The new year is almost upon us and this is the time when many people plan out their resolutions. I have a better idea! Instead of deciding what it is you want to change about yourself, how about planning some fun things to do this year. For example, plan to read a new book every two weeks, learn to sew or decide to learn a new language. Maybe you could change up your social life a bit by creating a card club that meets once a month or even decide to entertain more. My parents have come up with a plan to host friends for a fancy dinner every month, rotating at each other’s homes. I love that idea!
Entertaining can be a lot of fun and pretty stressful, if you let it, but if that is on your to-do list this year, check out these great tips for making entertaining easier. Church and Dwight has a bunch of wonderful products that will not only make your life simpler, but make hosting your friends a breeze. 🙂
Establish a colour scheme
The secret to fabulous décor is to keep the colour palette simple and focus on two complementary colours. On trend for this season is pairing opposite colours together. Once the basic palette is set, add in a third accent colour, such as silver or gold.  This will help complete the look and bring it to life.
Some colour pairings that you can try this year include:
- Â Mint and blush for a feminine and vintage look
- Â Plum and teal for a sophisticated and elegant feel
- Â Navy (or turquoise) and red, which gives your typical nautical decor a festive flair
- Â Green and fuchsia to create something preppy and fun
- Â Red and gray for a chalet-chic look
Keep these colour schemes in mind when purchasing accent pillow covers, table linens, napkins and runners.
PRO TIP: If you’re hosting multiple parties, you can keep your colours looking new and radiant throughout the year by using OxiClean™ Colour Shield Laundry Stain Remover. It helps to fight tough stains (think red wine and gravy) while safeguarding colours.
Set the mood… and table
The dinner table is the focal point of any party or gathering! To make it more memorable, every tablescape needs the following:
Flow: Don’t overpack your table with too many decorations. Keep it simple so there’s plenty of elbow room between guests and enough space for dessert on the table!
Greenery and flowers: No dĂ©cor is complete without succulents or fresh cut flowers. This year, try creating your own unique centerpieces by layering branches with nature’s own ornaments like pine cones and rocks.
Table linens: Take a more casual approach to your brunch table linens this year. Mixing and matching colours and patterns keeps the meal light-hearted and bright. Notice a spill or stain once your guests have gone? Use OxiClean™ Max Force™ Foam Laundry Pre-Treater to help tackle even the greasiest spills and stains left behind.
Rethink your serving plates: For a casual and natural feeling buffet style brunch, set aside the traditional serving platters and opt for more rustic materials such as slate, wood or marble. You can also try mixing vintage dishes with new items for classic yet modern feel.
PRO TIP: To make cleaning up even easier, start with a clean dishwasher when your guests arrive and load it throughout the meal. Using OxiClean™ Extreme Power Crystals™ Dishwasher Detergent and Triple Action Dishwasher Booster is also a must as it removes tough, stuck on stains and keeps your precious dishes looking sparkling.
Think beyond the big pictureÂ
Don’t forget about the rest of your house! We have a tendency to focus on the one or two areas where our guests may spend the majority of their time, but the rest of your space is just as important. Add some fresh flowers to your bathroom, alongside the good towels and brighten up your hallway bench with a nice pillow or two. If you are entertaining outside and have a pool, why not put some floating candles out to set the mood or string up fairy lights around the back door. These look just as sweet inside the house too!
To help you get ready for entertaining this year we have put together a fun giveaway, including:Â
- OxiClean™ MaxForce™ Foam Laundry Pre-Treater – To help blast away even the greasiest of stains with its foaming action.
- OxiClean™ Extreme Power Crystals 26 PAK (468 g) Pouch – To remove stuck on stains and help your dishes sparkle!
- OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover – To to get rid of tough stains and ensure your home is ready for guests!
- Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Clean & Fresh Toothpaste and Spinbrush Battery Toothbrush – To ensure your smile is bright and white for any holiday parties! (I always give these away as stocking stuffers – it’s a tradition!)
To be eligible to win please complete the Rafflecopter below with your qualifying answers. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents over the age of 18. Please read our giveaway rules before entering. This giveaway will end on January 13th, 2017 . Good luck!
