While lockdown rules are easing in England at least, most of us will still be planning to spend the majority of the long weekend at home. However after a string of productive weekends and perhaps some time on furlough, you might be finding that your DIY to-do list is almost complete and you are running out of tasks – not to mention shows to binge-watch on Netflix.
So how can you keep yourself busy – and entertained – this bank holiday weekend? We’ve compiled a list of three ways for you to get creative…
1. BBQ: A bank holiday staple
It isn’t a May bank holiday without a BBQ. You might be planning a feast for the family in the garden, or just thinking about throwing some burgers under the grill in the kitchen to take to the park. Either way, why not mix it a bit if you have time on your hands and avoid the usual burger/sausage/ketchup combo? You can cook plenty of things on the BBQ – seafood, veggies and halloumi work just as well as meat and taste delicious. Mix up your flavours and think outside the BBQ box. Check out BBC Good Food for inspiration…Korean chilli, sesame and honey chicken, anyone?
2. Create a herb garden
It doesn’t matter if you have a garden, a paved terrace or a balcony – you can create and grow a herb patch anywhere…even in the kitchen! Herbs are a great addition to your potted plant collection. Not only do they add some greenery and fragrance, growing your own is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to plastic-packaged herbs from the supermarket. Plus, they are pretty easy to look after. Consider day-to-day herbs to get you going – basil, parsley, sage, coriander and mint are a good start. Start growing now and you’ll have a bumper crop for the summer.
Take a look at Good Housekeeping for a great guide to starting out. And, mint isn’t just for mint sauce with roast lamb - pop some in your summer salads…delicious!
3. Upcycle!
Keeping in the spirit of sustainability, up-cycling is very trendy right now. New furniture is expensive and, let’s face it, often the budget-friendly pieces don’t seem to last very long. Buy sturdy and buy second-hand – try eBay or other household auctions - and you’ll have affordable furniture that could last a lifetime. The fun part comes in when you personalise your furniture – use sandpaper and chalk paint for a trendy, shabby finish, and buy new handles or knobs from a home improvement shop to personalise your piece further.
House Beautiful has some great tips for beginners.
While you’re here, why not take a look at our latest blogs for tips, tricks and guidance to keep you busy over the long weekend! You can also stay tuned by following as on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.