Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2023-10-31T23:01:00

(BPT) – As Thanksgiving approaches, hearts are filled with warmth and the spirit of giving. It’s a time to cherish moments with loved ones and reflect on all of life’s positive aspects. While it’s common for families to focus on turkey feasts and football games this time of year, there’s a deeper layer that is often overlooked — the opportunity to instill meaningful values in children.

This holiday season is the perfect time to nurture your little one’s empathy, generosity, compassion and gratitude.

Here are four ways, suggested by Joy Turner, Kiddie Academy^® Educational Child Care vice president of education, that parents can seize the holiday spirit and inspire it year round.

Discuss the reason for the season

Amid the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, it’s easy to forget the true meaning behind celebrations like Thanksgiving. Take some time this year to discuss what really makes this season special — quality time with loved ones and meaningful traditions.

Consider holiday traditions you loved as a child and how you can share them with your own family. Maybe there’s a special recipe, craft or family outing that you always looked forward to. You can also use the occasion to create new traditions — this is a great opportunity to connect your children to their culture and family and foster a deeper sense of self.

Conversations and traditions can help children understand the historical, cultural and familial significance of holidays while creating cherished memories and an appreciation for the season.

Encourage acts of kindness

Encouraging children to perform acts of kindness is a great way to teach compassion and empathy.

Try striking up a family conversation about different ways you can show thoughtfulness to others, and invite your children to be active participants. After discussing, challenge them to put their ideas into action — it can be as simple as sharing their toys with siblings or friends or making homemade cards for a local nursing home. Including little ones in the planning process and acting on their ideas ignites a desire to help others and provides a great way to unite and make a difference as a family.

Alternately, reach out to organizations or charities that need extra help during this season and ask how your young child can support their cause. Family Promise and Meals on Wheels are two examples of national organizations to get involved with.

Fostering these practices of kindness builds children’s self-esteem and instills values that will last far beyond the holiday season.

Redefine gift giving

Inspire your children to actively participate in the gift-giving process — which doesn’t always have to include a physical object such as a toy or a gift.

Giving can also involve discovering methods to bring joy to others through acts of kindness. For example, teach your children that they can display generosity by helping someone build their block tower or soothing a friend who’s sad.

Inviting your child to participate in these types of kind gestures will instill empathy and emphasize the significance and impact that performing acts of kindness can have on others.

Practice gratitude

Conversations of gratitude are often put off until families are gathered around the Thanksgiving table. Instead, try to make it a daily activity. Use this Thanksgiving — and the entire holiday season — to kick off a family thankfulness practice. One simple way to do this is by making gratitude jars with your little ones:

• Collect empty jars or containers around your home and decorate them with any craft items you can find: stickers, tissue paper, magazine clippings, popsicle sticks, buttons or even photos. Don’t forget to include a lid with an opening.
• Next, cut paper slips that fold small enough to fit through the opening.
• Once your container is complete, set your gratitude process — try keeping the jar on your children’s nightstands to develop an easy pre-bedtime activity.
• Encourage your children to write down one thing they are thankful for each day and add it to their jar.

This custom helps children develop an attitude for gratitude and appreciation for all that they have in life. Over time, the practice will become a valuable habit that will continue to serve your children long after the holiday feasts have been eaten.

2023-11-01T02:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to start planning gifts, dinners and more. If you’re looking for a way to add more personal touches to your celebrations, embrace the spirit of homemade holidays.

Making personal dishes, gifts and mementos offers a unique opportunity to connect with friends and family. Mopria wants to help you win at homemade holidays this season by offering the following four tips.

1. Get organized

Stress less and enjoy the holidays more by planning ahead. Stay organized by making lists so you can see everything you need to do and buy as the holiday celebrations approach. With your phone in hand and your printer nearby, you can easily make lists and print them off to keep a hard copy wherever you go.

For example, if you’re preparing a large meal or hosting many guests, print off the recipes you need — or scan them from books and family recipe cards — and make a master shopping list. This way, you can keep track of all the necessary ingredients, even if you have to go to multiple stores along the way. The same idea applies to keeping track of all the gifts you intend to buy for friends and family!

