ORGANIZE NOW FOR
Holiday Ease
ORGANIZE NOW FOR
Holiday Ease
The end of the year is almost here, and the holiday season can get chaotic! Now is a great time to start organizing for the holidays. Here are some tips to think about as you start planning.
Manage time and expectations
How do you want to celebrate? Would you rather go away for the holidays? Eat out on Thanksgiving? Who goes to whom when? What will you make? Which friends and neighbors will you invite? Plan menus, make a shopping list, and create a schedule.
Put everything on a calendar: standing appointments and activities, special events, parties, and anything else that affects your holiday season. Schedule when you will shop, cook, wrap, visit, or travel.
Spend the holiday volunteering. Note: many people volunteer during the holidays, but remember that others need our help all year.
Discuss family traditions
Keep the old? Create new ones? What works for your family? What no longer serves you? Do a little research or learning before a holiday to (re)discover the meaning behind it. While everyone is gathered together, ask extended family about health background, legal documents, what each member wants from Grandma’s house. Some discussions may be difficult, but will be worth the effort down the road.
Put in requests now
for days off from work during the holiday months, if applicable. Make transportation arrangements for students away at school, out of town family and friends. Prepare guest rooms for visitors: clear out space in closets and dressers, remove anything that doesn’t belong in the room.
Manage stuff
It’s a great opportunity to go through holiday decorations. Weed out what is no longer wanted. Group ornaments and supplies together. Organize them into themes. Have a “grab & go” supply of ready-made decorating schemes. Replace or repair anything that has worn out. Store everything for easy access. Untangle lights. Polish the menorah. Check your supply of candles or oil. Pare down to what is loved and used. Pass the rest on to others who may not be able to afford lavish displays. Clean out stuff now and make space for blessingsTM.
Manage money
Set a gift budget. Shop online now and avoid the craziness of the mall. Take your time and find sales. Avoid gifts that contribute to clutter. Give a donation in the recipient’s name to his/her favorite charity. Think about giving gifts of experience, such as tickets to movies, a sporting event, or a live show; spending a day with the recipient doing whatever he/she would like to do; plan a special trip. For senior members of a family, gift certificates for services they need but may not want or be able to pay for may be very appreciated, like a handyman, lawn care, or cleaning service.
The benefits to starting now are myriad. Save money, time, and stress during the crazy holiday season. Keep things simple and calm. Avoid overwhelm. Create a meaningful celebration. Make memories and actually enjoy each other’s company during the holidays.
author
Gayle M. Gruenberg
Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD® is the Chief Executive Organizer of Let’s Get Organized, LLC, an award-winning professional organizing firm based in Bergen County, New Jersey. Gayle is the creator of the Make Space for Blessings™ system. LGO works with busy families to help them find more time, space, money, and energy and connect their lives to their core values through being organized.