Organized, Merry & Bright

By Maria Gracia

Hopefully you are way ahead of the holidays this year. If not, here are a few suggestions to help you out:

1. No matter what you celebrate (Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice), there is always something that has to be prepared. Sit down and take a few minutes to list all that you want/need to do.

When you have completed that, start deciding on one or two things you could do each day to complete the list. Do you have everyone listed for whom you'll need to purchase presents? List the parties you will be attending or having so you have ample time to prepare.

2. If you will be entertaining out of town guests for the holidays, check on the linens, towels, etc. Pick a day or two and deep clean the guest room.

3. Make up a large grocery list for the holiday season, including your baking needs.

4. Bake extra casseroles or dinners on busy nights or when company arrives so you can enjoy visiting instead of working in the kitchen. Let guests help if they ask.

Plan on baking one or two types of cookies each week. You can freeze them. Plus, should you need a hostess gift, you can have something ready to bring. Pick up some inexpensive dishes at the Dollar Store to put the cookies or candy you make for hostess gifts.

5. Go through your decorations and plan on doing a few things each week before the holidays. Continue to wrap gifts and write cards each week until they are all finished. Pick up labels and stamps for mailing. If available, use the automatic machines at the post office for your mailings.

Get your on-line shopping done before the items you wish to purchase are out of stock. Reuse the boxes the gifts arrive in to ship out-of-town gifts, recycling at the same time.

6. Pick out outfits for the holiday season, making sure they are in good and wearable condition. If not you will still have time to purchase what is needed. Have one or two outfits prepared for each person in the family. The person will have something else to wear should there be one party or gathering after another.

Take photos early--say at Thanksgiving, or a party on a weekend when everyone is dressed up--if you are planning on sending photo cards this year.

7. Have a holiday calendar handy for your plans and cross off as you complete each task. Not only will it make you feel good, but it will ensure nothing is forgotten.

8. Gather up the family. Pair up each family member with a particular room in your house--this is the room that specific family member is responsible for keeping clean and organized. This will mean less for just one person to worry about.

9. Don't forget your elderly relatives and neighbors during the holiday season. They may not have any family nearby. Invite them over to see your decorations and enjoy a visit. As an alternate plan, bring homemade cookies so they know someone is thinking about them. If that isn't possible, a phone call or greeting card would do just as well.

10. Get together with a group of friends and neighbors and go caroling around the neighborhood. Go back to your house and have cookies and hot chocolate afterwards.

About the Author:

Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now! Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site