2. Preserve special memories

Honor and preserve cherished moments by creating scrapbooks. The great thing about scrapbooks is that they’re infinitely customizable. Start by choosing a theme. For example, you can create a scrapbook of someone’s wedding and include photos, handwritten notes and quotes to mark the occasion. Or, if you have a traveler in your family, you can create a scrapbook of maps of the places they’ve visited to add more context to their trip photos.

There are plenty of scrapbook designs online and cutouts that you can print, cut and shape to decorate the borders of these special memories. Whether a beginner or a pro, there’s no better way than a scrapbook to honor your memories and let your creativity flow.

You don’t even have to go to your local print shop to get started. Simply download the Mopria Print Service app in Google Play for your Android Device, and don’t forget Mopria Scan on Google Play so you can upload and print non-digitized photos.

3. Create holiday gift tags

Do you like to make homemade jams, bath salts, body scrubs, candles and cookies for friends and family? Personalize and elevate your homemade gifts by creating holiday gift tags.

Gift tags can take a plain Mason jar and turn it into a specialty jam gift someone may find in a boutique shop. Not only will they make your gifts look more professional, but they also add a touch of personality.

Create tags and labels with seasonal or meaningful designs. You can even include a special note with well wishes and suggestions on how to use your homemade food or beauty care product. Add the recipient’s name, date and even the ingredients, so you can track who the gift is for, when it was made and what it contains so you don’t have to guess when handing out presents.

4. Greeting cards

Whether it’s your first year sending one out or an established holiday tradition, sending out holiday greeting cards is a great way to mark the season. Instead of using a printing service, you can design and print your own holiday greeting cards in the comfort of your own home.

By printing your own cards, you’ll have more options for personalization. You can easily find free or affordable greeting card designs and templates online that you can customize to fit your style and message. Print and send the perfect card to your loved ones near and far to let them know you’re thinking about them this holiday season.

Homemade holidays have never been easier. Using these four tips, your holiday shopping, gift-making and gift-giving will be a breeze, so you can spend more time with your loved ones this season.

The Mopria app allows you to print directly to any Mopria certified printer from your Android device. Check to see if your printer is Mopria certified at Mopria.org/Certified-Products. Happy crafting!

2023-11-01T00:01:00

(BPT) – By Daniel J. Boffa, MD, MBA, FACS

Lung cancer takes the lives of about 127,000 people in the United States annually — nearly the same number of people who will die from colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. And yet 1 out of 5 people who smoked could have saved their life with a simple test — a low-dose CT scan — catching the cancer before it spreads to lymph nodes and other vital organs.

Tragically, this simple test — one of our best weapons against one of the most dangerous cancers — is not being used frequently enough. As a result, tens of thousands of people are lost each year to a disease they could have beaten.

As a surgeon who cares for lung cancer patients and a leader with the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, I have heard many reasons from people over the years about why they have not participated in lung cancer screening. We need to get past these barriers to save more lives. In the spirit of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, I would like to openly respond to some of the concerns I have heard to hopefully convince more people to seek out screening.

I cannot afford it.

Screening for lung cancer with a yearly CT scan is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. If you are 50 or older and smoked or still smoke, ask your doctor if you are eligible for lung cancer screening.

I am not ready to quit smoking.

Although there are great benefits to quitting tobacco smoking, quitting is not mandatory to be screened for lung cancer.

I have not smoked in years, so I would have already gotten cancer by now.

Lung cancer can show up many years after you quit.

I feel fine; I don’t have any symptoms.

Screening works by finding cancers early. If you wait until you have symptoms, the cancer is much more likely to have already spread.

The treatment is worse than the cancer.

Newer treatments are less toxic and less invasive with fewer side effects and complications. Importantly, screening works by finding early cancers, which are generally easier to treat for patients.

I am claustrophobic.

The CT scan is completely open and only takes a few minutes.

I don’t have a ride.

Many screening programs can help arrange transportation.

If they find something, there is nothing they can do anyway.

