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 ...
The Joy of Organizing Episode #6 Clutter Free Gifts
The Joy of Organizing Episode #6 Clutter Free Gifts
This week we discuss what we call "clutter-free gifts." What is a clutter free gift? It is a gift that does not add clutter to the recipient's home. So rather than giving gifts that can make a home disorganized, consider these instead. These are great gifts that your recipient will love, especially since they won't add clutter to their home! ...
Organizing Receipts
If you are gift giving this holiday season you will be bombarded with receipts. Place an envelope in your purse, and use it for all the gifts you buy. When you give a gift, you will know exactly where the receipt is if you need it.
For an more advanced technique, create two envelopes-one for receipts of gifts and one for receipts of supplies (such as wrapping paper and cards.)
This will also ...
House Guests
Many of us have houseguests during the holiday season. Some are expected, and some are unexpected! Either way it is important to get prepared. If you use air mattresses, blow them up and make sure they don't leak. Also be sure that any sheets you for guests are clean. Take a minute to dust the guest room, and fluff the pillows and curtains.
A few minutes of preparation will give you piece of ...
Christmas Cleaning
Although we are strapped for time during the holidays, its a perfect time to do a little cleaning at your home. For mot people, having a clean home takes away stress and makes the holidays more enjoyable. As a Christmas present to yourself, consider hiring a cleaning service for the commonly used areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Then take the extra time to tackle items like curtains that need ...
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...