The national average cost for building a deck is about $12,600, according to the home improvement comparison site, Fixr. Costs range from $2,200 on the low end, and up to $35,000 on the high end. With lumber costs (and supply) in flux, planning ahead and considering all the contingencies can help save you money and time, whether you’re building yourself or hiring a contractor. Here’s a look at the average cost to build a deck, along with essential budgeting steps to take before you get going....

As a place to make new family memories and host plenty of company, a freestanding deck is something you want to last a long time. If you plan to build one yourself, it’s important to learn about the special considerations for supporting and constructing a freestanding structure. With basic building knowledge, you and a helper can tackle these steps with ease. It won’t be a project finished in an afternoon, but after all the work is done, you’ll be left with a stunning freestanding deck....

Although quartz is a naturally occurring mineral, this countertop is manufactured. The surface is created using crushed quartz crystals combined with pigments and resin, replicating the look of natural stone with patterns of flecks and swirls. Unlike natural stone slabs, quartz countertops have a non-porous surface that resists scratches and stains. If you’re considering upgrading your kitchen surfaces, check out our guide to quartz kitchen countertops below to learn about the material’s care needs, color options, cost, and more....

Fortunately, Door Dash came through with the website Open for Delivery, which highlights all of the different options for getting your favorite dishes delivered to your doorstep—including Uber Eats, Postmates, Caviar, Grubhub, Skip the Dishes, and Foodera—so odds are you’ll find someone who will deliver exactly the dishes you have your heart set on. And if you’re worried about coronavirus exposure from eateries, the FDA says that takeout food is generally safe, and the delivery companies have set up options for no-contact delivery....

A couple of years ago I shared some really fun apple party ideas like a caramel apple walk and a caramel apple nacho bar. I loved that party but really wanted to do something that had a bit more fall flair to it! So this fun apple printable pack is full of fall flair with tons of different apples, fall colors, and even cute little dipped candy apples as part of the design....

Back to School Scavenger Hunt I wrote the clues for this scavenger hunt for pretty generic school supplies including things like notebooks, glue, and markers! The idea is that you put a clue with each of the school supplies and they can collect their school supplies (and possibly other prizes) along the way! Play this in combination with this school bingo game for a great countdown to school! Back to School Scavenger Hunt Supply List: PencilsNotebooksSharpie MarkersBackpackWatercolor PaintsGlue SticksBlunt Tip Scissors...

Tips Set a color palette to tie your art and frame collection together, no matter the mix of mediums or materials.Layer only two frames deep. More will look bulky.The center of the composition should be at eye level. To buy: Gold Rising II Wall Art by Bobby Berk (far left), from $424; wayfair. Holman Ledges in Seadrift, from $69; potterybarn.com. (Top ledge, from left) Confetti II Print, $40; juniperprintshop.com. Nielsen Alpha Brushed Bronze Aluminum Matted Frame, $75; michaels....

You can find a lot of luminescent options, from glow-in-the-dark spray paint to glow-in-the-dark Mod Podge you can apply over any object. Your objects will glow for years, though fluorescent glow-in-the-dark paint only works if you shine a black light on it. You’ll want to spring for phosphorescent paint if you want something you can “charge” with exposure to sunlight and have it glow through Halloween night. Check out the best glow-in-the-dark paint ideas to make your Halloween....

To choose a theme, consider the honoree’s personality. Is your graduate a jokester? A fan of all things sophisticated? Once you’ve landed on an overall style, think about the details. Are you inviting everyone to the ceremony or just looking to party? Whatever your preference, be sure to include the appropriate information to share with your loved ones. And because each life stage warrants a different type of announcement, each invite will have a different type of message....

It’s been a long time since I’ve made a new scavenger hunt. I have tons of scavenger hunt ideas already but haven’t written one with riddles in a while. But with graduation right around the corner and so many readers asking for scavenger hunts for older kids and teens, I thought a graduation scavenger hunt would be fun! Because let’s face it – scavenger hunts are aren’t just for little kids, especially if the clues are challenging enough to make them think!...