Screening works by finding more curable cancers.

My primary care provider never brought up screening for lung cancer.

In medicine, “no news” is not always “good news.” Just ask.

I smoked, so whatever happens, I did it to myself.

Nobody deserves to die of lung cancer. Nobody. The question is not about blame, but accountability. If you made the choice to smoke, then you need to be accountable to the people who count on you.

I am scared.

Nobody wants to look for something they don’t want to find. I am terrified every time I get a colonoscopy. I don’t want to become a cancer patient, and I don’t want to stop my life to be treated. The reality is, cancer is a common experience, and about 40% of us will get some form of cancer in our lifetime. Why not catch it early, when the treatment is easier, and a cure is most likely?

The author Scott Turow once wrote that “courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to proceed in spite of it.”

Be brave for your family and friends; for those you help, and for those who could use your help. Be brave for those who already were, and lost, or for those who wished they had another chance to be.

If you are 50 or older and smoked or still smoke, ask your doctor about lung cancer screening.

Daniel Boffa, MD, MBA, FACS, is Chair of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Quality Assurance and Data Committee. He is also a professor of thoracic surgery, Division Chief of thoracic surgery, and Clinical Director of the Center for Thoracic Cancers at the Yale School of Medicine. Committed to increasing the survival rate of cancer patients, Dr. Boffa’s clinical research focuses on early detection of lung cancer and preventing tumor metastasis.

2023-10-31T06:01:00

(BPT) – With Hire Heroes USA^® and Sperling’s Best Places, Navy Federal Credit Union surveyed over 1,000 Veterans nationwide about the most important characteristics of their ideal job and their financial preparedness for civilian life.

2023-10-31T07:01:00

(BPT) – Each November, Diabetes Awareness Month serves as an opportunity to foster important conversations around diabetes and help educate those who may be at risk for developing it. If you’re currently living with diabetes, it’s also important to understand your risk for other health issues — like pneumococcal pneumonia — and how you can take action to help protect yourself today.

Did you know that if you have diabetes, you are at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia? It’s a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can put you in the hospital and, in serious cases, even be life-threatening.

Adults 19 or older with certain underlying medical conditions, like asthma, chronic heart disease and COPD, are also at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia — as are adults 65 or older.

So, what can you do? Getting vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia can help protect you and help prevent this infection.

Pneumococcal pneumonia can strike in any season, not just in the winter or during flu season, and vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia is available year-round. So don’t wait — Diabetes Awareness Month is a great time to prioritize your health and get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.

Even if you’ve already had a previous pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, your healthcare provider may recommend another vaccination for additional protection.

If you have diabetes, help protect your health not just this month, but every day. It’s especially important to help protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia if you have diabetes, or other certain underlying medical conditions, so ask your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination today. Visit knowpneumonia.com to learn more about your risk and how you can help protect yourself with vaccination.

Brought to you by Pfizer.

2023-10-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – While ‘homegating’ offers the convenience of cheering on your favorite team from the comfort of home, hosting your family and friends for the game can be challenging. From setting up the perfect atmosphere to coordinating the food and drinks, here are five tips for putting together a winning game plan. With a little imagination and planning, you can turn any given Saturday, Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday …) into a truly memorable occasion that your friends and family will talk about long after the season is over.

1. Bring the stadium to you

To make the party atmosphere super fun and festive, go all out by decorating your home or tailgate venue with your favorite team’s colors for banners, streamers and/or garlands, plus colorful tablecloths and napkins. To get all your guests in the game day mood, encourage everyone to wear the jerseys of their favorite team or player.

2. Twist up your game day spread

Providing plenty of savory and sweet finger foods to please your whole crowd is a winning play. For example, Auntie Anne’s Snack Stadium is a great way to twist up your game day spread. This large, stadium-shaped holder displays your choice of Pretzel Nuggets that you can mix and match. Choose between two Pretzel Nugget Buckets of any variety — Original, Cinnamon Sugar, Mini Pretzel Dogs and, depending on the store location, Pepperoni — and pair them with up to six dips: Cheese, Hot Salsa, Honey Mustard, Caramel, Cream Cheese and Marinara. Each Snack Stadium is perfect for a group watch party and can feed between 5-7 people, so make sure you know your game day headcount!

