Prepare for the holidays with smart home technology

Eric Murrell

Special to the Village News

The holidays are a time when you want your home to look and feel its best while welcoming family and friends and creating lasting memories. Smart home technology can provide a burst of holiday spirit, while adding a layer of protection that allows you and your guests to feel secure in your home. Here are a few smart upgrades to consider to help you enjoy the holidays.

Keep an eye on your porch with smart home security.

With gift-giving holidays fast approaching, online stores are about to experience the busiest shopping season of the year. Packages of presents and goodies will arrive on an almost-daily basis, and with many families away from home during the day, these packages provide a tempting target for porch thieves and home burglaries.

The good news is that it doesn't take much to make a home more secure. Smart video cameras can be a cheap and easy way to monitor a home before the cold months arrive. Both a hardware store and your internet service provider can offer a large range of options, from plug-in smart cameras you can leave on your mantle, to battery-powered outdoor cameras and video doorbells that can keep an eye on the porch and garage. These smart cameras can pair with motion sensors to send notifications the moment a package is delivered, something unusual comes into view or company arrives.

Make your guests feel welcome with smart locks and speakers.

Speaking of company, many people welcome family and friends into our homes during the holiday season. If you're expecting more than an overnight guest, a few easy smart home upgrades can make your home feel a lot more inviting.

One of the most useful gadgets to have when visitors are around is a smart lock on the front door. While they're handy to have during a normal week because who doesn't forget to lock the door occasionally, they're wonderful to have during seasons where company may show up while you're still at work. Not only can you unlock the door from afar, but depending on the model you choose, you can also give your guests a unique pin code that they can use to access your home while they're staying.

Another nice upgrade is to add a few smart speakers throughout the home. If you're hosting a get-together, it's wonderful to have holiday music follow guests from room-to-room. Add smart speakers to guest rooms, and the family can listen to their favorite music before bed or even use the devices as a sound machine. It's reassuring to have a little touch of home, even when you're away.

Upgrade your decorations with smart lights and switches.

One of the most exciting uses of smart home technology is to take holiday decorations to the next level with smart lighting products. From string lights to traditional bulbs and light strips, there are a multitude of options available on the market that can transform your living room and your home's exterior in a matter of seconds. Add a few smart plugs into the mix, and use your smartphone to turn on your decorations and configure them with advanced animations and scenes for every day of the season. There's never been a better time to let your inner-Griswold reach its full potential.

As the holiday season approaches, make a few small investments toward building a smarter and secure home. Your home will be the hit of the block, and your celebrations will feel more special than ever before.

Eric Murrell is a software developer and technology contributor to Xfinity Home. He enjoys sharing tips on how people can benefit from incorporating smart home automation and security in their homes during the holidays and all year round on his blog, At Home in the Future, http://athomeinthefuture.com.