|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The rest of you needn't despair! Just read on for the essential steps in holiday preparation. The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting them race through my mind, but it really works.
During December, the holiday plan that I depend on is divided into four separate sections or categories. They are:
- Cards
- Gifts
- Social/Community Obligations
- Decorating
(Keep an extra copy of your gift list in the car, because you never know where your daily travels will take you.)
Holiday Cards
This year, if you have not already, transfer all of your names and addresses from your address book to a word processing file so you can easily print labels. My recommendation is to use clear labels, because they go with any choice of envelope color. Tip: if you are mailing over-sized envelopes, go to the post office early to have a sample weighed so you can purchase the necessary postage. (Don't forget about adding those new friends and purging the ones that drive you crazy. I especially like to purge those who can only talk about themselves and their stuff, how boring!!)
Presents, presents, and more presents
Make a list of all the people that are going to be the recipients of your hard work. To minimize some effort, consider different options. If individuals are in the same household, consider a group gift. If you have children to buy for and their parents don't have any suggestions (because Tommy and Susie have every possible toy out there), offer to pay for a special activity or a couple of lessons of their choice. Last year my parents picked up riding lessons for our daughter and it was a great gift for all. Our daughter loved it, my husband did not have to open his wallet, and I did not have house more "stuff".
Social and Community Obligations
'Tis the season to be merry and party ? but my suggestion is not to overdo it. Our daily routines are so overscheduled anyway that the extra commitments can make it difficult to juggle everything. Attend the parties and social gatherings that are truly important to you and politely decline the rest. (Sorry, but this does not apply to family functions!). The season is too short and busy to spend an evening watching the clock.
Community or charitable contributions are important during the holiday season. There are many people in your community that are less fortunate, so as a family or as an individual make some extra time for those in need. There are many local organizations that would be happy to guide you as to what is needed. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference and experience the true holiday spirit.
Indoor/Outdoor Decorating
Last, but not least, make two separate plans for attacking decorating: one for indoors and the other for outdoors; and remember this does not need to be accomplished in one day. My husband and I allow significant downtime between the two tasks. Decorating should be a fun family event and if you get stressed out and exhausted the enjoyment will disappear.
Pick a theme for your outdoor display: all out, Clark Griswold-style or a more elegant approach, such as a simple wreath with a spotlight on your front door. Anything goes, so make it a reflection of how you and your family celebrate the holidays. Have fun with the indoor decorating and remember to take a quick inventory of what you have so there is no duplication. Light a fire and put on your favorite CD and let the decorating begin.
Good luck, relax, check those lists twice and remember what the season is really about.
©2003 Bridget Messino
About the author: Bridget Messino is a Professional Organizer, speaker and co-owner of Clutter Free Living, Inc. Her work frequently appears on many Internet sites, on her own organizing site Clutter Free Living (http://www.clutterfreeliving.com), as well as in her monthly Home Organizing Newsletter How to Be Clutter Free. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter by sending a blank e-mail to mailto:cflnews-subscribe@topica.email-publisher.com
It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More
Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin PieThis is... Read More
Ok, the end of October is approaching, and you desperately... Read More
The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More
It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men... Read More
Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More
"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More
Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More
The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More
The kindergarten class I was teaching was scheduled to perform... Read More
Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to... Read More
Mothers day is May 8th this year, are you ready?... Read More
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More
Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls... Read More
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More
We all wish there was more time in a day.... Read More
Fun, though they are intended to be, The Holidays can... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration... Read More
Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy... Read More
Do you know how to save money at Christmas and... Read More
Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays?... Read More
What a great time of year! It's a time to... Read More
Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their... Read More
Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More
Going on a family vacation can be considerably more expensive... Read More
Twentieth through the twenty-fourth anniversaries traditional gift is china. Vintage... Read More
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More
When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or... Read More
We all wish there was more time in a day.... Read More
From the book A Heartland Christmas CollectionIn the first years... Read More
Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.Oh, sure,... Read More
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More
As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More
Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people... Read More
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks... Read More
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February)It is usually in the... Read More
Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More
A free Christian ecard is comprised of inspirational quotes, musical... Read More
Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More
Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More
Originally this was going to be a list for my... Read More
Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I... Read More
Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries... Read More
Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing... Read More
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch"... Read More
The most beautiful dyes for Easter eggs come from foodstuff... Read More
Holiday |