What is one way you plan to change up 2017?
Happy New Year!!
FT&PD
Suz
**Be sure to enter the many giveaways we have going on right now!!
Disclosure: I am a 2016 Church and Dwight Ambassador and have been compensated for this post. Â All opinions expressed are my own. ?


I plan to exercise more. I started earlier this year then had to stop. But I am going to get back into it and get in shape.
I am going to start taking better care of me. Healthier eating, exercise and giving up a bad habit or 2! 🙂
I plan to make healthier eating choices and to aim to exercise daily.
I plan to declutter a lot
I plan to be more watchful of my money and try to pay cash for everything..
I’m going to try to stop eating junk food. And I’m going to exercise more.
I plan on saving more money and not to be spending money on stuff I do not need!!
Being less negative and cutting out all toxic things from my life, living a more pure life full of happiness
I’m going to enjoy my granddaughter more.
I am venturing out of my comfort zone this year
I am going to get some of this extra weight of this year.
I plan to be more active and embrace the outdoors more often.
I plan to be more careful with my spending this year.
I plan on being more active in 2017.
getting a gym membership and eating healthier
I am looking for a new job, one that is going to make me happy, while helping others!
I plan to work towards being kinder in 2017.
I plan to eat healthier and exercise more , i need to get some of this weight off !
I plan on taking more “me” time in 2017.
I am going to walk and exercise more!
I am planning on eating healthier and losing some weight
one way i plan to change up 2017 is spending on impulse
I don’t plan on changing one single thing, I’m just going to do my best to stay fit and healthy. 🙂
I am looking forward to spending more time with family in 2017
I plan on having lots more fun this year…”Ladies” nights and dates with my husband!
I would like to serve my family healthier, homemade meals
I am going to get stronger this year.
I plan to get outside for walks, stop buying junk & processed foods, and spend more time with my precious grandson.
I plan to try more cardio workouts this year.
I plan on becoming less (ei. loose weight)
I plan to cut out pop and drink more water.
Every year I say I’m going to get my house organized, and every year I don’t. However, I have a better start this year as I have been looking at some cabinets from IKEA that I want to put in my laundry room (along a wall that has nothing, and right now just some boxes stacked against it). I also have shelves picked out for my TV room, so once i get those things, I’ll have a better start than most years.
I plan to pamper myself more this year
I am going to get more organized at home. Throw or give away items I no longer use.
I will continue on the journey of giving away items I haven’t used in some time or items I forgot I had and had packed away.
I plan to quit smoking and start to do go for walks daily!
Stay off my cell phone
We plan to take more trips as a family. Happy New Year!
I’m going to work on my organization. It’s about time.
My goal is to be more mindful – to enjoy what I am doing when I am doing it and not worry so much about all the other stuff going on
I plan on spending less and trying to get some bills paid off for 2017.
I plan to eat healthier and start going to the gym! Committed to sticking to those this year!
I hope to obtain new employment in 2017
I plan on getting more reno projects done 🙂
This year I’ve made a commitment to myself to treat myself to a pedicure once a month since I don’t really do anything else for myself.
I plan on getting healthy
I plan to quit smoking and to stop drinking Mountain Dew by the gallons.
I plan on making my life better.
I will try to not be so negative about everything!
I plan to start using walking for half an hour at least 5 times a week.
more exercise, fresh air and proper eating
I plan on expanding my cooking repertoire. I feel like I make the same things week after week right now!
take better care of myself
This is the year I finally get my healthy self back.
To get in shape.
I’d like to get rid of anything negative so that things go my way a whole lot better.
I am saving more money so I can go on a little vacation with my mom
I like to start exercising to get well & healthy again.
To spend more one on one time with my children 🙂
I plan to change up 2017 by doing more THINGS!! Going to more concerts, festivals and conventions is a start, Maybe taking a class of some sort. I spend so much time at work or sleeping that I haven’t made much time for any sort of hobby.