Normally, I have no qualms about picking out whatever containers are available at the grocery store, but when I saw the new colorways from beloved bakeware brand Great Jones, I did a double take. I had an immediate and massive crush on the ceramic Breadwinner loaf pan in Raspberry. The vibrant fuschia shade appealed to my rainbow-centric maximalism, and that extra pop of color added even more joy to my seasonal ritual....

In the 1800s, when trick-or-treating first became popular in the United States, children played mischievous pranks rather than asking for candy. Back then, pranks were mild. “Shop signs were switched, gates disassembled, and flour-filled socks were flung at those wearing black coats,” explains Lisa Morton, author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween. But city planners in Chicago had a better idea—to busy idle hands with festivities and encourage homeowners to do the same....

Printable Halloween Game This year is kind of a strange one where Halloween parties, trick or treating, and trunk or treats might be a thing of the past or done differently. This Halloween would you rather game is one of the first in a series of Halloween games I’m going to be sharing that could also be played virtually. This ghoulish recall Halloween memory game is the second! They’re perfect for playing together while physically distancing or on a virtual call with family and friends....

A cousin of the ear muff, these warmers come in two separate pieces and fit easily over your ears without even a headband to mess up your hair. Everything will stay in place and your ears will be nice and warm, says celebrity fashion expert Dawn del Russo. They also come in fun faux fur and crystal-studded options. This is the number one go-to for stylist and lifestyle correspondent Natalie Decleve of Natty Style....

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I love hosting St. Patrick’s Day parties and while I’ve done quite a few for kids (my son loves this pot of gold game), my favorite is to host parties for adults. I mean, it may just be an excuse to play my favorite party games for adults but no matter the reason, it’s my favorite....

Though Aldi isn’t as prevalent as Trader Joe’s in the United States, the brand is wildly popular in Europe, and is making a clear and concerted effort to open more stores stateside. Like TJ’s, Aldi is known for selling quality food and home items at reasonable prices, which has helped the company gain traction in the U.S. Still, despite the obvious similarities between the two chains, Aldi and Trader Joe’s differ when it comes to the items they sell....

“Whether you get a massage on a regular basis or view it as an occasional treat, it’s important to know that tipping for your massage is considered proper etiquette,” says Sharon Schweitzer, international etiquette expert and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. “Because a massage therapist or aesthetician is providing a service, you should tip them in addition to the cost of your service.” Keep in mind that when you get a massage or facial at a spa, you’re paying the spa for the service you receive from the aesthetician....

Should you tip for food delivery? You should absolutely tip food delivery drivers (or couriers or bikers, in certain cities), whether they’re delivering pizza or hot food through a third-party delivery app. While pizza delivery drivers do receive minimum wage, employees whose job it is to drive their personal vehicles to your home—people working for Uber Eats, GrubHub, Seamless, or another food delivery service—with a hot meal are also depending on that little extra money....

Why Pillows Need to Be Replaced There are three main reasons why pillows need to be replaced—comfort, hygiene, and health. While it might seem that a pillowcase would protect the actual pillow from getting dirty, sweat and body oils penetrate through the cover and into the pillow. Because pillows are used every day, dirt also builds up, which can begin to cause skin irritation and allergies. Washing your pillowcases regularly, as well as your pillows if they’re machine-washable, helps, but you will still need to replace them at some point....

How to Care for a Hydrangea Bouquet Examine the blooms for signs of damage. When you’re choosing your hydrangeas at the store, look for healthy, bright green leaves with bouncy blooms. “Check for any browning spots on the petals, which would indicate sun damage,” says Callie Bladow, production director at BloomThat. “Also, due to cold storage of cut flowers, keep an eye on dark petals which could indicate the blooms have touched the side of a refrigerator....