24/04/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | APR 24, 2025

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Open house essentials o Tips to hosting cherished festive get-togethers

R AYA season in Malaysia is a time of joy, togetherness and plenty of food! It is a time when hosting open houses is a common tradition, bringing family and friends together in celebration. However, for many, the experience can be overwhelming – from preparing meals to managing guests and cleaning up afterwards. Thankfully, a little planning and the right home essentials can make things much easier. Here is how you can easily and affordably tackle common struggles. Budget-friendly presentation The highlight of every open house is food – the classic pineapple tarts, ketupat served with rich rendang and refreshing sirap bandung . For a memorable small gathering, wow your guests by elevating your presentation without breaking the bank. Serve your yummy desserts in glasses you already have at home. Add visual flair to drinks with rosemary sprigs and dispense them from a decorative jar with a tap or serving bowl. Even in tight spaces, shelf inserts or serving trays allow you to beautifully line up your spread, effectively doubling your display area. Storage Whether you are catering or serving home-cooked meals, food storage is a must-have. Home chefs should prep and store ingredients efficiently so they are not rushing on the day of the event and leftovers can be kept fresh and ready for reheating. Another common issue is a lack of storage space for serving dishes and tableware. A rolling cart is useful to transport dishes, drinks and cutlery from the kitchen to the dining area, from one guest to another. This minimises repeat trips and keeps everything within reach. Festive practicality Hot beverages such as teh O and teh tarik are staples at any Raya gathering, but constantly reheating drinks can be a hassle. A vacuum flask keeps coffee, tea or other warm drinks at the ideal temperature for a long time, eliminating the need to reheat or re-boil water, saving electricity. Lanterns or candles create a warm and welcoming ambience and best of all, can be repurposed for every celebration. Make every seat count With guests coming and going throughout the day, seating can become a concern. But fret not – there are plenty of tricks to create extra room. Foldable chairs and floor cushions are space-saving and can be easily stored when not in use. Knowing guests might prefer to relax on the floor, consider preparing small side tables at various corners of the room for guests to set down their plates and drinks. Otherwise, tray tables and stools are excellent makeshift surfaces for most purposes.

Prep and store ingredients in food containers.

Dealing with mess Want to avoid a mountain of dishes and trash post-party? One way to make cleanup easier is by having a waste sorting system in place. Encourage guests to dispose of recyclables and food waste in separate bins, making your job easier. Pro tip: Clearly marked bins simplify the process and turn cleanup into a team effort. A living room helper that can be used for serving food and drinks on-the-go.

Plan ahead for the table space you need for all the food and drinks you intend to serve.

Curtains, extra linens and cushion covers also need to be put away after the celebrations. Instead of stuffing them into random corners of your home, place them in storage cases to keep everything neatly packed until the next open house rolls around. This article is contributed by Ikea.

Acer water heater focuses on safety, efficiency

ACER Malaysia’s new Acerpure Aqua WH1 water heater series – designed to elevate daily routines with a focus on safety, convenience and energy efficiency – has been expanded with the arrival of the Acerpure Aqua WH1, WH1Pro and WH1Lite models. The Acerpure Aqua WH1 series comes equipped with multiple layers of protection to safeguard users such as lightning surge protection and a highly sensitive residual current device (RCD). With a 15mA sensitivity, the RCD continuously monitors electrical current and instantly cuts off power in the event of any imbalance, preventing electric shocks. Designed for optimal performance and ease of use, the Acerpure Aqua WH1 series’ energy-saving silent DC pump significantly reduces energy consumption by up to 60% compared to conventional AC pumps. It also maintains an exceptionally low noise level of less than 45dB. Integrated low water pressure pump boosters ensure dependable operation even with minimal

water flow to provide uninterrupted showers. The series features a powerful 4.5kW heating element, providing quick heating and ensuring ideal water temperatures even during cold or rainy days. The electronic variable power temperature control allows for straightforward adjustments to the water temperature to the desired warmth. An upgraded anti-scalding thermal safety design regulates water temperatures within safe limits. It automatically cuts off heating at 55°C and has a secondary safety cut-out at 90°C to prevent abnormal overheating. Furthermore, a built-in auto water flow sensor device switch ensures the heating element only activates when there is sufficient water pressure, preventing overheating caused by blockage. The Acerpure Aqua WH1 series is priced from RM359. Customers can pre-order one from RM199 at the Acer eStore and the Acerpure official store on Shopee until next Wednesday.

The water heater comes equipped with multiple layers of protection to safeguard users such as lightning surge protection and a highly sensitive RCD.

Lanterns add a festive vibe.