Getting Organized for the Holidays

The holidays are my favorite time of year. For me, this starts October 1st and lasts through New Years. A while ago, it occurred to me that I just wasn't enjoying this time as much as I should. It was so hectic and there was always a multitude of things that needed to be done. After some thought I finally realized by organizing a few of my routines and combining others I had much more time to relax and enjoy this special time of year. I've had a wonderful holiday season with more time to enjoy all the events and even the quite times, every year since.

The very first thing I do every September is a thorough cleaning. This usually will last an entire weekend. As I clean I am removing much of my everyday decor in preparation for my fall and later Christmas displays. These everyday items will be packed away until after the New Year. Once this has been taken care of I sort through my fall decorations, weeding out the things I've grown tired of and then I can add new items I think I need. As soon as the house is spic and span I set up my fall decorations. This is so much easier and quicker with a clean and cleared out house. By mid to late September my home is fully decorated for the fall season.

With this task out of the way, next I go shopping. I always have the urge to cook more and bake during this time of year, so I've learned to stock up on the necessities. This list of items usually includes several new bags of flour and sugar, as well as, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and other non perishables. These are the items I use the most and always seemed to be out of before. Your list may be completely different, but the point is I have every staple I need for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the baking in between. Now when the urge hits to bake a few batches of cookies or a cake or two, I have everything I need and don't waste time going to the grocery store first.

Next, I go looking for Christmas cards. I go looking on the internet. It's much easier and you definitely find a bigger selection. I also buy a calendar for the next year and put it aside. I will usually receive my Christmas cards sometime in early October. As soon as I receive them I compile my list of recipients. Now, if you are the least bit computer savvy then a great tip for addressing Christmas cards is Microsoft Word. Using mail merge, I pick a cute holiday font and print up all my envelopes. I can then add little touches here and there so I always have the cutes envelopes.

While I'm cruising the internet searching for Christmas cards I usually look for gifts for the mail man, the paper boy and all those other people that give fantastic service throughout the year. I make a list ahead of time of who I will buy for and what each gift should cost, then if I find something I like I buy it. I also keep an eye out for stocking stuffers and other small gifts. This saves me a huge amount of time.

Once I have received all my internet purchases, I wrap them and set them aside. If I've chosen something special for someone I put their name on it, otherwise I leave them blank and tag them as I give them out.

I always buy my wrapping paper, tape, tags and ribbon at the sales after Christmas. I keep them in a wrapping caddy along with a pair of scissors and several pens. I set the caddy up somewhere in the house or garage where I can get to it easily but is out of the way. Then if I have to walk away unexpectedly it won't be an eyesore. Now, this may be a little challenging if you have kids, but it is definitely a time saver to have that little station ready and waiting.

One thing I will always take the time to do is my personal Christmas shopping. Although shopping on the internet would be a huge time saver, to me, there is nothing more enjoyable than shopping at Christmas time. I do, however, make a very detailed list of the things I want to buy along with colors, sizes and so forth. This list is always with me and as I purchase items I mark them off the list. I give myself a deadline and am usually very good at getting everything purchased before this time. Although shopping at Christmas is one of the things I enjoy, I absolutely hate shopping at the last minute.

Finally, there are many other little time savers I could mention and you will probably think up a few your of you own. But with these tips, you'll be amazed at the extra time you have to sit back and really enjoy the season. Happy Holidays.