Plan your menu. If you haven't already, now is the time to get going! Plan your holiday menu now and start stocking up on non-perishable items like baking goods, stuffing, canned goods, etc. Think about items you can purchase now and freeze, such as pie crusts. This will save you time running from store to store trying to find the last bag of chocolate chips. ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #7
Get the cards done now. I know what you are thinking… Now?? The answer is yes; start doing the addressing, signing, stamping and labeling now. Keep the cards in a basket where you sit down to watch television. This way you can work on them little by little over the next few weeks. You never spend too much time on any given day, and they will be ready to mail before the ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #8
Take out the holiday dishes. Take out your holiday dishes before the big meal. Swap your normal every day dishes for the holiday dishes. This way they will be clean and ready to go before your holiday meals. You'll also be able to enjoy them throughout the season. If they are fragile, consider keeping out an everyday plate or two for the kids. ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #9
Buy extra gifts. Buy extra gifts that will be good for any of those last minute gifts, and those people who didn’t make it on the list. Items such as candles, restaurant gift certificates, and gourmet chocolate are all great items for mail persons, administrative assistants, teachers, or co-workers. Have a stock of these gifts on hand. If you don’t give them all away, ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #10
Consider giving gift certificates. You can purchase gift certificates while you run your normal weekly errands. Think about the various places you visit in a week, and think about who might like a gift certificate to that establishment. Some businesses that offer gift certificates include: restaurants, gas stations, super markets, super stores, movie theaters, salons and ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #11
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #11 - Divide up your shopping list.
Everyone has heard of divide and conquer, right? We're going to change that a bit, and call it Divide to Conquer. The concept is simple: make yourself responsible to purchase a certain number of gifts each week between now and the middle of December. Remember, the more you buy now, the less you will ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #12
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays #12 Plan Ahead
I know that this will probably make a lot of readers say, "duh!" but I can't emphasize the importance of planning ahead enough. The saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Many stressful holidays begin with a failure to plan ahead and get things done when all the "crazies" aren't out and about. So, this year start by ...
12 Easy Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays
Every year you say you are going to do it. Get prepared before the holiday rush. And every year, you find yourself running around the mall at the last minute when you could be home wrapping gifts or baking cookies. It’s the perfect time of year to make your holiday fantasies come true. This year you can be watching holiday movies while everyone else you know is at the mall. This month we ...
Thoughtful Present
If you are looking for a unique and inexpensive gift this holiday season, give a photo! In this digital age, we take hundreds of photos per year. Why not have a photo blown up and frames for your loved one? Pick a photo and have it enlarged at your favorite photo shop or super store. Often you can purchase a frame from the same. Its a great gift that only you can give! ...
Eat, Santa! Eat! Consumable Gifts. Clutter Free Gifts – Part Four
Consumable gifts are great because once they are used, they don't take up space in the home. Mostly they are food and beverage type items. Here are some great consumable gifts:
Homemade Cookies
Coffee or tea basket
Spices
Flowers
Wine, Cheese, or Beer of the month club
Again, be creative and customize the gift to the recipient! ...
Bonnie Joy Dewkett is a nationally recognized organizing expert, author, motivational speaker, and internet radio personality. She began organizing as a child, and she has been organizing ever since. Her company, The Joyful Organizer®, creates and implements organizational systems for the home and office...