Organization for the Holidays!
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Organization for the Holidays!
As an organizer I am always thinking ahead to being prepared for the holidays. I have already made an appointment with my favorite photographer for my daughter’s Christmas card, reservations are confirmed at a new, hip restaurant to celebrate with my friends for our annual ornament swap dinner, and I am in the process of picking out favors for my Christmas Eve party. For me, all of these tasks are in my iPhone calendar reminding me with “ding, ding, ding” goes my iPhone! I have to be honest, if I did not plan the annual ornament swap dinner with my friends, we probably would never see each other over the holiday (shhh, do not tell them I said that).
Organizing for the holidays consists of many things – calendars, toys, lights, decorations, outfits, wrapping, dinner menu, etc. How do you get it all done? Make a list and yes, check it twice! Hang it up on the refrigerator so you have to look at it each day as reminder of what needs to be done so the holidays run smoothly. For instance, take a peak in the attic or basement in November and eye where the holiday decorations are stored. That avoids the ole “honey, I am in the attic, where did you store the large inflatable turkey to put in the yard?” Assessing early on where items are stored will help avoid all the questions of “where is the ……”
Susan Parziale is a certified Professional Organizer. She is also a mother to 8 year old daughter with Autism.
Photo Courtesy Heather Dirks
A few more tips to help with your holidays:
Menu Plan: I work on my menu plan early in December for my Christmas Eve dinner; taking into account the number of people I will be serving that evening. Christmas Eve is no time to over order on food. Remember, the next day you will be eating an entire new dinner!
Wrapping Supplies: As soon as the Christmas paper, gift tags and tape hit the shelves, I pick up the items and store it with my other wrapping paper. Sometimes I am invited to an early December Christmas party and it is a big help to have gift wrapping supplies on hand.
Outside Services: Are you working full-time and do not have time to shop and wrap? Do not rule out hiring somebody. You would be surprised how happy some people are choosing and wrapping other people’s gifts while making some pocket money!
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This post originally appeared on our November/December 2012 Magazine
