On Today's Episode

It's time for our annual gift guide: a time-honored classic! In this episode, we discuss Dan-and-Hailey-approved Christmas gifts. If you're looking for something that's a step above the usual, check out our guide!

We'll also dig into the 5 D's of Home Staging with home staging expert, Natalie Kaman from At Home Design and Staging!

No Fail Christmas Gifts [00:00 - 18:58]

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Buying gifts can be tough! It's difficult to find something unique, intriguing, or interesting. We've got a few recommendations that are definitely "off the beaten path!"

THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE

Hygge has been described as everything from "the art of creating intimacy", "cosines of the soul", "the absence of annoyance" to "taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things", "cozy togetherness" and "the pursuit of everyday pleasures".

This book is for anyone wanting to slow down a bit and find more joy in the simple things!

STAR WARS -- SHAKESPEAREAN EDITIONS

Dan stumbled into these books by accident. They are renditions of Star Wars movies we all know and love, but done with a Shakespearean twist! Each book is written as a play in Shakespearean meter and language. His entire family has had tons of fun sitting around the kitchen table, taking roles, and play-acting some of their favorite movies. It's a great introduction to Shakespeare (even though it's NOT Shakespeare), and it's a great opportunity to break out the voice-actor inside each of us! Check them out! You'll thank us later.

FAMILY PASSES to the BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER

There's so much going on at the Blandford Nature Center, it's tough to say it in just a few sentences. They've got trails to walk, but so much more! With everything from various classes and workshops to a community-supported farm, they're definitely worth checking out! A family membership may be the perfect gift for someone looking to spend a little more time away from a screen....

DAN'S TOP GUN CHRISTMAS

OK. Dan finally saw Top Gun: Maverick and he was over-the-moon excited. Having just received his motorcycle endorsement, all he needs to fully embrace the supreme coolness of the movie, is to get a pilot's license. That's surely no small feat. And so he wrote it off as something that just isn't to be.

And then he discovered the concept of Discovery Flights! A number of piloting schools in our area (Lavion Aero in Zeeland and West Michigan Flight Academy in Sparta, for example) offer an opportunity to fly a plane!

Ranging from $99 to $170 (and up), you can purchase a gift certificate for one of these flights. The lucky person who gets it will do everything from taking part in a pre-flight check, to taxiing down the runway, to actually flying the plane, and bringing it in for a landing. All with close supervision, of course! But it's still a great way to see if piloting is for you. AND, it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas gift!

The 5 D's of Home Staging [18:59 - 39:10]

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We sit down with Natalie Kaman from At Home Design and Staging out of Grand Rapids to talk about what sellers can do to get the most for their homes!

Here's a sneak peak at Natalie's tips:

• Depersonalize
• Declutter
• Don't Darken
• Detail
• Design

Check out the interview for all the info!