Countdown to Christmas: Week 8

As a professional organizer, it’s truly rare to hear a client complain of having lots of time on their hands to plan for the holidays and having everything organized and ready to go. However, with proper planning, breaking larger tasks down and delegating, you can accomplish your holiday goals. Below is part one of an eight part series providing ideas, tips, and tricks for getting things done and having a less-stressed holiday this year.

Master list. This week our focus is creating your master list of everything you need to do before the holidays: gift and grocery shopping, wrapping, cleaning, travel, etc. Be sure to leave room so you can add to the list as the holidays draw closer.

Things to consider. Where will you be spending the holidays? Do you need to confirm or make travel arrangements? The cost of air travel has risen dramatically over the past few weeks. Now is the time to book your flight if traveling by air. Otherwise, be sure to book train, hotels, or rental car reservations.

Do you send gifts overseas? Purchase them now and get them packed and shipped to ensure they arrive in time.

What about cards? If you send cards, purchase them, as well as stamps, wrapping paper, and ribbons. Save time by purchasing stamps at your local grocery store. Or if you prefer holiday stamps,  go online to order them directly from the Post Office, www.USPS.com, and have them shipped directly to your mailbox. 

Want to delegate the card sending task? You can enlist the help of your older children or a neighborhood teen to address and stamp cards. Another option – www.SendOutCards.com.  Their online greeting card system allows you to choose your card, add a personal photo, write a message, and click send. SendOutCards.com will then print, stuff, stamp and mail your cards to anywhere in the world. My neighbor, Sharon, simplifies the task of mailing out cards by sending the annual family photo and holiday message via email.

That’s it for this week. See you next time for Week 7.