Q:
NANCY HELP... I desperately need a plan to get organized for the
holidays. Where do I begin?
A: Relax, take a deep breath, you are not alone. The 38 days between Thanksgiving and New
Year’s Day are the most chaotic time of year for most people.
“What are your REAL priorities for this holiday season?”
Many
people get so stressed out that they can not enjoy the holidays.
Take Some Of The Stress
Out of the Holidays
One way to do this is
to decide
in advance what you will do and what you will not do this year. Many
people feel guilty if they do not do everything they think that they
should. Be realistic about the free time that you have to cook,
bake, decorate, and shop. Consider these options:
Don’t try to do it all yourself - delegate. Ask your family and friends
for help.
A personal chef can make your favorite recipes or hire a caterer.
Hire someone to decorate your home.
Shop online or by catalog instead of going to the shopping mall or
busy boutiques.
For
more holiday planning tips and
advice to reduce holiday stress follow this link.
Gift Buying Made Easy
For that dis-organized person in your life...
Gift Certificates from
Organization Plus are the perfect way to get that dis-organized
person in your life on the right track.
If
you shop at the mall, note stores that you need to go to according
to their location. It will save you miles of mall walking.
Shop
locally, it will save you travel time.
List gifts to buy by store, i.e. toys, electronics, books.
Have people circle items wanted in catalogues.
Have ship to & credit card information available when shopping or
placing orders.
Shop early for gifts that have to be mailed.
Do
you know someone who is overwhelmed by their piles of personal
papers? Give them the gift of peace-of-mind, a Homefile System.
These laminated file dividers show where to immediately file every
piece of paper, how long to keep it, and when to throw it away.
Learn more about the
HomeFile kit here.
Mailing
Save
time use automated systems in Post Office Lobbies instead of
standing in line.
http://www.usps.com/holiday has
mailing options, including purchasing stamps.
Send
all of your overseas gifts before Thanksgiving.
Proofread your holiday letter one last time, print and insert into
cards, mail.
Address a few cards a night, it isn’t as overwhelming.
Mail holiday cards.
Entertainment and Food Preparation
Plan
guest list.
Plan menu: decide what you want other people to bring.
Buy non-perishable ingredients ahead of time.
Plan time line for what you will make and when.
Prepare ahead as much as possible.
Place orders for prepared foods.
Check to see if table linens need to be refreshed and silver need
polishing.
Take out special holiday items that have been stored
away.
If
you still feel stressed a few days before the holiday, ask yourself:
“Do
I REALLY need to do that?”
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE, it will give you the freedom to enjoy the
holidays.
Maintain your cool. When feeling stressed, take a deep breath and
count to 20.
Take
these steps to a calmer holiday so that you can go from holiday
chaos to holiday cheer. ENJOY YOURSELF! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Coming in December
Wrapping things up at work for 2006 to segue into 2007.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter.
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Best
regards,
Nancy Black
Organization Plus
Home of the Three Hour Transformation
Transform Your Life In Only Three Hours !!
Turn Piles Into Files !!
Free Up More Time For Other Activities !!
http://www.organizationplus.com
Serving the Greater Boston and North Shore
Call To Arrange Your Free Initial Consultation: (978) 922-6136
©
Copyright 2006. Nancy
Black, Organization Plus.
News
from Nancy Black