3. Bring a game to accompany the game

Depending on your location, you’ll want to make sure to prepare some fun activities for all your friends and family to join as you’re gearing up for the game. You can organize some touch football out in the yard or set up an area for football throwing practice. Limited space? You could create a tabletop football game instead.

Provide a face-painting station for die-hard fans, plus some pompoms and a space for everyone to practice their best cheers. Then set up a football bingo game for everyone to play or create teams to compete in football trivia so your guests have a chance to show off their knowledge of players, teams and stats!

4. Streamline prep time with delivery

When it comes to hosting the perfect homegate, the last place you want to be is stuck in the kitchen. The good news is, you can take the hassle out of your prep and focus on the fun by harnessing the power of delivery. Score a touchdown with your guests and order delivery of game day–ready Snack Stadium(s) directly through the Auntie Anne’s app, online at AuntieAnnes.com, or through your favorite third-party delivery service like Uber Eats, Grubhub or Door Dash.

5. Stay in the game, stay hydrated

Just like the players, all of your partygoers need to stay hydrated, too — so make sure to fill up your coolers with lots of tasty beverage options for everyone to enjoy. For warm-weather games, Auntie Anne’s offers refreshing drinks by the gallon including delicious Original Lemonade. If you’re hosting on a chilly day, you’ll want to include a few thermoses of hot cider or cocoa to keep everyone feeling toasty from the inside out.

With the help of these tips and Auntie Anne’s, you’re sure to turn those ordinary game days into extraordinary memories. So, gear up, get ready, and let the festivities begin!

2023-10-30T15:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

A recent survey of 2,000 people who work mostly or entirely remotely found that 63% of respondents now work primarily from a dedicated home office. Furthermore, 55% of people who recently moved, did so, at least in part, because they needed a better workspace at home.

And workers are looking to customize their spaces now more than ever. In fact, 68% of respondents from the survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot, claimed their home office still needed improvement.

Whether you’re a passionate small business owner or worker who’s adopted a fully remote or hybrid work schedule, consider these four tips when setting up a home office.

1. Find furniture that fits

Whether you’ve designated a room in your home as an office space or work from a tiny corner in your living room, it’s important to find furniture that fits your space. You can turn any area in your home into an efficient office space with a few key pieces of compact furniture and clever storage solutions. If you don’t need a large work surface, a small writing desk will provide you with just enough space to comfortably surf the web, review documents and complete day-to-day tasks.

Office Depot offers home office furniture collections in a variety of sizes and styles both online at officedepot.com and in furniture showrooms at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® stores nationwide.

Ergonomics and flexibility are also important considerations when choosing office furniture. Consider adding an ergonomic office chair to help promote better posture while providing support and comfort. For ease of recline, look for chairs with a tilt mechanism and tile lock and seat and back height adjustments for optimal positioning. Another great investment to consider is a standing desk or standing desk converter. This type of desk allows you to switch up your workday between sitting and standing, which can help you stay more engaged while you work.

2. Terrific tech

Layering in the right technology for your needs helps you not miss a beat while working from home. For example, some people prefer a laptop over a desktop, while still others like to have access to one or multiple monitors. Some additional tech items that may be worthwhile investments for a home office include:

• Wireless or ergonomic mouse
• Wireless or ergonomic keyboard
• Printers
• Memory sticks and data storage
• Multiport hubs and docking stations
• Headphones
• Webcams
• Microphones
• Computer speakers

3. Organize and accessorize

Clutter can be a productivity killer and a major distraction. Prioritize organization and try organizers designed for each part of your office to help streamline work and keep spaces neat and tidy. Look for furniture essentials like bookcases and filing cabinets, plus storage carts, decorative bins and baskets, folders and more to help add order to your space.

