The holidays are nearly behind us, but there’s possibly one more thing most of us need to do . . . . pack it up!

Tackling this task can either be liberating or daunting, depending on how organized and prepared we are.  Here are some thoughts on making it easier, if not this year, certainly in years to come.

1. Reduce, reduce, reduce:  It’s always easier to pack away less stuff, so I suggest my clients take a good, long look at what they are planning to pack away.  A couple questions to ask yourself:
   • Do you or someone in your home love it?  If it holds great memories and you decorate with it every year, pack it up.
   • Has it been trapped in a storage container year-after-year-after-year?  If that’s the case, it’s probably not your style and doesn’t hold great memories.  Give it away.  Someone else will probably cherish it.
2. Give it away:
   • Has someone you know admired the decoration?  Ask them if they want it.  Gifting items to someone who has admired them is an easy way to release things that no longer serve us.
   • Is there a local charity, church, etc. that cold use the item?  Gifting things to those that can’t afford them brings extra honor to the decorations.  (NOTE:  Most charities will gladly accept Christmas decorations even at the end of the season, but it’s best to check before you try to drop them off.)
3. Store it: There are nearly as many ways to store decorations as there are decorations themselves!
   • Specialty containers like these from the Container Store can be extremely functional, but not very cost-effective.
   • Other simple solutions:
     • Wrap lights around cardboard, use a extension cord holder, or for larger quantities, utilize a hose reel. Check it out.
     • Liter-size water bottles work well to hold beaded garland.
     • Plastic produce clam-shell containers from warehouse stores are fantastic for glass ornaments.
     • Egg cartons work well for small, breakable ornaments.
4. Traditions:  What traditions served you well this year?  Did everyone still enjoy trekking into the woods for the Christmas tree? Was neighborhood caroling a big hit?  Midnight/sunrise service still magical?  If so, plan it again for next year.  If not, let it go.  No need to carry on traditions “just because.”
5. Holiday Cards:  Be sure to keep track of who you received holiday cards from this year and add them to your 2017 holiday card list. If you still have the envelopes, double-check the addresses to ensure your records are up-to-date.

Going through the sort, purge, and store process probably isn’t the most fun thing you will do this holiday season, but it could very well be the best gift you could give yourself come holiday time next year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President

 Certified Premium Subscriber, Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Less than a week before the “big day.”  Are you stressed about what’s left to be done?  Save your sanity and reduce some stress by following some (or all) of the suggestions below.

Last minute gift options:  Some people think gift cards are just too impersonal.  I heartily disagree.  There are so many options out there that would be perfect for almost everyone on your holiday list.  Check out your local grocery or drug store gift card kiosk and I’m certain you will find something that will work nicely.  Too late to mail a gift card?  Many retailers offer e-gift cards that can be e-mailed at a moment’s notice.

Let someone else bake/cook:  Personally I had great intentions for holiday backing this year.  Well, other things took priority.  Most grocery stores have wonderful bakeries that turn out goodies “as good as Grandma made.”   For that festive dinner, many restaurants and grocery stores offer pre-cooked, multi-course meals.  They may cost a little more, but may be well worth it for the stress reduction.

Enlist some help:  We don’t need to do it all ourselves!  In general, people enjoy being a part of the process and feel a sense of contribution.  Instead of taking on the entire responsibility for huge, festive dinners, make them potluck.  Ask  family members to help wrap packages.  Delegate grocery shopping.  Just because we’ve done it all in the past, doesn’t mean we need to in the future.

Send Happy New Years cards:  Still haven’t had time to get cards in the mail?  Well, don’t stress about it.  I’ve noticed a new trend of sending “Happy New Years!” cards.  Frankly, I think it’s a great idea!  Fantastic family pictures can be taken when the family is all together.  Creating/mailing New Year’s cards can  be done after the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  Plus, your card won’t get lost in the plethora of other cards landing in mailboxes right now.  Win. Win. Win

If you are looking for additional holiday suggestions, check some of my prior holiday-related posts:

Still Looking For That Perfect Gift?

Five Quick Tips to Destress the Holidays

Stressless Holidays

Not another tie!

Happy Holidays!

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President

 Certified Premium Subscriber, Institute for Challenging Disorganization

It’s the first week of December.  Major gift-giving days are right around the corner.  Are you feeling the stress of finding the perfect gift?  I know I am.

Every year I go through the “who do I need to buy for?,” “what does Aunt Mildred want?,” “what’s meaningful, but still easy to ship?,” . . . the list goes on and on.  Although there is magic in finding the perfect gift for someone, often-times finding the perfect gift is incredibly stressful.

I’m in people’s homes and offices every week, and quite often I find remnants of the “not so perfect gift.”  Sometimes they just sit in a drawer, sometimes they take up valuable space that could be used for something my clients truly enjoy, or they get relegated to the “re-gift” closet.  No matter where it ends up, it’s generally not in a place of honor or respect.  My clients generally can’t get themselves to give it away “because it was a gift.”  But think about it, would the gift-giver want you to burden yourself with something they gave you that you didn’t enjoy?  I think not.

So this year, what kind of gifts can we give that will bring more meaning and joy to those we love?

Here are some places to start:

The White Envelope Project:  I saw this on my Facebook feed a few days ago and think it is a brilliant way to honor someone you love and support those that may need it the most.

Do a good deed:  Instead of giving store-bought things, offer to:

• Run errands.
• Take down their holiday lights and decorations.
• Babysit.
• Mow their lawn/shovel their driveway.

And, for busy families or those who find it difficult to cook, fill their freezer with home-made goodness of soups, casseroles, etc.

Adopt-A-Family or Child:  There are many ways to support those in need, and adopting a family or foster child is a great way to do it.  Check with your work, local businesses, or Chamber of Commerce for specifics.

Purchase a gift in the recipient’s name from well-known, reputable charities:  It’s easy to get caught up in donating to whomever we receive a call or solicitation in the mail from.  To ensure your donation gets the biggest bang for the buck, check out  Charity Navigator. The Charity Navigator site gives you the ability to look up charities

Whatever gift-giving solution feels best to you, remember the spirit of the holidays is really to spend time with the ones we love.

If you are looking for additional holiday suggestions, check some of my prior holiday-related posts:

Five Quick Tips to Destress the Holidays

Stressless Holidays

Not another tie!

Happy Holidays!

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President

 Certified Premium Subscriber, Institute for Challenging Disorganization