The holiday season is a great time to create amazing memories with your friends and family. If you really want to relax and have fun, use the tips below to have an organized holiday season and be ready in detail and in spirit.
1. Prepare a Master Calendar
The first step is to get every event, task, and due date on your calendar. Include all of the events, cookie parties, carry-ins, food drives, and nights out with friends. Don’t forget the kid stuff – the concerts, classroom parties, and gift exchanges that require your attention.
If you start to stress when you view your calendar, it’s time to re-evaluate. What events are you looking forward to? What if you crossed a few off of your list? What if you attended the neighbor’s open house every other year, or skipped sending Christmas cards? Start prioritizing and looking for ways to pare down your calendar items and to-do list, you will be able to find the time you need to truly enjoy your favorite activities.
2. Take inventory
If you’re hosting a gathering, take inventory of what you have on hand and what you can borrow before you start shopping. Borrow the turkey platter, stemware, and folding tables you need instead of investing in these items and having to store it all year long. Mix and match to your heart’s content. Remember that hospitality isn’t a contest, it’s sharing the best you have without apology.
How quickly can you lay your hands on your wrapping paper, tape, scissors, bows, bags, etc.? Save time and money by using an under-bed storage bin to organize your supplies. When you’re done, slide it under the bed and out of sight.
3. Make a List (or two or three)
Wandering into a store with no list and no direction is never a good idea. The lack of a list guarantees many more budget-busting impulse purchases. It will also increase your chances of forgetting a key item and having to make an emergency trip later.
Eliminate unnecessary trips and wasted time by spending a few minutes each week to create a plan. Look a week or two ahead to calculate your needs, then create a list in your favorite app or notebook by category (cookie-baking supplies from the grocery, socks and mittens at the discount store for the adopt-a-family program at work, a bottle of burgundy from the wine shop for the wine and cheese party). Now when you find some time for shopping, you have everything you need to attack it with purpose and complete these tasks in record time.
4. Consider an Un-Gift
If shopping and wrapping are the things you dread most, then consider gifting your loved ones with experiences rather than gifts. Think about the perks of this strategy; zoo and museum memberships, cooking classes, concert tickets and movie passes can all be purchased while you’re sitting at home drinking peppermint hot chocolate and watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”!
5. Take Care of You
You’ve heard it all before, but it is essential that you take the time to take care of yourself and your family if you want to stay healthy. This means getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, squeezing in some regular exercise, and balancing food and drink indulgences with healthy eating habits.