Affordably Entertain Families and Friends This Memorial Day

SC Johnson offers budget-friendly and comfortable tips for outdoor entertainment

RACINE, Wis., May 20 /PRNewswire/ — Memorial Day, the first long weekend of the year, is just around the corner. According to Mintel, 64 percent of Americans are expected to travel less and spend more of their vacation time at home or near home than last year as a result of the economic downturn(1). So this Memorial Day, backyards will be a key entertainment point as consumers watch their spending. SC Johnson, makers of brands like Ziploc, Glade and OFF!, offers budget-friendly ideas for great outdoor entertainment during this long weekend.

“This year, consumers will be spending more time at home entertaining family and friends in their backyards,” says Kelly Semrau, Vice President of Global Public Affairs and Communication for SC Johnson. “As a family company, it’s important to provide products that make outdoor gathering affordable and comfortable so families and friends can enjoy the warm weather and their time together.”

Budget-friendly, comfortable entertainment

As families and friends get together this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, SC Johnson offers these tips for affordable and comfortable outdoor events.

1. Quick clean: To get your house ready for a gathering without spending too much time or money, use the new Windex Outdoor All-in-One. It provides streak-free shine windows in about half the time(2) And for your furniture, Pledge Multi Surface offers a single solution for cleaning and dusting wood, glass, electronics and most other surfaces in a quick and convenient way.
2. Plan: Ask guests to confirm if they will come to your gathering. After, completing a list of confirmations; determine how much food you will need to buy so you can avoid spending too much money on groceries.
3. Buy in bulk: Buy items such as meat, chicken, sausages and produce in bulk as it is less expensive. Use Ziploc brand containers to keep the meats fresh and marinate them at the same time.
4. Skip the plastic: Use your current silverware and tableware instead of buying plastic ones. You can keep costs low and also help preserve the environment by reducing waste.
5. Pot luck is back: While you take care of the main dish, ask your friends and family to contribute to the gathering by bringing beverages, appetizers and desserts.
6. Repel mosquitoes affordably: With OFF!(R) PowerPad(R) Lamp, you can protect an area up to 15 x 15 feet – the size of an average deck or patio – for less than $10, while you would have to spend up to $60 on Citronella candles to repel mosquitoes from the same area.
7. Keep it clean: Have a canister of Windex multi-surface wipes handy to clean up any mess and leave surfaces sanitary.
8. Set the mood: Keep your decoration simple by just adding a few Glade jar candles. Set the mood with a warm flame and continuous fragrance.

(1) American Lifestyles – US – Mintel, January 2009

(2) Compared to typical consumer’s use of paper towels and glass cleaning trigger product. Results may vary based on water quality.

SOURCE SC Johnson