November/December 2006
Fort Wayne Woman Magazine
Holiday Tips
Drowning in lists of gifts, receipts, and recipes for the party you're planning? Try organizing your paperwork in a holiday binder. Use a three-ring binder, some clear plastic sleeves, and index tab dividers. Label the tabs with categories like: shopping list, budget, receipts, online order confirmations, addresses (for holiday cards), and party planning. Having everything together will make it much easier to keep track of and avoid headaches should you have to make a return.
Shop on-line and shop early: Map out a plan for which stores to go to and tackle it before the last minute rush. If possible, take a day off from work to avoid the weekend crowds. Take advantage of free shipping offers and consider buying gifts on-line to avoid long lines and slushy parking lots. This is especially convenient for gifts that need to go long distances. Have the item gift-wrapped and shipped directly to the recipient.
What's more stressful than company on the way when the house is a wreck? Keep on top of your housekeeping through De-Cluttering Sprints. Turn the timer to fifteen minutes and tackle clutter in the kitchen, tossing anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen into a laundry basket. Focus on the visible spaces; don't be tempted to organize drawers. When 15 minutes is up, move to the living room for another round, and then tackle one more room. At the end, empty the laundry basket and put those items away where they are supposed to go (don't get sidetracked by those other rooms during your 15 minutes!)
Overwhelmed by all the parties and holiday obligations? Feel free to opt out. It's easy to drown in holiday "cheer," so before the season gets rolling, decide which events and traditions are most important to you. Is exchanging gifts with your girlfriends a necessity, or would you be just as excited to skip the gift-giving and go to a spa or nice dinner together? Upon reflection, you will likely see that by saying "no" to frivolous activities, you are saying "yes" to time with family and close friends.
Is retrieving your holiday decorations so frustrating you don't even want to tackle the project? Streamline your decorations, and then design convenient storage. If you are storing more than you use, decide to re-gift or donate them. Use handy reels to avoid the tangled mess of extension cords and lights. Use a closed cabinet with shelves for your really nice pieces. They will be kept safe and clean that way. If you have vertical wall space, hang the lights and wreaths. For those precious ornaments, special boxes with dividers are very handy. For the rest of the decorations, use plastic totes. If they are not the clear ones, label the contents on an index card on the outside. For ease and year-round benefit, purchase or make your own wrapping station with everything you need to pack and wrap gifts. (Photos courtesy of Closet Tamers)
Where to buy list:
Holiday light reel at Lowe's $1.97
Closet Tamers - assorted shelving and wall-board. Call for a free quote. 260-490-7890
Ornament storage boxes www.containerstore.com