Staying organized can also help you appear more prepared and professional when conducting video conference calls. You’ll have what you need right at your fingertips, without unsightly clutter. You’ll also have the space if you want to add proper lighting, thoughtful decor and desk accessories. An adjustable desk lamp, floor and ring light are additional options to consider.

4. Using color and light to achieve calm and success

Your environment has a huge impact on your emotions and setting up a home office can be the perfect opportunity to create a space that promotes motivation and a sense of calm, starting with something as simple as color.

Some wall colors that promote a sense of calm and tranquility include blue and green while clean, neutral tones like white, ivory or grey can give a lot of flexibility regarding textures, patterns and statement pieces. When choosing color accents or the right home office decor to contrast or complement the light color scheme, don’t be afraid to try daring wall hangings or a variety of bold colors for office chairs.

When it comes to home office ideas for lighting, it’s always good to go natural as natural light can help decrease eyestrain and headaches while promoting productivity, but regardless of how many windows your space has, a good lighting system can have a big effect on your mood, energy levels and ability to focus. You can choose a combination of task lighting for your work surfaces, general or ambient lighting for more uniform illumination in your workspace, and even accent lighting for something like wall art.

Whether fully remote or hybrid, working from home is here for the foreseeable future. By creating a home office with everything you need, you’ll set yourself up for success no matter what your professional goals.

2023-10-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – An often silent condition that can steal vision, diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that may have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in working-age Americans. The condition affects nearly 8 million Americans, and that number is expected to double by 2050. Thankfully, people with diabetes who recognize their risk of vision complications and get regular dilated eye exams, learn the signs and symptoms to watch for, and seek expert treatment from a retina specialist can protect their sight.

A 2023 survey of 1,000 Americans 40 and older commissioned by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) revealed a frightening lack of knowledge about diabetic retinopathy that could put millions at risk for vision loss. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans 40 and over (64%) did not know that one of the causes of spots or floaters in their vision is due to diabetic retinopathy. And more than half who took the survey (51%) did not know that people with diabetes who have high blood pressure are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.

“A diabetes diagnosis means many aspects of a person’s health may be impacted including vision, yet awareness about the risk factors for and symptoms of diabetic eye disease remains too low,” said ASRS Foundation President Judy E. Kim, M.D., FASRS. “Everyone with diabetes and those at risk for the condition should pay special attention to their vision. Since there are usually no symptoms at the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, getting regular dilated eye exams is extremely important to detect early signs of disease, and seeking care with a retina specialist at the first sign or symptom of diabetic retinopathy may preserve vision.”

America’s retina specialists urge people with diabetes, those who may be at risk or have prediabetes, and their loved ones to pay close attention to their eyesight and consider adopting lifestyle changes to help safeguard their vision.

To get started, learn the ABCDE and S of healthy habits to prevent vision loss from diabetes. This six-letter range of lifestyle practices can help ease or end retina damage from diabetic retinopathy.

A: Keep track of your A1C and work to manage your levels, as poor blood sugar control over time can worsen diabetic retinopathy.

B: Control Blood Pressure as much as possible. High blood pressure affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the retina.

C: Rein in high Cholesterol to avoid a build-up of plaque that can clog blood vessels and damage eyes.

D: Commit to Disciplined Eating or healthy eating, with an emphasis on colorful fresh vegetables, fatty cold-water fish, nuts rich in omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in fiber.

E: Stay active and make regular Exercise part of your routine. Being active improves insulin resistance and helps control obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, which benefits eye health.

S: Just say No to Smoking. Smoking can lead to vision loss and blindness and quitting can significantly improve eye health.

Awareness of diabetic retinopathy risks and symptoms is also crucial to protecting vision. Anyone who has diabetes — including Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes — is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Additional factors that can increase the risk include:

• Disease duration: the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy
• Poor control of blood sugar levels over time
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Kidney disease
• High cholesterol levels
• Pregnancy

Many people have diabetic retinopathy for a long time without symptoms. By the time symptoms occur, substantial damage may have occurred. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Difficulty reading
• The appearance of spots — commonly called “floaters” — in your vision
• A shadow across the field of vision
• Eye pressure
• Difficulty with color perception

For more information about diabetic retinopathy, visit SeeforaLifetime.org/DiabeticRetinopathy. To find your retina specialist, visit FindYourRetinaSpecialist.org.

