“The holidays are as much a matter of organization as they are a matter of the heart.” Do you believe it? I do and still time to get ready and be peaceful with these organizational tips.
#1: Countdown til Christmas!
Number the weeks left on your calendar in a countdown fashion on the margin until Christmas week is “Week 1.” Divide up your tasks over the time left. Organize your weeks to do shopping and wrapping of gifts first, Christmas card mailings next, and decorating, baking and cleaning last. The last three weeks before Christmas will fill up with holiday events so do your preparations first.
#2: Get a Holiday Notebook to Focus Your Planning
Keep all your meal plans, gift receipts, and celebration ideas in one notebook located by your calendar, or to carry in your purse. Include a chart with four columns and list each person you get gifts for, ideas what to get, and the dollar amount you plan to spend. In the last column write down what you actually get and check it off with a flourish in red pen so you know it is all wrapped and ready to give.
#3: Write Down your Favorite Holiday Menus for the Traditional Meals
Save yourself time and stress trying to remember what you serve with your traditional turkey or festive meal by writing out the entire menu in your Holiday Notebook including the shopping list. Snap a picture of the food on the table so you remember who was there, how to decorate, and what you wore.
#4: Create a Gift Wrap Center with Seven Key Items
A Gift Wrap Center has everything you need in an under-the-bed storage box in your room or a nearby closet. It includes select items that never move from that spot: Scotch tape, scissors, pen, gift nametags, wrapping paper, fresh tissue paper, plus ribbons and bows. Coordinate the colors to minimize wrapping clutter.
#5: Challenge Yourself With a Personal Goal
For example, organize your photos from the past year to put on the coffee table to share on at the holidays. Everyone will be pleased. And that way you won’t get behind on photo organizing if you display the new book each year.
Want more organizing tips? Check out Marcia Ramland’s DVD “Prepare Your Heart and Home for the Holidays” includes many more ways to get organized for the holidays.
