The holiday season is here and with it comes all of the joys and stresses of the season. To stay on top of things, we wanted to share some tips with you to help you stay organized and as stress-free as possible.
Before the Big Day…
Making A List, Checking It Twice
Write down a list of all people you need to buy gifts for. If you know what you’re planning on getting the people on your list, include it on the list and stick to that list and budget. As you’re doing your holiday shopping, mark off who you shopped for. When you get home with any present, keep all of your gifts together in the same area. Within that area, keep them organized by keeping each individual’s gifts together.
Besides the list for holiday gifts, you also want to create a to-do list of everything you need to do for the big day. Are you hosting or visiting others for the holidays? Maybe you need to do some baking, or even cooking. Whatever it is, create a to-do list and give yourself completion dates for the tasks.
After the Big Day…
Organize As You Go
Once the big day is over, there are a few times that you can organize and declutter.
- Going Through Presents – As you’re going through your families’ presents, declutter. If your children got new toys, get rid of any toys that they may not play with anymore. For clothing, remove any unworn, old, or outgrown clothes before adding the new ones into your closets or drawers. Lastly, if you have received gifts you know you’re not going to use, don’t just store them away. Set them aside to either be returned or donated.
- Taking Decorations Down – As you start to take your decorations down, be aware of how you’re packaging them away and keep things together. If you have certain items you like in certain rooms, keep them together in a box. You can even label the boxes with the area of the house they go in. Using clear containers is also beneficial when it comes time to putting your decorations out next year. In your attic or basement, keep your decoration boxes organized. Don’t mix your Christmas decorations with your Easter or Thanksgiving. Come next season, it will save you lots of time and energy.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy it with your family and friends! Remember, the joys of the season are not all about gifts and making sure everything is perfect. It is about spending time with family and friends!
If you find that after the holidays are over, you are in need of some major cleanouts, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!