Flickr photo / Cosmic Kitty (credit below)

SO, THE HOLIDAYS are coming up, and you’ve finally got some time off from work. Perfect for finally getting to a few of those around-the-house projects that have been piling up, right?

But wouldn’t it be great if all that was done before the holidays, so all you have to do then is sit back and enjoy the “adult” eggnog? Why not tear through that to-do list right now. Or, at least take out a big chunk of it now so you can better justify a little sittin’ around time in a few weeks.

Being the Man of the House comes with its rewards and responsibilities. Here are a few things that usually need a little work in your typical house:

Un-clog that drain: She washes her long hair and you shave every day. Or maybe its that plate of food that you didn’t think was enough to warrant a trip to the trashcan. Whether its your kitchen or bathroom sinks or the dreaded slow-flow shower, a house’s drains take a beating. You can go the chemical route (ala Drain-O) or use the time-tested (and many times better) snake, but you’d be surprised how much quick-flowing drains can improve things. It doesn’t take that long, either.

That door sticks: It’s the door that either won’t shut all the way or make that horrible noise when you pull it open. A lot of times the “catching” is caused by a loosened hinge that’s causing the door to lean. A screwdriver and a good grip can fix that. But perhaps the door has warped slightly? Find where the door is catching and use a carpenter’s plane to smooth it out. You’ll get to use a tool. Fun, right?

Clear the path: Is that bush in the front yard grown over a little too much of the walkway? Or maybe that shrub in the back is blocking the view of the yard. It’s easy to let your yard’s bushes, trees and shrubs grow a little out of control. Not only is this a cool time (temperature, for many of us) to get outside, but cutting your greens back now can make for more healthy growth in the spring. And besides, this chore will get you outside for a bit. What’s wrong with that?

Clean the grill: No, not the one in your mouth … and not the one in the car either. Let’s face it, the grilling season is almost over. Giving the grill a solid cleaning – not just scraping the grate with the big metal brush – will have it good and ready to go come springtime.

Swap out the filters: Right now, a lot of the country is in that great spot between AC and heat – you know, when the power bill is at its lowest. But it’s about time to flip the heat switch. With the windows shut tight, having clean air in your home will depend on clean air filters. This is another out-of-sight-out-of-mind chore that often gets overlooked. It takes two-minutes, and clean filters can even save you a few bucks when you eventually do start running the heat full time.

Extra bases: This is by no means an exhaustive list. Don’t forget the little things, like changing light bulbs and the batteries in your smoke detectors. For extra credit, clean the gutters. Get a ladder, some beer and a buddy. Spend all day up there. And remember, if you’re the Man of the House, make sure your house stays in tip-top shape. A king is only as cool as his castle.

—

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmickitty/ / CC BY 2.0