I’M GOING TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND START EXERCISING
I have to cut out junk food like chips and candy
I really want to get more variety in our vegetables and healthier meals (that the kids would eat!)
I want to have a lot less clutter around.
I need to clean up the paper clutter in the house. Do I really need 10 year old receiptsÉ Not.
i plan to save more money and pay off more bills. Be more smart about my money!
I plan to spend more me time such as walking and reading and trying new recipes.
I plan to get more active.
I plan to be kinder and more generous.
I plan to continue working out. but step it up.
I plan on saving money and working out as often as possible!
I want to eat more healthy snacks.
by having a baby! 🙂 haha
I plan on drinking more water, exercise more and eat less sugar.
I plan to take of my health more this year. Eating better and exercising more often.
I plan to declutter my house!
I plan to eat more fruits and veggies and stick to a healthier diet.
Mine might be simple, but it’s to wear more lip colour!
Change my attitude lol
I’m going to try to be happier and treat my family nicer.
I will use less profanity this year.
I am going to enjoy life more and try new things.
I am going to get organized starting with all the jewelery laying around my bedroom.
plan to exercise more.
I plan on having more fun 🙂 I have always been one to put my chores first. Now I want to put Fun first. Get outside more and enjoy my life. Thank you and Happy New Year !!
I am going to work on being fitter
I am going to spend more time on myself and more time out of the house.
I plan to be a vegetarian .
I supposed there is always room for improvement but I enjoy my life as it is so wouldn’t want to change it too much.
I will walk more outdoors in 2017.
I’m planning to go to the gym more often.
to declutter
I plan to clean more.
I’m going to try and not worry so much about the little things.
I plan to continue working out
To make a weekly activity chart
Im going to sleep earlier, maintain and healthier lifestyle overall.
Will visit our grandson more often.
He lives away and he is growing up fast.
I plan to try to get a new job and finish my college courses.
I plan to declutter the house. I got a good start today by cleaning out my dresser drawers – so much more space!
I have some health issues to overcome and hope to be healthy the rest of the coming year
I plan to read more and watch less Netflix in 2017.
I plan to incorporate for physical activity into my life
I don’t make resolutions, they just never work or happen.
I plan to become vegetarian
more veggies and fruits in the diet. thanks
I plan on changing it up in 2017 by being more active. Daily walks & starting to use weights!
I am planning to be more active.
Better eating habits are a must! Christmas always gets me in to some bad habits!
I plan to declutter and live with less
I will better manage my time using APPS and timers so I accomplish more.
I am going to really try to eat more healthy this year and also try to minimize my sugar content.
lose weight
I am planning to exercise more
I have to lose weight for my health this year.
I plan on winning this contest in 2017
I am going to try to consume less water and energy in 2017.
I’d like to live simply; I will be getting rid of many things that I no longer use or need.
I will be improving my health through better quality foods and more exercise.
I am changing up 2017 by starting a new money making venture with my sister! Any little bit helps and we are hoping for the best!
I plan on cleaning out my cupboards and decluttering
For me, 2017 is going to be a time for adventure.
We have renovated our house into our ‘forever home’, and will be moving back in in a few months,
going to try to stop eating junk food
I plan to reduce my stress by focusing on self care!
I am going to start eating healthier
I plan to make eating healthier!
I plan to smile more.
I want to start exercising more and reach my desired weight 🙂
I plan to try to chill out and not stress out as much
i plan to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2017
we are going to work on our finances and budget
I plan to eat healthier!
i plan on being myself
Declutter my home.
I’m going to hike more! I’ve joined a 365 mile challenge!
I plan to eat healthier!
I plan to change my career.
I plan to document what I eat
We are hopefully changing our seasonal small business to all year round because every winter is very tough on our family.
I would like to travel more.
Bike rides and just an overall focus on balance and lifestyle.
I plan to get out more
I plan to eat and drink healthier this year. So far I have been doing really good.
How often i clean
I plan to become more organized in 2017.
I’m planning on going for a walk everyday after dropping kids off at school
I plan to become more organised this year and try and manage my time better
I plan on taking better care of myself. Vitamins, protein and smoothies!