|
Author: Bridget Messino Article source: http://www.goarticles.com/. Used with author's permission.
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
How Many Megapixels Do We Need?
Are you having megapixel envy each time you walk by the camera section of your favorite electronics store? So do I. But, do we really need more and more pixels?...
A List Of My Friends And Family? *Sigh*
To this day, the hardest presentation I've ever given was to my mother. How many of you can relate to this by remembering trying to "pitch" your opportunity to...
Refinancing After Bankruptcy - Tips on Refinancing Your Home Mortgage After a Bankruptcy
Here are some tips to refinancing your home mortgage loan after a bankruptcy.
The Facts about Rhinoplasty Nasal Surgery
Rhinoplasty can be performed in the surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually performed on an outpatient basis...
Dialing Up a Scam: Avoiding the Auto-Dialer Virus
If you think you can't be the vicitim of the Auto-Dialer SCAM, Think again!
7 Compelling Reasons Why A Prepaid Debit Card May Be Just The Financial Tool You Need
Prepaid debit cards are great financial tools and may be just the financial tool you need. Here a seven compelling reasons why:
The Benefits of Gas Fireplace Logs
Today's gas fireplace logs are designed to look as close to real wood as possible. Though they are made of ceramic, ceramic fiber or concrete, they are created ...
The Cheapest Christmas Ever!
A Christmas with no bills!
7 Secrets to Explode your eBook Sales! Part 5
Secret #5: How to build steady sales for years to
come with eBook Directories!
Six Keys to build vision (overview and point one)
Living life without a defined purpose is like setting out on a journey without the use of a compass or map. It may well provide excitement for the first few day...
Bubble Bread It Can Be Satisfying
Bubble bread is one of the breads that I have found to be kind of unique and definitely different, but good.
Writing CVs and Resumes for Professionals with Examples
Conducting a job search is like marketing and selling a product -- with YOU as the product. The best way to market yourself is to go through this sales sequence...
Bad Blogs Have Got To Go, Blogging Could Be Really Cool If Done Properly
There's a lot of blogs out there on the Web, most of which don't entice one to go back regularly to read updates. What is missing from these on-line journals th...
Editing for Perfection – The Personal Statement
Editing your personal statement for university submission is often difficult. This article is a practical guide packed with inspirational and easy to follow adv...
Your Debt To Income Ratio
Credit Card Debt Is A Major Factor. To stay out of debt, you must spend less money than you earn. Implementing this financial plan is often more difficult than ...
Start Your Plants From Seeds
For a rewarding experience, start your garden from seeds rather than purchasing the plants. This articles well get you started on how to plant your seeds and t...
Travel With Style
Your heading out for that vacation you've been waiting sooo long for. You've got your tickets, passports current. Don't sacrifice comfort for fashion as you j...
Learn How to Improve the Performance of your AdSense Account - Some New Features
Learn How to Improve the Performance of your AdSense Account some New Features.
Lamps
Lamps can really add to the ambiance of a room. Think about it. There's a certain low light with kind of a gold hue that to me is a good evening light or good f...
Newsletters – Keeping Your Customers Informed
Do you keep in touch with your current and previous customers? Do you keep them updated by email? Are you building an email list of your potential new customers...
Choosing The Correct Comic Book Storage Box
A brief description of the different types of comic book storage boxes and their uses.
The Atkins Diet
The principle Dr Atkin's based his plan says that it is the way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat -- not how much fat you eat -- that causes you to ...
The Bright Side of Loneliness
Recently a romantic relationship came to an end and I found myself alone again. The minutes, the hours now felt empty. For three weeks I sat beside a silent pho...
When Goliath Comes
One does not have to live long to realize that along the pilgrim's path are many battles to be fought and enemies to be overcome and we should not be surprised ...
|
Print this page