Before you run out and buy, buy, buy for the upcoming season, determine what you already have. You may be surprised to find that there’s very little you need to purchase in the way of holiday table decorations–then you you can spend that money elsewhere.
Inventory the Christmas paper you had leftover from last year, determine whether you can re-purpose last year’s decorations, and see there are any gifts you may have forgotten to give that could be given this year (you know, the one’s you shopped early for, stuck in the back of the closet and then couldn’t find when it came time to do the wrapping).
Here’s list of Organizing Strategies for a Stress-free Holiday Season:
1. Establish a Budget—The best way to ensure you don’t wind up with a huge credit card bill due in January is to start with a budget. Finish the year off without Holiday debt.
2. Use a Grid—For your planning purposes, create a “grid” or calendar and record activities for each day.
3. Undercommit—Yes! You read that right. Instead of accepting EVERY single invitation this season, choose a few.
4. Take Stock—As mentioned above, before you run out and buy, buy, buy for the upcoming season, determine what you already have. You may be surprised to find that there’s very little you need to purchase in the way of holiday table decorations and you can spend that money elsewhere.
5. Meal plan for the season. Doing so will make putting together a grocery list much easier. Determine when you will entertain, what the menu is for that event, and write it down. This could potentially eliminate a second trip to a superstore to buy the supplies.
6. Holiday Cards—What to send, how to send it. New ideas to ease this annual event.
7. Create a Gift Station—You’ll need plenty of room to wrap gifts. Avoid using the dining room table so you’re not apologizing for the state of that space.
8. Make the Gift Wrap special—This will accomplish two things: Saving money on gift wrap and it will be unique. Choose family pictures, take them to a copy shop and set them out on the copy glass and make a black and white copy on 11X 17 paper. Gift wrap and add a colorful bow and gift tag and you have a unique gift wrap!
9. Make room for the new stuff—Donate, involve your children. Take the extra toys to a donation center, which is a great teaching opportunity for your children to see that not everyone has the same life situation.
10. Keep Track of Paperwork—Purchase a container that will hold your lists, schedules, shopping lists, receipts, etc. Label each section and file your lists. You can do the same thing with a notebook that has pockets. When you return home from shopping, keep your receipts in one place in the event you need to return or exchange something.
11. Shop Online—You can do this anytime of the day or night! Search for bargains and unique gifts you may not have access to locally.
12. Be Creative—Find one item that fits for everyone. For example, a gift certificate to B&N or a favorite local restaurant.
13. Prepare for Guests—If you plan on hosting guests, be sure to think about the following: Where you will put them, how you will provide space for their things, and you may want to create a clutter-free zone in the bathroom they will use so there’s a place to put their toiletries and towels.
14. Be Ready for Your Guests—Go to your local Visitors Bureau and collect the latest brochures, maps and event calendars. Put them in a folder and give to your guests when they arrive.
15. Pamper Your Guests—Create a space in the bathroom for your guest to place her cosmetic bag. Provide them with a place to hang wet towels. Put together a “guest basket” that contains any essentials one might need when away from home: Towels, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer, q-tips, cotton balls, moisturizer — use all those little travel and beauty counter samples that are just hanging around underneath your bathroom vanity.
16. Create Temporary Guest Room—If your office space is “acting” like a guest room while you have visitors, consider setting up a “temporary office space” in your master bedroom or in another part of the house.
17. Let Everyone Pitch in—When it comes to implementing your plans for the holiday, this is a great time to assign tasks to family members. Give them an assignment that they enjoy.
18. Establish a Tradition—There’s nothing better than looking forward to a beloved tradition. If you don’t already have one, organize something special with a friend, family or loved ones.
19. Time for Yourself—Make sure you have a place to retreat. Grab your favorite drink and head to your bedroom, put your feet up and relax for a bit. It’s important to re-energize so you don’t need a vacation once your guests leave. Slow and steady wins the race.
20. The Aftermath—So the holidays are over and everything needs to be packed up. Organizing is about determining how much space you give to a certain category of stuff. We’ll discuss how to pack it up, enlist the help of family members to help you, and how inventorying what you have will make next year even better!
Print this article and refer back to it. After all that, you may need to rejuvenate. Consider the Fifth Annual Women’s Retreat at Kiawah Island, SC, January 16 through 18, 2009. Click here for more information. Happy Holidays!
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I am going to have multiple copies of this around my home.My goal is to come under budget this year with creative ideas. this list will keep me focused and remind me what to check etc. Thank you a hundred times over!
Visit organizedchristmas.com! You can print a free planner to help you do all of this–and they have tons of great ideas to simplify the holidays.
What a great list. I have a very tight budget this year. I bet a lot of people do.
Great post Stacey! Now is definitely the time to start thinking about these things to ensure I don’t overspend or waste anything and that I’m an efficient as possible (my ongoing quest
).