Getting Organized for the Holidays

 

Preparation is the prerequisite to doing anything well and is essential to eliminating unnecessary stress and the feeling of being overburdened during the holidays.


To get started, schedule one hour to sit down with your calendar (paper and/or computer), and make a “To Do” List. Your list will probably include some of the following:

• Cards: Update your address book, use your favorite pen, buy stamps, find return address stickers, etc.
• Invitations: Send out in good time. RSVP to those received and put on calendar.
• Gifts (Regular and Hostess): Determine budget, buy gifts, wrapping paper, bows, tags, tape, etc. Consider shipping time if mailing overseas. When it comes to hostess gifts, it’s always nice to have a few gift items stored in the closet. These can be wrapped as you go.
• Online vs. In-Store: If you know the exact gift for someone it will save you time, and possibly money, to shop online. As an added bonus, the gift can be wrapped and sent directly to the recipient. Wherever you shop, make sure you keep all receipts in one envelope/folder in case they are needed.
• Decorations: Take from storage your tree lights (check that last year’s are still working), ornaments, hooks, candles, Menorah, and all those special treasured holiday items that you only bring out at holiday time. Buy new decorations as needed as well as wreaths, poinsettias, Christmas trees, Chanukah candles, and maybe some mistletoe!
• Meal Plans: Make grocery lists, and be sure that you have sufficient staples, such as sugar, flour, spices in the kitchen and ready to be used. You will also need to find the recipes (that you kept somewhere) for those special holiday dishes you always make.
• Car: Is it ready for traveling short and longer distances? Check the emergency kit and that the spare tire is in good shape. Carry flashlights in case you get stuck.
• Chargers: Make sure you know where the chargers are for your phones, cameras, video recorders, laptops (you may be emailing or Skyping distant friends and relatives), etc. It is also a good idea to have everything fully charged and ready to be used.
• Batteries: You need to check that you have all the proper batteries for any gifts you are giving and keep some spares so you do not get caught short.

Once your “To Do” List is completed, make sure you give each item a scheduled time on the calendar with a completion date noted. For example, cards do not have to be done all at once, however, maybe there is a certain time in your day, each day, during the first week of December to complete your cards and mail them.

If you are going shopping, make a list for each store so that you only have to go once.

A “To Do” List is an intention of what you want to do. Once you schedule the items on a calendar with a specific deadline, you are committed to accomplishing your goals.

When the holidays are over this year, put everything away carefully and organize like things together. Label containers so that next year, you will look forward to welcoming the holiday season.

Happy Holidays!  

Randi Hutton, Founder, the RZ connection, Organizing & Productivity Specialists. www.therzconnection.com 800.757.4716