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Health & Fitness

Tis the Season for Organizing

The holidays are a hectic time for many of us. On top of an already busy schedule we add shopping, baking, volunteering, decorating and entertaining.  Organizing skills can help you manage the season and keep focused on the true meaning of the holidays.

Get time on your side
A successful holiday organizer uses a calendar to block out times for baking, decorating and shopping as well as social events. Call friends now to get your dates scheduled.  If you are already overscheduled you can see it earlier, set priorities and scale back if needed.

Make a list and check it twice

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For each main activity make a to-do list. Who will you buy for and how much will you spend? Without a shopping strategy and budget it’s very easy to spend too much time and money shopping. Get ideas first, then shop. Lists are also great for planning parties. Figure out dishes you can do ahead of time to make the main event less stressful. Plan ahead so you will know what to say when people ask “What can I bring?”

Reduce holiday clutter

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As you decorate, go through your holiday décor and decide what no longer fits your style. Pitch broken items. If you haven’t used it in a couple of years, you probably don’t need it. When storing, you might want to organize items in a way that makes decorating easier to do in stages. Perhaps all your outdoor décor is in one bin and your indoor décor in another.

Consider holiday helpers

When time is at a premium, a little extra help can go a long way toward de-stressing your holidays. Outsource cleaning. Cater portions of your meal. Delegate tasks to family members. You can even hire companies who will install all your outdoor decorations.

Extend the season
Be realistic about what you can get done. Don’t stress. Consider planning a January party after life has slowed down a little.

Build your organizing skills this holiday season, but don’t stop there. The same strategies can work to help you better manage time and resources throughout the year.  Tis always the season for organizing.

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