2023-10-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re enrolling for Medicare for the first time or you’ve had it for years, it’s important to know that Medicare Advantage plans — which include more benefits than Original Medicare, like prescriptions, dental, vision and hearing — can change from one year to the next. On top of that, your own medical needs may change from year to year, too. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to evaluate your current healthcare needs and take a look at available health plans from your carrier and others during the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2023.

All of the major health insurance carriers providing Medicare Advantage plans include a variety of benefits that may be just what you’re looking for to help keep you healthy — and help you save.

Here are just a few highlights from six major carriers that have updated plans for the 2024 plan year.

UnitedHealthcare^®:

• All standard Medicare Advantage plans will offer $0 copays for: virtual visits, mammograms, colonoscopies and routine dental, vision and hearing exams
• UCard^®, which serves as a traditional plan ID card as well as rewards card, has been enhanced to let members shop with the card for covered products and services
• Standard plans cover over 2,000 hearing aids and devices not covered by Original Medicare, with new coverage for OTC devices added in 2024
• Members with a vision benefit will maintain $0 annual eye exams and an eyewear allowance for frames or contacts with standard lenses covered in full

Cigna Healthcare:

• Every service market has a $0 premium plan, and most plans feature a $0 copay for primary care
• Most markets offer a plan with a rebate toward your Medicare Part B monthly premium
• All plans offer dental, vision and hearing benefits, plus home delivery of meals following hospitalization and access to fitness benefits
• An enhanced hearing benefit covers hearing aids with predictable copays, and routine hearing exams

Elevance:

• More affordable access to care, with 9 out of 10 plans at a $0 monthly premium
• Nearly all Medicare Advantage Plans will offer a $0 copay for Primary Care Provider visits
• More plans with improved prescription drug coverage — with more top drugs at a $0 copay
• An allowance toward the purchase of over-the-counter hearing aids on many plans

Humana:

• 100% of Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision and hearing coverage
• 100% of Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans include $0 copays on prescriptions
• 100% of Humana USAA Honor plans are designed with veterans in mind, and include a $0 premium and Part B giveback
• 100% of Medicare Advantage plans that offer preferred mail order have $0 Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescriptions for a three-month supply

Wellcare:

• New Wellcare Spendables card, a single card with preloaded funds available to use at over 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare’s 37-state footprint
• Express Scripts will be Wellcare’s pharmacy benefits manager for 2024, bringing increased value to members to provide quality at the lowest cost
• Most plans offer dental, inclusive of preventive services members need most
• All plans cover Telehealth for many in-network key services with no out-of-pocket cost to members

Aetna:

• 84% of the country’s population will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly premium
• All Medicare Advantage plans will include dental, vision and hearing benefits
• All Medicare Advantage plans will provide $0 copay for preventive and diagnostic colonoscopies at in-network providers
• All MAPD plans will offer $0 copays on Tier 1 drugs and a $0 deductible on all Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs

If you find sorting through the new 2024 Medicare Advantage plans confusing, you’re not alone. Consider consulting with a caring, trained and licensed insurance agent at ClearMatch™ Medicare, who can check to see what plans are available in your area — and if you’re already in the right plan, they will tell you!

ClearMatch Medicare helps you find the right Medicare plan for you. Visit ClearMatchMedicare.com 24/7, or call 888-441-7031/TTY: 711, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for a free, no-obligation Medicare review.

2023-10-30T11:01:00

(BPT) – As the seasons change and the nights grow longer, it’s natural to start looking for new and exciting ways to light up the night, both indoors and out. Whether you’re planning to create a festive holiday atmosphere, enhance your gaming experience or improve the ambiance of your living room, the latest options in strip and rope lighting offer creative solutions. Not only do they make lighting easy, but they also introduce energy efficiencies throughout your home.

