning performances throughout the city; a new exhibition at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden featuring a Victorian collection of three-dimensional, life-size gazebos filled with charming holiday characters made famous in the 12 Days of Christmas; Santa's Workshop and indoor skating rink at Sparkle!; a Christmas Market, and City Lights, downtown's free official tree lighting celebration complete with fireworks, musical performances and the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa Claus also makes an appearance high above Dallas with his elves at the GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower.

Want to take a break from the holiday festivities and explore arts and cultural activities with your out of town guests? BIGGER & Brighter! also offers other special events taking place during the holiday season including 2theXtreme:MathAlive! at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science; Bouquets: French Still-Life Painting from Chardin to Matisse at the Dallas Museum of Art, The Mary BaskettCollection of Japanese Fashion at the Crow Collection of Asian Art; and Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio at the Nasher Sculpture Center.  

BIGGER & Brighter will culminate with Dallas' unique ringing in of the new year during the eighth annual Big D NYE, the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the Central Time Zone. Last year's New Year's celebration drew more than 40,000 people to Victory Park inDowntown Dallas.

For more information on these events and to purchase tickets please visit www.VisitDallas.com/BIGDHoliday.

The following partners invite you to celebrate the season with a BIG holiday moment in Dallas – where the holidays are BIGGER & Brighter!

BIGGER & Brighter! Events

The Dallas Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas | November 16 – January 4

AT&T Performing Arts Center: Reliant Lights Your Holidays | December 6

AT&T Performing Arts Center Broadway Series: ONCE | December 17 - 28 & Blue Man Group December 30 – January 4

Dallas Theater Center: A Christmas Carol | November 25- December 27 

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents at the Majestic Theater: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | December 16 - 21

Fair Park, TX: Holiday Lights | November 1 - December 25

Fair Park, TX: Chi Omega Christmas Market | November 19 – 22

Downtown Dallas, Inc.: City Lights | November 22 – December 25

Dallas Summer Musicals: A Christmas Story, the Musical | December 2 – 14

Dallas Arts District: Holidays In The District | December 6

Dallas Symphony Orchestra: Christmas at the DSO | December 5 – 21

Dallas Museum of Art: Bouquets: French Still-Life Painting from Chardin to Matisse | October 26 – February 8

Perot Museum of Nature and Science: 2theXtreme: MathAlive! | September 27- January 4  

GeO-Deck @ Reunion Tower: Santa at the GeO-Deck | November 28 – December 23  

Hilton Anatole Dallas: Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole | November 28 – January 4   

Crow Collection of Asian Art: The Mary Basket Collection of Japanese Fashion | October 25 – February 22                  

Nasher Sculpture Center: Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio | September 13- January 4

Big D NYE: New Year's Eve Celebration | December 31

Go to VisitDallas.com for more information about the city of Dallas.