Holiday Organizing Tips

Start planning now, and this winter season will be as cool as a snowflake! The following holiday preparation tips will get you started. Enjoy!



Planning - PLAN YOUR DAYS, YOU'LL BE AMAZED

Set deadlines for holiday gift shopping, wrapping presents, shipping gifts to friends and family, cleaning the house top to bottom, sending out holiday cards, putting up decorations, and so on.

Be sure to stick to the plan once it's mapped out on your calendar. This will ensure you get things done without having to rush around at the last minute and allow you to actually enjoy the approaching holidays. :)

Consider this: The holidays are approaching...

(A) You are a stressed out mess who is picking up the in-laws from the airport, cleaning the house, preparing the food, setting the table, putting up the decorations, running to the grocery store to purchase forgotten ingredients, rushing to buy a replacement tablecloth (the one you have was torn to shreds by the cat)... OR

(B) You are a calm being who has already done almost all of the above.

If you prefer option (B), then read on!



Inventory - CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF

One of the most common ways people accumulate clutter is purchasing items they already have, because they can't see or find them.

1. Gather all of your items for holiday organizing. You want to be able to see everything (i.e. your Thanksgiving decorations have dwindled, your Christmas ornaments have tripled, you are completely out of candles, etc). Throw away all broken items, and donate things in good condition that you know you won't use.

2. Organize what you have. Use large, clear plastic bins with lids to separate your items by holiday. Having a container for each holiday will make this process a lot easier next year!

3. Make a list. Jot down the items you need AND have room to store. Also, keep in mind the things you have used in the past that haven't worked out so well (i.e. the fresh, beautiful Christmas garland that the dog thought was grass).

Now you've done your holiday organizing and are ready to purchase new items!


Inventory Checklist

TABLEWARE: tablecloth, silverware, plates, water glasses, champagne glasses, wine glasses, napkins, napkin holder, napkin rings, candles, candle holders, table centerpiece, salt & pepper shakers

DECORATIONS: lights, candles, window treatments, door treatments, yard treatments, ornaments, wreaths, tree, menorah

OTHER: wrapping paper, bows, tape, scissors, holiday music, holiday cards


Presents - IT'S TIME TO PREPARE TO GIVE AND SHARE

Last minute holiday shopping is never fun - crowded malls, sold out items, increased shipping costs, not to mention throbbing headaches.

1. Write down a list of people you intend to buy gifts for. Whether it's recorded on the side of one of your calendar pages or on a folded piece of paper in your checkbook jacket, it needs to be handy at all times. No matter where you are, you can pull it out and write down a gift idea next to the corresponding person. (This will eliminate frantic can't-figure-out-what-to-get-this-person moments.)

3. Don't forget about the out-of-towners. Waiting until the last minute to ship something across the country overnight never helps when you're trying to keep holiday spending at a minimum. The most inexpensive shipping method probably takes about 2-3 weeks to get to its destination. Set a deadline for all gifts to be sent by, mark it on your calendar, and stick to it!