If you're anything like us, you have vowed each year after Thanksgiving that this year, this holiday season, you are going to plan the holidays right.
You're going to get totally, absolutely organized. Your cards will be in the mail early, gifts purchased and wrapped on time, decorations will be adorning your fireplace and your guest rooms will be ready and willing to take on your beloved relatives.
Ah, yes, in a perfect world.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but we have to remind you (as much as we remind ourselves) that getting organized for the holidays does not have to be a daunting task. To help this, we've asked our friends on Facebook and Twitter to send us their holiday organizing tips. We received so many tips and tricks we couldn't fit them all in one post, so look for more tips in the upcoming weeks.
Tricia O'Neill DiMeglio of Metuchen, NJ loves spreadsheets:
"I plan my schedule leading up to (cleaning/set-up) and including Christmas appetizer, dinner and desserts with Excel spreadsheets. I carry them forward from year to year and make alterations as needed. Oh, I also use it for all the gift planning and buying with all the little kiddies.... nieces, nephews and such. Helps to plan the budget and to see from year to year where the $$ goes. We have both sides of the family to our house for Christmas. I LOVE my Excel spreadsheets!!!"
Kathy Melamed, a West Hollywood Clothing and Belt Designer also loves spreadsheets:
Strategize:"I organize my list in excel by year and separate business from personal. It is also a great reminder of what you gave to who the year before and helps make sure I didn't leave anyone off."
San Francisco organizing colleague and author Emily Wilska recommends strategy:
"Use the next few weeks to set some general goals and guidelines for your seasonal celebrations. For example, you might decide to reconsider exchanging gifts with friends and extended family, opting instead to pool your money to pay for a special celebration, to make a collective donation to charity, or give one simple gift per family. Share your thoughts and plans with those you celebrate with so you're all on the same page and can figure out details before the holidays."
Organize Don't Decorate:
Saundra Wright, an Akron, Ohio home organizer, seems to have the key to holiday bliss:
Borrow, Rent or Repurpose:"As we approach the holiday season, many of us are looking forward to decorating our homes with all of our favorite seasonal decorations. However, sometimes when we bring out all of these holiday decorations our houses seem to look more "cluttered" rather than "decorated." Consider organizing for the holidays rather than decorating for the holidays!
Karli Bertocchi, professional organizer from Chicago, Illinois, has a smart idea:
"Borrow, rent or re-purpose what you can instead of adding appliances, dishes or furniture to your home for a "once a year" event."
Concentrate on Clutter Free Gifts:
Monica Ricci, Atlanta-based organizing expert and author gives out shopping advice:
Practice Clutter Portion Control:"You can still enjoy giving gifts and let someone know you care without giving them a gift that will clutter their life and their home. There are plenty of creative, thoughtful and sure to please gifts, especially for that person who has everything!"
Lorie Marrero of the Clutter Diet in Austin, Texas recommends a "clutter watcher's" approach:
"Pay attention to portion control for your purchases. Shop with a list, leave plenty of time so you're not rushed into purchasing decisions and bring a friend to help curb your clutter appetite."
Have a comment or trick of your own? Please join the conversation and leave your tip below and stay tuned for more holiday organizing tips.
Photo of Los Angeles City Hall above courtesy Benjamin Page and Flickr.
Related Posts:10 most stressful holiday activities from FranklinCovey (11/06)
Holiday cleaning tips from Fly Lady (11/05)
A handy holiday switch (7/05)