“Today’s lighting options have evolved beyond their functional purpose and are now an integral element in accenting, decorating or setting the perfect mood,” said Bethany Wood, senior merchant of light bulbs at The Home Depot. “The Home Depot’s exclusive strip and rope light brand, EcoSmart, offers a variety of color choices, captivating effects, user-friendly remote controls and an array of seasonal options for year-round use — perfect for DIYers looking to transform their spaces.”

Here’s a look at some of the most innovative and dynamic lighting solutions for both inside and outside your home that are sure to brighten any occasion.

1. Embrace the holidays by showcasing architectural features

It’s easy to light up your home in a joyful and celebratory way by using strip or rope lights. Consider highlighting elements of your house such as columns or pillars, porch railings, stairs or windows. Rope lights are generally a better choice for rounded surfaces like columns and pillars, while strip lighting works best on flat, even surfaces.

To make decorating easier, measure the areas you want to decorate before purchasing your lights. The good news is that today’s lighting, such as EcoSmart rope and string lights, are both cuttable and linkable, with sleek right-angle connectors, making it easier to achieve the right length for any space you wish to decorate. You can also rest easy with LED lighting that’s eco-friendly, energy efficient and Energy Star rated — making it better for the environment and your energy bills.

For outdoor applications, like your porch or patio, consider the EcoSmart 32.8 foot Plug-In Bright White LED 360° Outdoor Dimmable Linkable Rope Light with Remote Control. This option allows you to effortlessly customize brightness, light modes and timing. The ability to change colors and brightness levels adds a new dimension to your decorations, making it easy to match your lighting to the holiday spirit.

You can also opt for colorful options, whether that’s RGB (red, green and blue) or RGBW (red, green, blue and white) lighting — or even rainbow or color-changing lights to create the exact look you want to achieve.

Pro tip: Use string to simulate how you want to decorate winding or spiral areas, like columns or pillars, then measure the string to determine the length of lighting you’ll need.

2. Use creative lighting techniques to transform any space into an unforgettable party setting

For any occasion, lighting up your celebration with strip lights is an easy way to get the party started! The easy-to-use EcoSmart 16.4 foot RGBWIC Dynamic Color Changing Dimmable Linkable Plug-In LED Strip Light with Remote Control makes it easy to decorate along the edges of windows, bookshelves, ceilings, doorways and more — and customize the lighting any way you want it.

3. Enhance your movie-viewing experience

Want to amp up movie night? Look no further! You can create a captivating cinematic effect using the EcoSmart 55″ to 65″ TV RGB Color Sensing Dimmable Plug-In LED Black TV Backlight with Remote Control. The installation process is a breeze, thanks to its self-adhesive tape. It also offers dimmable features, allowing you to adjust the brightness to your liking. And if you’re aiming for a truly immersive experience, the lighting can sync with music too. This innovative backlight doesn’t stop there. It’s equipped with a TV detect mode that synchronizes color changes with the hues on your screen. This lighting option is ideal for 55-65″ TVs and includes a remote control for added convenience.

4. Level up your gaming space

Gamers, take note! Nothing will make your gaming room more fun and exciting than adding creative, colorful lighting for a unique experience. By installing the EcoSmart 6.5 ft. Smart RGWBIC Dynamic Color Changing Dimmable Plug-In LED Strip Light Powered by Hubspace behind your gaming setup, you can create a dynamic backdrop that syncs with in-game actions or music. You’ll even be able to connect the lighting to the Hubspace app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, allowing you to easily customize colors and brightness, set schedules and choose from dozens of preset modes. This not only adds to the visual appeal but also immerses you deeper into the gaming world.

5. Great lighting for any space or occasion

Have you ever thought about using lighting to enhance every room in your home? Now, you can! Strip and rope lighting options are not just functional but also creative tools to add more color and light to any room. With their ease of use and energy efficient design, there’s no limit to how you can elevate your space and enhance your mood.

Consider the possibilities for decorating your home inside and out with EcoSmart, available in a wide assortment of colors, lengths and styles, exclusively at The Home Depot.