Organized For the Holidays ... NOW

Its not too early to begin planning for the upcoming holiday season. One of the best ways to begin is by preparing a HOLIDAYS Binder. You will need to gather or purchase the following tools:

- 8-1/2" x 11" calendars for several months including the previous month, month of, and month after holiday(s). For instance, November, December, and January calendar sheets would be needed for Christmas/New Year’s holiday season.

- One 1" view binder labeled on the spine: HOLIDAYS

- Five dividers labeled: TO DO, TO GIVE, DECORATE, ENTERTAIN, TO BUY

- A sheet protector with cardstock sheet inside labeled: RECEIPTS

- Sheets of lined paper for planning

- A pencil holder for pens, pencils, coupons, and a calculator

As you prepare the HOLIDAYS binder, put the three calendar(s) in front of the binder and cross out all the days when preparations are not possible because of other commitments. Decide when and on what days to approach holiday organizational needs by setting aside time each day/week for holiday preparations with the idea of doing 10% less than last year. This will relieve much of the stress of the holidays –- it really does make a difference!

Then begin to plan out your holiday preparations, filling in all possible information under the different HOLIDAYS Binder divider designations, i.e. TO DO, TO GIVE, DECORATE, ENTERTAIN, and TO BUY. After you have made your written notes and personal holiday goals, modify the calendar and your desires as needed to accommodate the inevitable unknowns that come up.

Always start early; this next week is a good time. Keep an updated HOLIDAYS binder as one central location for information, goals, receipts, and ideas for a great holiday season this year and an ever better holiday season next year. Good written records will help next year be even more organized and less chaotic.

When purchases are made, put all "holiday" receipts in the binder’s sheet protector for easy retrieval when it is time to return an item.

As the winter holidays approach, shop as early as possible for food essentials that can be stored in your freezer and pantry. Shop for cards, gifts, and decorations (as needed). Retrieve last year’s decorations stash. As a side note, put holiday cards for next year with your Thanksgiving decorations to make them easier to find in a timely manner.

It is useful to set up a gift wrapping station in a more private part of the home and wrap gifts using an annual theme such as: jingle bells, snowflakes, or snowmen. Wherever possible, do more with less. For instance, give gift cards of personal service, homemade items, or unusual but inexpensive food items. This allows your family and friends to "give down", too, and keeps everyone more within budget.

Begin early to bake items which can be stored in the pantry or frozen. Remember, bake the minimum amount of needs first and then bake more (as time and interest allows). Plan to shop for perishable foods just before holiday(s).

With everything you do this year, turn activity into accomplishment. Be thinking how decorations, gift wrap, and trimmings can be reused next year (just a bit differently) to enhance the holidays. Why keep inventing Christmas year to year? Instead tend towards traditions, simple and memorable, with a small twist to keep it interesting!

When its time to decorate, do the most important room and the main entrance first and then do more rooms and entrances as you have need and time. Some additional ideas including having "neutral", basic decorations that can function in many venues for many years. Embellish these classical items each year with a different theme! (My favorite seven-year theme rotation includes: snowmen, reindeer, snowflakes, red/green plaid, angels, apples, and teddy bears.)

I have learned to plan one day during each week of December for simple family activities to have a more meaningful holiday season. For instance, Monday evening family activities might include 1) decorating a room, 2) a service project, 3) baking treats to share, and 4) gathering used clothing/food/toys to give away.

Finally, when the holidays are done, take down decorations and put them away, remembering that earlier is better than later. You will need energy enough to begin a new year without needing to spend much time finishing up the old year and putting it away. As you pack decorations, discard what didn’t work, what you didn’t like, or won’t last a second use. Then, make more written notes in your HOLIDAYS Binder for next year’s greater success.

May this holiday season be simpler, less stressful, and more fun because you are organized! Happy holidays!

P.S. You can get a HOLIDAYS binder at www.houseoforder.com/products.htm.